build shed foundation

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Build a Shed Base

Are you wondering how to build a shed base? Many people think it looks easy to build a storage shed but they get lost along the way. One common shed building question is in regard to building the shed’s foundation. This article will focus on a creative and very sturdy approach to building a shed base on an uneven slope.

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Build a Cheap Storage Shed Starting With The Foundation.

How to Build Shed Foundation Shed Plans

Recommended Shed Plans

On a recent shed building project, I used a set of plans like the ones found at  My Shed Plans and then altered them a little by using recycled roof metal for the exterior cladding. Since I live on an uneven and very rocky hillside, this required that I be creative when building the foundation. As noted by the pictures, This was a medium sized shed with a barn style roof, a loft and a wood base on 4”x4” skids.

 

 

Anchor the Storage Shed Base:

Shed foundation example

Shed Foundation Post Example

I leveled the ground surface some with a ½” minus gravel base with a scrap of white plastic under it to help with weed control. The hill I live on can be windy at times so I needed to anchor the building down. I was not very impressed with the choice of shed anchors and mobile home style anchors available on the market. they seemed flimsy to me. So I used 4 five gallon plastic buckets, buried them, leveled the tops of them with each other, drove a metal fence post through the bottom of them, and filled them with concrete. This gave me a nice flat surface to set the shed on and the fence posts driven in through the bottom acted as good anchors. I did not have to have the ground surface perfectly flat and it was OK if a little of the buckets were visible because I could cover them later (with decorative brick or similar). Please note that I drove the metal fence post down so that the top of the fence post was well below the top edge of the bucket (because you would not want the top of the fence post sticking out the top of the bucket). Before the concrete was dried I placed a metal “U” shaped channel into the concrete so that it would allow the 4”x4” skid posts to be set inside them and secured with a bolt. The metal extends down into the concrete so that it is well secured. There are probably some type of metal channels available from hardware stores but I just used some scrap metal I had laying around the farm.

A Video of My Completed Storage Building.

 

Prevent Rot and Termite Damage to Your Shed Foundation.

As mentioned above my concerns with the shed were building it on an level ground, securing to the ground to prevent wind damage and another major concern I had was preventing rot and termite damage. Sheds often start rotting over time at the ground level. Termites become attracted to the wet wood and they munch away and can destroy your shed in just a mater of weeks. If you keep your foundation high and dry this will significantly help prevent future termite damage to your shed or building. Also note that painted the bottom of the shed base before sitting it onto the concrete filled buckets. A good paint job will also help prevent your shed from rot and termite damage.

 RECOMMENDED: Click This Link For My Shed Plans

Disclaimer: The article above is for illustrative and educational purposes only. No warranties are expressed or implied. This article makes no guarantee of results. Please read all manufactures directions and use proper safety equipment and precautions when working with tools. This page receives compensation for clicks on or purchase of some of the products and advertisements featured. This compensation helps cover the costs to build and maintain this site.

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Filed under: How to Build a Shed

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