How to make a foundation for a barn 6 4. Do-it-yourself foundation for a barn. Types of foundation for building a barn

It just so happens that the barn is associated exclusively with the habitat of livestock - from cows and horses to chickens and turkeys. In such a room there must be a place for animals to rest, a feeding and activity area. The building must be warm, environmentally friendly and safe, so that the living creatures inside are comfortable and calm. To create a shed, a wooden plank is best suited. The building is placed on the ground without a foundation. In this case it is not necessary.

Advantages and disadvantages of plank construction without a foundation

Experienced farmers advise creating sheds from wooden planks and installing them directly on the ground, without building a foundation. The advantages of such structures are as follows:

saving time - they can be erected quickly (in just a few days);
saving money - without a foundation, the structure will cost 2 times less;
saving effort - it is obvious that erecting a structure without a foundation requires less effort on the part of the builder.

In addition, the barn itself turns out to be quite light and stable.

To build a shed without a foundation, choose wooden boards - they are quite light, but durable

However, such buildings also have disadvantages:

the need for mandatory additional insulation of the floor so that the animals inside do not freeze;
the need for external and internal waterproofing of walls and floors so that water from the soil does not destroy wooden boards;
fragility of the structure (a barn will last about 20 years, whereas with a foundation it will last about 50);
the need for careful preparation of the area where the shed will be installed.

If such problems do not scare you, then you can safely start building a shed from wooden planks without a foundation.

Wooden boards are a durable and reliable material and are relatively inexpensive. That is why they do not lose their popularity and relevance, despite the abundance of modern innovative materials.

A wooden shed without a foundation will last a maximum of 20 years, then it will begin to quickly collapse

In what cases is it rational to use

When a barn is built to last, it must be installed on a foundation. If there is no need for long-term operation of the building or the structure is to be moved from one place to another, then the foundation is not poured.

There is no need for a foundation if you live in warm regions where there are no harsh winters and little rainfall throughout the year.

Residents of warm regions with low average annual precipitation can afford to build a shed without a foundation.

Cheapness is another important feature of a shed without a foundation. If funds are limited, you can build a structure without a foundation and install it directly on the ground.

Preparation for construction

Before you begin the process of constructing a shed from wooden planks, you need to decide on the design of the room, prepare all the necessary tools and materials, choose insulation and waterproofing.

A barn made of wooden planks without a foundation can only be one-story. Otherwise, the earth will not stand it and will begin to sag, the structure will gradually sink into the soil, the walls and floor will begin to collapse. This is dangerous for animals and humans.

A barn without a foundation can only be one-story: the more floors, the heavier the structure; it will quickly sink into the ground

The height of the building walls should not exceed three meters, and the total area should not be more than 20 m2. Otherwise, the structure will turn out to be very large, the earth simply will not support such weight.

In any case, the barn made of wooden boards will be frame. This means that initially they build a “skeleton” - a base, then it is lined with boards, insulation, waterproofing and finishing.

Drawings of plank sheds

To build a shed, you need a drawing. It is better to choose the simplest design. It will be easier to build such a structure alone.

By strictly following the drawing, a barn can be built in a couple of days alone

The barn can be made square or rectangular depending on the personal preferences of the owner. But an elongated structure that is too narrow is inconvenient to use; the animals inside will be too cramped.

Using a simple drawing you can create a comfortable and cozy barn for livestock

Selection of material and calculation of boards

The main material for building a shed without a foundation is wooden boards. Oak, spruce and pine trees are suitable for agricultural purposes. It is worth choosing such tree species because they:

smell nice;
do not absorb unpleasant odors;
are durable;
resistant to mold formation.

To build a frame base, choose oak wooden blocks with a square or rectangular cross-section (100×100 or 60×100 millimeters).

For construction, choose only bars with a cross-section of 100X100 mm or 60X100 mm, others will not work

To create a frame, place 4 identical bars at the corners of the future structure. The length of each “stick” is 3 meters 20 centimeters (provided that the height of the barn is 3 meters, 20 centimeters will be buried in the ground to ensure the stability of the entire structure).
Vertical bars are connected to each other by horizontal ones. And not only on the walls, but also on the floor and ceiling. The distance between parallel bars is 50 centimeters.
The frame is sheathed with wooden boards on the outside and inside (entirely, including the floor and ceiling). The planks should fit snugly against each other without forming gaps.

