TIL a basic 8x10 shed needs way more foundation than I thought

I was reading the Simpson Strong-Tie guide on concrete footings last night for my shed build in Portland. Turns out for a 10x12 roof span, you need footings at least 12 inches wide and dug down 24 inches below frost line, not just some pavers tossed on dirt. I figured my 4x4 skids on gravel would work, but now I'm looking at renting a concrete mixer this weekend. Has anyone here gotten away with a simpler setup for a small storage shed?

2 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

2 Comments

willow6722mo ago

dug down 24 inches below frost line" yeah that part got me too lol. I did the exact same thing with my 8x10 shed last spring, thought some crushed stone and 4x4s would be plenty. Ended up renting a mixer and doing 12 inch sonotubes after my neighbor (who builds decks for a living) laughed at my original plan. The concrete cost more than I wanted but honestly the ground here heaves like crazy so I'm glad I did it right.

5

lily_stone762mo ago

Oh man @willow672 the neighbor laughing is the worst part but also the most helpful honestly! My dad came over while I was setting up my gravel base for a garden shed and just stood there shaking his head. Said I was building a sled not a foundation lol. Ended up pouring 8 inch tubes and even that felt like overkill until the first spring thaw came and I saw my neighbor's wooden posts pushed up like mushrooms. Concrete is pricey but not as pricey as rebuilding every single year when the frost shoves everything around.

3