A convenient, practical and comfortable shed made of blocks or timber is an indispensable object on a summer cottage. Here you can place gardening and construction tools, install small equipment, house pets and birds, create a cozy workshop, set up a woodshed, store building materials and feed. For outbuildings, one of the important characteristics is stability and durability, so special attention should be paid to the foundation. Properly made, this structural element will ensure the reliability of the building and extend its service life.

Construction of a shed with a solid foundation is an indispensable object on a summer cottage Source penzainform.ru

Soil types

The foundation for the shed is chosen based on the characteristics of the soil, material capabilities and personal preferences. If there is still a choice on the second and third points, then some types of foundations are categorically not suitable for certain soils. Therefore, first of all, you need to look at what kind of soil the building will be built on. Basically, soils are divided into peat, rocky, sandy, coarse and clayey.

The depth of the foundation for the shed depends on the characteristics of the soil and the depth of soil freezing. The specific features of the area, its characteristics and relief, as well as the properties of the land can be obtained after conducting a geological study of the area.

Types of sheds

Depending on the period of use of the barn, construction of permanent or temporary facilities is practiced in summer cottages.

A permanent shed is designed for intensive use over many years and requires the construction of a solid, reliable foundation. For the construction of a permanent shed, it is best to choose materials whose installation is very simple. Most often, foam blocks, timber or boards, brick, stone, metal or plastic are used for these purposes.

Temporary buildings are most often installed for a short period of use and assembled from any available materials.

A temporary shed can be made for you from scrap materials left over from the construction site. Source buscarfoto.com

Preparation of concrete solution

When constructing foundations for barns and other light buildings, a concrete solution is used, one of the components of which is high-quality Portland cement M400. Concrete mortar has a wide range of applications and has excellent characteristics:

Fine tolerates temperature changes;

Great resists aggressive environments and moisture;

has high performance frost resistance;

provides high strength the buildings.

To prepare a concrete solution you will need:

crushed stone different factions;

water without impurities;

clean sand without additives.

If you plan to build a small shed, then it will be more profitable to use a concrete mixer Source fradeunix.com

When preparing the solution, adhere to certain proportions of sand, crushed stone and cement. Their ratio is 3:5:1. The required amount of water is gradually added to the dry mixture of these components, achieving a homogeneous mass of creamy consistency, without lumps and air bubbles.

On our website you can get acquainted with the most from construction companies presented at the exhibition of houses “Low-Rise Country”.

Barn without foundation

In summer cottages and country houses, it is often practiced to build a shed without forming a foundation. This option is suitable when installing a temporary structure or a metal container. In this case, the container is installed on pre-prepared sleepers or timber, sprinkled with a layer of crushed stone around the entire perimeter.

A household container can be used as a temporary shed Source kazkont.net

Often frame structures are installed without a foundation. However, in regions with cold winters and deep freezing of the soil, after just a few years of use it is easy to end up with an ugly, skewed object on your summer cottage.

Which foundation for a shed is better?

To select the optimal foundation option for the construction of light barns and other similar buildings, you will need to solve two fundamental questions:

soil composition and characteristics;

features of construction and its weight.

They practice the construction of one of the following foundations:

Indispensable when building sheds from heavy materials strip foundation.

Perfect for frame structures columnar base.

On difficult soils it is worth giving preference piles.

Ideal for marshy and loose soils slab foundation.

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer small form design services. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.

Online foundation calculator

To find out the approximate cost of various types of foundations, use the following calculator:

Monolithic foundation for a barn

A monolithic strip foundation for a utility block is most often used for the construction of sheds intended for keeping animals. It is an excellent option for erecting buildings on clay soils and loams.

A monolithic foundation is being installed for permanent buildings that are planned to be used for many years Source metasold.com

The technology itself for constructing a monolithic or strip foundation is quite simple, but the work is hard and dirty. Stages of work here are the following:

Execute marking territories.

Throughout the designated area dig a hole, going 50 cm deep.

Design sand cushion about 20 cm high, with each layer of sand moistened with water and compacted. The sand cushion acts as a reliable base for the slabs.

Lay with a slight slope drainage pipes.

Collect formwork, reinforce it with reinforcing mesh or metal rods, fastened at the intersection points with wire

Pouring the foundation. Fresh concrete is compacted with special vibrators - submersible and surface.

Time drying out monolithic foundation is 1-1.5 months. During this period, it is covered with film and periodically moistened with water. This procedure will prevent the formation of cracks on its surface.

The formwork is removed and installed waterproofing layer from roll materials.

Video description

Detailed technology for constructing a concrete foundation can be viewed in the following video:

Shallow strip foundation

An excellent solution for building a shed from heavy materials: brick, stone or foam blocks on sandy, rocky, clay soils is a strip foundation.

Wooden shed on a strip foundation Source leaderhomes.ru

To build a strip foundation under a barn, you need to dig a trench to a depth of 50 cm. The width is calculated based on the thickness of the future walls and leaving about 30 cm of reserve. A sand cushion about 15 cm high is formed at the bottom of the trench. The sand is thoroughly moistened with water and compacted. Next, install removable or permanent formwork from any available material to a height of about 30 cm above ground level. Reinforcing mesh or rods are placed inside.

Depending on the size of the foundation, it is best to use a concrete mixer to prepare concrete or immediately order the required quantity at the factory - the concrete will “arrive” in the mixer and can be immediately poured into the formwork. In any case, it is best to fill the entire volume at one time. This will ensure the integrity of the foundation and avoid the appearance of cracks during operation.

