New Shed Build Questions

[synergy321]

Going to be building a larger shed in the next couple weeks and had a bunch of questions. Probably going to be a wall of text, but any help would be great.

Info: Going to be getting a diy metal shed from mueller (12x15). I'm located in North Texas, so frost won't be an issue. I'm 99% not going with a slab due to cost and other restrictions so my main questions are about the type of foundation. The ground is often very damp where it's going to be going, so some kind of drain gravel was my assumption here.

The two types of foundations I was thinking about would be a skid foundation (gravel base + pressure treated 4x4 or 6x6 beams) or just putting the building on concrete pavers on top of gravel pads (every 4 feet or so). Also, should I dig down and create a small concrete mold, like a footer at the corners? When I use gravel for drainage, should I be getting a special kind?

Regarding the floor, which will be 3/4 plywood on top of metal purlins, can I put some kind of moisture barrier down under the wood to protect it? I was thinking of spraying the plywood with some outdoor fence stain or putting down some kind of barrier like tyvek. Tell me if I'm going in the wrong direction here .

Thanks for any info, I'd like to diy this myself to get it exactly how I want and I'm hoping doing my homework here will really help.

 

[mothgrey]

I used to live in western NY, in a damp area of my yard I did a wood shed 4x4 on top of gravel with pavers for the 4x4 to rest on. I also used PT ply with no moisture barrier and never had an issue and we were there for 15yrs. I should have put wire down to keep the critters out from underneath as I had a few possum once or twice after my dogs had passed. I think my only issue with the moisture barrier is it could also hold moisture to the bottom of the wood if it was damp somehow. But I'm no expert. I like the drainage ditch idea.

 

[DOUGD]

Make it as high as practical with pavers and treated skids,or build deck like on 6x6 vertical treated posts or poured concrete columns to provide good airflow and eliminate any ground contact of skids or framing.12x15 is a large enough investment that lots of planning and effort should be invested in the foundation to provide a stable,long lasting,level and good looking out building. Good Luck

 

[synergy321]

I'm pretty set on a skid foundation with gravel and pressure treated skids. How much gravel (how many inches thick) should I be trying to get? Also, should I put gravel only under the skids themselves or the whole structure. I'm leaning towards the whole structure for full drainage, but just checking. Thanks the help posted.

 

[BBQ&Love]

You could use treated skids and put them on concrete block piers. Any reason that won't work for you?

On my lot right now I have a couple demo model steel 12x16 buildings. They have 4 treated 4x6 skids underneath, then a floor made with treated lumber that is 12" on center. We level them up on concrete block piers and it works very well. No gravel needed and with the treated skids and floor joists, plus setting it on top of the concrete block piers, you will never have any rotting.

BTW, check your private messages.