Best Sealer For Shed Floor

Best Sealer For Shed Floor

Shed floors are notorious for rotting, especially if you live in a damp climate. Between high foot traffic and water, you need to start sealing your shed before you ever place the floor.

Start by raising it off the ground and placing it on concrete, then put down a waterproof layer under the flooring to limit moisture transfer. Then seal your floor. I’ll explain the best sealers for different shed floors to avoid costly replacements.

Best Sealer for Shed Floor

The best sealer for a shed floor is waterproof liquid rubber paint. Regular paint won’t last as long or seal as well, and oil-based sealants are bad for pets, plants, and the environment, but liquid rubber paint makes a great, durable and versatile go-to for any shed floor.

What To Use To Seal A Shed Floor

There are several options for sealing a shed floor, but some are much smarter choices. I have seen people suggest that ‘just painting it’ is enough of a sealant. While regular home or outdoor paint can seal the floor, don’t expect it to last.

Most floors aren’t painted, and there are lots of reasons why. Foot traffic and furniture, tools being dragged, and bags and boxes dropped all mean that you need a more solid, sturdy, and reliable flooring sealant.

Once you scratch the surface of your paint, it’s no longer sealing the floor completely, and moisture can get inside.

Instead of using standard paint, I recommend Liquid Rubber Foundation Sealant from Amazon. This clever and easy-to-apply sealant has outstanding abrasion and impact resistance.

More importantly, it will seal out moisture completely and has no VOCs, so it’s easier on the environment and your lungs.

Liquid Rubber Foundation Sealant - Indoor & Outdoor Waterproof Coating
  • PROTECTIVE FINISH FOR - Foundations, ICF's, Basements, Shower Liners, Deck and Fence Posts, Planter Boxes, Metal, Wood, Concrete and more
  • HIGHLY FLEXIBLE - Sealant final membrane has over 900% elongation in the sealing material preventing adhesion failure causing cracks and tearing.
  • EASY TO APPLY - No mixing required! Apply by brush, roller or high quality piston paint sprayer. Container can be closed and left over material used later. No pot life or working time like 2 component products
  • ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY - Liquid Rubber Foundation Sealant is water based, containing no solvents, VOC's or harmful odors. Safe for humans and pets alike, can be used indoors and outdoors with no special breathing apparatus
  • FOR A BULLETPROOF SYSTEM - Bridge joints, seams, vents, gaps, protrusions…. With Liquid Rubber Seam Tape or Liquid Rubber Geo-Textile where possible movement may occur. Scroll down for full application steps

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

According to DIY Waterproofing, you need minimal preparation and no primers. You will need to apply the first coat on a day when no rain or dew is expected. Let the first coat dry, and then you add a second coat for best results.

Sealing Plywood Shed Floor

Sealing a plywood shed floor can be tricky because of the texture. Unlike more solid floors, plywood tends to be excessively porous. In this case, I recommend a water-based nano sealer.

Although the rubberized sealant will also work, choosing a water-based nano sealant for plywood allows your sealant to permeate deeply into the layers of smaller particles.

Especially if your shed is high traffic with this style of flooring, you need a product that permeates like old-fashioned oil sealants but without the noxious chemicals.

Choose an advanced product like Seal Once Nano Penetrating Wood Sealer. This option is safe around plants and pets. Plus, Seal Once will protect against mold, decay, and water.

SEAL-ONCE Nano Penetrating Wood Sealer & Stain (Clear) - Water-Based, Low-VOC Waterproofer
  • CLEAR SEALANT: Our water-based sealer provides top-notch protection against wear and tear in high traffic areas. It’s odorless and ideal for use on wood siding, log homes, swing sets, outdoor furniture, wooden decks and fences, and more.
  • WOOD SEALANT: Unlike many sealers that only form a topcoat, our protector penetrates below the surface to create a long-lasting, water-resistant shield around the wood.
  • FLOOR SEALER APPLICATOR: Our premium gloss is ultra-low VOC and great for enhancing the extended life of your exterior flooring.
  • WATERPROOF SEALER: Ditch the oil-based sealers and choose a UV-stable coating option. Our fast-drying liquid creates a flexible, breathable barrier and provides a no-fuss, easy clean-up with soap and water, as it allows the wood to grey naturally.
  • SEAL-ONCE: Our user-friendly wood sealers and stains are an effective way to protect your lumber or concrete against water damage.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Waterproof A Metal Shed Floor

For metal shed floors, you need to take a few extra precautions. It’s vital to seal around screws, and anywhere your panels overlap.

Corners and seams are some of the easiest spots for moisture to sneak in. Sadly, even durable, rust-resistant metals like aluminum and stainless steel will eventually oxidize.

