The foundation of your shed has a big impact on whether it succeeds or fails. A weak or badly constructed base will shorten the lifespan of even the strongest and most well-designed sheds. Perhaps the most important part of building your shed is creating a sturdy, long-lasting foundation. To make sure your project is sturdy and long-lasting, the many types of foundations are listed below.
Before choosing the ideal location for your shed, spend some time learning about local laws and ordinances. A brief chat with the county Building Department or your neighbourhood Homeowners Association (HOA) will help you avoid future problems. This phase is crucial to ensuring that your shed project runs well and conforms with local codes, so don’t skip it. Permits and requirements vary greatly.
Gather the Necessary Tools
Chalk reels
Concrete leveling blocks
Tape measure
Hammer
Level
Types of Shed Foundations
Concrete floor
Concrete piers
Compacted gravel
Wood foundations
Wood Shed Foundations
Wood shed foundations are typically built using:
Steps to Create a Wood Foundation
Lay out your floor size and locate pea gravel and concrete blocks.
Place each block 12” from each corner of the floor frame.
Set the concrete blocks on pea gravel.
Use the pea gravel to level your foundation.
Ensure blocks along the same floor joist are a maximum of 72” apart.
Ensure spacing between blocks on different floor joists does not exceed 48” apart.
Place the 4×4s onto the blocks and build your floor frame, securing it to the 4×4s for ventilation.
Level your shed using additional pea gravel as necessary.
Estimated Number of Concrete Blocks Required Based on Shed Size
| Shed Size | Number of Blocks |
|---|---|
| 6×6 | 8 |
| 8×6 | 8 |
| 8×8 | 8 |
| 8×10 | 10 |
| 8×12 | 12 |
| 10×10 | 14 |
| 10×12 | 16 |
| 12×12 | 16 |
| 12×16 | 22 |
| 12×20 | 26 |
| 12×24 | 30 |
| 16×20 | 50 |
| 16×24 | 55 |
Concrete Shed Foundations
For a strong and dependable shed foundation, consider using:
- Concrete slab—a durable and low-maintenance solution.
Guidelines for Setting Up Your Concrete Shed Foundation
Ensure the build site is level, with natural drainage and no standing water.
The concrete slab should be at least the same width and depth as the shed.
Use MCA- or ACQ-treated plates around the entire perimeter of the walls.
Ensure the slab is no greater than 1/2” out of square and no more than 1/4″ out of level.
Install wedge-style anchor bolts around the perimeter of the slab:
- 12” from corners
- 4’ on center thereafter
The anchor bolts should project approximately 2 ½” above the slab grade and about 1-3/4” to 2” from the edge of the slab.
Ensure minimum anchor embedment is 2-1/2”-3” into the concrete.
Recommended anchor: ½” diameter x 8-½” long Simpson Wedge.
The finished concrete slab surface must be at a minimum of 4″ above grade.
Conclusion
The foundation of your shed has a big impact on whether it succeeds or fails. A weak or badly constructed base will shorten the lifespan of even the strongest and most well-designed sheds. Thus, laying a solid, long-lasting foundation is maybe the most important part of creating your shed. For more information feel free to contact us on Buildersvilla.