How To Build A Shed: Install The Foundation

Building a shed isn’t something you can do over the weekend. If the shed needs a foundation, it can take two weeks or longer to complete the project. But if you give it the energy it deserves, you can reap the practical benefits in no time. You can free up much-needed space in your home, increase the value of your property, and have a quiet space where you can focus on your hobbies. Building your own shed can be challenging, but keep in mind that it’s a very rewarding project. The small investment made will reap large rewards.

A long-lasting shed needs a strong foundation. There are several types of foundations to choose from, but it would be best to build a concrete foundation. No maintenance needs to be performed, and you can protect the shed from the unnatural shifts in the soil, not to mention that a poured concrete foundation has unmatched security and integrity. If you’re planning to store heavy equipment, like a tractor, motorcycle, or car, a poured-concrete foundation is the best choice. You’ll want to include both horizontal steel reinforcing wire and vertical reinforcing steel.

Getting the shed foundation right is essential for preventing future structural issues for your extension. If you want to know how the process works, keep on reading.

Choose The Right Location for Your Shed

Before choosing the materials or planning the complicated parts of the shed’s design, pick a location. The shed can’t be placed two metres from a property boundary if it exceeds more than two and a half metres in height. Also, the shed mustn’t cover more than half of the garden, not including the area occupied by the house. To protect the shed from the weather assault, place it in the shadow of a surrounding structure to give it a bit of respite during storms. Every point of the structure above the foundation needs to be thoroughly fastened.

Select an area that’s far away from overhanging branches and shrubs. The growing roots can hastily displace or grow through the foundation. You’ll want to walk to the shed without having to worry about mud or debris each time. For sheds, water is the enemy. Moisture can destroy the shed’s structure, leading to rot and mould, not to mention that the water will put your contents at risk. Make sure the ground is level. This way, you can prevent standing pools of water and debris. In addition to these considerations, factor in the space required for the kids’ swing sets and so on.

Calculate The Material to Be Removed

Preparing the site for a shed isn’t an overly complex job. Determine how much material needs to be removed from the site to have a finished floor level once all the layers of the flooring material have gone down. If you need to remove more than a few inches of dirt, think about hiring a skid loader or an excavator. You’ll get rid of the excess soil in no time. Before the excavation process starts, remove any vegetation, stumps of trees, and so forth. The pits formed due to roots will be filled up with soil and compacted.

Decide Between a Slab On-Grade and Frost Proof-Grade Foundation

A slab-on-grade foundation is poured directly into the mould, meaning that no space is left between the ground and the structure. More often than not, it’s made out of concrete blocks that don’t demand digging deep holes or pouring concrete footings. A slab-on-grade foundation is less vulnerable to infestations from termites and other pests. It can be challenging to extend or remodel this type of foundation. What is more, you don’t have access to utility lines such as gas lines, pipelines, cables, etc. The lines can be corroded by the soil.

A frost-proof foundation is a more affordable alternative to a deeper foundation in more cold regions with ground freezing and the potential for frost heave. It can support more weight than a typical foundation, and it’s considered permanent. You can build a structurally sound foundation that is more resource efficient. Construction involves digging a couple of inches lower than the frost depth to pour concrete and installing piers to support the structure, so it doesn’t shift in the cold weather. The most excessive use has been in the Nordic countries. You might have to dig deep into your pocket if the shed is average or small in size.

Buy Or Mix Your Own Concrete

You can mix your own concrete or have it delivered. It all depends on the size of the project. Rather than wasting valuable time and money hand mixing concrete, you should better have it delivered to the site. The mix can be customised to make sure you receive a product that’s perfect for the job at hand. To ensure the company has the time to prepare the concrete to meet your requirements, place your order at least one week in advance. Select a ready-mix supplier that’s closer to home. For instance, Titan Concrete offers a product that performs when you want it, at a fair price.

One of the most important factors to take into account when ordering ready-mix concrete is strength. Make sure you get what you pay for. The standard mix provides appropriate resistance to chemicals found in the ground, mainly sulphates. The weight of the overall structure on the concrete is lighter. The average truck can deliver between 8 cubic metres, weighing roughly 32 tonnes. Lower amounts can be ordered, of course. To get the best ready-mix concrete, do your homework and ascertain proper preparations have been made. The last thing you want is to end up making an expensive error.

Keep The Site Tidy After Laying the Foundation

Finally, yet importantly, make sure to find a way to deal with the soil. Hire a dumper who will store it in a suitable place so it won’t interfere with the build. You’re not going to be able to haul all your materials in and out of a storage area. So, secure the site to minimise damage. After all, your materials are a huge investment. Prepare for your ready-mix concrete delivery. Lorries are bulky, meaning that they need ample room to manoeuvre. Make sure your property accommodates this.