Calculate the foundation for the shed. Selecting and building a foundation for a shed. What to consider when choosing a foundation

Light wooden structures that will be intended for storing light gardening tools, or will be reserved for poultry, for example, or small livestock, do not need a monolithic foundation. For such structures, a columnar foundation made from different materials is quite suitable. The most important advantage of such a foundation is its low cost compared to the monolithic version, and even a beginner in construction can build it! At the same time, such a foundation retains high performance characteristics.

Pillar foundations can be installed on any landscape, even on moving soils. Carrying out hydro- and thermal insulation work when arranging such a foundation is not a necessary measure; installation is carried out even without outside help. As a load-bearing base, pillars are most often made of concrete, brick, natural stone, foam blocks, and sometimes wooden pillars are also used. True, in the latter case, the columns must be burned and treated with special solutions that will reduce the degree of decay, otherwise the structure on such a foundation will not stand for long.

How to make a pillar foundation - step by step process

The process of constructing a foundation on pillars should be carried out in several simple steps. The first stage is preparation of the area, which includes clearing the area of ​​debris, leveling uneven areas and adding a bed of gravel if the soil on the site is clayey. Then you need to make markings, noting where each column will be located. Depending on how soft and mobile the soil is in your area, it is recommended to dig the posts from half a meter to a meter deep.

On hard soils, the depressions do not need to be strengthened, but on soft soils, a layer of reinforced concrete should be made at the bottom of each hole to protect the structure from possible subsidence.

When fiddling with the reinforcement is completed, fill the future columns with concrete mortar with fine crushed stone. Try to compact the solution as tightly as possible.

Then we proceed to the construction of the grillage - that part of the foundation on pillars that distributes the load evenly between all parts. Again, using wire and reinforcement we connect the lintels, make a frame from the same reinforcement and install the formwork. Fill everything with concrete and wait until it hardens completely. If you do everything carefully and evenly, then on the resulting foundation you can build a structure for a barn.

DIY foundation for a shed made of foam blocks - features

Building a strong and insulated outbuilding right away is much easier and cheaper than strengthening and insulating the structure during operation. In this regard, foam blocks are the most successful option, since foam blocks themselves are excellent insulation, and at the same time hard enough to act as a material for masonry. Although foam blocks are a lightweight material, a shed made of foam blocks also needs a solid foundation, and you can do it yourself, without the involvement of specialists. It is best to make a strip foundation, under which trenches no more than half a meter deep are dug - there is no point in making the foundation deeper, the structure will be quite light in weight.

After the trenches are dug, sand and fine gravel are poured into their bottom, in a layer no thicker than 20 cm. The reinforcement frame can be made from fairly thin rods with a cross-section of 10 mm. After installing the frame, formwork is made from boards and concrete is poured. It is extremely important to fill the entire foundation in one go, therefore, if you are doing the work without special equipment, then you will need at least 3 assistants to quickly mix the solution and deliver it to the trenches. It will take several days for the concrete to completely harden - remember to water it with plenty of water in hot weather to prevent it from cracking.

The foundation for a barn is built with your own hands in several ways. If you want this outbuilding to serve you for many years, you should approach the issue of constructing the foundation for it responsibly.

Private backyards often have many outbuildings intended for various purposes. The most common of them is the barn. Usually it is a multifunctional structure that can be used for storing a variety of working tools and household equipment, and breeding domestic animals. Some owners set up a workshop in the barn.

Regardless of the specific purposes for which the described economic structure is used, it needs a quality foundation.

High-quality foundation of economic building

Of course, you can build a shed without a foundation. But such a structure will not last long. A guarantee of long-term operation of any outbuilding will be a strong and reliable foundation for it. It could be:

  • tape;
  • screw;
  • columnar.

Any of the above foundations for a commercial building is made as simple and economical as possible. As a rule, the foundations for a shed or outbuilding go deep into the ground no more than 0.6 m. They are built using simplified construction methods. Therefore, such structures cannot take truly serious loads. But in any case, buildings even on a very light foundation are much stronger and more durable than sheds built without a foundation. Always remember this.

Strip-type bases are most popular among summer residents and owners of private homes. Such foundations can be built on any soil; they can withstand quite heavy loads. True, the cost of their construction is either higher than other foundations for a utility block.