Concrete is poured, leveled around the entire perimeter and compacted a little, trying to get rid of accumulated air. The finished concrete is covered around the entire perimeter with a film and left in this form until the solution dries completely. Periodically, the concrete surface is moistened with water. This promotes uniform drying and will save the surface from numerous cracks.

Sectional strip foundation Source ar.aviarydecor.com

After the concrete has dried, the removable formwork is removed, a layer of waterproofing is installed and the construction of walls begins.

Pile-grillage foundations for sheds

A pile foundation for a utility block is a real find on difficult soils. Its construction is especially relevant for deeply frozen soils, the construction of a strip foundation on which is not economically feasible.

The construction of a pile foundation can be carried out at any time of the year, regardless of weather conditions. After installing the piles, you can immediately proceed to the next stages of work.

Arrangement of a pile-screw foundation Source remembar.me

The preliminary stage is leveling the territory and marking the site.

During the construction of sheds often used:

bored;

printed;

screw piles.

The simplest and most quickly erected technology is the construction of screw piles. At the corners of the future barn, as well as at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from each other, small recesses 30-40 cm deep are formed using a shovel. Screw piles are easily screwed in using a strong metal rod or crowbar. Piles are installed at least 10-15 cm below the freezing point.

After installing the piles, their above-ground part is leveled using a grinder, poured with concrete and the top is welded. That's all. You can begin to form a monolithic or prefabricated grillage made of wood, metal or reinforced concrete.

This is what the head for a pile foundation looks like Source rodogerb.ru

Columnar foundation for a barn

A column foundation is much cheaper than an expensive strip foundation and consists of installing strong pillars in the corners of the barn. Blocks for the foundation for a utility block are made of brick, stone, pipes or reinforced concrete and other materials. However, silicate and ceramic bricks with low frost resistance and high water absorption rates should not be used.

Often, oak or pine posts impregnated with waste oil or tar are used as supports.

A columnar foundation is a good option for the construction of light buildings on non-heaving, slightly heaving and rocky soils, but is not suitable for moving soils. Also, it cannot be used for heavy structures.

Installation of a sand cushion under a columnar foundation Source remontik.org

After marking the corners of the structure, it is necessary to dig holes and form a dense sand cushion. The supports are installed using concrete mortar and a layer of waterproofing is performed.

Conclusion

Reliable is the key to a long service life of a building. Choosing the most suitable option, taking into account the characteristics of the soil and the specifics of the area, will fully solve this problem.

The construction of a barn involves the choice of foundation, material for building walls and soil characteristics. When choosing to build brick walls, you will need to calculate the foundation for heavy loads.

At the same time, a wooden shed is built much faster and there are much fewer requirements for the foundation; the work can easily be done with your own hands. That is why before starting construction it is necessary to determine the purpose of the outbuilding.

Choosing the type of shed for a summer cottage

Before you move on to laying the foundation, you need to decide on the type of the future structure itself. The most popular option is a wooden shed with a small garage. It can be performed in the following variations:

Shed with a pitched roof model

Shed with pitched roof

In this case, you will build a flat roof over the entire building area with a slight slope towards the back wall. As a rule, this option is used instead of a woodshed or a workshop.

The workshop will have one entrance door and one window. A small strip foundation is ideal for such a shed.

Barn with equipped gable roof

With such a roof, it is possible to equip an attic for storing tools and personal property. The floor is most often made of tongue and groove boards; there may be 2 or more windows and doors. Slab, strip and pile-screw foundations are suitable.

Chest

It is a light and squat shed in which a set of equipment for digging and cultivating the garden is stored. The area of ​​this room will be minimal; there will be no windows. The foundation can be made with your own hands from scrap materials.

Temporary

A temporary structure for any garden tools and other necessary equipment at the dacha. Often made in the form of a change house for the possibility of living in the summer. That is why electricity and a small shower stall with a barrel of water on the roof are installed here. This type of structure is rarely used as a barn, and more as temporary housing on a summer cottage. The foundation for the temporary structure is being made in the form of a strip with concrete pillars.

When choosing the type of construction, carefully calculate the snow and wind load on the premises. If the real values ​​do not correspond to the theoretical calculation, your barn will fall apart in a few years.

The most common type of barn is considered to be a building with a gable roof. We will choose it for the example of building a foundation on screw piles with our own hands.

Features in the construction of a shed on a summer cottage

An outbuilding is a separate building, which has a list of specific differences in comparison with a bathhouse and a house. The main differences are as follows:

• Light weight supporting structure. Due to the absence of insulation and heavy load-bearing structures, the load on the foundation is minimal.
• No heating. The barn does not warm up in winter, so the soil underneath will not freeze
• Low construction cost. Simple materials are used (timber, tongue and groove board, galvanized iron sheet, nails and screws)
• Simple and even building forms.

The barn does not require complex architectural forms and aesthetic beauty, so it becomes possible to use recycled materials from lumber processing and carry out all the work yourself without hiring specialists and equipment.

A pile foundation is ideal for arranging a gable shed with a garage and a small utility block.

What are the benefits of using a pile foundation?