Based on such features, calculations are made. To erect a building with an area of 20 square meters with three-meter walls, you will need the following number of boards and bars:

210 meters of timber (70 timber, 3 meters each);
188 square meters of wooden plank.

An example of calculating the required number of wooden boards

To calculate how much material will be required for the construction of a building, you need to know the exact dimensions of the future room. If the structure is three meters high, 5 meters long, and 4 meters wide, then counting the number of boards is easy. You need to find out the total area of all surfaces of the building (including the floor and ceiling). To do this, first multiply the length of the building by the height (5 * 3). We get the area of one wall, the same area of the parallel wall. The area of the other two walls is equal to the product of the height and the width of the barn, multiplied by two (4 * 3 * 2). The floor and ceiling have equal area. We calculate them by multiplying the length by the width (5 * 4). Now we sum up all the received numbers (5*3*2+4*3*2+5*4*2). We carry out the cladding outside and inside. This means that we multiply the resulting value (94) by 2.

What is best for insulation?

The shed definitely needs to be insulated. Otherwise, the animals will not be able to stay inside in the winter. It will be damp and cold for them to sleep on the floor. In such conditions, livestock will quickly become ill and begin to die.

Suitable materials for insulation include:

wool (mineral, stone, glass);
ecowool;
polyurethane foam.

Cotton wool is the cheapest insulation material, but it quickly absorbs moisture and sags. It is recommended to use it in conditions of austerity. Glass wool can be hazardous to livestock. If it gets on the skin or mucous membranes of an animal or bird, it can be fatal. It is better to choose mineral or stone.

Ecowool is more expensive than ordinary mineral or stone wool, but is considered an environmentally friendly and moisture-resistant material. Reliably retains heat indoors.

Polyurethane foam is a rather expensive insulation material. But they haven’t come up with anything better yet. It is resistant to moisture and does not sag even after long-term use. Reliably retains heat in the building.

To insulate a shed, it is better to choose polyurethane foam. It does not absorb moisture and does not deform during use

Polyurethane foam for insulation is placed in one layer, while cotton wool is placed in two or more. The choice in this case is obvious.

Video: how to choose insulation for a wooden shed

Waterproofing walls, floors and ceilings

When building a shed from wooden planks without a foundation, special attention is paid to waterproofing. It must be carried out on all surfaces of the structure - from floor to ceiling, so that moisture does not enter inside and interfere with the comfortable stay of livestock in the barn.

Waterproofing can be:

coating;
pasting;
painting;
sprayed.

Betonite mats, membranes and injections are also used as water insulation.

Coating waterproofing is bitumen - a substance with a pungent odor. It is not effective, but it is cheap. Shed wrap insulation works best. It is a rolled material that itself is attached to the surface. Paint insulation is similar to paint; sprayed insulation (in powder form) requires special equipment. The injection layer requires a lot of money. Mats or membranes are expensive and increase the thickness of the walls. But they reliably protect the structure from moisture. If there are no financial limitations, it is better to choose mats or membranes. Their service life reaches 70 years.

It is necessary to waterproof the barn, otherwise the room will be damp and the animals will get sick often

Required Tools

The required drawing has already been selected, the materials have been calculated. The preparation of instruments begins. To build a wooden shed without a foundation you will need:

saw;
drill;
plane;
screwdriver;
self-tapping screws;
nails;
hammer;
construction corner;
building level;
pencils;
wires for carrying lighting into the room;
marker for marking;
construction stapler.

Additional materials and items needed to create a full-fledged shed:

wooden door and hinges for its installation;
a small window (in a plastic or wooden frame) so that sunlight penetrates into the room during the day, and the owner saves on electricity;
OSB panels for creating partitions;
lampshade and light bulb;
switch;
socket;
cement mortar to fill vertical bars buried in the ground;
sand, crushed stone;
corrugated roofing;
polyurethane foam.

Step-by-step instructions for making a shed

You can build a shed not only from wooden planks. Wooden pallets and scraps are also suitable for this purpose. The main thing is to prepare them for construction work: remove all nails, level them, and process them with a plane.

