Can You Put a Wood Floor in a Pole Shed?

Pole building is an inexpensive yet strong alternative to traditional outbuilding construction techniques. With a basic complement of tools, the average homeowner can build a small pole shed for less than the cost of a portable building.
One complaint against the pole shed is that it typically lacks a wood floor. However, this is not a design flaw. While a pole structure does not require a floor to tie it together, it is relatively simple to add a wood floor to a new or existing pole shed.

Two, 2-by-12-inch boards
Tape measure
Builder's square
Pencil
Circular saw
Electric drill with 3/8-inch bit
1/2-by-4 inch lag screws
Socket wrench set
Level
2-by-8-inch boards
8d nails
Framing hammer
5/8-inch plywood

Instructions

- 1
  Cut both 2-by-12-inch boards to the inside length of the shed. These will be the floor girders. Place one girder against the inside of the poles at the desired floor level. Drill a hole through one end of the girder and into the pole. Insert a lag screw into the hole and tighten it with a wrench.
- 2
  Lay the level on top of the girder. Adjust the unattached end of the girder to level it. Drill a hole in the unattached end of the girder and into the pole, and secure it with a lag screw. Add a second lag screw to each end of the girder, and add two lag screws at every pole that the girder intersects.
- 3
  Cut a 2-by-8-inch board to the inside width of the shed. This will be a floor joist.
- 4
  Place the second girder against the poles on the opposite side of the shed, facing the first girder. Lay a joist across the girders and put the level on the joist. Raise the end of the girder to level the joist, and drill the girder and install a lag screw. Lay the level on the second girder and raise the other end of the girder to level. Fasten the girder to the poles with the remaining lag screws.
- 5
  Cut a floor joist for every 16 inches of interior length of the shed. Cut two, 14.5-inch sections of 2-by-8 lumber for each floor joist.
- 6
  Set a joist upright across one end of the girders. Nail it to each girder. Set a 14.5-inch board section upright on and parallel to the girder and nail it to the joist. Repeat this with a second 14.5-inch board on the other girder.
- 7
  Set another joist on top of the girders. Push it against the 14.5-inch boards and nail it in place. Continue in this fashion until you reach the opposite wall.
- 8
  Lay the plywood across the joists and nail it to the joists.

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