Decking out a Permanent?

[SlabSlayKid]

Just bought a permanent this weeked. Its 14x6.5 with a door on the back and windows on the other three sides. Single-axle with winches. The outside is in great shape with steel siding and rolled steel roof. Got it at a great deal because the inside is quite crudely finished. Just 2x4 framing with styrofoam insulation, a bunk on one end, a 3 burner stove, and a furnace. It has 10 holes but I mite cover 2 of them for sake of walking space. I want to finish it off nicer. Any ideas on how to do it? Sheet rock or wood paneling? Carpet or lenoleum? Do's and do not's. This info would be much appreciated. Thanks

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If it hits the bait, it hits the plate!

[L_Cappo]

i wouldnt put sheet rock once it gets wet it is shot.i would just go with a wood floor.if you put carpet down and water gets under it in time it will rot and stink.if you put lenoleum down it will be very slippery once it is wet.just my 2 cents worth.

[walleyeking19]

we have wood paneling in ours and it works great. but the only problem with carpet is it soaks up all the water and then it freezes and it gets all icy so we are putting in a rubber floor this summer.

[jholland]

Rubber is the way to go. The house we have now has carpet and though it's alright, it never really gets dry enough.

We have wood paneling as well which has worked flawlessly thus far.

[MattL]

I have tongue and groove pine planking...it is relatively inexpensive, looks really nice, and is more resistant to the effects of moisture than 1/8" paneling. As far as carpet, I have a really tightly wound berber style carpet that is easy to scrape ice shavings off and dries out quickly.

[walleyeseeker]

If you are going to use paneling, you would be better off using the paneling made for campers. The stuff you buy at the home stores is masonite and will not take the movement and added moisture well. It will get very wavy and start to pop after some time. The thin (5/16") tongue and groove doesn't seem to hold up the best, either.

[eyebjim]

If you plan on using it with a four wheeler on thinner ice you may want to consider light weight when thinking about what to use. If you go tongue and grove it may get a bit heavy. I have the camper style paneling on the walls and indoor outdoor carpeting on the floor. The carpeting usually dries within a couple hours with the heat on and it is easy to scrape ice and snow off of it. If the floor is not insulated you may want to spray foam the bottom or add the 2 inch pink foam to keep it warmer so you have no problem with the floor staying wet if you go with carpet. Warmer floor dries quicker.

[Bigsmitty]

I used 5/16" tongue and groove pine on the walls. You can get it at Menards or Home Depot. Pine or Cedar. It goes up quick and easy with an air finish nailer.

I would highly recommend linoleum on the floors. So much easier to clean and doesnt get water logged. I just bought a couple of cheap rubber back carpet pieces to put on the floor in the area where you walk. When there shot I through them out and replace with new ones.

[mskyfshntchr]

if you want bright white, EXTREMELY light weight and CHEAP go with sheeting from winnebago surplus. I am sure you can get this stuff elsewhere, but this is where I have found it. It is a fiberglass sheeting they use on their motorhomes. I have done the insides and outsides of ice shacks with it. For the outside- you have to be careful, it can get beat up with the rigors of being outside. But inside? It is great stuff. Weighs little to nothing and is white. Will make the inside of your shack very bright. Plus, wipe it off with water and it is clean.

[sweept]

I just left my floor alone (treated plywood) dries of much better than my buddies that have carpet. As far as the walls go 1/4" Luan plywood works great, has good strenght and easy to stain or paint.

[Dubleaa]

For the floor I went with White garage floor Epoxy with a sand mixture to add some texture. I would second the fiberglass sheeting. Don't skimp on the lighting as you are closing up the walls though, try to configure one light per hole either ceiling or wall mounted. Wire some outlets that pass through a converter to your deep cell battery so you can utilize 120v items (TV, camera, fan, charge cell phones, charge Vexilar, etc..) Shelving/storage is nice to have when out on the ice so you are not tripping over everything to get to the back rattle wheel.