FMC1959
Well-known member
First, I commend you on all the work you have done so far, very admirable and also well done.
I have built 6 sheds over the years, each with improvements I learned from the previous build. If the ground below your rat shack is mainly undisturbed soil, then leave it be and just level it off with 3 inches of 3/4 gravel, or 0-3/4 gravel if you are able to tamp it.
Once done, the best and most solid foundation for a shed I have found (aside from a concrete slab) is to lay down PT 4x4 that go the full width of your shed, at a distance of 2 feet apart. Between the gravel and the 4x4, lay down PT 2x8 the same length as the 4x4 flat on the gravel, with the 4x4 going down the middle of the 2x8 (about 2" of the 2x8 exposed on each side).
What this does is similar to a cement footing on a poured cement foundation on a home. The 2x8's every 2 feet on center with a 4x4 on top distribute the weight so well that any movements over the years of the soil and gravel base would not affect the shed.
Because the 4x4 / 2x8 "footings" are at every 2 feet, a pretty simple 2x4 framed flooring on top cover by T&G 1/2" plywood makes for a very solid floor. Then you could lower the whole structure to this floor base.
As with most structures, you could place the footings at every 3 feet or 5 feet or whatever, but you would lose some stability on the ground, and then you would need a floor with 2x6 or 2x8 framing to keep it solid, depending on how far apart the footings are. I personally find the few extra footings at every 2 feet is more solid and overall costs less because the 2x4 floor saves money to the alternative 2x6 or 2x8.
The whole base with plywood would raise the structure about 9". In my case I put PVC lattice, the one with the smallest holes or "privacy lattice" as it is called. This allows for aeration and the whole base should last 50 to 100 years. It also prevents skunks, groundhogs and all but the smallest animals from going under. Small mice or voles should stay away because the 3 inches of gravel would be too much of an obstacle to dig down through. In my case, I put about 24 inches of patio tiles around the exterior base, this was to prevent gophers or ground hogs from burrowing under the lattice barrier.
If the end result of the shed raised 9" is not what you care for, then I would suggest digging down about 1 foot, adding 3" of gravel and then the bas, the whole shed would appear to be at ground level.
Of all the shed bases I have seen and tried, with the exception of a poured concrete slab, this is effective, strong and not all that expensive, as well it is relatively easy to do.
Hope this helps, good luck.
I have built 6 sheds over the years, each with improvements I learned from the previous build. If the ground below your rat shack is mainly undisturbed soil, then leave it be and just level it off with 3 inches of 3/4 gravel, or 0-3/4 gravel if you are able to tamp it.
Once done, the best and most solid foundation for a shed I have found (aside from a concrete slab) is to lay down PT 4x4 that go the full width of your shed, at a distance of 2 feet apart. Between the gravel and the 4x4, lay down PT 2x8 the same length as the 4x4 flat on the gravel, with the 4x4 going down the middle of the 2x8 (about 2" of the 2x8 exposed on each side).
What this does is similar to a cement footing on a poured cement foundation on a home. The 2x8's every 2 feet on center with a 4x4 on top distribute the weight so well that any movements over the years of the soil and gravel base would not affect the shed.
Because the 4x4 / 2x8 "footings" are at every 2 feet, a pretty simple 2x4 framed flooring on top cover by T&G 1/2" plywood makes for a very solid floor. Then you could lower the whole structure to this floor base.
As with most structures, you could place the footings at every 3 feet or 5 feet or whatever, but you would lose some stability on the ground, and then you would need a floor with 2x6 or 2x8 framing to keep it solid, depending on how far apart the footings are. I personally find the few extra footings at every 2 feet is more solid and overall costs less because the 2x4 floor saves money to the alternative 2x6 or 2x8.
The whole base with plywood would raise the structure about 9". In my case I put PVC lattice, the one with the smallest holes or "privacy lattice" as it is called. This allows for aeration and the whole base should last 50 to 100 years. It also prevents skunks, groundhogs and all but the smallest animals from going under. Small mice or voles should stay away because the 3 inches of gravel would be too much of an obstacle to dig down through. In my case, I put about 24 inches of patio tiles around the exterior base, this was to prevent gophers or ground hogs from burrowing under the lattice barrier.
If the end result of the shed raised 9" is not what you care for, then I would suggest digging down about 1 foot, adding 3" of gravel and then the bas, the whole shed would appear to be at ground level.
Of all the shed bases I have seen and tried, with the exception of a poured concrete slab, this is effective, strong and not all that expensive, as well it is relatively easy to do.
Hope this helps, good luck.
!
