Plans for a Storage Shed: Tips On Pouring Your Shed Foundation

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Don_Koenig]Don Koenig
Your shed's foundation is the backbone for the durability and sturdiness of your shed. Build on a weak foundation and your shed is doomed to collapse or be blown away by a strong wind before you know it. Of course, planning for and executing a strong foundation is always the first step in building any building, even one as small as a shed. So, as you make plans for a storage shed make sure you pay close attention to the foundation.
The type of foundation you choose depends on the size and shape of your shed as well as what you plan to store inside. If you are planning to store heavy equipment than a concrete foundation may be the best choice. You can also choose to use posts anchored in concrete. You can also build a brick foundation on either a base of concrete or bricks below the frost line.
Building on bare earth is not recommended. The ground is prone to retain a good deal of moisture, even if you live in desert conditions. It is also quite difficult to level. If you do build on bare earth, place pea gravel to around 6 inches thick as a surface for building. Be sure to tamp it down completely, eliminating any air pockets from the gravel. Building on this foundation of gravel keeps the shed directly off the ground and you are less likely to have moisture damage as a result.
In most cases, a concrete slab used as a foundation is better than a foundation built on raw earth. In climates where the ground freezes, however this is not the best of choices. By placing footings below the frost line and then building short foundation walls extending to about 6 inches above the ground, you can better secure your shed to a sturdy foundation.
For smaller sheds, concrete piers poured to a level height with your floor anchored to the top of the piers is sufficient for holding your shed in place. You could also use a treated wood post system anchored in the ground with concrete to make the foundation sturdy for a small shed.
This is, of course, why you want to plan carefully when you are building a storage shed. Knowing the contour of the land, where you intend to place the shed, how water drains, and what type of foundation treatment is ideal for your project is critical to the ultimate success or failure of your building.
So when you make plans for a storage shed, be sure to keep in mind the importance of a foundation and if you do so you'll build a successful shed that will last for years and years to come.
Don Koenig has been a professional carpenter and woodworker for over 25 years. He offers tips and ideas for building sheds an other woodworking projects at [http://www.designsforsheds.com]Designs for Sheds. Right now he is offering a free gift of a 24 page basic shed plan for a [http://www.designsforsheds.com/plans-storage-shed]12 x 8 Shed. Why not visit his site and see what all the fuss is about.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Plans-for-a-Storage-Shed:-Tips-On-Pouring-Your-Shed-Foundation&id=6679477] Plans for a Storage Shed: Tips On Pouring Your Shed Foundation