SUPPLIES
- 4-by-4-inch pressure-treated boards,
- 2-by 6-inch pressure treated boards
- Cement
- Pressure-treated plywood (1/2 inch thickness)
- Hammer or air nailer
- Nails
Overview
A shed base can be made from pressure-treated wood. It is a very sturdy base and lasts quite a few years. Once the base is measured out, it is very easy to build. Always use pressure-treated wood, so that it doesn't rot out in the first year. For extra-added lasting power, coat the 4-by-4-inch boards that are going to be used as the support studs with a heavy coat of stain or other protective paint.
Step 1
Determine the width and length of the shed. You will need one 4-by-4-inch board for each corner. For the sides, you will need at least one every two feet. Four feet of each 4-by-4-inch board will be buried. If you want the shed base to sit directly on the ground, cut the 4-by-4-inch board to 4 feet, 6 inches in length. If you want it up off the ground, determine how high you want the floor, then add that amount to the 4 feet.
Step 2
Square off the ground to determine where the corners will be. Use stakes to mark the 4-by-4-inch board's place. Measure from one stake to the other on opposite sides. The measurements should be the same. Measure diagonally. The two diagonal measurements should also be the same.
Step 3
Dig the four corner holes. Place a 4-by-4-inch board in each corner hole. Support it with stakes. Measure from end to end and side to side. Measure diagonally from corner to corner. If all the measurements are the same, support the 4-by-4-inch boards with a few stones (in the bottom of the holes). Mix cement and pour it into the holes. Before the cement sets, take all of the measurements again, making sure they are all the same. Adjust the 4-by-4-inch poles accordingly.
Step 4
Dig the rest of the support holes, making sure to keep approximately 2 feet between all poles. If you want more support poles, you can put them closer than 2 feet. Space the poles evenly between the end poles.
Step 5
Prepare the floor joists. Use the support poles (working from side to side) as the ends for each floor joist. Mark from one end to the other with a string line. Dig the holes for the joist supports --- the joist supports can be up to 6 feet apart (end to end). Nail or screw the 2-by-6-inch boards to the outside part of the frame (you will be forming a box).
Step 6
Nail or screw the 2-by-6-inch floor joists in. Lay the plywood out on the floor. Mark the frame to show where the end of each piece of plywood lies. You will need to put "chairs" in to support the ends of the plywood. Once marked, remove the plywood from the frame. Cut 2-by-6-inch boards to fit between the joists. Nail or screw them into place based on your markings. Replace the pressure-treated plywood. Nail the plywood to the frame.
