Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike [CO]) Dec 9, 2016 4:02 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by NE [PA]) Dec 9, 2016 4:12 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Robert,Ontario,Can [ON]) Dec 9, 2016 4:18 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Smokowna [MD]) Dec 9, 2016 4:22 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Smokowna [MD]) Dec 9, 2016 4:23 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by busy, busy, busy [WI]) Dec 9, 2016 4:30 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Frank [NJ]) Dec 9, 2016 5:08 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Moe [CA]) Dec 9, 2016 6:21 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike [CO]) Dec 9, 2016 6:28 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Vee [OH]) Dec 9, 2016 6:29 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike SWMO [MO]) Dec 9, 2016 6:40 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Steve [MA]) Dec 9, 2016 7:17 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by don [PA]) Dec 9, 2016 8:38 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by del [MD]) Dec 9, 2016 9:27 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Dec 9, 2016 9:49 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Dec 9, 2016 9:56 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by hollis [MA]) Dec 10, 2016 3:54 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by myob [GA]) Dec 10, 2016 4:24 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by LindaJ [NY]) Dec 10, 2016 5:05 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by plenty [MO]) Dec 10, 2016 5:39 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by gevans [SC]) Dec 10, 2016 5:43 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Dec 10, 2016 9:25 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Dec 10, 2016 9:42 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Dec 10, 2016 10:00 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by BillS [CO]) Dec 10, 2016 4:51 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike [CO]) Dec 10, 2016 6:17 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Gary [OK]) Dec 10, 2016 7:29 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by RathdrumGal [ID]) Dec 11, 2016 8:08 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by RathdrumGal [ID]) Dec 11, 2016 8:36 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by busy, busy, busy [WI]) Dec 11, 2016 11:57 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Dec 11, 2016 8:59 PM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Tom [CO]) Dec 16, 2016 7:17 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike [CO]) Dec 16, 2016 7:35 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by mike [CA]) Dec 17, 2016 9:24 AM
Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike [CO]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 4:02 PM Message:
I want to build a shed 10x16 foot. My question is how to build the shed floor. The shed floor will lie in dirt--no concrete pad. Can I use pressure treated 2X4s for the floor with plywood on top of the 2x4 floor?
or should I increase the floor boards to 2x6's?
I purchased a new Viper this summer--206mph--and need room in my garage to hold 2 cars now. I'm tired of scraping snow off my Lexus, so it's time to move all my real estate stuff to a new shed, and start parking the Lexus back in the garage next to the Viper. --98.245.xxx.xx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 4:12 PM Message:
I built one on dirt using treated 4x4's. Lay heavy plastic down as a moisture barrier first and then use treated marine plywood for your subfloor. Right in dirt is going to get you a lot of moisture. --174.201.x.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Robert,Ontario,Can [ON]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 4:18 PM Message:
If the area is dug out then wood supports are put around then it is matter of having a cement truck pour or rent a cement mixer for the day then a pad can be poured. The foundation is the most important part to a building. Many rental shops have cement mixers for rent. --74.220.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Smokowna [MD]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 4:22 PM Message:
Use pressure treated, the 2/4 is fine if supported. If not supported the floor will simply flex a bit.
Use Pressure treated plywood as well, the price is almost close to BC plywood.
And, as mentioned, you want to lay plastic down and build over it. This will keep the dirt under the shed very dry...this is good.
It will last for many years and down the road you will be able to repair damages as needed. Not that big of a shed.
--96.231.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Smokowna [MD]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 4:23 PM Message:
Oh, and add a window to the shed. Remember if you use too much horse power on the highway, you'll be living in the shed soon enough.
You want lots of natural light. --96.231.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by busy, busy, busy [WI]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 4:30 PM Message:
My husband built two sheds almost 20 years ago on concrete piers, so the sheds sit a few inches over the ground. Not a bit of rot yet. Just wanted to suggest another option.
Of course, our yard is in Wisconsin, and we do have drainage issues. When we lived in beautiful but dry Colorado Springs, there was a shed with wood floor directly on the soil when we bought that house. Hmmm... it was long time ago, but I think I remember hubby rebuilding the floor of that shed, and it was probably ten-fifteen years old at the time.
So, if it were me, I'd opt to get it a couple of inches off the ground. Put hardware cloth from shed down into soil to keep critters out. Just my two cents.
Congratulations on the Viper. Yikes! Fastest I've ever driven was 126, was passenger when my kid took a car to 143. Love fast cars. We were going to ride on the salt flats on a road trip, but there was rain the night before when we drove through.
