I will be constructing an 8X8 shed this weekend. This will be my first construction from scratch.
I have built up and leveled the foundation out of 4 to 6 inches of compacted grade 8 gravel.
The shed will sit on five 8′ treated 4X4s. A 3/4″ tongue and groove plywood floor will be glued and screwed to this. First question, do I need a vapor barrier between the 4X4s and the plywood? I am in extreme north east IL.
The instructions are not clear on how the walls should be fastened to the base. From past observation of a garage I had constructed the bolts are set on the concrete slab and the walls are bolted to the slab. Second question, since it is not possible to sink anchor bolts into the 4X4 frame, should I get 2 1/2 to 3 inch bolts and washers to bolt the walls to the 4X4s?
Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Replies
The plywood acts as a v.b. Poly under the floor will only trap moisture.
You don't need anchor bolts either. Just nail down through your bottom plates and plywood into the 4x4s. Use stainless nails if you don't want them to be eaten by the treated wood.
Another way to build shed floors that may be subject to moisture, is to build the 4x4 frame around the perimeter (under your walls), and fill the interior with more clear crushed gravel to 2" from the top. You can then use concrete pavers instead of the plywood.
Good luck. Sheds are fun to build. Careful though. I always find that for their size, they cost more than I expect.
Welcome to BT.
Sheds are fun as they don't need any permit (most places) and are usually temporary structures meant to last < 70 years.
On 8x8, no bolts needed unless you want to practice, just nail. Some of my sheds are simply big pallets set on the ground and other pallets nailed to the sides for walls. Surplus lumber is great for sheds, often free, etc..
I'd use the poly on the ground myself, air space, then the plywood floor.
Examples:
View Image
Which shed is yer still in"
The "good shed," or the "Ivy shed?" ;-)
The Pallet shed is mean!
be just great. Now I'm going to have to go make a shed collage too.
sobriety is the root cause of dementia.
Make a "shed collage?"
Man, after seeing that, I'm gonna have to go to "shed college."
That boy got a PHD in "shed-ology."
Edited 9/5/2007 7:05 pm ET by TomT226
Some place buried in the archives are some pics of Junkhound constructing a roof on one with a backhoe.
I'm trying to think if that was the one with the huge logs or not.
be a Washington state logger
sobriety is the root cause of dementia.
My only advice is to go larger. My shed is 10x12 with an overhead loft in about 1/3 of it, and it's full to the gills with stuff. A buddy built a 16x16 that was full with a little more walking space than I ended up with (practically none).