Tape type shed base

If you plan to spend a minimum of finance on construction activities, it is better to build a different type of foundation rather than a strip one. Fortunately, there is a large selection of them. For the rest, we will briefly describe how to properly build such a structure. You can make a strip foundation yourself, based on the following algorithm for performing the work:

  1. Dig a ditch approximately 0.7 m wide. Determine its depth based on how much the ground freezes in winter. The bottom of the foundation for an outbuilding should be slightly below the freezing level of the soil.
  2. Next, you need to make a cushion in the ditch from two layers - a 10-centimeter layer of crushed stone plus a 5-8-centimeter layer of construction sand. Then you should compact this cake well.
  3. You make it. It is advisable to provide additional reinforcement for this structure. You need to make a simple mesh with cells measuring about 0.3x0.3 m, from small cross-section reinforcing bars (up to 1 cm). The formwork should protrude 0.25–0.3 m above the ground.
  4. Prepare a concrete solution and pour it into the prepared structure. The mixture for filling the formwork, without which the strip foundation cannot be built, can be made according to the classic recipe. Mix crushed stone with sand in a ratio of 5 to 3, add cement (1 part). Then fill this composition with water and stir it until the composition becomes homogeneous and thick enough.

All you have to do is wait for the concrete mixture to harden properly, dismantle the formwork structure and fill the gaps left after removing the wood frame with earth. The strip foundation is ready. This base is recommended for loaded buildings, for example, for a utility room or a full-fledged home workshop.

Arranging a columnar structure requires much less labor and financial costs. Let us immediately note that it is impossible to erect such a structure on moving soils. It is very easy to make a columnar foundation for a light outbuilding or similar building:

  1. Clearing the area for the shed. On clay soils, it is necessary to additionally arrange a gravel cushion on the ground (thickness - about 10 cm).
  2. Mark the area, identifying the mounting points for the columnar supports.
  3. Dig holes in the designated places. The depth of the wells is taken in the range of 50–100 cm. The softer the soil on the land plot, the deeper the supports should be buried.
  4. Pour a mixture of gravel and sand into the bottom of the holes (the total thickness of the layer should be about 15 cm), and compact the pie.
  5. Install the posts in the wells prepared for them. You can make supports from bricks, asbestos-cement pipes or concrete blocks. The choice is yours. Experts advise placing additional reinforcing bars inside the pillars. Then their load-bearing potential increases significantly. Of course, if you are building a foundation for a very light shed, an additional rod is not needed.
  6. Make a simple formwork and fill it with concrete solution.

Arrangement of a columnar structure

After 5–7 days, the concrete will harden and you will be able to build a shed on the prepared foundation.

Please note: if it was decided to make the pillars from bricks, the finished support must be treated with mastic with waterproofing properties.

Relatively recently, outbuildings began to be installed on screw foundations. Special supports that are used for these purposes have a special design with blades at the ends. Due to these elements, screw rods can be screwed into the ground without any problems by two adult men. There are no real difficulties when performing such work.

The piles are screwed in not by hand, but by means of a piece of ordinary pipe or an iron crowbar, which is attached to the support through a special hole made in its upper part. Installation of screw products must be carried out strictly vertically. It is advisable that two people screw in the supports, and a third person from the side monitors the correct installation.

Installation of screw products

When a structure made of foam blocks, a popular modern construction material, is being erected on a site, the foundation for such a building is made according to the algorithm described for a strip foundation:

  1. Dig a 0.6-meter deep trench. Fill its bottom with gravel and sand (it is optimal to use fine materials) in a layer of 15–20 cm.
  2. Make a reinforcement skeleton from rods with a cross-section of 0.9–1 cm and a simple formwork from boards.
  3. Pour concrete, wait for it to harden, and install light and durable foam blocks on the resulting base.

Choose the technology that suits you for constructing the foundation for the utility block and do all the work yourself, saving the family budget!

Building a shed with your own hands is not such a difficult task, but you can’t do without such a building on a personal plot, especially if the plot is new and the construction of a house is just being planned. During this time, the barn will become a shelter for craftsmen, a storage for their tools, and later will be a workshop or a good warehouse for firewood and garden utensils. Therefore, you need to start equipping a fenced area with the installation of this utility structure.

