question about flooring in a shed

[paranoid56]

so i am in need of a shed. the wify and i found a cheap oen at HD for 200 bucks (6x8) and should work fine for what we need. the only issue is that it doesnt have a floor. it has a metal "floor kit" which you add plywood to the top, but figured it should have a better base.

do you guys think that making a frame out of 2x4s and plywood over it be strong enough for the floor? i was going to put in the ground cinder blocks for the corners to keep it off the dirt. or do i need 2x6. that just seems rather overkill for such a small shed. and yea, wile i would love a huge *** shed, budget is only around 300 for everything.

pic of the shed

 

[KEH]

I think 2 x 4s will be strong enough. I definately would get the whole assembly off the ground. Raise it enough so that rats and other vermin won't den up under it. Keep it open underneath so that cats and whatever ca go under there to catch rats. I'm concerned about it blowing away. You should have some provision for tying it down.

I would try to use treated lumber and plywood. The salt treated kind will corrode metal so you chould plan for extra paint and galvanized fastners. I think I would use axle grease on the lumber where it contacts metal.

KEH

 

[Stephenw]

I once had a shed like that and I used 2x4s for the floor joists. I put them on 16" centers. You should use pressure treated 2x4s if you want them to last. I didn't just put concrete blocks on the corners, but placed several under the center.

 

[paranoid56]

yea, good idea about putting more blocks under the center. i will do that. i have a **** load of them laying around so figure do that. thanks for the tips. i wlll use some pressure treated 2x4s with 16oc.

 

[rwhite692]

I'd really think twice about one of those tin Arrow sheds or similar, unless you are really looking forward to a disappointment...

 

[rodnok1]

I'd really think twice about one of those tin Arrow sheds or similar, unless you are really looking forward to a disappointment...

They **** big time, too short for any real use an leak even if assembled correctly. Also seen several collapse under snow loads.

For around 200 bucks you could easily build a wood shed that size, probably quicker too. If you don't have the base exactly, and I mean close to level as possible, that ******* won't go together.

 

[Indy_500]

that's the exact same shed i got. 8x10. it was in rough shape and i got it for free. my flooring was plywood when i got it.

 

[Tom2]

Remember the guy that posted last winter with one that collapsed after 8" of snow? We get tons of snow here - I wouldnt even consider it. If you get any snow, at least make sure you keep the roof cleared.

 

[paranoid56]

well, i live in san diego ca, so no snow at all. i didnt think i could even buy the materials for cheaper thne 200 bucks. once you add in the siding and roffing material. but i did think about it as i allready have to build a damn floor for it. also, all the reviews say its great most say dont leak either. it does look damn cheap once you look at it, but i figured for that price i am not expecting much other then somthing to hold some bikes and garden ****.

 

[rsanter]

how about 12x12 stepping stones for the floor

bob

 

[paranoid56]

i could do it with all cinderblocks as i have a bunch of them. just didnt wannt to deal with trying to level out all that. another reasion for the prebuilt one is that i just dont feel like doing another project LOL i still have a lot of other **** to do

 

[nate379]

2x4s? I was considering going to a 2x10 even as thinking a 2x8 might not be enough!

 

[paranoid56]

2x4s? I was considering going to a 2x10 even as thinking a 2x8 might not be enough!

but its only a 6ftx8ft shed LOL in a small back yard. would love a 8ft x 8ft. ug, guess i need to sit down and see how much it would cost to just build it from sticks. as at least then i could go high enough to stand in, that metal one i have to hunch over.

 

[Stephenw]

As long as you use all the plastic washers (included) under the screws and use the foil tape on the roof seam, it won't leak. My shed was in Utah and didn't collapse with over a foot of snow on the roof. It's not tall enough to stand upright inside, but fine for storing a lawn mower, bikes, etc.

It's not near as nice as a wooden shed, but it's a low cost storage solution.

 

[gorilla]

How about two sheets of pressure treated 3/4" plywood on pressure treated 2x4's ?

 

[BoydS]

I've had several metal sheds in the past and here's my 2 cents.

For the base frame I would start with two (2) 4x6's (pressure treated) running along 2 sides and then tie the 2x4' to them. You can use galvanized joist hangers or toe nail the 2x4's to the 4x6's. I would also use 3/4" marine plywood for the floor. Elevating the shed with cinder blocks is the best way to go, but with such a small footprint I really see them only needed at the corners.

The reason for the 4x6's is because at some time you may want to move the shed and they will act as a skid for easily pulling the shed to a new location.

There are several methods for securing the shed for high winds. They make a corkscrew rod that you could install at each corner and attach it to the floor frame. Or you could just get out the post hole digger and put a 4x4 post in the corners and lag screw that to the base. Another method is to use straps that go over the roof attached to the 4x4's.

To bad you ain't located near me, as I have a 10x12 Morgan shed for sale.

 

[rwhite692]

...but i figured for that price i am not expecting much other then somthing to hold some bikes and garden ****.

