Placement of your Gardenshed® building will require a flat, level site. We recommend a professional landscape installation of your building site. It’s important to note that what often appears level to the eye is often not level. A line level or laser is often the best means for measuring if a site is level or not. In most instances the site will require grading. To determine if a pad is square the diagonals should be equal in length. Proper attention to your site preparation will result in an attractive installation and will require less maintenance on your part. We suggest you check with your local Building Office to comply with local building ordinances.
Building Underside Gardensheds’® buildings are constructed on a “skid” foundation of pressure treated 4 x 4’s. This will ensure that your building remains dry. The skid underside is recessed 2” from the edge of the exterior walls and will rest directly on your foundation. The open ends of the 4 x 4’s are covered by finished trim boards that are installed at time of delivery. Optional steel angle brackets are available to secure your building to either a gravel or concrete foundation. Use of tie-down brackets is often defined by local building codes. When the building is placed on your foundation the interior floor will be approximately 8” off the foundation. This is equivalent to a single step. Although not necessary, some clients may prefer to construct a wood or stone step.
CLICK ON A BUILDING WIDTH 8 ft wide building |
Type of Foundation We suggest you work directly with a landscape contractor to determine the foundation that will best suit your needs. There are three types of foundation, each equally suitable. The choice is really a cost and aesthetic concern, more than a structural one. It is our experience that approximately 65% of our buildings are placed on a gravel or crushed stone foundation. Crushed stone is inexpensive, easy to apply and provides excellent drainage for your building. Although most any stone will suffice, in our experience ¾” crushed blue stone works best for the shed base. A topcoat of screening can be applied to the crushed stone. 1. Crushed Stone Foundation To properly prepare a gravel base, remove the sod from an area approximately 2’ larger than the building footprint to allow for proper drainage. If your building measures 10 x 16 your foundation pad should measure 12 x 18. While not required, we suggest a solid and secure perimeter frame to hold the stone in place. Options for the perimeter frame include pressure treated timber (4 x 4) secured in place with 3’ rebar; wet or dry laid Belgian block, granite, brick, or paver. The purpose of the frame is to hold the ¾” stone in place. It also makes for a more finished landscape appearance. The ¾” stone should be 3-4” deep, or flush with the top of the perimeter frame. Rake and tamp the gravel down with a piece of 4 x 4 or metal tamper until it is evenly distributed and the site is level and flat. Crushed stone provides ideal drainage for rain or snow melt around the perimeter of the frame, especially if gutters will not be installed on the shed (not necessary). Water that splashes directly on the ground will eventually create a muddy area that will splash up onto the walls.
2. Concrete Pillars Cement pillars, with or without tied-downs, are required by some municipalities. We suggest you check with your local regulations for quantity and recommended placement. 3. Concrete Slab Installation of a 3-4” concrete slab will require professional installation. Regardless of what foundation pad you decide to install, we can not deliver your building until a pad is in place. We recommend that your building be ordered after the foundation pad is in place.
Click image for Foundation Schematic |
Building Foundation
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