Fish house build ??s

I am going to build a couple 8x18s this year. First (of many) question is what do you fish house builders use for screwing down treated plywood to the steel frame? It would need to be a self tapping that the treated plywood wont eat up over time. Also I would assume the same screw would be used to fasten the walls to the floor but longer to reach frame? Thank you for any suggestions. Also do you guys lay your flooring plywood 8ft across or 8ft length ways?

Need more info about the steel frame anatomy and the type of carcass the floor is to be installed on. Most of the time it would be 2 x 6 16″ oc installed on 8×8 oak skids attached with a mechanical plate. fyi if your building 8′ wide SPF (spruce-pine-fur) which is most common bearly makes the span, use douglas fir #2 at a minimum.
Plywood always is installed perpendicular to the joists, and I would solid block all seams fastened 3″oc on seams and 6″oc in field with construction adhesive. This keeps the house more rigid during the constant dragging and pulling throughout the season.
Wall sheathing and wall sheathing fastening is also very important for longevity of the house.

You will still be making a 2×6 framed floor ( i guess you could do 2×4 but it would depend on your spans of your steel frame). Basically you build the fish house like you would a second story of a house. You will then weld plates to your steel frame then use lag screws into your joists and rim joist.
Also by having the framed floor allows you to insulate the floor by sandwiching.

you may be able to see the plates on this frame in the pic.

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These houses will be wheel houses with steel frames and plywood screwed to steel. I am unsure what I will use for the floor or what screws to use. I assume same screws for the flooring and wall plates with a longer screw for the wall plates.

If your looking for exterior aluminum mouldings, I have $275.00 worth of new for $100.00. Call 218 326-6377

Tom,
Do you have a picture of the steel frame?

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Tom,
Do you have a picture of the steel frame?

I don’t yet but they are tube outside and angle cross members. Frames are also square and a full 8ft without wheel wells.

They make a coated self tapper. Rated for acq. Acq rated means to be used on treated decking. Pretty sure Menard’s sell them. If not, fastnel

David Blais wrote:

They make a coated self tapper. Rated for acq. Acq rated means to be used on treated decking. Pretty sure Menard’s sell them. If not, fastnel

I don’t believe Marine grade ply has ACQ. Treated ply for sure. I’ve seen improper fasteners/hangers used on ACQ treated material and they actually turned to dust.

Menards carries coated self drilling screws. They’re designed for attaching treated plywood to steal roof decking.

I believe Tek is the brand.

Feel free to keep questions coming, I built a 6.5×12 crank down last year. I’m no expert but I made plenty of mistakes that I learned from.

Are you planning on putting the steel frame directly on the ice? In my experience steel will eat into the ice over time. I personally would have a barrier between the steel and the ice.