You cannot install a shed anywhere - first you need to carry out zoning, since you need to remember that the building will serve for more than one year and may become a hindrance to other buildings, or spoil the planned landscape design of the area. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate a place for it that will not be suitable for agricultural or decorative plantings, construction of a gazebo, garage, bathhouse, toilet and other buildings. If you install a shed in the far corner of the site, it will not only not interfere with the work process, but will also provide protection from prying eyes.

But if in the future you plan to build a woodshed in it, then you should not move the barn too far from the main building, since in winter it will be difficult to get to it, and firewood should always be at hand.

Block foundation

Installation of blocks in this design occurs on a monolithic base. If we are talking about a budget version of the base, then it is allowed to use concrete blocks on a specially prepared pad. In this case, a hole is dug to the size of the utility block, a layer of sand is poured, spilled with water and compacted.

Then a layer of crushed stone is also carefully compacted. Concrete blocks of the required size are installed on the constructed site along the perimeter and leveled horizontally.


Construction of a strip foundation

Before pouring the supporting structure, it is necessary to prepare a good, tenacious mortar from a mixture of cement, water, sand and gravel. The following rules will help you do this correctly:

  1. When purchasing dry cement or building mixture, you should definitely pay attention to the production date. Regular Portland cement will work here.
  2. To save cement, you should choose gravel of different diameters with large and small stones. In this case, the fine gravel will serve as a connecting link for the coarse gravel and less cement will be needed.
  3. Crushed stone should not contain debris or various impurities.
  4. Clean water should also be used, preferably drinking water.
  5. The sand must be free of clay and silt.
  6. Classic recipe for mortar: 3 parts sand, 5 parts crushed stone, 1 part cement - pour everything with water, mix until a thick, homogeneous mass is obtained.

Barn without foundation

Some lightweight buildings will not require a base at all. This includes chest-type sheds or a combined greenhouse. They mainly store equipment, tools, garden supplies, germinate plants, root cuttings and other household needs.

Due to their small area and limited dimensions, such structures have low pressure on the ground, and accordingly they can do without a foundation.

Another modern innovation is the prefabricated plastic shed. Every summer resident can build such a structure. Assembly is carried out like a children's construction set, without the use of special skills and complex fastenings.

This building is a metal frame, the walls, roof and floor of which are made of durable frost-resistant plastic. Thanks to the built-in floor, the structure of the barn is protected from groundwater. It will always be comfortable to work in it, especially if there is well-designed ventilation. This design will withstand even harsh winters and heavy snow.

The undoubted advantages of this type of utility unit are:

  • assembly time - if you have no experience, everything will take about three hours;
  • such a structure can be moved from place to place;
  • does not require routine maintenance - with careful operation it will last up to thirty years;
  • Easy to clean with running water from a hose.

A reliable foundation for a shed is half the way to a functional structure that can last for decades. Doing it yourself will not be difficult. It is only important to conduct a soil study to correctly determine the type of foundation, as well as to decide in advance on the design, design and purpose of the future building.

The construction of the foundation is one of the most critical construction stages. The supporting platform largely determines the durability of both large-scale capital projects and small outbuildings. A barn cannot be classified as a demanding object in terms of foundation characteristics, however, there are many important nuances in the technique of its construction. Moreover, this operation in most cases is carried out with a modest set of materials and technical means, which in itself forces performers to look for ways to optimize work activities. To build a high-quality foundation for a shed, it would be a good idea to use proven technologies for solving such problems at minimal cost.

Preparation for work activities

Before starting construction of the foundation, it is necessary to carefully calculate the work plan. It is important to determine the location of the facility, the area and orientation of the technological points. An approximate layout of the barn will allow for the correct positioning of the supporting platform, regardless of what technology it will be used. In order to last longer and not be damaged during the first stages of operation due to defects in the ground surface, it is important to clear the soil. The layer of vegetation must be eliminated and, if possible, the rough coating must be made not only even, but also hard. This may also require removing loose soil or using a tamping tool. The method of achieving the desired characteristics of the base surface will depend on the quality of the soil itself.


