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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Floating shed foundation help

18 years ago

I am planning on building a shed/greenhouse on the back of my lot. I have checked with the local township and don't have a lot of restrictions other than size.

I plan to have this 12x16 shed float on 2 4x6 skids. I am in the midst of creating a gravel bed to place thick concrete pavers that would support the skid that will hold up the deck for this shed. From what I have read I believe the best plan of action is to fill each point of contact with about a foot of crushed gravel and then add the concrete 8x16x4 pavers to where the skids will hold the deck level. I do not want to have cement footings so this seems to be the alternative. The placement of this shed is in an area of clay soil where it could possibly sink slightly over time if the soil got wet enough. would cinderblocks amongst the gravel be better? Maybe pavers beneath the gravel?

What is the best material and plan of action for my foundation base? Opinions wanted.

Thanks!

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Comment (1)

Weedy
18 years ago
Last year I erected a 7x7 Rubbermaid tool shed. I realize your structure would be larger and heavier, but maybe this will help. You want a rigid floor that will not become wavy. What I did was to first level the soil without disturbing it too much. Then I laid down about 4 inches of crushed stone surrounded by a frame of treated 4x4s to keep the stone confined. The frame was anchored with 2 ft pieces of rebar driven through 1/2" holes in the 4x4s. This area of crushed stone was slightly larger than the footprint of the shed. Stone was then tamped with a hand tamper. Of course everything was leveled. On this bed of crushed stone, I put a frame of treated 4x4s the size of the shed. I then installed joists, about 16" on center, of treated 2x4s, which I anchored to the frame with galvanized metal brackets. I then used 1x6 deck flooring for the floor. After a year and a half, with a lot of weight on the floor, it shows no sign of sagging. Hope this helps.
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My shed is 2X4 walls with plywood panel siding. The floor is 3/4 treated plywood on 2X8 joist. I painted the outside walls with two coats of a good grade of house paint. I painted the floor with two coats of a good grade of of deck and floor paint. That was five years ago. I use the shed for yard equipment and access it a minimum of once per week. While the outside are still in good condition, the floor is going to need repainting. I considered an epoxy but was told that it does not work on plywood. So when I do the floor I will again use a good grade of deck and floor paint. If your shed is not built yet I would see if I could get the floor changed to 3/4 pressure treated plywood. While not is touching the ground it will be exposed to a lot of moisture. Not only ground moisture, but if you are like me spills. Also I don't know what tools you will be keeping in the shed, but yard equipment can become quite heavy. My JD with me on it weighs a little over 700lbs. While you may not plan on it, a 10 lb sledge hammer or mattock could fall on the floor and do some damage. PS: It sounds like you have a nice lot. We live in am 8 year old house on a wooded lot and are working to have it like yours.
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