Before you can apply a coat of anything, it is essential to clean and prime the metal. Any dirt or oil will resist paint.

Additionally, as Shalimar Paints points out, you need to use fine-grit sandpaper to remove any rust before you start painting anything on the metal.

All you need to seal the edges, cracks, and screws on a metal floor is decent-quality, paintable silicone caulk. Once that dries, you can put a couple of coats of liquid rubber over the floor and call it a day.

However, it is worth noting that some metal sheds have particleboard floors, in which case please use the particleboard solution above instead.

Best Way To Seal A Shed Floor

When sealing a shed floor, there are a few steps to ensure it comes out perfect. A little extra effort to prepare your shed can save you thousands on a replacement later.

Follow the steps below to seal your shed floor.

  1. Select an area for your shed that is not in a flood zone or downhill where water is likely to run and remove any nearby vegetation to promote airflow around your shed for better evaporation.
  • Lay your sand or gravel and add a damp-proof membrane or DPC.
  • Pour a concrete slab for the shed to raise it off the ground and put down a layer of sealant on the concrete itself. Ensure that both the concrete and sealant have plenty of time to dry before you move on. You can use deck-block or concrete blocks instead, depending on your specific shed and needs.
  • Add drainage around the shed. Once the shed roof is in place, it will direct water off the structure and onto the ground below. It would be best if you give that water somewhere else to go.
  • If you are installing the floor from scratch, you’ll want to choose boards that are at least three-quarters of an inch or thick or more. Choose a good-quality treated wood. Treated wood, even plywood, helps resist moisture and insect damage. Moreover, it’s typically also resistant to mold and mildew. Seal any cut ends with a wood preserver as well. However, if you’re buying a prefab, make sure the floor and structure of your shed are made of treated wood.
  • Next, you’ll want to seal around the shed base where it meets the pad. This prevents moisture buildup underneath.
  • Once the floor is sealed in place, check for any gaps or areas likely to leak. You can easily fill these with paintable silicone caulk. Smoothing the surface and blocking any unnecessary holes will give you a better seal for the next step. Corner joints are often the culprit for water leakage, and it’s a good idea to seal these regardless.
  • Now your shed is ready for its floor sealant. Use a brush or roller for your textured epoxy paint. It’s important to ventilate properly while painting and always start furthest from the door. Once it dries, inspect every corner and crevice for missed spots. It doesn’t take much to ruin all your hard work, but if you’re diligent and follow these steps, you’ll have a well-sealed floor.
  • Bonus Tip: Always paint on a day when the weather is clear and dry. This will let your paint cure faster.

Best Sealer For Plywood Shed Floor

When sealing a plywood shed floor, you can treat it like particleboard or metal. Opt for a modern, water-based nano sealant that mimics the style of oil sealants for a good view of the natural wood and excellent permeation.

Alternately, you can use a rubber sealant that is low in VOCs to lock everything out safely.

However, if you want a cleaner, classic painted look, I recommend Valspar Porch and Floor Latex Satin Enamel from Amazon. This simple, elegant solution gives a paint finish with the water and wear resistance you need for a shed floor.

Valspar 1533 Porch and Floor Latex Satin Enamel
  • Use on wood, concrete, floors, primed metal, steps, railings and porches
  • For interior and exterior use
  • Multi-purpose and weather resistant
  • Water clean-up and wear resistant

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Helpful Tips To Know About Sealing Shed Floor

Every shed floor is different. From materials to location, climate, and more, many things can affect what the best floor sealant is in your area.

Here are some helpful tips to know about sealing a shed floor.

  • Always clean first. Before you seal any shed floor, even a new one, you should always clean it off. Small amounts of sand, dust, and debris can stop sealant from sticking.
  • Getting a complete seal is vital. Even a small coverage gap will leave your shed floor exposed to water and other potential problems like oxygen that ruins metal and mold spores that can get into wood and spread.
  • Sealing a shed floor on the surface where you put your feet is not enough. You need to seal beneath it. Wherever moisture collects, bacteria, mold, microorganisms, and mildew are sure to follow.

Final Thoughts

Sheds can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, so it’s vital to ensure that they last. By raising your shed off the ground and starting with a moisture barrier under the floor, you can get the most out of your shed floor sealant.

Liquid rubber paint is a superb choice for most floors because it seals and it’s durable. By mixing in plastic chips, or even sand, you can get a nonslip surface that helps ensure you’re safer even if you get water or other liquids on the sealed surface.

Taking the time to seal your shed floor helps protect your investment and extend its working life.

Drew Thomas

My name is Drew Thomas and I’m the creator of Fun In the Yard, your one stop site for all your outdoor games, sports, party activities, outdoor gear, and lawn & gardening tips.

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