Gravel floor in shed

[rgr33]

For financial reasons, and because it was originally only used for hay storage, I started out with a gravel floor in my barn. As years progressed, the hay was no longer needed and the space filled up with tractors, motorcycles and tools. They all started showing signs of rust, this is Oregon you know, as the moisture came up through the porous floor, and the closed barn acted a bit like a greenhouse.
Finally bit the bullet and went to concrete, never a problem since, and as a bonus, I now can find those little parts I dropped on the ground. So concrete will probably be your best choice, but if you're like the rest of us, and money is a factor, packed gravel with dry cement ( not concrete) spread over the top will work pretty well for a lot less cost. I wouldn't recommend pea gravel, as it won't pack in and stay in place due to the round shape.

 

[coralhead]

With gravel floors in the shed you don't have to look very far if you drop a socket or anything round. It's right where you dropped it.

I would stay away from pea type or smooth gravel. It won't pack down and its like walking on small marbles.

 

[Deere Dude]

For financial reasons, and because it was originally only used for hay storage, I started out with a gravel floor in my barn. As years progressed, the hay was no longer needed and the space filled up with tractors, motorcycles and tools. They all started showing signs of rust, this is Oregon you know, as the moisture came up through the porous floor, and the closed barn acted a bit like a greenhouse.
Finally bit the bullet and went to concrete, never a problem since, and as a bonus, I now can find those little parts I dropped on the ground. So concrete will probably be your best choice, but if you're like the rest of us, and money is a factor, packed gravel with dry cement ( not concrete) spread over the top will work pretty well for a lot less cost. I wouldn't recommend pea gravel, as it won't pack in and stay in place due to the round shape.

Good point about the rust. I had a new pole shed with a gravel floor. I would park a car inside but everything seemed to get rusty very fast. I concreted it, and it is just a lot better for rust and working.

My problem now is I have a 40x60 barn with a gravel floor, but the circumstances are such that stuff don't rust because of open doors and venting. The barn isn't worth the bucks to concrete it but works great for storing big things that I want out of the weather.

 

[teejk]

Good point about the rust. I had a new pole shed with a gravel floor. I would park a car inside but everything seemed to get rusty very fast. I concreted it, and it is just a lot better for rust and working.

My problem now is I have a 40x60 barn with a gravel floor, but the circumstances are such that stuff don't rust because of open doors and venting. The barn isn't worth the bucks to concrete it but works great for storing big things that I want out of the weather.

Guess that is the problem with gravel. Maybe a solution would be heavy poly (or foam board), then a few inches of soil to hold the rock (use what you have since you'll be raising the grade with the rock anyway), then rock? Otherwise I think rock on poly is going to be rock on poly...will probably puncture the poly with time and will want to move around.