Pavers for shed floor/foundation?
#1
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Pavers for shed floor/foundation?
I want to add a 6x8 or 8x8 (can't decide ideal size) shed to my back yard. I have a bunch of 12x12 and 14x14 pavers that I need to get rid of, anyway. I am thinking that they would make nice and durable floor for the shed. I also have pea gravel to get rid of as well.
I was thinking of digging out 4-6 inches and filling with the pea gravel, then laying the pavers. Then bolt the 2x4 frame for the house to the pavers with sleeve/bolts.
Would this be feasible? Or would it make more sense to go with the standard plywood floor and rest on cinder blocks?
I was thinking of digging out 4-6 inches and filling with the pea gravel, then laying the pavers. Then bolt the 2x4 frame for the house to the pavers with sleeve/bolts.
Would this be feasible? Or would it make more sense to go with the standard plywood floor and rest on cinder blocks?
#3
Anchoring to pavers is pointless.
Check with your permitting department to see what they require. Any new building usually requires a permit. If you are buying a prefab shed they might treat it differently than one you build.
Check with your permitting department to see what they require. Any new building usually requires a permit. If you are buying a prefab shed they might treat it differently than one you build.
#4
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Locally you are allowed to build a shed under 100 sq ft without a permit. Not all jurisdictions are the same so it's something to check on.
Personally I see nothing wrong with building a shed [or store bought metal shed] and using the pavers for the floor. As X said you can't use the pavers for the foundation.
Personally I see nothing wrong with building a shed [or store bought metal shed] and using the pavers for the floor. As X said you can't use the pavers for the foundation.
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In my locality over 144" sqft or 10ft peak height trigger a permit, so I should be good.
So, I put the pavers down over dirt, then what? Leave it freestanding on top of the pavers?
So, I put the pavers down over dirt, then what? Leave it freestanding on top of the pavers?
#6
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What type of shed do you intend to erect? If using 4x4 posts sunk in the ground you'd build the shed first and then lay the pavers down for the floor. The shed should be anchored to the ground in some manner, just setting it on top of the pavers won't do.
#7
I must disagree with Marksr. Don't use pavers for a storage shed. They will easily crack if putting in heavy equipment like a riding mover or if you should drop a piece of equipment. It will also be harder to sweep out when cleaning. And unless they are set in sand with a proper base they will tend move and shift. But if that does not bother you then go for it.
My suggestion is use treated plywood for the floor.
My suggestion is use treated plywood for the floor.
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It would be 2x4 with something like a 4x12 shingle roof and t1-11. The heaviest item to be stored would be a push lawnmower... Maybe my telescoping ladder is heavier, either way, nothing as heavy as a riding lawnmower.
Is laying pavers and anchoring the shed to the pavers not an option? Wouldn't this be similar to anchoring to poured concrete?
Is laying pavers and anchoring the shed to the pavers not an option? Wouldn't this be similar to anchoring to poured concrete?
#9
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I'm not going to say that I agree or disagree with either, because I generally tend to agree with a lot of what both Mark and Norm say, but, in general, I don't see anything wrong with the notion of a paver floor in a shed. Along the line of what Mark said though, regardless of how you go about it, you have to look at the shed and the floor as two distantly related entities. You need to build a shed that is somehow supported and anchored, whether post construction or with a perimeter footing. Anchoring to the pavers is not an option. Then, separately, inside that shed, you would prepare a proper base, remove the sod and top soil to a proper depth, add and compact gravel and sand, then lay your pavers. And a properly prepared paver floor would support way more than enough for what you are going to put in that size shed. To Norm's point though, and I may be off base here, I do not think of 12x12's and 14x14's as pavers. I assume those are something around 1" thick, intended more for walkways, and yes, from what I have seen those are way more susceptible to breaking, cracking, etc., and I would expect to see them do just that over a period of time.
#10
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Some how I missed the large size of the 'pavers' I still think they'd be ok but even more attention would need to be paid to the base under them because as mentioned above they are more prone to tip/crack than regular pavers.
