Shed foundations

[Cudajas]

Hi All,

Now that we are firming up the sale of our current house, and will be moving early to mid May, my mind is running wild for projects on our new place.

First project fro me will be a good size shed in the backyard. The house has an attachd 10X20 garage for my hotrod, but I would like some more work space. So, I want to build a combinded space to store all of the yard equipment and kids stuff, and a workspace for me. I am thinking of building a 12 X 16 shed that is divided with at least a 12 X 10 workspace for me. I am thinking of going all out and insulating and drywalling the interior and making it really nice.

I live in Canada so we get a considerabel amount of snow etc here.

I am pretty sure I do not want to pour a concrete slab for this project, but how do I determine the proper foundation for a shed of this size.

Keep in mind I do want to be able to put a work bench in it and be able to do automotive related projects in it. Just not sure what would be best in this application.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[Outlander]

I work out of such a shed. It is up on blocks. Have a look at the Can-Am Garage.

When it grows up it wants to be insulated and have its walls covered too.

 

[964haus]

I'm in vancouver and used a skid foundation for my 10x16 shed -3 skids aligned lengthwise. You can see pictures here:

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

Did this as I thought it would be easier to level rather than levelling individual blocks (my yard has a slight slope).

Good luck
Matthew

 

[Baada]

Check out my shed build link in my signature. I poured concrete footings and used treated lumber for my foundation. It was pretty darn easy and is extremely solid.

 

[kbs2244]

I don’t know about Canada, but in most stateside areas, a concrete pad make a shed a “permanent” improvement and is taxable.
The same shed on skids is considered “temporary” and is not taxed.

The amount of the tax would have to be part of the decision.

 

[NUTTSGT]

My parents have a 10x12 shed that is set on RR ties. The ties were placed on a gravel base then the area between the ties was filled with gravel.

 

[Mooniac]

I built a 10 x 14 shed using some reclaimed oak runners from skid pallets to form the base. I set it on concrete blocks that I half-buried and leveled and it is holding up pretty well 12+ years later. It is simply a storage shed for lawn tools and such, so I can't help with experience working out of one.

The comment about checking the codes for temp/permanent buildings is important... as well as set back requirements and easements before choosing which way you go.

 

[LEVE]

Before I built my garage I had two 10'X10' sheds. I built the floor on two skids. I towed them more than once around the property. I placed the skids on cinder-blocks for leveling.

It made it very easy to empty the sheds when the garage was finished. All I had to do was tow the shed to the garage door and transfer the contents. Then the sheds were demolished and the lumber used for other projects.

 

[f150skidoo]

Just do a concrete slab on grade, won't lift up and down in the winter from the frost like a shed on deck blocks skids and etc.

 

[danski0224]

The type of foundation/footing or slab construction may be dictated by local code.

 

[littlebritishcar]

I don’t know about Canada, but in most stateside areas, a concrete pad make a shed a “permanent” improvement and is taxable.
The same shed on skids is considered “temporary” and is not taxed.

The amount of the tax would have to be part of the decision.

That really depends. I am an appraiser at the tax assessor office and we tax sheds regardless of the foundation type.

 

[RVDan]

Don't know where in Canada you live, but in my part of Canada anything 100 square feet or bigger will need to be built to code on a floating foundation at the minimum and possibly a full foundation on a footer tied together with rebar.