The Foundation – The First Step in Constructing a Shed
Building a solid shed foundation is the most critical step in constructing a storage shed. Whether you are planning to build a plastic shed, metal shed, or a wooden shed, it is essential to select a foundation that supports the weight of the structure and prevents warping, cracking, and other types of damage caused by moisture.
What Kind of Foundation Should You Have?
Your choice should be based on two factors – the construction of the shed you want to build and your budget.
First, you need to decide what type of shed you want to build and what you are going to use it for. If you want to build a shed that is meant for light storage such as garden tools it won’t require a strong concrete foundation. On the other hand, if you’re planning to build something that is meant for heavy storage, you cannot construct it on a timber foundation.
Dirt Floor
A dirt floor foundation is often used with a pole style barn shed. However, this type of foundation can not be used if the shed walls will be framed.
Crushed Gravel
A crushed gravel foundation is a good choice if the dirt floor is dry and water drainage is not a problem. A layer of smashed pea gravel – about five or six inches thick – on the ground should be an ideal foundation for small storage sheds. It is advisable to place blocks on the gravel for additional support and stability.
Timber
A foundation build with pressure treated timbers is another good possibility. The flooring space within the frame can be filled with stone slabs, slate slabs, or gravel. Or, more simply, a timber floor can be attached to the frame. This type of shed foundation is very easy to build. The timber frame foundation also works well for medium size sheds that don’t require a concrete foundation.
Plastic
A plastic base, made of a series of grids made of toughened plastic, is also becoming a popular choice among people these days. Pea gravel is use to fill the area within the grids. This type of foundation is durable and very easy to install.
Concrete
A concrete floor is the strongest and most durable floor you can build. Depending on your preference, you can go with concrete block, slabs, or piers.
Concrete piers can be a great choice if the surface is uneven or sloped. Moreover, a pier foundation is not a permanent structure. So, if you ever need to move your shed, the foundation can be removed and moved to another place easily. It is very easy to install and less expensive than laying a concrete slab base.
If you’re planning to build a large shed where you’ll be storing heavy equipment then a concrete slab is the way to go. Laying a concrete slab base, however, is a task that requires some special skills. If you cannot do it yourself, you might have to hire a contractor, which can increase your budget significantly.
A concrete block based foundation is another choice you have. It is also strong and durable making it ideal for heavy equipment. When compared to a slab base, it is easier to install and less expensive as well.
Choosing the Right Foundation
Among the options listed above, concrete is the most expensive and crushed gravel is the least expensive. Furthermore, installing a concrete slab can take a little time as compared to plastic grids or timber floors which can be installed quickly. Under no circumstances should you build your shed foundation in an area where water accumulates as this will create problems later on.
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