i want to build a wood shed for very little money, i have salvaged wood from a garage that was needing torn down. Most of the wood is salvageable, but not all. I am planning to make this shed on a dirt floor.
However, the area i am going to put it on, is not flat.
i don't think the flatness would matter so much if i was going to put a floor in it, because i could raise the floor above the ground on one end.
How should i go about doing this? It will be constructed like a pole building.
My barn floor is dirt, and it is both sloped and uneven. Doesn't seem to be a problem at all. What issues do you see?
i want the building to be on the ground, but it can't be both plumb and level, if it's touching on uneven ground.
i'm not concerned if there are humps on the floor inside the buidling after its' up, so long as it's structurally sound.
does that make any sense?
Toller wrote:
You just set the posts and build down until you get to the ground. At least that is how my barn is built. As long as the posts are all plumb, the ground doesn't matter much.
You should check locally to see if there are any codes that you need to meet. You also should consider the possible issue of moisture damage and depending on your design, remember that building without a foundation, especially in areas that freeze, is not a good idea.
I second and third that espically for such a large building!!!
Moisture is a problem with my shed and it has a concrete floor. I cant imagine the rust with a dirt floor:(
The shed will not last long if there is wood contacting the ground (termites).
Then also if it is not well built, the first good wind to come along will blow it down.
Building it so it will last a long time and withstand heavy winds seems contrary to building it on the cheap if you ask me.
Anyway I suppose you can sink poles in the ground which all raise up to the same height, then build your roof. And basically nail boards around the sides (all level) going from the top down. Just nail more boards on the side(s) where the ground is lower. Cut the last bottom boards so they have an angle to match the ground. Make door with a bottom angle to match ground level.
Best way to build it is to make a pole foundation.
12 x 24 I assume you want to have an opening so I would set 4x4x6 post into the ground 36ins then be sure to put some form of concrete block under them. space your side post 6ft apart your gable end post 3ft. then get 2x6xthe longest length you can which is 14ft at most lumber stores pressure treated bandboard. get enough to make your skirt around the base. then cut off the excess post to be level with them. Then cap it with a 2x8 pressure treated board and you have a pole foundation. You can then build stud walls etc. with a shovel and a bit of work you can probably get the area around post level. Consider renting an auger at your local tool rental it'll make it short work. You need stainless 6in carriage bolts to attach the bandboard to the post and you can nail the sill plate aka 2x8 on top with 16's. Down the road with this foundation you can also have concrete poured. For now you should probably go with 1 1/2 limestone to cover the ground.For your walls and strength I would build a 2x4 16 on center then run purlins across the walls to accept your boards or t11 or metal. Truss roofs are nicer and hold up to heavy loads just remember to run a storm brace.
Hope this helps,
Cindy
Best way to build it is to make a pole foundation.
12 x 24 I assume you want to have an opening so I would set 4x4x6 post into the ground 36ins then be sure to put some form of concrete block under them. space your side post 6ft apart your gable end post 3ft. then get 2x6xthe longest length you can which is 14ft at most lumber stores pressure treated bandboard. get enough to make your skirt around the base. then cut off the excess post to be level with them. Then cap it with a 2x8 pressure treated board and you have a pole foundation. You can then build stud walls etc. with a shovel and a bit of work you can probably get the area around post level. Consider renting an auger at your local tool rental it'll make it short work. You need stainless 6in carriage bolts to attach the bandboard to the post and you can nail the sill plate aka 2x8 on top with 16's. Down the road with this foundation you can also have concrete poured. For now you should probably go with 1 1/2 limestone to cover the ground.For your walls and strength I would build a 2x4 16 on center then run purlins across the walls to accept your boards or t11 or metal. Truss roofs are nicer and hold up to heavy loads just remember to run a storm brace.
Hope this helps,
Cindy
also:
are there good online resource with illustrations for constructing a pole building like this?
Do you own a shovel? Dig from the high side and throw the dirt toward the low side. build a knee/retaining wall out of rocks and mortar.
If you dig out 3" of dirt, put in plastic, and rake the dirt back in, ground-water is less of a problem.
Here a link to a google.com search for "pole barn" "wind load". You can get a general idea from reading a lot of these links. If the link below does not work, go to google.com and paste the following in the search box (including quotes)... "pole barn" "wind load"
How are you planning on spanning the 24 feet between posts, to resist wind-loads?
Well I don't think I would go to that much trouble without doing it right myself. As for it being enough, that would depend on the soil, the local weather, the depth of the concrete the total load on the posts the size of the post. etc etc etc.
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