--70.92.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Frank [NJ]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 5:08 PM Message:
I agree w/ Busy,Busy[WI] do something like the hardware cloth unless you want varmints to make a vice new home undr the shed. Have seen it too many times here in the East.....in the poast 20 years we have gotten many groundhogs....something I never saw when growing up. They now LOVE the 'burbs! Of course its good for the hawks/foxes/ & other meat eaters...even the coyotes are now spotted at the Jersey Shore --71.172.xx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Moe [CA]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 6:21 PM Message:
If you can afford a viper, you can afford to pour a slab. Do it right and it's forever (for your purposes). Put a vapor barrier under the concrete, too. --108.78.xx.xx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike [CO]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 6:28 PM Message:
Can I pour a slab this time of year in Colorado? Some days it's warm enough, but I don't know if the ground is too Frozen? --172.58.xx.xx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 6:29 PM Message:
The -viper barrier-, at least use gravel to retard the lazy varmints from snoozing all cozy under that thing, I think of Bill Murray in Caddyshack when I read this idea. --76.188.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike SWMO [MO]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 6:40 PM Message:
Don’t know what you are going to do with the shed. This may be a red neck solution but here goes. I haven’t done this but one of the guys in a little town down the road built himself a shed, raked and shoveled the dirt inside so as to get it fairly flat and then laid ROOFING shingles down.
Some were given to him and some he got at a discount store when cheap. It’s been three years and the floor is as rock hard as you could want. He works on cars, motorcycles, woodworking and whatever else he wants to work on in his shed. I guess the little oil and gas he spills doesn’t affect the floor. --98.20.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 7:17 PM Message:
IMO you would be better off placing the PT framing on a bed of 3-4" of crushed stone with a layer of heavy plastic to help keep the moisture from coming up thru the shed floor. Either 2x4's, 4x4's or 2x6'6 will work for the floor framing especially if you put them 12" on center. --72.93.xxx.x |
Build a Shed on dirt (by don [PA]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 8:38 PM Message:
What Moe said. Wood on dirt is never good, even p.t. --73.141.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by del [MD]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 9:27 PM Message:
I have a steeply sloped but very marshy back yard due to underground springs. I wanted to have a 14 by 36 foot shed dropped off. I built a foundation of landscape timbers pinned together with rebar. The foundation is about 18 by 40 feet and is even with the ground on one end and 2 feet high on the other. I filled the hollow foundtion with crusher run and had the shed dropped off. 15 years later the shed is fine and I try to ignore the illegal tenant ( groundhog ) living under the shed. Over the years, the crusher run packs down hard as concrete, yet gives good drainage. --96.234.xxx.xx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 9:49 PM Message:
Mike, seeing as how you're putting 2 x 4s down and you 've got it fairly level,make sure you lay them flat not on edge so it doesn't matter much what you use,as long as you use 3/4" pressure treated ply.of course those cars are fairly light weigh compared to what they used to be. Rode in a jag. going 90 mile an hour over in Liverpool to Preston one time.seemed like we were standing still,compared to the other cars that were whissing past us.Wasn't impressed ,by any means.Give me the old 26" Raleigh anyday!...................Charlie............................................ --174.199.xx.x |
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Dec 9, 2016 9:56 PM Message:
Mike, you might want to rethink those measurements,kind of puny? ............................................................CJO'H............................ --174.199.xx.x |
Build a Shed on dirt (by hollis [MA]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 3:54 AM Message:
What Steve said,..put down 3-4 inches of number 3 stone, I have a couple of big sheds on the same. Mine are larger and premade. Thats is what the shed man recommended,..make sure you rake it level. The bottom pressure treated joists allow air to circulate under it and the stones keep it dry. --66.30.xx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by myob [GA]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 4:24 AM Message:
Pressure treated does not mean "contact to ground rated". 4x4 or 2 x 6 may be minimum size for ground contact.
You have a Viper and Lexus-- then you can afford to call in a contractor to do it right.
U aren't the guy who brought the Corvette and had to eat rice cakes so he could afford to pay for it and gas are u? --74.184.xxx.xx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by LindaJ [NY]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 5:05 AM Message:
I would certainly put crusher run or stone under it. However, make sure you don't dig a hole to put the stone in and the water flows from the surrounding soil into it. (depending on your soil and water tables). You don't want the wood sitting on damp soil.
They can pour concrete in cold weather with the right additives and blankets, but it is still better to do it above freezing. You don't want to put the wood on the concrete. Either the concrete is your floor or the wood. --108.44.xx.xx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 5:39 AM Message:
i'd just hire it all done. put some rock or concrete peir or at least those concrete pilers used for decks, set them in the ground a bit and build away. I'd hire it all done. Done. --184.206.xxx.xx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by gevans [SC]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 5:43 AM Message:
If you can afford the Viper, you can afford concrete. Treated wood will cost half as much and only last a few years, just do it right to start with.