It might meet your expectations, then.

Make sure the bikes don't fall over while they are in there, handlebar would probably pierce the side, LOL.

 

[peter_x]

I made an 8x10 wood shed with instructions I got from the internet (had to pay $5 for them, actually). They told me to make the frame with 2x6's, 24" on centers. This proved to be too far apart. The 3/4" plywood on top of them sags in between the joists. I am planning to rip up the floor and add some cross bracing.

 

[nosnownogo]

I have a spacemaker steel shed with a hip roof same dimensions as this . I installed it in 1983 to store a honda 750 super sport for the winter . It is still there today with faded paint and all never blew away of collasped under 1.5 feet of wet snow . The base is on
compacted gravel and sand with patio stones pavers 2 ft X 3 ft by 1.5 inch thick. The
perimeter channel is attached with expanding cement anchors placed into holed drilled in
the patio stones .

 

[Indy_500]

Remember the guy that posted last winter with one that collapsed after 8" of snow? We get tons of snow here - I wouldnt even consider it. If you get any snow, at least make sure you keep the roof cleared.

i live in northeastern wisconsin. we get TONS of snow. snow sat on top of it all winter, the thing is soooo old and rusty, i re-painted it though. never dented or anything. i trust my $2000 snowmobile sitting under it. This is after i ripped out a ton of side panels to make the door on the 8 foot wide side so i could have a drive in drive out shed for my snowmobile.

 

[v7guy]

we've been looking at a shed recently too. not sure if I want to just build it (uuggghhh, another project to delay the others) or buy a cheap one. we've been looking at those 6x8s as well. mine will only be storing lawn equipment... can't have that stuff in the garage lol.

no real advice. but I'm watching this thread with interest.

 

[Cargo]

I have one. One. Never again - I'll build a wood shed even if it costs more - 500,000 little screws and plastic washers - aaagghh! Mine came with a roll of duct tape labeled - I kid you not - weather stripping. You tape the ridge seam with it. I thought that maybe it was some sort of special tape. Nope. Kept the rain out for weeks until it literally dried up and blew out in pieces from under the cap.)
Made a simple outer frame of pressure treated 2x4's laid wide side down. Assembled the shed and mounted it to the frame with a few deck screws. The frame did seem to stiffen it up a bit. Moved it, with the frame, twice with my Ex. We just walked in and picked it up, walked over to the other side of the yard and set it down. That being said, I'd suggest the anchor kit if it is breezy where you are.
For the floor, I just laid out a double layer of plastic sheeting, set the shed and frame on it and filled in the inside with broken/scrap counter top granite like a jigsaw puzzle. It looked spectacular but was a little slippery when wet. After moving it the second time (Honey, are you SURE this is where you want it?), I just put pallets down on top of the plastic for the floor and used the granite beside the shop as a patio. With the 2x4 frame, the pallets were only a little higher than the threshold. (There is a business near me that throws out small solid red oak pallets with 3/4" top boards spaced 1/4" apart. YMMV.)
Also, be careful when trimming your grass. A weed eater can dent the side panels. Ask me how I know.

 

[d33pt]

i have two of these, an 8x10 and a big 10x14. i'm in san diego too. they work out fine for what they are, cheap storage. the floorkit with 3/4" plywood was just fine for the 8x10. the 10x14 didn't come with a kit so i built a floor with 2x4's every 24" with 3/4" plywood on top. the small shed is 3 years old, looks like new still. the big one is about a year old. neither are anchored to the ground. they both sit tight under their own weight and whatever is inside. never had an issue here.

putting it together was a bit of a pain, and they aren't too sturdy, but they keep the weather off the junk i dont want to store in the garage. hope that helps.

BTW, you will bump your head on the door...multiple times.

 

[paranoid56]

i have two of these, an 8x10 and a big 10x14. i'm in san diego too. they work out fine for what they are, cheap storage. the floorkit with 3/4" plywood was just fine for the 8x10. the 10x14 didn't come with a kit so i built a floor with 2x4's every 24" with 3/4" plywood on top. the small shed is 3 years old, looks like new still. the big one is about a year old. neither are anchored to the ground. they both sit tight under their own weight and whatever is inside. never had an issue here.

putting it together was a bit of a pain, and they aren't too sturdy, but they keep the weather off the junk i dont want to store in the garage. hope that helps.

BTW, you will bump your head on the door...multiple times.

this is perfect then. just a spot to hold my **** LOL good to know about the floor also. i dont get much rain or wind in my back yard so this shoudl be fine. and yea, i hit my head on it just at home depot LOL

 

[paranoid56]

well bought some pressure treated wood and that shed. and you are right, wow, there are a lot of screws and plastic washers. took a few hours to put up along with help. and how about some pics lol.

built the base 4" extra on each side and going to maybe spray bedliner **** on it to help seal all thsoe screws.

also painted the base wood with some exterior paint that was a return at HD for 5 bucks lol. figured the extra protection would be good.