Preparation of the solution

Almost all shed foundation methods require the use of concrete. To prepare the solution you will need a basic set of water, sand and cement, but with the addition of gravel. The fraction of its elements can be any, but it is advisable to correlate it with the volume of the planned mass - the larger the pouring area, the larger the fraction. For example, gravel for a columnar foundation will have a minimum size, but for a strip foundation it is advisable to select a large fraction. It is important to maintain the proportions for the solution from which the foundation will be made; sand and gravel should be mixed in a small container in a ratio of 3:5, then add 1 part of Portland cement. Water is added with the expectation of obtaining a thick but tenacious mass.

Construction of a monolithic foundation


This is a simple technique, but quite a voluminous method of making a foundation. Its use is justified when it comes to the construction of a brick outbuilding. The essence of the technology is the construction of a durable sand cushion with the inclusion of the same gravel. At approximately 10-15 cm, a base should be laid on which the cement screed will subsequently be organized. But before this, a continuous formwork is formed around the perimeter of the working area, on which it is planned to install the foundation for the barn. We make restrictive barriers with our own hands, within which the cement mortar will be poured. They can be made from plastic or wooden slats with panels - the main thing is that they can hold the poured mass. After this, you can proceed to the installation of reinforcing bars and the direct installation of the screed. It should be borne in mind that such a foundation may take about 2-3 weeks to fully gain strength, depending on the working area.

for a post-type barn?

A columnar foundation requires less materials in volume, but its implementation requires more careful calculations. Usually a load-bearing base is formed, fixed on racks fixed in the ground. If we are talking about a small barn, then four pillars with a diameter of about 15 cm will be enough. For each of them, a hole is initially dug into which a cushion of gravel and sand is poured. Next, the pillar rod is installed and filled with cement. If necessary, you can use special equipment to drive piles. After this, the columnar foundation for the barn is covered with logs. The basis for the flooring will be formed by fastening structures, including grillage strapping, channel and profile elements.


Technique for installing strip foundations

This type of foundation is one of the most common in the construction of residential private houses, but for outbuildings it is considered too troublesome and unreasonably expensive. To implement this technique, it is necessary to make excavation lines around the perimeter of the work site. You will get trenches that are filled with sand and crushed stone. For greater reliability, a reinforcing base is also placed in earthen niches. If you are planning a strip foundation for a large barn, then trenches should be made in the central part. Next, the prepared niches with fittings are filled with the same solution. After the concrete has hardened, you can begin work on laying out the flooring, which can also serve as the floor covering for the future barn.

How to make a foundation for a shed from foam blocks?


There are two common methods for constructing a platform for a foam block shed. In the first case, it is assumed that contour support lines will be created like a strip foundation. That is, a trench is made around the perimeter, which is filled with a combination of sand and gravel, after which blocks are laid on the cement mortar. Next, a connecting structure is formed for the flooring made of metal or durable joists. The second method is used when working with objects that are demanding in terms of resistance to high loads. In this scheme, the contractor lays the foundation in blocks all over the entire site. The foam block itself is characterized by low thermal conductivity, insulating qualities, ease of processing and low price. Therefore, from the point of view of obtaining high performance qualities of a barn as a storage facility for demanding materials, this foundation option may be the best.

How to choose the best foundation option?


Before analyzing possible options for a suitable foundation, you should decide on the tasks that the shed will perform and the conditions of its operation. For a small building in a warm region, a pile foundation with several load-bearing rods will be sufficient. It is advisable to construct large-area objects on a monolithic basis - for example, from a solid or in the form of a block platform. These techniques will allow you to build a durable and well-protected foundation for the shed in the lower part. A monolith can be made with your own hands using a standard set of tools, but requires more physical effort. For example, laying a block may require the help of at least one partner.

Is it possible to build a shed without a foundation?

Of course, you won’t be able to do without a load-bearing base completely, but optimizing this structural part of the barn in some cases justifies itself. So, if there are no strict requirements for thermal insulation, then it is quite possible to confine ourselves to installing the frame on four concrete blocks distributed in the corners of the future building. You can make a shed without a foundation and on cleared soil. Such projects are typically constructed using prefabricated structures that provide a rigid wood or metal platform to replace the foundation. But it is important not to forget that the classic foundation also guarantees a horizontal surface. Therefore, it is important to initially adjust the rough coating so that it does not have serious deviations in heights over the entire area.