Pile foundation for a barn

Any type of foundation is suitable for a gable shed with a shed and a garage. However, piles have a number of advantages that make it possible to turn to this technology. Among them:

1. Reliability and durability of screw bases. Screw piles allow you to withstand the heavy weight of a building made of any material, so if installed correctly, the shed will serve you for many years. And thanks to the anti-corrosion coating (used for processing galvanized screw pile samples), foundations on piles tolerate any contact with moisture in the ground well.
2. It becomes possible to construct buildings and structures on unstable soil. When constructing piles, their length is selected based on immersion to the maximum depth to dense layers of soil. As a result, you will never have to deal with the problem of your shed skewing.
3. Quick installation of the base. Since the barn is a non-residential building, minimal time should be spent on its construction. But this should not affect the reliability of the structure.
4. Low price of piles (on average, for a pile of 2.5 m and a diameter of 60 mm, the price varies from 1250 to 1500 rubles). Pile-screw foundations for a shed can be made with your own hands, without fear of disrupting the construction technology. Have you chosen an uneven place for the device? Thanks to the sufficient height of the pile structures, the future base of the shed can be easily leveled using a level. Also, do not forget that for piles you do not need to dig holes with your own hands and spoil the landscape of the site.

When purchasing piles, pay attention to the condition of the metal, the angle of the spiral and the head. The pile must be manufactured in accordance with GOST 977-89. Only then will its durability be more than 100 years.

Stages of constructing a pile foundation for a barn

Both when installing a strip base or slab, and when building a screw foundation, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work to clear the space for the shed. Watch the video on how to clear an area for a shed.

After this, the work steps are as follows:

• The top fertile layers of the soil are removed.
• If the drilling is done with your own hands, then a long lever is installed in a specially made hole in the pile in the upper part.
• 2-3 people screw the pile clockwise using the corkscrew principle. In this case, it is necessary to constantly monitor the vertical level so that in the end your pillar stands up straight and the structure does not tilt. Most often, workers split up - 2 do the work of screwing in the pile, and the 3rd ensures that the level is maintained.

When the pillar deviates by just 2°, there is a critical danger to the stability of the future structure. If the pile “goes unevenly,” you need to unscrew the product again and start screwing it in 30-40 cm from the previous hole.

• When the required depth is reached, the heads are checked again for level. After which the upper part along with the hole must be cut off with a grinder.
• Inside the pile we pour concrete, prepared here on the site with our own hands. After it hardens, all that remains is to weld a few channels to the finished pillars. The ceilings and walls of the barn will be installed on the channels. To improve the resistance of the metal to moisture and acids, it is necessary to treat the piles along with the channel on top with a solution of bitumen mastic.

Stages of construction of a barn with a gable roof

As soon as the pile-screw foundation is ready, you can immediately begin construction of the structure. All work consists of 4 stages:

1. The foundation is lathed with a 100*50 mm board. After that, ROCKWOOL brand insulation is laid (or without it), and ordinary OSB boards 8 mm wide are attached below. We paint the entire structure with NC paint, and lay tongue-and-groove moisture-resistant chipboard, 15 mm thick, on the floor.
2. We make the walls using frame-panel technology. In this case, you will need a board 100*50 mm and OSB boards 12 mm wide. By using OSB boards, we will be able to save on slopes, crossbars and connecting boards to each other.
3. We nail wooden partitions into the vertical compartment of the wall. They serve to hold the insulation in the structure, as it will settle over time. We make sure to reinforce the ridge stand. We cover the walls with OSB boards without using a vapor barrier film.
4. All that remains is to build a second pitched roof and cover it with gables. The distance between them must be at least 3 meters. For the roof we use flat galvanized sheets of metal or roofing felt.

As you can see, the work is simple and can be easily done with your own hands without the involvement of specialists.

The Persian pompous word “shed”, meaning both “palace” and the name of the capital of the Golden Horde, the Russian people habitually simplified and adapted to the name of the simplest outbuilding. When purchasing a property, sheds are usually the first to be built. They store tools and equipment for building a house and working in the garden. And then they can be used not only as a storage room, but also as an enclosure for animals, and as a workshop for the owner of the house. Building a shed is easy. You don't need any super skills to do this. And any construction project needs to start from the foundation.

Features of the base for a shed

Of course, a barn is a lightweight building compared to a house. But it also does not have the weight of a toy; it is susceptible to soil movements, rising groundwater, freezing, and rotting. Therefore, a foundation is necessary, at least the simplest one. It is a fundamental part of any building. And any foundation is bad and does not fulfill its functions if it is built inconsistently with the purpose and incorrectly.

A barn with the right strip foundation will last a long time

Foundation (from Latin fundamentum - base) is an underground or underwater part of a building (structure), which receives loads and transfers them to the base. There are strip foundations (including those made from cross strips), columnar, solid, and pile foundations. There are monolithic and prefabricated ones. Material - concrete, reinforced concrete, stone (rubble), wood.

Big Encyclopedic Dictionary (BED)http://slovari.299.ru/enc.php

There are not many types of foundations, and they all have common features. These are penetration into the soil, a cushion of drainage material (crushed stone, sand, pebbles), the foundation itself and waterproofing. Only pile foundations do not have a cushion - and only if they do not have a buried grillage. And for lightweight structures, completely shallow foundations are used. There is a strict connection between them and the type of soil and the weight of the structure.

Classification of soil on the site

Before designing a house, it is better to order a professional survey of the site (and it is advisable not to use the results of your neighbor: sometimes even nearby sites have very different soil conditions). But by the time you get to the point of building a house, a lot of time will pass; building a shed does not require such precision, so before building a shed, you can do a soil study yourself: use a garden drill to drill a two-meter hole, removing and studying the soil from different depths.