Instructions for building a shed without a foundation:

They are clearing the area for the future barn. All debris and dirt are removed from the site, holes are dug, hills and mounds are leveled.
Preparation for construction begins with cleaning and marking the area
They mark the area and determine how the barn will be located.
4 vertical bars are buried in the corners of the future building. Each of them should be deepened into the ground by 20 centimeters (no less).
The bars at the corners are buried in the ground and filled with cement for strength.
To ensure that the bars stand firmly in place, they are filled with cement mortar and left to dry for at least 24 hours.
The area is covered with crushed stone to compact the soil.
Sand is poured onto the site and leveled.
The ground under the shed is compacted with crushed stone and sand so that the shed stands firmly in its place
The construction of the frame begins: horizontal bars are nailed to the vertical bars. They start from the floor and end at the ceiling. The distance between parallel horizontal connections is 50 centimeters. Exactly the same “grid” is made on the floor and ceiling. Vertical beams with horizontal ones are fastened with nails or self-tapping screws.
Don't forget to leave room for the door and window
On one of the short walls there is space for a door.
On any wall there is a place for a window in order to subsequently install a frame with glass there.
The interior cladding begins with boards, scraps or pallets. They are secured to the frame with nails. There should not be too large gaps between adjacent elements. At this stage, you need to cover all surfaces with boards except the floor.
When covering, it is necessary to avoid gaps between the boards
When the interior decoration is completed, they go over the walls with a plane to remove snags and splinters that are dangerous for livestock.
A planer will help make the wood cladding smooth and even and remove all snags.
Now the insulation is being laid. If you choose polyurethane foam, which is sold in the form of squares with sides of 50 centimeters, then it is attached to the wood with mounting adhesive. Choose one that suits the interaction with the tree. Information about this must be indicated on the product packaging. Cover all surfaces except the floor.
To insulate with mineral wool, you will have to make plank sheathing with the distance between the boards 1–2 mm less than the width of the slabs, so that the slabs fit as tightly as possible
The insulation is covered with waterproofing. If mats or membranes are used, they are attached to the insulation with mounting adhesive. The protective layer is removed from the self-adhesive waterproofing and a sticky coating is applied to the insulation. This is how the walls and ceiling are covered. The waterproofing can also be secured with a stapler.
Now we begin to install the floor. To do this, a layer of waterproofing is laid on wooden boards. Insulation is attached to it (preferably in 2 layers, even if it is polyurethane foam, so that it is as comfortable as possible inside). The insulation on top is again waterproofed and covered with wooden boards. An additional layer of waterproofing is necessary to prevent animal waste products from leaking into the insulation.
First they put waterproofing on the floor, then insulation, then again waterproofing and only in the end - wooden boards
Windows and doors are installed. Work is carried out in accordance with the attached installation instructions.
Waterproofing must be installed under the outer skin
The final stage is laying corrugated sheeting on the roof. They do this with an overlap so that water does not flow under the material. You can lay an additional layer of waterproofing coating under the corrugated sheeting. It won't be redundant.
Corrugated sheeting is the best material for protecting a barn roof from bad weather - it lasts a long time and is inexpensive
Wires are pulled from the wiring on the street. They are fixed to the walls and ceiling to provide lighting. Inside, a switch and socket are installed on one of the walls. It will be possible to turn on the heating device in the outlet in winter if it becomes very cold in the barn.
Partitions are made from OSB boards and installed in the required places. The slabs are cut with a saw and attached to the walls and floor with nails.

Video: building a barn from wooden planks without a foundation with your own hands

Building a shed from wooden planks without a foundation is quite simple. The main thing is to strictly follow the instructions and take a responsible approach to each stage of the work. Proper insulation is the key to ensuring that the animals inside will be cozy and comfortable, and the owner will not have to worry about them.

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:

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.
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.
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 ribbon, columnar, and block views.
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 types of soil. Here special metal piles with a sharp tip and cutting blades are used. 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:

When purchasing dry cement or building mixture, you should definitely pay attention to the production date. Regular Portland cement will work here.
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.
Crushed stone should not contain debris or various impurities.
Clean water should also be used, preferably drinking water.
The sand must be free of clay and silt.
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.

Building your own home is unthinkable without a place to store your tools. A barn, garage or similar outbuilding precedes the “development” of a plot of land. Well, the construction itself begins with the foundation. Preparing a foundation for a shed with your own hands is not a difficult task, but it requires preparation. In addition, the invaluable experience gained will be useful in the future. The topic of theoretical and practical skills will seem extremely useful when working on larger objects.

