couch67
Well-known member
Hello fellow Garagers,
Thought I'd finally start a thread to share my shed build. First of all, thank you all who contribute to this forum. The wealth of information on this site is incredible.
My wife and I live on the outskirts of Ottawa Ontario, on 1.5 acres. This was our first home that we purchased in 1994, a small house (~800 sf) in need of work. Over the years we have completely renovated on our own, and added an additional 1000 sf of living space. Not included in that space is an attached garage which is dedicated to shop space. We probably should have started from scratch, but you know the saying about hindsight....
Fast forward 22 years later, we have two kids 13 and 11. Things are busy, and while I think we live pretty lean, there is a healthy amount of 'stuff' that gets moved around from space to space depending on the season. Time for more dedicated storage.
In the back of the yard we have two storage sheds:
- A 6 x 8 metal shed that the squirrels pretty much own. Winter/summer tires are swapped out twice a year, and I shovel a load or two pine cones out to at least get the doors open. Not even sure what hell else is in there.
- An 8 x 12 wood shed, this contains most of my seasonal stuff. Lawn tractor, trimmer, chainsaw, snowblower, shovels, etc. This shed would probably be fine on its own with an efficient layout, but it is showing its over 40yr age now. Its sinking (wood floor on patio slab), to the point the doors barely open.
My initial goal was to build a new shed to replace both sheds, and have enough capacity for a permanent storage location for other items from the hosue / shop. I'm now thinking the 8x12 will be a recovery project next year. It needs work but the roof is relatively new, and the overall structure is still solid. Need somewhere for those damned squirrels!
My design is a 12' x 16. Standard thickened edge slab (12" footing with 4" floor). 2x4 walls, gable rafter w ridge board roof. Nothing fancy.
View media item 74313
Here's the start of the sandbox. Sandwiched 2x10's and 2x4's to get the required footing depth - that's what I had on hand. On the edge of our property, note the neighbours garden shed behind it.
View media item 74314
The underside of the slab has been backfilled and tamped, to allow for 3.5" floor...
View media item 74315
mesh and rebar inserted. Not all of the form supports were added at this point (I thought I had enough, my concrete buddy said to install more!).
View media item 74316
Fast forward after the concrete placement (I ultimately hired this part out after doing the hard work!). In the end I was really happy with the job. This picture was a few months ago and there have been no issues.
More updates to come shortly...
Thought I'd finally start a thread to share my shed build. First of all, thank you all who contribute to this forum. The wealth of information on this site is incredible.
My wife and I live on the outskirts of Ottawa Ontario, on 1.5 acres. This was our first home that we purchased in 1994, a small house (~800 sf) in need of work. Over the years we have completely renovated on our own, and added an additional 1000 sf of living space. Not included in that space is an attached garage which is dedicated to shop space. We probably should have started from scratch, but you know the saying about hindsight....
Fast forward 22 years later, we have two kids 13 and 11. Things are busy, and while I think we live pretty lean, there is a healthy amount of 'stuff' that gets moved around from space to space depending on the season. Time for more dedicated storage.
In the back of the yard we have two storage sheds:
- A 6 x 8 metal shed that the squirrels pretty much own. Winter/summer tires are swapped out twice a year, and I shovel a load or two pine cones out to at least get the doors open. Not even sure what hell else is in there.
- An 8 x 12 wood shed, this contains most of my seasonal stuff. Lawn tractor, trimmer, chainsaw, snowblower, shovels, etc. This shed would probably be fine on its own with an efficient layout, but it is showing its over 40yr age now. Its sinking (wood floor on patio slab), to the point the doors barely open.
My initial goal was to build a new shed to replace both sheds, and have enough capacity for a permanent storage location for other items from the hosue / shop. I'm now thinking the 8x12 will be a recovery project next year. It needs work but the roof is relatively new, and the overall structure is still solid. Need somewhere for those damned squirrels!
My design is a 12' x 16. Standard thickened edge slab (12" footing with 4" floor). 2x4 walls, gable rafter w ridge board roof. Nothing fancy.
View media item 74313
Here's the start of the sandbox. Sandwiched 2x10's and 2x4's to get the required footing depth - that's what I had on hand. On the edge of our property, note the neighbours garden shed behind it.
View media item 74314
The underside of the slab has been backfilled and tamped, to allow for 3.5" floor...
View media item 74315
mesh and rebar inserted. Not all of the form supports were added at this point (I thought I had enough, my concrete buddy said to install more!).
View media item 74316
Fast forward after the concrete placement (I ultimately hired this part out after doing the hard work!). In the end I was really happy with the job. This picture was a few months ago and there have been no issues.
More updates to come shortly...
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