There are several simple tests. Water is mixed into the soil, you try to roll it out like dough and roll it into a ring. If this is successful, then two-thirds of it consists of clay or loam. If soil is poured into water and it begins to dissolve before our eyes and the water becomes cloudy, then this indicates loam; sand and clay precipitate.

Scheme of sedimentation in a solution of soil in water

According to the reference book “Soils. Foundations. Choosing the optimal foundation” There are three types of soils:

rocky - homogeneous crystalline (solid rock) and sedimentary rock (layered): limestone, dolomite, sandstone, shale; Any type of foundation is suitable, except for a screw foundation due to the difficulty of passing rock.

conglomerate - any soil with a large, more than half, content of fragments of crystalline or sedimentary soil; does not blur, does not change volume when freezing; Any foundation will do.

non-rocky:

The contact area of ​​the foundation with the soil must correspond to the load, taking into account the expected resistance of the soil. The maximum resistance (reactive pressure) of the soil is determined experimentally based on the principles of soil mechanics, and state building codes provide tables of permissible soil resistance for certain geographic zones.

Collier's Encyclopedia

Groundwater

The groundwater level is also the most important indicator, on which not only the foundation “model” depends, but also the depth of its foundation.

The structure of groundwater in your area is very important information

Soil freezing

In addition to the composition of the soil, you need to know to what depth it freezes in winter. In our “latitudes” the freezing depth is usually from eighty to one hundred centimeters, but with certain rare types of soil it can be more or less.

The base of the foundation should be below the maximum freezing depth of the soil to prevent swelling of the soil when freezing. The safe depth depends on annual temperature variations, the type and range of local soil variations, and the normal groundwater level. In addition, seasonal changes in the volume of clay soils are sometimes observed, which should not be allowed under a foundation laid on a natural foundation.

Collier's Encyclopediahttp://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enc_colier/6886/%D0%A4%D0%A3%D0%9D%D0%94%D0%90%D0%9C%D0%95%D0%9D %D0%A2

Since the barn is light, very simple and extremely economical types of foundations are often used. But sometimes in difficult soils you need to strengthen them.

Types of foundations suitable for a barn

Based on depth, foundations are divided into buried, shallowly buried and non-buried. It is clear that the barn will be satisfied with a small and shallow foundation.

By design, they come in four main types. Let's consider all possible cases of their use depending on the type of soil, the height of groundwater, the depth of freezing and the weight of the structure. To do this, you need to know all these indicators and be aware of their importance.

Slab

Excellent for unstable or subsiding soil; in addition, it is often used if the barn is heavy. Pros: solidity, reliability. Disadvantages: labor intensive, lack of underground, high cost.

An example of a monolithic foundation - such a foundation for a barn is, of course, too solid

Tape

The best option is a shallowly buried strip foundation. It can be made from ready-mixed concrete, cement mortar, or concrete blocks with mortar. Pros: comparative simplicity and financial accessibility of its construction. Disadvantages: it cannot be placed on unreliable soils with close soil water, on clay and sand. But almost one hundred percent of the experts will recommend it to you, even if your site consists of unfavorable soils - but with amendments to the design: it will be necessary to make the “ribbon” of the foundation wider and deeper.

A strip concrete foundation in this design is also redundant for a light barn

Columnar

One of the easiest types to perform independently. Suitable for light wooden or frame structures. Such a foundation can also be shallow, but this is more suitable for gazebos and barbecues - for a house it is too ephemeral. It is placed in pits (on a bed of drainage material) made of factory-made concrete blocks. Pros: ease of implementation, low price, suitable for any soil. Cons: not suitable for heavy structures; It practically eliminates the presence of an underground floor, and the space under the shed will be poorly insulated.

Columnar foundation is very suitable for lightweight structures

Pile

It dampens movements well and is made from asbestos-cement pipes, which are concreted into pits with drainage filler, and sometimes from ordinary metal and screw piles. Pros: suitable for unstable soils and slopes, resistant to subsidence and landslides; asbestos cement is also cheap. Cons: pile-grillage with a metal grillage is very expensive due to the cost of metal for a heavy grillage and requires welding.

A pile-and-grillage foundation with screw piles is wonderful, but too expensive for a cheap shed

But there are also a lot of foundations that are combined in design and depth.

Photo gallery: examples of foundations suitable for a barn

The screw piles are camouflaged here. A barn made of logs on a columnar foundation. A barn on screw piles - an expensive solution
A strip foundation for a barn is sometimes very heavy and too redundant A barrel barn on a slab foundation made of wood A shed with a wood shed on a slab foundation made of rubble stone
Shed with an old boat roof on a strip foundation in Wales Plank shed on a post foundation Designer shed can be installed on any foundation; made in Russia

Video: types of foundations for construction

What to build from and how: review of materials and methods

In order to have a good idea of ​​what we will encounter when building a foundation for a barn, we will briefly describe how the most common versions of such foundations are made.

From large section timber

We mark and dig a trench. With its shallow depth, the timber lying on a 30-centimeter-thick sand cushion and roofing felt (for waterproofing) will be slightly above ground level. You can dig a trench to the depth of the pillow.

Sometimes you need the beam to be at ground level. Then the trench is deeper, and the timber is wrapped in roofing material.

The connections in the corners are reinforced with metal corners.

The timber is additionally secured against horizontal movements by rods driven into the ground through holes.

A foundation made of recessed timber is very simple

From blocks and bricks

Such a foundation is quite difficult to implement.