Conclusion

It would be incorrect to consider the foundation as a part separate from the main frame of the barn. Even high-quality implementation of the base without taking into account the nuances of further construction can cause many problems during operation. The main thing you should pay attention to when matching the foundation for a shed and its structural base is the technique of forming an airtight bond. The transition is usually made from concrete or wooden joists to a metal profile. Next, the main cladding is produced, which can have several layers. The joining areas can be additionally treated with sealants, mineral wool and polyurethane foam.

Building a good-quality shed is far from being as simple a task as it might seem at first glance. If you want the structure to serve you for decades, approach the issue with all seriousness! We will look at which foundation for a do-it-yourself shed is best suited for such structures.

1 Foundation for a shed - savings and practicality

Light wooden structures, which will be intended for storing light gardening utensils, or will be reserved for poultry, for example, or small livestock, do not need a monolithic foundation. For such structures, a columnar foundation made from different materials is quite suitable. The most important advantage of such a foundation is its low cost compared to the monolithic version, and even a beginner in construction can build it! At the same time, such a foundation retains high performance characteristics.

Pillar foundations can be installed on any landscape, even on moving soils. Carrying out hydro- and thermal insulation work when arranging such a foundation is not a necessary measure; installation is carried out even without outside help. As a load-bearing base, pillars are most often made of concrete, brick, natural stone, foam blocks, and sometimes wooden pillars are also used. True, in the latter case, the columns must be burned and treated with special solutions that will reduce the degree of decay, otherwise the structure on such a foundation will not stand for long.

2 How to make a foundation from pillars - step by step process

The process of constructing a foundation on pillars should be carried out in several simple steps. The first stage is preparation of the area, which includes clearing the area of ​​debris, leveling uneven areas and adding a bed of gravel if the soil on the site is clayey. Then you need to make markings, noting where each column will be located. Depending on how soft and mobile the soil is in your area, it is recommended to dig the posts from half a meter to a meter deep.

On hard soils, the depressions do not need to be strengthened, but on soft soils, a layer of reinforced concrete should be made at the bottom of each hole to protect the structure from possible subsidence.

When fiddling with the reinforcement is completed, fill the future columns with concrete mortar with fine crushed stone. Try to compact the solution as tightly as possible.

Then we proceed to the construction of the grillage - that part of the foundation on pillars that distributes the load evenly between all parts. Again, using wire and reinforcement we connect the lintels, make a frame from the same reinforcement and install the formwork. Fill everything with concrete and wait until it hardens completely. If you do everything carefully and evenly, then on the resulting foundation you can build a structure for a barn.

3 DIY foundation for a shed made of foam blocks - features

Building a strong and insulated outbuilding right away is much easier and cheaper than strengthening and insulating the structure during operation. In this regard, foam blocks are the most successful option, since foam blocks themselves are excellent insulation, and at the same time hard enough to act as a material for masonry. Although foam blocks are a lightweight material, they also need a solid foundation, and you can do it yourself, without the involvement of specialists. It is best to make a strip foundation, under which trenches no more than half a meter deep are dug - there is no point in making the foundation deeper, the structure will be quite light in weight.

After the trenches are dug, sand and fine gravel are poured into their bottom, in a layer no thicker than 20 cm. The reinforcement frame can be made from fairly thin rods with a cross-section of 10 mm. After installing the frame, formwork is made from boards and concrete is poured. It is extremely important to fill the entire foundation in one go, therefore, if you are doing the work without special equipment, then you will need at least 3 assistants to quickly mix the solution and deliver it to the trenches. It will take several days for the concrete to completely harden - remember to water it with plenty of water in hot weather to prevent it from cracking.

Most people believe that building a foundation for a shed with your own hands is simply simple and does not take much time. For this to be the case, it is necessary to carry out complex construction. After all, it needs to be done in such a way that the building does not collapse in two or three years.

Ready-made monolithic foundation for a barn

Before considering the types of foundations for a barn, you should decide on the type of structure itself. The following are distinguished:


The type of foundation being built directly depends not only on the strength of the future building, but also on the type of soil on which it is built.


Let's look at the types of foundations for a barn that you can build with your own hands.

Poured foundation

Before laying a poured foundation for the shed, it is necessary to make a bedding that will serve as an elevation above the ground by about 100–200 mm.


