How to Build a Tool Shed | Foundations for Garden Sheds

Pouring a concrete slab makes for a very sturdy base for your tool shed. However there is an art to making a slab that lasts so you may want to consider hiring a professional to do the job.

Remember this is pretty permanent and if you decide to move your shed you'll be left with that slab. However this is the best solution for very large outbuildings or sheds.

4 x 4 treated wood posts are sunk into undisturbed ground down below the frost line, adding 8 to 12 inches of concrete, and then the rest of the hole is filled with crushed stone.

The treated lumber for the posts needs to be graded for ground contact and need to go to wall height. Another option if you are worry about rotting even with treated lumber is pour a raised concrete pier and place the post on top for your garden shed foundation.

This solution works well if you are building a tool shed on a slope.

Skid types are the most commonly used solution for a base and the cheapest. This DIY foundation requires you to lay down 2 more straight timbers, parallel and evenly spaced and the width of your shed on a gravel bed.

Your next step is to build the floor foundation on top of the skids using 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 boards. The skid formation is simple and fast to build which is why they are so popular for building a sturdy but quick foundation for outdoor sheds. This is a flat foundation so you will need a fairly level area.

How to Build a Toolshed: Foundatins for Garden Sheds

There are two types of concrete blocks generally used. The first is the flat solid concrete blocks which float on their own bed of gravel. This is a good option when building on a slight slope as you can stack them to get a level base for your garden tool shed.

The other type is a pier block, which is a triangular shaped block with a flat top. The top can be slotted to fit a board into or have a 4 x4 hole in it to set posts onto.

Using a combination of those two types also is a good option for slopes and eiither of these can be used with a skid foundation if your yard isn't level. The pier blocks can be used with a post foundation if you don't want to sink the posts into the ground.

When you know how to build a garden tool shed with a good strong foundation it will last you a good long time. When you find the right storage shed plans it really can make building it a lot easier.

And picture this in you mind how great your yard will look when all your tools and equipment are not stored under an ugly blue tarp anymore. =)

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