We mark (usually 0.5 meters deep, 0.4 meters wide, plus reserve for formwork) and dig trenches.

Place a small amount of self-prepared mortar (M400 cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3) into the trench in an even layer. There is no point in buying a ready-made solution, since you will only need a little of it.

We place hollow cement blocks on it and wait for the solution to set.

We put the solution into the voids of the blocks.

We lay the bricks on the mortar.

You need to be careful in the corners.

Unstitch the seams.

Foundations made from blocks and bricks are a complex undertaking that requires extraordinary skills.

Strip concrete foundation

We mark trenches on the ground (usually 0.5 meters deep, 0.4 meters wide, plus reserve for formwork), drive in pegs, and pull strings.

We dig marked trenches to the required depth and width.

We make a sand cushion 30 centimeters thick.

We build formwork that is the same height everywhere.

If the shed is heavy, then reinforcement can be used.

Pour the prepared solution yourself (M400 cement, sand and crushed stone in a ratio of 1:2:5) or ready-made solution into the formwork.

Cover the filling with polyethylene and keep it moisturized all the time.

The formwork can be dismantled after a week. But the filling will gain strength only after a month.

We install the frame for the shed.

The stages of constructing a strip foundation must be carefully followed

Piles and grillage made of timber

We mark the site, prepare supports covered with metal profiles.

We dig pits, make a sand-crushed stone cushion 30 centimeters thick in them, put supports there, and fill them with a solution we prepared ourselves (M400 cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3). There is no point in buying a ready-made solution, since you will only need a little of it.

The supports are connected with a grillage.

The grillage connections are reinforced with metal corners.

You can add stiffening ribs from boards.

The procedure for installing a point foundation made of timber

Concrete piles

We mark and dig wells, make a cushion of sand 30 centimeters thick, strengthen the formwork above the ground surface, pour a self-prepared solution (M400 cement, sand and crushed stone in a ratio of 1:2:5) into the wells, leave for two weeks; You can put squares of bitumen-impregnated boards in the columns in advance to attach the strapping. There is no point in buying a ready-made solution, since you will only need a little of it.

We assemble the components for the grillage.

We attach the binding to the squares.

We strengthen it with a corner.

We attach supports for the shed frame.

A board foundation on concrete pillars is often the best solution.

We'll talk about the columnar foundation made of concrete blocks in more detail later.

Preliminary preparation for choosing a shed and the foundation for it

It involves very few actions.

Selecting a location

It is very important to place the shed so that it is not exposed to strong gusts of wind or does not end up in a wind tunnel between two buildings (otherwise its parts will be subject to unnecessary stress). In addition, it should not be located under the slope of the roof of the house, so as not to be covered with additional snow; on a slope so that it does not flood; in the shade so that the snow does not remain on its roof for a long time; near large trees so that the roof is not pierced by branches and covered with leaves in the fall. And most importantly: the ground at the construction site must be suitable and level.

Choosing a location for a shed is a responsible matter; choosing the right location will make construction and further operation much easier for you.

The right place for your shed will greatly facilitate its construction and further operation.

Design selection

Here you have complete scope for creativity. It all depends on your needs, capabilities and skills.

A barn in the form of a trailer from the beginning of the 20th century - decoration of the site

The barn can be anything.

According to the type of walls - frame (sandwich with insulation), or plank, or log.

In terms of area and height - large or small, full or so-called “garden chest” for storing tools.

According to location - free-standing or attached to the house.

By purpose - a pantry, a workshop, a woodshed, an enclosure for dogs, a room for chickens and rabbits, a temporary residence or even a greenhouse. In the last two, it is necessary to provide for water supply (and sometimes sewerage) and heating, which cannot but affect the choice of foundation.

But we will focus on the simplest small lean-to frame shed, standing separately, for which you will need the simplest foundation of all possible.

Scheme of the future barn on a columnar foundation made of blocks

How to make a foundation for a barn with your own hands

If your goal is only to protect your building from rotting and moisture, and not to create a full-fledged underground floor, then your path is a shallow columnar foundation made of foam or expanded clay blocks. Moreover, we will place the blocks not in a checkerboard pattern, 4 blocks per column, but one on top of the other - two per column. Our design is lightweight.

An example of blocks in the pillars of a shallow columnar foundation

Selection and calculation of material

It would be optimal to choose foam blocks. They are relatively light and inexpensive.

Foam concrete blocks are the best choice among all blocks

For strapping (grillage), you can use both timber and board. Of course, you are more likely to have a medium-section board. But it’s still better to make the harness from timber.

Beam 100x100x6000 mm - the most reliable thing for a grillage

And you need to make internal stiffeners from the board.

A board 25 millimeters thick is a sufficient foundation for a shed

For the solution, it is better to choose Portland cement brand M400; it has much better adhesion.

M400 cement has good adhesion and will reliably hold the blocks together

The sand in the solution should be river sand, fine, without clay.

The sand must be river sand, fine, without clay

The crushed stone for the pillow should also be small, since only small stone will ensure evenness and good adhesion of the blocks to the ground.

Only fine crushed stone will ensure evenness and good adhesion of the blocks to the ground

You will need very little roofing material. But if there is none at all, you will have to buy a whole roll.

You will need very little roofing material

But on any site (unless you have just arrived on a virgin piece of field) there are always leftovers: pieces of roofing felt, a pile of sand or crushed stone, several blocks or a hundred bricks. So, most likely, you won’t need to buy materials. But if necessary, you can display the following numbers.

