New Member building storage shed.

[YeahPete]

I will begin building a storage shed in October and I have come across this site a few times over the last year so I decided to join. I don't have much experience but I love new challenges and saving money! Don't mine my incorrect use of terminology please I am new to all this. I have a few questions of course but here is a bit of info about the project:

Shed will be 10'x12'
Shed is on approx 1:12 slope
Shed close to Property Line so cannot be "Permanent Structure"
Utilities run under shed (unknown depth).




Foundation:
dig 4"
lay landscaping fabric
3" gravel
9 support piers
Each pier will be on cement blocks displacing the weight to 2'x2' (4 sq ft)


Floor:
I plan on using 2x8 cedar floor frame with three 4x4 cedar (runners?) supporting the 2x8's. Overkill?

Doors / Windows
Should I buy a premade door or build one myself?

 

[Moose97]

Sounds good.

Buy the pre-made door.

 

[CNGsaves]

Welcome to GJ. There's a whole slew of storage shed examples on GJ that you can review by using Advanced Search up near top of website in the black line.

Since you're new, you might not have seen what NOT to do . . .
. . . . you've GOT to view these threads and the underlying motorcycle forum thread. You will laugh your *** off and give you confidence that WhatEver you do, it WILL turn out great, compared to this guy.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=194389&highlight=build+fail

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=194923&highlight=build+fail

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195280&highlight=shed+neighbor

 

[Pluribus]

That close to the ground, you might want to consider using PT floor joists and PT flooring. Another thought is to build it on PT skids and rest those on several inches of gravel instead of using the pier blocks. Call the free locate service to find the utilities before doing any digging. Utilities are supposed to be dug to a certain depth, but in the real world they aren't always done properly. Depending on where you're located, it may move a little with the ground freezing/thawing, but it shouldn't be the end of the world.

 

[ChargedUp!]

I would also use pressure treated joists and add more concrete piers. I had 9 on my 8x8 and still had some bounce in the floor. In hindsight, it should have been at least 12 or more. Good luck and post pics!

 

[Ross French]

Hi

My very first step would be to check your local building codes to see if you have to abide to any regulations.

The idea sounds good, do you have to use cedar for the runners as you could use a treated soft wood for the runners and save a few bucks?, maybe its worth placing a weed control fabric under the gravel to prevent plants and weeds growing up through the gravel.

You could find out about the general shed construction on my new site that i'm developing just for shed builders.<a href="http://www.ishedbuild.com">Shed building tips</a>

All the best for your new project
Regards
Ross

 

[964haus]

I used PT for my 10x16 joists. I also used 3 4x4 skids as the foundation - I was on a little slope and found it much easier to level 3 pieces rather than try and level 12+pier points. 2x6 joists across and 3/4 ply on top and its a really sturdy home....er.....shed.

M.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163328

 

[YeahPete]

Thanks for the recommendations folks! I don't have any pallets, but that may be a solid idea since the wood I get for my shed will have to be delivered on pallets. I might save a few bucks on those instead of concrete blocks. It still is a pretty good slope about 1:12 slope so its got some slope to it. I changed the shed a bit to better fit the area: It will be 8x14. 8 less sq. footage but it fits better in the tiny area. I am almost done drawing up the plans. I'll try to take a digital photo and post it so you all can tell me how terrible it is . Or stuff I missed.

 

[YeahPete]

OK! Getting started building my shed today. Its supposed to rain tonight so I guess I will be cutting boards all day so I can just assemble everything. I measured all the wood this morning. I already placed all the concrete blocks and gravel. I'll try and post pics tonight of the foundation.

1 question though:
Should I stain the bottom of the 3/4" OSB Tongue and Groove. I ended up buying the wrong stain and staining it will set me back 1 day since its going to rain. The wood floor will be almost 1' off the gravel ground so I don't think moisture will be much of a problem. The gravel is 4" of 3/4" crushed stone.

Will not staining the bottom of the floor effect the longevity of the shed?

 

[YeahPete]

Welp, I have opted to not stain the bottom of the OSB floor. It's just too dewy in the morning. I doubt there will be any problems. Just moved all my tools outside and getting started! Wish me luck! I'll take some photos and try to post them up by the end of the day.

 

[floridagramps]

Taunton press has a superb book on building sheds...........covers all aspects of foundations, framing and truss roofs. Part of their build like a pro series. Buy it and you will not be disappointed. I used their plans to build a 8x12 chciken coop for my daughter last year, extended eaves and gables, dutch door, shutters, flower box under window and a real fun project. 3 grandsons provided minimal support

 

[YeahPete]

Thanks for all the help! Built the shed two years ago. Been super busy with babies since. Shed hasn't had any problems yet. Hasn't moved, been flooded, or come out of level. Using concrete blocks / gravel to elevate it 24" above an area where I sometimes get high water has worked excellent.

I placed landscaping cloth, then dumped no less than 4" of 3/4" crushed stone. I didn't want to be digging up dirt so I just used a bit more stone. I leveled the gravel over where I would be placing my concrete blocks to distribute the load. I marked a piece of 1/2" rebar and jammed it into the rock to ensure I had a minimum of 4" of gravel at each location.

I placed my concrete blocks and used a 12' length 2x6 and put a level on top to ensure all the blocks were level across every which way. When I stacked the concrete blocks, I used masonry glue to help prevent the concrete blocks from sliding but I doubt I even needed it. I did not do this in a few spots just to see if I even needed it and so far even the blocks without this bonding agent had enough friction holding them together.

I then placed 3, 4x4 runners across the blocks. I used 2x6's as the joists. w/ 3/4" tongue and groove OSB as floor.

Very solid, hasn't moved even w/ a foot of water and two freeze thaw winter cycles. If settling did occur, I would jack up the section of wood and shim between the shed and the concrete blocks. Has not moved out of level yet though.

I did get some weeds coming through the gravel though. They are growing from the top down beside the shed, not under. If weeds can grow in street cracks, they can grow anywhere. I don't like spraying chemicals so I have to burn/pull them.

Thanks all for the help again, I will eventually add pics of the finished shed.

 

[YeahPete]

Here are some pics of me building the shed. It has been 2 years since it has been finished.

Foundation

Trusses

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-0/p180x540/264548_678694092149132_1849729826_n.jpg?oh=211eb5f1569470defd88289bd5d14f56&oe=56C1F8C1
Floor

Putting up the walls w/ my little helper.

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/v/t1.0-0/p180x540/561606_678694225482452_1827830602_n.jpg?oh=59ff7eb15a537254ef1e7697d62f9583&oe=56CA80C5
Trusses up.

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-0/q83/p180x540/12109240_1055455781139626_3647839080084702320_n.jpg?oh=b22f106e5732669300343bb10377330c&oe=56F7C77C
Complete

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12196326_1055455854472952_3963570538033153734_n.jpg?oh=5f36278fac30dca44274d22ac6241de6&oe=56C79AC3
Filled Up.

 

[Axehandle]

Looks good, and always nice to have a helper.