Too cold: either build the shed first, then pour the concrete in a heated shed, or
lay a temporary vapor barrier now, pour concrete when it warms up. --173.233.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 9:25 AM Message:
Myob, laying pressure treated in contact with the ground shouldn't be an issue. The lumber companies tested the pressure treated lumber in the southern part of your State for 35 or 36 years in the swampy part, before they put it on the market to guys like us.It was supposed to pass their stringent testing.and you know me, I believe everything I hear?..............................Charlie...... ...... .... ... .. . --174.199.xx.x |
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 9:42 AM Message:
Smokowna, If he gets the car up to the top speed its supposed to be able to do, he'll have Smokey on his tail and be locked up and he won't need windows.Where you were in Connecticut they had Lime Rock, Don't know if they have anything like that in Colorado?............................ Charlie........................ --174.199.xx.x |
Build a Shed on dirt (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 10:00 AM Message:
When I bought this house they had a 10 x20' garage Tore it down and built a 24 x. 24'Garage with 9' overhead doors
had to dig down 42" for footings for frost line,code. It's filled to the brim, can hardly open the door. Never had a car or van in there yet! Oh! What's the use?......................................Charlie........ --174.199.xx.x |
Build a Shed on dirt (by BillS [CO]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 4:51 PM Message:
Concrete in cold weather is not a problem. Costs a bit more. Look around CDOT does it all the time as does all the builders making the high rises. It needs to be insulated when the temp drops or it will freeze before it cures. It does give off it's own heat so if covered with the proper blankets it is good to go. Any additives are to accelerate the curing process so that it arrives at the strength to resist the freezing forces sooner.
Pouring concrete against frozen ground is typically not advised. The frozen material should be removed and then the ground protected against freezing until the concrete is poured.
A poor man's solution would be to use some pavers under the structure to get the wood from in contact with the soil and the moisture there. Lay the pavers on the ground and level them with play sand. Set the framing structure on top of the pavers. It doesn't anchor them like concrete but works in a pinch.
As for framing the floor. The general rule of thumb is, 1 ft of span for every 1" of 2x. So 2x4 would allow 4 ft span, 2x12 a 12 ft span. That assumes they are 16" on center or closer together.
For a storage shed, it's really cheaper/easier/quicker to buy a pre-made shed like tuffshed than to build it yourself or from scratch. --73.34.xxx.xx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike [CO]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 6:17 PM Message:
Bills.
Excellent input.
Thanks! --172.58.xx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Gary [OK]) Posted on: Dec 10, 2016 7:29 PM Message:
The shed will sink over time if you have much weight in it, at least that was my experience. BillS has a good suggestion with the pavers. --98.184.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by RathdrumGal [ID]) Posted on: Dec 11, 2016 8:08 AM Message:
When I first read this question, I thought you wanted a dirt floored shed like we have for our goats. If you do, a company in Montana sells horse shed framing kits. These are bolt together steel frames that you cover with plywood and roofing material. You can add multiple kits together to make a bigger space. If you call the company they will modify the design for you, so you do not have to drive over a metal bar. Google "horse shed framing kits". They make a very sturdy structure. --98.145.xx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by RathdrumGal [ID]) Posted on: Dec 11, 2016 8:36 AM Message:
hayhorsefeeders.com
--98.145.xx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by busy, busy, busy [WI]) Posted on: Dec 11, 2016 11:57 AM Message:
Preformed concrete blocks for stucture support are available, I believe. Kinda heavy, probably a two person lift. So, it could be a couple of inches off of soil. Even two- three inches should be enough, unless snow really stays in your area. Then I'd like six inches at least.
Think I'd better come out to inspect. Might need to take a ride up Mt Evans in the Viper just to make sure things are good. (You drive, I'm too scared of heights to drive those mountain roads. But love to ride in them.) --70.92.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Dec 11, 2016 8:59 PM Message:
Mike,
Congrats on the Viper!! Sounds like you got the model with red and blue lights built into the rearview mirror! I'll be in Denver soon. If you are close I'd love to see it!
Carpentry 101: wood shall not touch soil.
Simply place some $1 concrete blocks to raise it off the ground. This will also help reduce bugs inside the shed.
Bought some pre-built Amish sheds. Cheaper than I could build them. Price included delivery and set into place. Dealer had them in stock so they arrived 2 days after ordering.
My tip: For $560 on sale you can buy an all plastic Rubbermaid shed with a plastic floor. Set it on the wet ground. (laid a gravel bed to raise it up to avoid water seeping in thru the cracks.) Bought several. Simple assembly and tough.
Watch for the model with the hinges on the INSIDE so thieves cannot just pop the hinge and enter.
BRAD --73.146.xxx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Tom [CO]) Posted on: Dec 16, 2016 7:17 AM Message:
I recently built a shed on dirt, as the tenant was going to store his motorcycle and I knew an elevated floor would not support the weight over time. I leveled the dirt and laid 18 x 18" concrete pavers as the floor. I then used pressure treated 2 x 4's as my plates with concrete bolts to secure to the floor. The final step was sand swept into all the cracks to tighten everything up, so far everything is holding up well. --162.27.xx.xxx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by Mike [CO]) Posted on: Dec 16, 2016 7:35 AM Message:
Thanks Brad and Tom. --98.245.xxx.xx |
Build a Shed on dirt (by mike [CA]) Posted on: Dec 17, 2016 9:24 AM Message:
depending on how long you need a shed for the detail you describe will be fine but if the thing is to be long lived go for some sort of earth to wood separation as described by those above. also suggest using 2x6's if you will not be placing gravel or pavers. 6 mil plastic is cheap...use it
--76.176.xxx.xxx |
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