Table: calculation of the required material and its approximate cost, based on average prices

If you replace the timber with a board, then the already low cost will be even lower.

It is done in the most primitive way.

Tools needed

bayonet shovels

shovel;

wheelbarrow;

tamping;

construction mixer for mixing cement mortar (if this is not possible, then an ordinary trough or even a sheet of roofing iron);

trowels;

hammers;

nail puller;

pliers;

circular saw, electric saw or hacksaw;

drill and screwdriver;

pegs and twine;

tape measure and hydraulic level (or laser level).

Step by step process

We choose, as mentioned above, and clear the area. We uproot stumps, remove roots, mow down vegetation.

We level the cleared area; this must be done very carefully, preferably with the help of a level.

We mark the square, as well as the places of the posts, with pegs and twine. The square should be larger than the foundation area by at least half a meter in each direction.

We deepen the soil in the marked square (remove the fertile layer) by 30 centimeters. (you can be lazy and remove this layer only under the posts, then you will need less crushed stone).

We pour a crushed stone cushion there, spill it with water, and tamp it down.

Site for a garden house: fertile soil is removed to a shallow depth

In the places marked for the posts, we place two blocks per mortar, first one at a time, check with a board according to the hydraulic level, then one on top of the other - a total of 12 posts, 24 blocks.

We install a grillage made of timber on posts

We attach it to the foam blocks with anchor bolts and strengthen them with corners.

We connect it with internal stiffening ribs from the board. There are a lot of them in the photo, but not many in the project we chose.

This is what the finished shed looks like

Video: how to design a frame barn and install a block foundation for it

A columnar, shallow foundation made of blocks with a grillage made of timber is the simplest and cheapest way to create a good foundation for your shed. And it will be quite reliable. Go for it!

A barn is the most common outbuilding. And this is not surprising, work tools, firewood for heating the stove, and various equipment are stored there. It’s convenient to arrange a workplace in the barn by attaching a workbench or machine. Taking this into account, we can assume that a barn must be built of no less quality than a house. A properly made foundation is the key to a building’s long service life for its owners. Let's look at how to lay a foundation for a shed with your own hands.

Types of soils

Let's figure out which soil is most suitable for laying a foundation. The following types of soil exist:

• Rocky,
• Sandy,
• gravel,
• Sandy loam and loam.

The most desirable option is the first one. Rocky soil does not freeze and does not form quicksand, does not sag or shrink. The only disadvantage we can highlight is that it is difficult to process - it is difficult to dig. However, this compensates for the fact that it is not possible to lay a very deep foundation on such soil.

The worst option is soil consisting of sandy loam and loam. It freezes too deeply, which is why the foundation will have to be dug very deep. In addition, this type of soil, like sandy soil, forms quicksand. Clay soil is also unsuitable for construction, as it is highly susceptible to compression and swelling.

Some people wonder how deep to dig a recess under the foundation. Since the barn is a lightweight structure, a shallow foundation is often ideal for it. It is ideal for buildings made of logs or wooden beams, and is usually laid on clay or sand. The depth of the foundation for a shed depends mainly on the type of soil and the depth of its freezing in winter, but on average it is 60 cm.

Soil properties

It is clear that a barn is a much lighter structure than a house, however, its construction also has its own characteristics. When laying the foundation for a shed, you need to take into account the properties of the soil. Depending on them, it is necessary to select the type of foundation. So, before you start digging a trench, consider the following factors:

• Soil compressibility,
• Groundwater rise level,
• Presence of quicksand, freezing depth in winter,
• Soil type,
• Features of the area.

Mortar for pouring the foundation

Before making a foundation for a shed, you need to prepare a solution consisting of cement, sand, gravel and water. A good tenacious solution is prepared in compliance with the following rules:

1. When buying cement, you need to check the date of its manufacture and prefer the one that is manufactured recently. For the mortar, ordinary Portland cement is suitable.
2. For greater efficiency and reduction of cement costs, it is best to take gravel of various diameters, both large and small. Small grains will serve as a layer between larger pebbles, and less cement will be needed.
3. Crushed stone should not contain debris or impurities.
4. The water should also be clean, preferably potable.
5. There should be no clay or silt mixed with the sand.

Below is a recipe for a classic masonry mortar. Mix sand and crushed stone in a ratio of 3:5, add 1 part of cement and fill everything with water to obtain a thick, homogeneous mass.

Now it’s clear to you how to fill the foundation for the shed.

Strip foundation

For building sheds, strip foundations are the most popular. For it, it is necessary to dig a trench around the perimeter of the future building. The tape type is used in almost any soil and for any building. It will perfectly withstand both light buildings and multi-story brick buildings with heavy concrete floors. This type also allows you to equip a basement.

To begin building a strip foundation for a barn, like most others, you need to dig a trench. The depth of the ditch should be equal to the depth to which the soil freezes in winter plus another 15 cm, and the width should be about 70 cm. In this case, the width of the foundation base itself will be equal to 40 cm. A two-layer cushion is poured onto the bottom of the ditch, consisting of a layer of compacted crushed stone about 10 cm and 5 -th centimeter layer of sand.

Then they make formwork, the height of which should be approximately 20 to 30 cm above ground level. This way you will raise the base of the building, and this will protect it from getting wet. A mesh is made from reinforcement, which serves to strengthen the foundation. The diameter of the reinforcement should be 1.2 cm, and the width of the mesh cells should be 30 cm.