An outbuilding on a site, at first glance, may seem like a very simple structure in terms of construction. This simplicity is deceptive. But do not forget that a thorough approach to construction will ensure long-term operation without repairs. The appearance without cracks and dampness will be attractive with proper construction, which begins, regardless of the fact that it will be a foundation.

The soil as it is

Before starting work, you need to answer the question of how to ensure that the construction stood for a long time without defects and without unnecessary costs. The answer involves many conditions that you should pay close attention to. First of all, you need to choose a type of foundation that will absorb, distribute and transfer the load from the building to the ground without damage, and will not deform itself.

We are talking about the relatively inexpensive construction of a garage or shed, costs must be economically justified. Why invest a lot of money in the form of a deep slab foundation where you can get by with a cheap pile foundation?

The choice of the type of foundation for a future building is primarily influenced by the soil located on the site. In our latitudes there are rocky, sandy, and gravel soils. At the construction site there may be sandy loam and loam unfavorable for construction.

Rock option The most favorable soil for construction is an almost natural version of the foundation that nature itself prepared. It is stable, does not change its structure in frost, and is not affected by moisture. There is only one drawback - digging it is a very labor-intensive task, which is compensated only by its small volumes. On such soil the depth of the foundation may not be very deep.

How good is the type described above, how bad is the view from sandy loam and loam. It has a high freezing depth, like sandy soil, it forms quicksand, which, if the depth of the foundation is insufficient, can move the wall of the structure to the side. With these types of soil, the foundation must exceed the frost depth.

Outbuildings are not too heavy, so it is suitable for them shallow foundation, the dependence on the impact of low temperatures on the soil has not gone away; on average, it is believed that the depth of the foundation for a shed is sufficient, with a size of sixty centimeters.

Tape

Historically, the most commonly used foundation is strip foundation. For a shed 6 by 3 meters, this option is not bad, since the intricacies of the production of this foundation are known to almost everyone. A strip foundation for a shed is a fairly justified choice; it is a time-tested solution, if built correctly, will last for many years.

Let us remind you how to do it.

Along the perimeter of the building, whatever it is, digging a trench, about seventy centimeters wide, the depth should be fifteen centimeters greater than the freezing level. Bottom compacted in several passes, then a pillow is prepared at the bottom. It completely levels the bottom of the ditch, and takes on some of the functions of the foundation itself, plus provides protection from moisture.

Making a foundation without a cushion is a common mistake made by builders. The pillow will cope better with its “responsibilities” if you make two layers: a compacted ten-centimeter layer of crushed stone and half that of sand. Then formwork is being prepared, its height should be twenty-five centimeters above ground level.

Reinforcement will strengthen the concrete and the foundation of the house. A mesh with a cell width of about thirty centimeters is knitted from reinforcement with a diameter of 1.2 centimeters. Concrete is gradually poured into the prepared pit, after hardening the wooden frame is removed, and the remaining voids are filled with earth. After installing the waterproofing, construction can continue. Knowledge of the technology of how to pour a foundation for a shed and practical experience will be useful in the further development of the site.

Columnar

A columnar foundation for a barn will be cheaper. The only thing that hinders the widespread dissemination of this option is that it cannot be laid on moving soils, since the connection between the supports is not rigid enough. However, favorable soils make a columnar foundation for a shed the best choice. It is quite possible to make this foundation, just like the strip foundation, yourself.

Work is carried out in the corners, and depending on the design, at the intersection of walls, installation of poles. A columnar foundation for a barn involves the use of brick, concrete, and asbestos pipes filled with cement mortar. The work requires exercise with a shovel, but to a much lesser extent than with a strip base.

Below the freezing depth, holes are dug, their bottom is compacted, and a fifteen-centimeter cushion of crushed stone-sand mixture is filled in. It is also compacted. The next stage is the installation of the supports themselves. Either, after preparing the formwork, the mortar is poured, or the bricks are laid, the meaning is the same. A metal rod is installed inside the support, increasing the load-bearing capacity. A columnar foundation for a barn will reduce material consumption, the amount of excavation work and construction time.

Foam blocks

Foam blocks are a fairly common building material, which excellent for foundation construction. When choosing such a solution, it is even permissible to continue construction using foam blocks; walls made of this material will not create an additional load on the base. But do not forget, in this case, about waterproofing.