Formwork for installation of a poured foundation

Then a monolithic slab is installed: it will be the floor for the building. Such a floor will ideally cope with any loads and protect the structure from all kinds of rodents.

Columnar foundation

An ideal and simple option for constructing light buildings. On such a foundation, you can make a building from foam blocks, but before you start construction, you need to examine the soil composition: if it is homogeneous and compacted, then it is possible to make a foundation from bricks or foam blocks.

It must be remembered that building a foundation with your own hands is a job that requires patience. It is best to make a columnar foundation using poured foundations or using brick or concrete blocks, simply installing them in the corners and in places where the corner elements of the walls are located.

To build a columnar foundation, you will need to do the following:


Block foundation

A foam block foundation is the best option for outbuildings. It is the most common because it is easy to use, suitable for installing a base for all types of buildings, and can be installed quickly.


The not very high cost of a foam block foundation makes this building material even more popular. Moreover, it is quite lightweight compared to other materials.

To make a foam block base correctly, you first need to mark the area. Next, drive in the stakes and stretch the cord between them. Then start digging a pit approximately 600 mm deep.

When calculating, you should take into account the width of the foam blocks themselves, increasing the width of the trench by 200 mm.

Pour crushed stone and sand bedding onto the bottom of the trench, install formwork, and fill everything with concrete mortar 200 mm high. Then, after waiting for the concrete to dry completely, you can install the required number of foam blocks and continue work.

Strip foundation for a barn

When building sheds, strip foundations are no less popular, since they can withstand different loads, are cheap, stable and allow you to build a basement inside.


Scheme for building a strip foundation for a barn

This type of base is used on any soil and for any buildings.


Screw foundation

Although it is a relatively new technology, it has managed to gain popularity in low-rise construction. Such a foundation is affordable and durable on almost any soil.

Rapid construction technology includes:

  • Vertical installation of piles at marked points - the vertical is measured with a level. If the pile is deflected even by two degrees, it must be unscrewed and installed correctly in another place, since the density of the soil has already been lost in this area;
  • The piles are driven to the calculated depth using a crowbar or pipe in the corners and under the walls of the building. This will not cause many problems: the screw piles are equipped with a sharp end and thread, which make it possible to perfectly cut through any soil except rocky soil;
  • All piles need to be measured and brought to the same height using a grinder;
  • For strength from the inside, the pile is filled with concrete mixture. The foundation is ready, you can lay the slab.

Cinder block foundation

Cinder block is a cheap material that consists of slag, crushed stone, sand, cement and other components. As a foundation, it is perfect for small-sized buildings.

But a cinder block foundation has its drawbacks:

  • Hygroscopic due to the porosity of the structure;
  • Has high thermal conductivity;
  • Not resistant to frost.

The construction scheme for a cinder block foundation includes the following steps:


Important! To ensure that the foundation lies evenly, reinforcement is installed in the corners and a rope is pulled over it. In the future, masonry is carried out at this level.

Tire foundation

Recently, among summer residents, foundations built from used material have become widespread. Sleepers or tires can be used for this.


Example of a tire foundation for a barn

Advantages of a tire foundation:

  • Saving on materials;
  • Rubber provides excellent waterproofing;
  • Tires are a strong and durable material;
  • Tires can serve as a “cushion” in areas of seismic activity;
  • Easy to manufacture.

An important nuance is that the tires must be located at the same level to avoid misalignment.
The foundation of tires can be erected as either a strip or a columnar type. To build it, you need to clear the area, level the soil, lay the tires in two layers - the best would be to use truck tires. Then soil is poured into the column to the extent of 80% of the tire volume.

Roofing felt should be laid on top to ensure a smooth surface and waterproofing. After which the concrete can be poured. To increase the strength of the structure, you can use concrete instead of backfilled soil.

In addition to this, it is possible to use tire reinforcement for the foundation.

One of the first buildings on a country plot is a barn. A necessary and functional structure even before building a house, because you always need to store tools, firewood and other auxiliary utensils somewhere.

It is possible to independently approach the construction of a utility block. The main requirement for the reliability of future construction is a high-quality foundation base.

Features of building a foundation for a barn

For light change houses for equipment, the absence of a base is allowed. If the building is more massive, then the base must be completed.