Next, the foundation is poured with concrete, and after it hardens, you can remove the wooden frame and seal the gaps formed with earth. The base should be separated from the foundation by a layer of waterproofing.

Columnar foundation

Simple to implement and relatively cheap compared to the strip foundation described above.

A columnar foundation for a barn is made by installing concrete or brick pillars in the corners and at the junctions of walls. They are simply dug into the soil to the depth of its freezing. Unfortunately, this type of foundation cannot be used on moving soils.

First you need to dig holes in the places where the pillars will be located. The depth of the holes should be 15 cm greater than the soil freezing depth for this type of terrain. The bottom of the holes is filled with a mixture of sand and gravel and compacted so that the final result is a 15-centimeter layer.

Now you can mount the pillars, which can be made of concrete blocks, asbestos pipes filled with concrete mortar, or represent ordinary brickwork. An iron rod must be installed inside the pillar; this increases the bearing capacity of the pillars.

If you use the last option - masonry, then it is important to treat it with waterproofing mastic. Insulation from moisture is also necessary for the wooden base of the shed. To do this, the foundation is covered with moisture-proof material and only then the base of the building is placed on top.

Foam block foundation

For this option of making a foundation for an outbuilding, foam blocks are used. This type of foundation is quite common, since its use increases the service life of the entire building. Foam block is a universal material; it can be used to make a foundation for any structure, even a house.

Low cost also contributes to the popularity of this material in construction. In addition, foam blocks are a fairly light material compared to others, so the base does not experience much stress. Based on this, it can be argued that a foam block foundation for a shed is an ideal option. Some people use foam blocks not only for laying the foundation, but also for erecting the walls of the building.

The practical part of performing this type of foundation is very similar to working on a strip foundation. Start by marking the area. Mark and dig in pegs and stretch the cord between them. Now you can dig a pit, the depth of which should be about 60 cm. The width is calculated taking into account the width of the foam blocks themselves plus another 15-20 cm.

A cushion of a mixture of crushed stone and sand is poured into the bottom of the pit, formwork and frame are installed, and everything is filled with concrete. The height of such a base should be about 20 cm. Now you need to wait until the concrete is completely dry and install the blocks.

Block foundation

Block foundations have a number of advantages over other types, including:

1. Low temperature resistance.
2. Resistance to acidic soil masses.
3. Versatility and variety. From the blocks you can build any type of foundation for any building. This is due to their wide range and variety of standard sizes. Small blocks are suitable for a shed.
4. Excellent strength properties and long service life.
5. Ease of installation and reduction of the time required to lay the foundation.

The foundation for the block shed begins to be built from the corners, where the first blocks are installed. The blocks are placed on concrete mortar. If the soil is loose, then for the reliability of the future structure it is necessary to manufacture and install a metal mesh. The laying of the base is controlled using a level, this helps to avoid the occurrence of curvature.

After this, the external seams are expanded and filled with a composition with additives containing moisture protection. Waterproofing is also necessary for the entire outer contour of the base. After this, the trench is buried.

Thus, now you know the methods of building a foundation and its types that are most suitable for making a foundation for a barn with your own hands.

Necessary and indispensable on a personal plot, in a country house. A wide selection of tools and materials in the retail chain allows you to build an outbuilding yourself without the help of a professional builder. And you need to start with a strong foundation. There are quite a few interesting options for making a foundation for a barn with your own hands.

Types and properties of soils

When laying a foundation for a shed, it is necessary to take into account the type and properties of the soil on which it will stand. A correct soil analysis will allow you to choose the best option for the foundation itself.

Types of soils for placement:

• rocky;
• sandy;
• clayey;
• gravel;
• loams;
• sandy loam.

A shed is needed on the site

Despite the fact that a barn is considered a lightweight building, the most preferable for its construction is rocky soil in the form of a solid mass without cracks or voids. Such properties of rocky soil as the absence of subsidence, freezing in winter, and quicksand ensure the rigid stability of the foundation and the entire structure as a whole.

However, modern technologies for laying foundations make it possible to carry out construction no less successfully on sandy, clay, gravel soils, as well as on loam and sandy loam. The problem with these places is that frost heaving, quicksand, and significant compression and subsidence of the soil can occur here.

Attention! In regions with frosty winters, clay soil saturated with groundwater freezes and significantly increases in volume (swells). This leads to a rupture of the foundation!

Heaving appears both under the base of the foundation and on the sides. There are several options for protecting the foundation for a shed on heaving soils:

• excavation of heaving soil at the site of the future building and replacing it with coarse sand and crushed stone;
• laying the foundation for the shed to a depth below the freezing point;
• insulation and waterproofing of the foundation base and sides;
• solidity of the foundation.

Quicksand, soils with organic impurities and bulk soils are considered unsuitable for all types of construction.

Mortar for pouring the foundation for a shed

A solid foundation for a shed ensures longevity and reliable operation of the outbuilding. Therefore, it is necessary to select the components of the solution for pouring the foundation as carefully and scrupulously as possible:

• you can purchase ordinary Portland cement, but be sure to have a fresh production date;
• It is better to purchase crushed stone in a mixture with a finer fraction - the solution is laid more densely, when hardened it will become more monolithic, and cement consumption will be reduced;
• sand and crushed stone must be free of debris and impurities;
• It is better to use fresh, clean water.

Important! For the solution, cement is mixed with sand and crushed stone in a ratio of 1:3:5, water is poured in portions until a thick, well-mixed mass is formed.