#11
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Where are you located?
Pavers over a properly prepared and compacted base are a wonderful and attractive surface. Concrete squares plopped down on bare earth... well you get what you pay for. The problem is worse if your ground can freeze.
As for anchoring a shed you can't do that to pavers as you'll be anchoring your shed to something that is not anchored. Actually you "can" do it but it probably won't have the affect you want if you are trying to prevent the shed from being blown away in a strong wind. If you can bend over and pick up a paver it's not a good anchor point.
Pavers over a properly prepared and compacted base are a wonderful and attractive surface. Concrete squares plopped down on bare earth... well you get what you pay for. The problem is worse if your ground can freeze.
As for anchoring a shed you can't do that to pavers as you'll be anchoring your shed to something that is not anchored. Actually you "can" do it but it probably won't have the affect you want if you are trying to prevent the shed from being blown away in a strong wind. If you can bend over and pick up a paver it's not a good anchor point.
#12
NO! You don't want to anchor to the pavers. They are not solid or attached to the ground. Ok to use as a floor as you stated but I would not tie the shed to the pavers in any manner. You can use 4 x 4 or bigger ties on the ground, with or without crushed stone for drainage and tie the shed to that. Or you can sink cement piers (I used foundation blocks) in the ground and put your sleepers or 4 x 4 ties on that. But if I understand you correctly, putting pavers on the ground will leave the shed wall in contact with the ground. You don't want that if possible.
#13
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The larger patio pavers I have used don't seem to be as strong as concrete blocks, but being you have them I see no problem using them. One advantage of a small shed it you could always jack it up and install a new floor, be it wood or concrete.
Not sure where you are located or the landscaping, but the pea gravel would still help with drainage. But ss is correct, it doesn't compact well.
Bud
Not sure where you are located or the landscaping, but the pea gravel would still help with drainage. But ss is correct, it doesn't compact well.
Bud
#14
It really does not make any sense to build a shed that small. You will likely spend more in materials than it costs to buy a small prefinished shed with doors.
If you are insistent on using your pea gravel and pavers thats fine, but just buy a shed, plop it down, and anchor it as instructed... but NOT to the pavers. Anchoring to a 12x12 paver or two is not remotely the same as anchoring to a 2000 lb concrete pad.
If you are insistent on using your pea gravel and pavers thats fine, but just buy a shed, plop it down, and anchor it as instructed... but NOT to the pavers. Anchoring to a 12x12 paver or two is not remotely the same as anchoring to a 2000 lb concrete pad.
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I get it now, I guess I never thought about how easily a shed could blow around in heavy winds.
I thought about buying a prefab shed, but steel means inevitable rust (I live on the OR coast) and plastic means fading from the sun. Plus, they are both easier to break into than wood....
I thought about buying a prefab shed, but steel means inevitable rust (I live on the OR coast) and plastic means fading from the sun. Plus, they are both easier to break into than wood....
#16
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One of my stepson's had a metal shed that he erected. I told him how to secure it to the ground but then who listens to me He just took gutter spikes to nail the bottom rail to the ground. A storm came and his shed went up the hill and hit the neighbor's truck!
Generally a shed becomes too small in short order so you might want to reconsider the size.
Generally a shed becomes too small in short order so you might want to reconsider the size.
#17
but then who listens to me
Thoughts while sitting on the john.
If you had the choice to re-live your youth, but without your current knowledge or living experience, but knowing it's a re-take, would you do it?
#19
On that I have to agree.
But on the other hand, knowing it's re-take, would you not be prepared to do your very best in school and on the job? And be very choosy on your mate? Make better investments? Or would the excitement of youth and hormones take you down the path of enjoyment vs better judgment?
But on the other hand, knowing it's re-take, would you not be prepared to do your very best in school and on the job? And be very choosy on your mate? Make better investments? Or would the excitement of youth and hormones take you down the path of enjoyment vs better judgment?