The foundation gives the building:

  • Strength.
  • Durability.
  • Thermal conductivity.
  • Frost resistance.

First of all, you need to correctly determine the location of the future shed. Place it so as not to damage the landscape design of the site, for comfortable use or on soil unsuitable for planting.

Then you can start choosing the type of base.


Reinforcement mesh for foundation

Dependence of the type of foundation on the type of building

The choice of foundation type depends on the design features of the future barn, as well as on the purpose of the utility unit. Will it be a room for keeping livestock or a room for tools along with a workshop. All these functions performed will entail the choice of the type of base. Thus, lightweight buildings do not require powerful foundations, while capital structures will require a reliable, rigid foundation.

If the choice fell on a classic outbuilding made of timber with a gable or pitched roof, any foundation will do. Most often, columnar or screw ones are chosen due to their low cost and relative ease of installation.

A solid structure made of brick or foam blocks will require the installation of a more preferable monolithic tile or block base.

Shed foundation depth

The depth of the base is selected according to the type of foundation, as well as taking into account the local level of soil freezing. Important: trenches are dug 15 cm more than the soil freezing depth.

Since a barn is most often a small-sized building, a shallow foundation will do just fine. Equally well suited for buildings made of wood or timber on clay or sandy soils. In this case, the hole is dug to a depth of about 60 cm.

For a more massive structure, for example, made of brick, as well as under unfavorable soil conditions, it is worth placing the foundation to a depth of up to 100 cm.


Which foundation to choose for a lightweight building?

When choosing any type of plinth, it is worth taking into account the main characteristics of the soil at the construction site.

The following soil properties are taken into account:

  • availability of groundwater;
  • soil compressibility;
  • presence of quicksand;
  • type of soil.

Based on the type of soil that predominates on the plot, the following types of plinth are selected:

  1. On sandy soil, which can “float” under high humidity conditions, it is more advisable to build a screw or columnar foundation. The freezing characteristic of such soil is usually 40–70 cm, this should be taken into account when deepening the base.
  2. The worst option for construction is sandy loam and loam. Such soil has a high degree of freezing (up to 2 meters), the ability to swell and contract, and often forms quicksand. For such soil it is worth choosing a screw base.
  3. Gravel soil is much less susceptible to freezing, is not subject to deformation and destruction, and is not subject to erosion. Here it is allowed to use both strip, columnar and block views.
  4. The most favorable option for a construction site is rocky soil. It will not sag, will not freeze, and will not float. The only disadvantage of this soil is the labor intensity of processing, so any foundation can be installed except a screw one.

Required materials and tools

To save working time, as well as high-quality construction of the foundation, you should prepare in advance a set of materials and tools from the following list:

  • water;
  • cement with sand or a specialized building mixture;
  • concrete mixer - in a pinch, you can get by with improvised means, but it will significantly save labor and time for mixing the solution;
  • bricks;
  • metal fittings;
  • asbestos pipes;
  • waterproofing - polyethylene film or roofing felt;
  • metal piles;
  • Bulgarian;
  • boards or plywood for formwork;
  • foam blocks;
  • Master OK;
  • cord or twine;
  • building level;
  • pegs;
  • rule;
  • buckets and shovels (scoop and bayonet);
  • roulette;
  • tamper

The list may vary depending on the type of base and the preparatory work process.

Construction technology

Construction technology– a set of measures aimed at creating a structure that meets the requirements of the selected type of structure. Construction as a whole consists of several sequential operations.

First of all, this is preparation of the site. The selected area is cleared of grass, small bushes, stumps, and a 10 cm layer of soil and carefully leveled. It is important to place the foundation on a flat surface to avoid further distortion of the structure.


Slab foundation

Detailed step-by-step instructions from marking to finished foundation

The first stage of construction is the same for all types of load-bearing structures - marking and routing. To do this, use a tape measure and wooden pegs to mark the corners of the future utility unit. The stakes are driven into the ground, a rope or cord is pulled between them and leveled to adjust the horizontal. Right angles must be checked.

Columnar foundation

Future pillars are marked in each corner of the barn when building a simple structure. If the project is more complex, then it is necessary to install pillars every 1 - 1.5 meters of the perimeter of the structure. Using a garden drill, holes approximately 40x40 cm wide are dug in the designated places. Afterwards, a cushion of sand and crushed stone 20 cm thick is poured onto the bottom of each hole.

