Vinyl Floor, Plywood Underlay for Utility Shed

I am planning on adding a plywood underlayment and loose-lay roll vinyl floor to my 16 X 16 utility shed. Right now the floor is bare 1/2 construction grade plywood. I am doing this project to make the floor more sturdy and rigid, more durable, more water resistant and easier to sweep and clean. It is not meant to be pretty only functional, cheap and easy to construct.

What plywood should I use? 1/2, 1/4, other size? Does grade matter? Should I use OSB, hardboard or some other material instead of plywood for the underlayment? I am willing to spend more on a good underlayment and less on the vinyl. Should I get tongue and groove? The DIY books say leave a 1/8 to 1/4 inch space between panels for expansion- wouldn't the lines be visible through the vinyl floor- doesn't T&G fix this problem and is it worth the extra cost?

Any recommended roll vinyl flooring? I could not find any internet or manufacturer info on using vinyl in a garage or utility shed (except for really expensive specialty garage flooring). I will try to get wholesale or salvage so I am willing to take what is available though I would like any recommendations on particular brands or alternatives to roll vinyl. Would anyone recommend that I do not do loose lay but go the fully or perimeter bonded route? I am a beginner and this is only a shed so I thought loose-lay would be the best option.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Post edited by: Palsgraf, at: 2007/10/19 20:55

Hello Palsgraf, welcome to the forum In your situation I think I would opt for "Gypsum Concretes Floor Underlayment" as it seems to me the sturdiest for that application.

Thanks for the info. Do you mean gypsum panels like Aqua Tough panels or the poured liquid gypsum underlayment? Do you know where I would buy either product? The panels seem like a lumberyard would have them but everything I have read on the poured liquid suggests that I would need to hire a contractor with specialty pumping equipment. Thanks again.

Palsgraf, HERE (please cick) you can find more information regarding this subject from the manufacturers. (this is not meant as a recommendation btw, I personally have never tried them out or purchased from them) -

Personally I don't live in the U.S. and could give you some addresses in Israel but you wouldn't be helped by them is my assessment If you have difficulties finding addresses online, please let me know and I will see if I can come up with some