Types of foundations for a barn

Modern technologies allow you to choose the type of foundation depending on the type of soil, resistance to various influences (groundwater, acidic soils, soil freezing), and financial capabilities. This section presents the five most commonly used options for constructing a foundation for a barn with your own hands, available to owners of middle-income land plots both in terms of the list of necessary materials and their cost.

Strip foundation for a barn

This type of foundation is the most versatile in relation to the type of soil, characterized by strength and the possibility of constructing a basement. The first stage is digging a trench. They start by marking the area and installing pegs around the perimeter of the future barn, with twine stretched between them.

Strip foundation for a barn

Calculation of trench parameters: the depth of the ditch is the sum of the freezing depth of the soil layer in the given area and an additional 15 cm (for example, 70 cm + 15 cm = 85 cm), the width is taken to be about 70 cm, while the width of the finished foundation is recommended to be 40 cm. Bottom the trenches are filled with a layer of crushed stone of about 10 cm and a layer of sand of about 5 cm. This cushion must be compacted. If groundwater comes out when laying a trench, it is necessary to carry out additional work on drainage and waterproofing of the future foundation. The next stage is the installation of wooden formwork, protruding 20-30 cm above the ground level. The most common wooden formwork is made from 15x4 cm boards. It is reinforced with reinforcing mesh with a cell diameter of 30 cm and a reinforcement cross-section of 1.2 cm. The mesh is installed in the formwork in the form of a frame. The process is completed by pouring concrete mortar.

Important! To give the foundation under the shed the necessary solidity and strength, you need to fill it in one day without interruptions and compact it well.

It is also important to remember that concrete hardens within several days and during the hottest part of the day it must be periodically watered to prevent cracking.

After final hardening, the formwork is removed, the gaps between the foundation and the walls of the trench are filled with soil, and if necessary, waterproofing and insulating materials are laid.

Columnar foundation for a barn

This is a more economical option, and its implementation is accessible to the average homeowner with virtually no outside help or the use of equipment. There is no need to dig a trench, since the foundation rests only on a few pillars dug into the ground. The columnar foundation option must be carefully chosen for use on moving soils, but it will fit perfectly with the not very flat surface of the area chosen for the shed. The site for construction must be cleared and, if possible, leveled.

Columnar foundation for a barn

It is better to fill clay soil with gravel. The calculation of the depth of digging of support pillars is also made taking into account the depth of soil freezing in the given area plus an additional 15 cm. Concrete or brick supports are placed at the corners of the future foundation for the barn and at the junction points of the walls. As in the first option, a two-layer cushion of crushed stone and sand is placed at the bottom of each hole with mandatory compaction; a metal rod is placed in the center to strengthen the structure.

If the soil is mobile and loose, you can lay a reinforced concrete foundation at the bottom to prevent subsidence of the shed. The rest of the space in the holes will be taken up by laying pillars. You can use brick, concrete blocks, asbestos pipes filled with concrete inside. The brickwork must be coated with waterproofing mastic, for example, bitumen. The junction of the foundation and the walls of the shed is also laid with waterproofing materials, especially if a shed is planned from boards.

By the way, for a wooden light outbuilding, the support posts can also be made of wood. To protect them from moisture, they need to be burned or impregnated with special means. Such a shed will be inexpensive and environmentally friendly. It is convenient to keep poultry or store light gardening tools.

Foundation for a shed made of foam blocks

Foam blocks are a durable, lightweight and relatively inexpensive material. It is easy to install and does not require special knowledge when building on your own. It is used not only for the foundation, but also for walls, providing less load on the ground from the erected structure. The construction of a foundation for a barn begins with laying a trench or foundation pit if necessary, equipping a basement.

The depth calculation is the same, and the width will be the thickness of the foam block and an additional 15-20 cm. The bottom of the trench (pit) is covered with a two-layer cushion of crushed stone and sand, on which formwork with a reinforcement frame is placed. Concrete is poured on top with a layer of 20 cm. After it hardens, foam blocks are installed.

Block foundation

The foundation for a shed made of blocks is distinguished by a long service life, resistance to freezing and the effects of acidic soils, affordability and range, ease of installation and reduction of time for constructing a foundation for a shed with your own hands.

The technique of laying blocks in a trench differs from installing foam blocks in that the blocks are laid directly on the concrete mortar. It is better to be on the safe side by installing a frame made of reinforcement. It is also very important to control the level of block placement from the first moment. Installation begins from the corner points of the future structure. External seams are filled with a solution with the addition of moisture-proofing agents. The outer surfaces of the foundation are wrapped in waterproofing materials, after which the trench can be buried. The foundation for the block shed is ready!

Monolithic foundation

Monolithic foundation for a barn

A monolithic foundation will require several large financial investments, but this fact is compensated by a number of advantages. Since its entire surface rests on the ground and can withstand significant loads, you can get by with a shallow pit. The foundation will also serve as a floor in the barn, on which it is convenient to lay any covering. A monolithic foundation, due to its strength and stability, will last so long that it will be possible to build the next barn on it. Such a foundation is impregnable to attack from frost heaving or moving soils.

Attention! A monolithic foundation requires high grade cement and high quality consumables.

It is better to remove the soil under the foundation and fill it with sand or crushed stone in a layer of 20 cm. The pillow is moistened and thoroughly compacted. The next stage is laying waterproofing and, if necessary, insulation. Then 10 cm of mortar with coarse gravel. Reinforcement with a cross section of 16 mm is laid out on it in the form of a grid with 20 cm cells and another 10 cm of concrete on top.