  • Brick– the pillars are laid out with a standard one and a half brick masonry to the required height.
  • Concrete blocks– this can be one large block or small blocks held together with cement mortar.
  • Asbestos pipes– the required size is installed in holes and later filled with concrete.
  • – in this case, concrete is also poured into the prepared cavity. After drying, the formwork is removed.

For strength, reinforcement rods are fixed inside the pillars whenever possible. Upon completion of the work, a layer of waterproofing is laid on top to prevent destruction by moisture.

Screw foundation

This design will not require additional soil preparation, because can be installed even on the most difficult type of soil. Special metal piles with a sharp tip and cutting blades are used here. Installation locations are outlined similarly to the columnar view.

The piles are screwed vertically into the ground by two to three people . To make work easier, there is a hole for crowbar at the top of each pipe. Be sure to check the entire structure vertically. Excess parts in height are cut off with a grinder. To give greater strength, it is recommended to fill the pile cavity with concrete.

Monolithic foundation

The most expensive and labor-intensive, but the most durable and durable type of base. To build it, you need to dig a pit the size of the proposed barn. A layer of sand and a layer of crushed stone, 10–20 cm each, are placed on the bottom. Everything is carefully compacted. Next, you need to build formwork 10–15 cm high above ground level. Connecting reinforcement or mesh is laid, and the space is completely filled with concrete.

Strip foundation

This type is intended for the basis of wall structures. According to the markings, a trench up to 50 cm wide is dug along the perimeter. It is important to maintain right angles. The bottom is covered with sand and compacted. Next, a formwork is constructed, rising 20 cm above the ground. A reinforcement frame is made using reinforcement and wire. Then the entire tape is filled with concrete mortar.

Block foundation

Installation of blocks in this design occurs on a monolithic base. If we are talking about a budget version of the base, then it is allowed to use concrete blocks on a specially prepared pad. In this case, a hole is dug to the size of the utility block, a layer of sand is poured, spilled with water and compacted.

Then a layer of crushed stone is also carefully compacted. Concrete blocks of the required size are installed on the constructed site along the perimeter and leveled horizontally.


Construction of a strip foundation

Before pouring the supporting structure, it is necessary to prepare a good, tenacious mortar from a mixture of cement, water, sand and gravel. The following rules will help you do this correctly:

  1. When purchasing dry cement or building mixture, you should definitely pay attention to the production date. Regular Portland cement will work here.
  2. To save cement, you should choose gravel of different diameters with large and small stones. In this case, the fine gravel will serve as a connecting link for the coarse gravel and less cement will be needed.
  3. Crushed stone should not contain debris or various impurities.
  4. Clean water should also be used, preferably drinking water.
  5. The sand must be free of clay and silt.
  6. The classic recipe for mortar: 3 parts sand, 5 parts crushed stone, 1 part cement - pour everything with water, mix until a thick, homogeneous mass is obtained.

Barn without foundation

Some lightweight buildings will not require a base at all. This includes chest-type sheds or a combined greenhouse. They mainly store equipment, tools, garden supplies, germinate plants, root cuttings and other household needs.

Due to their small area and limited dimensions, such structures have low pressure on the ground, and accordingly they can do without a foundation.

Another modern innovation is the prefabricated plastic shed. Every summer resident can build such a structure. Assembly is carried out like a children's construction set, without the use of special skills and complex fastenings.

This building is a metal frame, the walls, roof and floor of which are made of durable frost-resistant plastic. Thanks to the built-in floor, the structure of the barn is protected from groundwater. It will always be comfortable to work in it, especially if there is well-designed ventilation. This design will withstand even harsh winters and heavy snow.

The undoubted advantages of this type of utility unit are:

  • assembly time - if you have no experience, everything will take about three hours;
  • such a structure can be moved from place to place;
  • does not require routine maintenance - with careful operation it will last up to thirty years;
  • Easy to clean with running water from a hose.

A reliable foundation for a shed is half the way to a functional structure that can last for decades. Doing it yourself will not be difficult. It is only important to conduct a soil study to correctly determine the type of foundation, as well as to decide in advance on the design, design and purpose of the future building.