Greenhouses, Sheds and Sun Rooms - What to put under shed?
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htgc1
07-13-05, 10:38 AM
We are planning to buy a 12' x 20' shed. It has six pressure-treated 4x4s on the bottom, with 2x4s across those and plywood for flooring.
As a base for the shed, the shed company recommends a pad of 3-1/2" crushed stone. They say that this will eliminate water damage to the underside of the shed.
My wife previously installed a shed on cinder blocks (which sat directly on the clay soil groundl). The shed company says that water will evaporate from the ground under the shed and tend to cause moisture damage to the bottom of the shed so they don't like the cinder block approach. They say that this problem doesn't occur using a pad of crushed stone.
It would be more complicated for the shed company to place the shed on the cinder blocks so they may want to simplify their task of getting the shed off their truck and in position.
Has anyone put a shed on cinder blocks, and if so, how well has that worked out? Any moisture problems with this approach?
As a base for the shed, the shed company recommends a pad of 3-1/2" crushed stone. They say that this will eliminate water damage to the underside of the shed.
My wife previously installed a shed on cinder blocks (which sat directly on the clay soil groundl). The shed company says that water will evaporate from the ground under the shed and tend to cause moisture damage to the bottom of the shed so they don't like the cinder block approach. They say that this problem doesn't occur using a pad of crushed stone.
It would be more complicated for the shed company to place the shed on the cinder blocks so they may want to simplify their task of getting the shed off their truck and in position.
Has anyone put a shed on cinder blocks, and if so, how well has that worked out? Any moisture problems with this approach?
twelvepole
07-16-05, 12:07 PM
During periods of heavy rain, shed may end up sitting in a puddle of water if placed on crushed stone. Too, it would place shed closer to termites.
Cinder blocks or solid concrete blocks placed on the ground under the shed should work nicely. You might want to cover top of blocks with metal termite shield to deter termites. Be sure the blocks are level with each other. Use crushed rock under blocks to provide a stable base. You can use layout string to determine where you need to place blocks. If the shed starts to settle unevenly, simply jack up the low side and use wood shims between the block and the floor frame to level it back out.
Cinder blocks or solid concrete blocks placed on the ground under the shed should work nicely. You might want to cover top of blocks with metal termite shield to deter termites. Be sure the blocks are level with each other. Use crushed rock under blocks to provide a stable base. You can use layout string to determine where you need to place blocks. If the shed starts to settle unevenly, simply jack up the low side and use wood shims between the block and the floor frame to level it back out.
lefty
07-21-05, 08:04 PM
Check with your local building dept.
Around here (and pretty much everywhere), an shed over 120 sq. ft. requires a permit to install it. THAT determines what you need for a base under the shed -- NOT what some saleman tells you!!
Around here (and pretty much everywhere), an shed over 120 sq. ft. requires a permit to install it. THAT determines what you need for a base under the shed -- NOT what some saleman tells you!!
Jazz4cash
09-16-05, 10:26 PM
I have a shed being built which they recommended 2x8x16" cement blocks (12-15 for a 10-x16ft shed) The 4x4 skids, floor and t-111 are pressure treated so termites should not be a problem. The floor ends up being 10 inches off the ground so there should be good ventilation. I would consider the crushed stone to be a deluxe foundation or maybe use if area is low or very unlevel. Most of the sheds around here get dumped on the dirt