DIY shed plans have opened the way for almost anyone to take on these wonderful wood working projects. There are various alternatives to pick from and these plans for sheds may or may not have suggestions for the type of foundation to employ.
Most sheds are designed to be built with on-grade foundations. This type of foundation is quick and simple to put together, relatively cheap and can be adapted to suit even sloping sites. The components are readily available: lumber, solid concrete blocks and gravel for instance. It is easier to get the foundation level and square as the components are easy to set in place and move around. Here are three alternatives that are simple to build and can cover most situations.
Solid Concrete Block Foundation
With this type of foundation solid concrete blocks of different sizings are used to create the foundation. The blocks are usually 8" x 16" and come in 4" and 2" thick blocks. Your shed is supported by a series of blocks laid out in straight evenly spaced lines with the spacing determined by the dimensions of the shed and the timber used for the floor joists. The different thicknesses are used to raise the height of the foundation where required so this is an option for a sloping site. If the shed is in a dry location the blocks may be placed directly on the ground but a site with runoff will require the blocks to be dug in for stability.
Skid Foundation
This method is really easy and has been used for many years. It consists of simply putting two or more long, straight timbers (skids) on the ground or preferably a crushed gravel base, parallel to each other. Typically they are made of pressure treated 4x6's, 6x6's or 8x8's. And in essence that is it! The shed's floor framework is built straight on top of the skids. You will need a reasonably flat location since the timbers are long and straight although it is a an extremely fast technique and the skids spread the load over a large area.
Timber Frame Foundation
This sort of foundation is generally made from pressure treated 4x4's, 4x6's or 6x6's and consists of a rectangular frame resting on a gravel bed with the shed walls built directly onto it. It can be used on a sloping site by digging a flat surface to place the gravel base onto. This sort of foundation offers you flexibility with flooring since the floor area in the timber frame may be filled with gravel or other rock, slabs of stone or slate or a timber floor can be nailed onto the frame.
Taking time to obtain the correct information and select the best foundation is a wise investment. A poorly constructed foundation of whichever method will only create problems with the finished project and the money you spent on your DIY shed plans will be wasted. Good plans for sheds will give you an idea of which foundations will suit the design best however always consider your particular conditions. A shed is a wonderful wood working project and you'll get the best result if you begin with a solid foundation.
Author Resource:
Mark C Johnson is an ardent Do-It-Yourselfer with a building industry background and understands the value of good planning and information. A DIY shed is a substantial undertaking but can be immensely rewarding. Get great advice, tips and plans here at http://www.diyshedplansandmore.com/
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