Hello everyone,
It was about time that I joined a forum focused on building and DIY projects.
I’m not a skilled tradesperson, but I’m eager to learn some simple tasks. Many things are new to me, and often I can only manage with help and advice from others.
Now, my first question is about constructing a simple small garden shed, or rather a small tool shed.
The dimensions are 1.80 meters by 2.00 meters (5.9 feet by 6.6 feet). So, definitely not a palace.
Due to a few differing opinions, I’m quite unsure.
So far, because of the small size, I have settled on a simple gravel foundation. At the corners, I plan to pour “concrete buckets/piers” and connect them to the shed with concrete beams.
Up to now, I have excavated an area sized 2.10 meters by 2.20 meters (6.9 feet by 7.2 feet) and 20 centimeters (8 inches) deep. I wanted to use a rented compactor to compact the topsoil first. Then, fill the 20 centimeters (8 inches) with sand/gravel and compact that as well. On top, I would lay simple concrete paving slabs.
My question: Is 20 centimeters (8 inches) of compacted sand/gravel sufficient? Some opinions recommended a full concrete slab foundation. However, the shed will be located in a sheltered corner. Also, there will be the concrete piers at the corners. So far, I assume this will be enough.
Has anyone had experience with such a simple gravel foundation and can maybe share some tips or advice regarding my plan?
I would be very happy to hear from you.
Best regards,
LeckerZuhause
It was about time that I joined a forum focused on building and DIY projects.
I’m not a skilled tradesperson, but I’m eager to learn some simple tasks. Many things are new to me, and often I can only manage with help and advice from others.
Now, my first question is about constructing a simple small garden shed, or rather a small tool shed.
The dimensions are 1.80 meters by 2.00 meters (5.9 feet by 6.6 feet). So, definitely not a palace.
Due to a few differing opinions, I’m quite unsure.
So far, because of the small size, I have settled on a simple gravel foundation. At the corners, I plan to pour “concrete buckets/piers” and connect them to the shed with concrete beams.
Up to now, I have excavated an area sized 2.10 meters by 2.20 meters (6.9 feet by 7.2 feet) and 20 centimeters (8 inches) deep. I wanted to use a rented compactor to compact the topsoil first. Then, fill the 20 centimeters (8 inches) with sand/gravel and compact that as well. On top, I would lay simple concrete paving slabs.
My question: Is 20 centimeters (8 inches) of compacted sand/gravel sufficient? Some opinions recommended a full concrete slab foundation. However, the shed will be located in a sheltered corner. Also, there will be the concrete piers at the corners. So far, I assume this will be enough.
Has anyone had experience with such a simple gravel foundation and can maybe share some tips or advice regarding my plan?
I would be very happy to hear from you.
Best regards,
LeckerZuhause
f-pNo schrieb:
To be honest – hello, it’s a garden shed.I agree with you there.
Our old garden shed (at the old house), which was new at the time, was built on 50cm x 50cm (20 inches x 20 inches) concrete slabs as a foundation. Placed directly on solid ground, which used to be lawn.
That’s it! No gravel, no excavation. Mentioning that in a forum is almost forbidden.
The shed was a common model from a home improvement store, costing around 500 € for a 2.20m x 2.50m (7 ft 3 in x 8 ft 2 in) unit with floor panels. We focused more on the roof: using a good thick membrane and welding it instead of the one supplied.
It’s probably still rock solid now.
What I mean to say is: everything will be fine!
My landscape contractor quickly excavated the pit with an excavator, it must have been about 30cm (12 inches) deep. Gravel was added, compacted, and a layer of crushed stone was spread on top for leveling, followed by paving. This is more than sufficient for our house. My parents-in-law had excavated around 25cm (10 inches) for gravel and laid 6cm (2.5 inches) of paving, and their house is still solid as a rock. Depending on the weight and potential wind exposure, I would consider a pad or strip foundation with anchoring, which was not necessary for us due to the weight and the sheltered location.
G
Gartenfreund18 May 2016 07:33The cost of gravel varies both regionally and from company to company. Here, including delivery, gravel would cost about €100 (approximately $110). Then there is the question of where to dispose of the excavated soil. If there are no holes to fill on your own property or if you don’t know anyone who can take it, the only option is to order a container and have the soil removed. Locally, a 3 m³ (about 4 cubic yards) container costs around €200 (approximately $220) according to online sources, while a 7 m³ (about 9 cubic yards) container runs about €300 (approximately $330).
This ultimately means that, depending on the type of house, the foundation can end up costing more than the house itself.
It’s best to keep things reasonable and not make the construction more complicated or expensive than necessary.
This ultimately means that, depending on the type of house, the foundation can end up costing more than the house itself.
It’s best to keep things reasonable and not make the construction more complicated or expensive than necessary.
H
HilfeHilfe18 May 2016 07:41We also only installed the cheapest (but strongest) patio slabs and then built the wooden substructure... No compacting or anything like that.
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