Deck boards. do it once and do it right.

 

X2

 

Last month I painted OSB I already had with Thompson's water seal. Then chickened out and bought thick deck boards. I'll caulk between them as soon as the weather warms.

 

Menard's had a nice sale price on their thick treated deck boards a couple weeks ago, and I did purchase them. I was wondering about caulking the gaps, wasn't sure how well it would work or how long it would stay in place. I'll give it a try.

 

What about used deck boards? They're always popping up on Craigslist and Facebook for free and should be aged enough that shrinking will be less of a problem. I'd go that route and cover it up up with some outdoor carpeting to fill any gaps and keep the noise down. No matter what I'd stay away from OSB.

 

Good idea, however I looked for used treated lumber for a couple months on Marketplace, very little to choose from and not enough savings to bother with it.

 

I would put window screen down first then deck boards over that. Then when the boards shrink the screen keeps bugs out.

 

Think it would matter if the screen is aluminum or fiberglass? Any issue with putting decking screws through it?

 

My blinds all have deck boards for flooring. I then cover that with carpeting for sound deadner and warmth. Plus the carpet feels better against my slippers. I would think that plywood on a flat surface will rot eventually.

 

I would use deck boards for the platform, then a piece of plywood over that inside the blind. If that makes sense. A little more money, but well worth it. Carpet over the plywood of course.

 

You wanna go cheaper than plywood, you can always use Masonite with carpet over the top. If you are more worried about the boards shrinking and leaving gaps, then foam sheets can be placed underneath the platform.

 

I’ve done both ways…deck boards and treated ply. When i have to do it again I’ll do deck boards, then inside the blind a 2x subfloor with treated ply and carpet. Easier to keep heat in and bugs out. Just make sure your door swings out. The one elevated blind i built with a treated ply floor is still in decent shape after 15 years. If you do it with ply, drill some 1”holes around the perimeter of the blind to let water drain, seems to have helped quite a bit.

 

The gaps can be filled with backer rod. It's a tubular foam that comes in different diameters and is pretty cheap.

 

Rubber backed carpet over deck boards will provide a good seal.

 

Marine grade plywood. Be there forever.

 

Big torch and a 20# propane tank. Burn that plywood and it will last a long time. Bug and moisture preventing-old Chinese technique. I've tried and it seems to work K.A. I actually did my last 2 shacks completely inside and out.

It looks cool and way cheaper than paint!

 

I am going to be doing mine soon, wanted to get maple syrup out of the way, and am gathering stuff now. I will more then likely use boards, but the single biggest reason for me is not to half to pull full sheets of plywood up a ladder. as a switch up, my sides may be done of small dia. logs in the woods for that cabin look. frame with 2x4 . and screw . also , am thinking iof wrapping it first in roofing felt, as it will not be air or scent proof . but will; think it will look cool, and maybe more natural

 

The last blind I built last summer I tarpapered around the studs including the floor studs before I put the floor boards down and the siding on the walls. Worked out great.

 

 

Trex would be the better way as any kind of "Wood" will rot over Time. Trex Deck Type Wood will last much Longer . You could Router a lip and have the pieces lay over each other on the edges. I did something Similar for the outside walls on my box blind with some old College Pool Bench Seats. Helps keep the bugs out with a little silicone between the pieces.
Newaygo1

 

Cracks let the melted ice drip out.
And sand drop through while sweeping.

 

Use treated plywood. No gaps that way. Also better structurally

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I can't imagine getting the blind so tight bugs don't get in. I wouldn't worry about the cracks. Its ventilation.

 

C'Mon Man! Nothing worse than seeing a bug in your blind while deer hunting

 

2x6 tongue and groove or cut a 3/4” lap joint in the 5/4 decking or cut a groove in the 5/4 and put a 1/4” spline in the boards. Any of the 3 will be more work but provide a bug resistant solution.

 

If it's inside, anything will work, if it's outside, stick with 5/4 or composite deck boards. I have OSB for my floor inside my tower blind. It'll stay brand new for the life of the shack. I have padding and carpet inside for sound deadening and warmer floor also. It's mouse proof but bugs get in.

 

I dont know, farting in an airtight sealed blind cant be a pleasant experience

Scent control is very important, lol. But most of the better blinds have a contingency vent...

 

Have seen many blinds, best that I prefer is not the easiest to get into...prefer that the blind sit directly on the boards with no extra deck space, extra deck space is a spot for rot, slip and fall, and raccoon skat shelf. What I mean by not being that easy to get into is the ladder goes right up to the door and in you go. Not easy if you have a heavy backpack or a lot of gear.

 

You make some good points, especially in regards to raccoons. If it was just for me, and I wouldn't age at all, that's probably what I'd do.

 

If you use plywood or osb you will want to cover it with a rubber or PVC roofing membrane. You can glue it down and just nail it off over on to face of platform. Visit any commercial roofing contractor and they will likely fix you up for a minimal cost. If you are in central mi I can fix you up. Send me a PM. Using osb will save you some $$.

 

OSB is a poor choice if it’s exposed to weather. It begins with edge swell the first year. It dries out very slowly. It’s cheap but will need replacing. Do it right or do it twice, even more than that with OSB.

 

Never use OSB where it may get exposed to the elements. Same goes for regular plywood, but to a little lesser degree. I have used treated plywood for blind flooring with great success on my U.P. property. I've never had anything chew it and it has never rotted. I even used it for the decking on a walking bridge over a stream on my property and it has held up well for over 25 years.