How to Build Lasting Shed Foundations

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Did you know that your shed's foundation is one area where careful planning and taking some extra time to ensure it is done right will ensure your investment in time and money will last for years to come. There are many different types of shed foundations that you should consider and I will go over a few in this article.

Of course the easiest foundation of all is a dirt floor and this is certainly acceptable for a pole type barn shed. However, if your shed has actual wood framing of the walls it must sit on a level, stable, and dry surface to last a long time and to function properly. If the wood is subject to a lot of moisture then it will become soft and soon will become rotten and loose it's structural stability.

If water drainage at your location is not an issue you can simply place the shed on 6 inches or so of crushed gravel. It would be so much better if you place concrete blocks on this gravel and then place the sheds floor supports on these blocks to keep the shed up off the ground. These blocks are quite inexpensive and can be found at any building supply store.

You could also pour a concrete slab but this is quite expensive and for the most part, homeowners are not comfortable with pouring their own concrete slabs. Also, if you use a poured concrete slab you have to remember that concrete will absorb water and you will need to use pressure treated wood wherever it comes in contact with the concrete slab.

You could also build concrete piers that are poured using cardboard tubes, below grade, and attach beams to the piers that your shed will rest on. This is a great economical way to keep your new structure off the ground while at the same time giving the solid support of a concrete foundation.

Whatever method you decide to use you must ensure that the shed will rest completely level so the doors and windows will all operate and fit properly. You also must also make sure that all the ground water is diverted away from the foundation so it will not wash out or settle and cause the building to lean to one side or the other or have a corner drop lower than the others.

A good complete set of plans will almost always have a detailed description of the different shed foundation options for you and will also help you decide which one is best for your structure and its location. Remember to always check with your local area's building and permit departments to make sure you follow all the guidelines and building codes when building your shed foundation.

By Peter Dougan [ezinearticles.com]