The prevalence of construction from foam blocks is due to adequate price for this material, its lightness without compromising strength. Strength, in turn, allows it to be used to form a foundation. Perhaps this is the best base option for a shed.

Construction of this type is similar to creating a strip foundation. The soil around the perimeter is developed in the same way; the bottom requires compaction. Similar to the first considered option, a pillow is created from two layers. A wooden blind area will create boundaries for concrete, the height of which is within twenty centimeters. After it is poured and hardened, it is time to install the blocks.

A barn is a functional building designed to store work equipment, firewood, equipment, and organize a workshop. The construction of a utility block begins with the arrangement of the foundation. Properly organizing the foundation for a shed means increasing the period of operation of the building and making your site ergonomically zoned.

The influence of the type of structure on the choice of foundation

Before planning the foundation for a utility unit, it is worth choosing its type. In country or private areas, it would be justified to create the following types of sheds:

lean-to buildings are distinguished by a flat roof, slightly inclined towards the rear wall. The space is limited, only a door or window is equipped. The simplest version of the base is a strip or shallow type;
a gable roof involves the construction of tongue-and-groove lumber floors and a 3-hinged door. All types of foundations can withstand additional load in the form of 2-3 windows;
squat chests are designed for storing garden tools. For small buildings, a simple foundation is relevant;
greenhouses are equipped when the shed space is not enough for cultivating vegetables, berries or herbs. This requires the construction of a strip foundation designed for a massive barn;
In a temporary shed you can not only store equipment, but also live in the summer. The building in the classic version is being erected without amenities. To make your stay comfortable, basic communications are laid - shower, toilet, heating. The strip base can withstand the load of highways, entrances, window groups and country furniture.

When choosing the type of utility unit, you need to take into account its location. A building at the far end of the property will mask the view from the street. If the shed plays the role of a storage room, it is better to build it next to the house.

Should soil type be taken into account?

Before you build a foundation for a shed with your own hands, it is important to study the composition of the soil, its plasticity, freezing depth and groundwater level. The construction industry focuses on the following classification of soils:

sandy ones become mobile under the influence of moisture, but freeze to 50 cm. A successful type of foundation, made independently, is screw, monolithic or strip;
Loams and sandy loam soils freeze up to 2 m and can float during floods. As on clay soils, only a strip type of foundation is built;
gravel soils are not washed away by rain and do not shrink during frosts. The optimal level of freezing at which it is possible to build a base on pillars is 50 cm;
Rocky soils are characterized by hardness, but they can support all foundations except screw ones.

To independently determine what type of base is suitable for a utility block made of brick, wood or other material, there are several methods. Soil is being collected from the construction site. The earth is mixed with water and rolled out. Then a ring is formed. If you rolled the soil without difficulty, it contains 2/3 loam or clay. You can place the soil in a jar of water. A cloudy liquid will indicate the presence of loamy components, and a sediment that appears will indicate sandy components.

Preparatory work

Before making the foundation for the shed, make preparations. Study the compression levels of soils, groundwater, freezing depth and terrain features. Make markings and purchase materials:

concrete mixer;
bulk raw materials – crushed stone, sand, cement;
bricks;
water;
screw piles, reinforcement and boards;
insulation material;
foam blocks;
cord, stakes;
level, rule;
trowel, mallet (tamper);
bucket and shovel.

The inventory list is universal and suitable for arranging any type of foundation. The list of materials is adjusted in the process of selecting a specific type of structure.

Construction of a columnar structure

If you plan to build a columnar foundation for a barn, then the costs will be minimal. The design will receive the required strength and reliability if you follow a certain algorithm:

The base on pillars requires the amount of space for mounting the support. For buildings with the simplest layout, 4 support pillars are sufficient; a complex building configuration increases the consumption of elements - 1 for each corner.
The depth of the holes in which the pillars are placed is 15 cm below the extreme level of soil freezing.
The columnar type of base for a do-it-yourself shed involves simple brickwork. Before it starts, a sand cushion is formed.
The bricks are laid on top of the drainage layer. Masonry of 1.5 elements is carried out with ligation, ensuring the stability of the product.

The utility block is erected in 5-7 days. This time is enough for the columnar base to harden.

Foam concrete base

In addition to brickwork, the foundation is made of blocks for the manufacture of which foam concrete was used. Preparatory work and digging a pit are carried out similarly to the previous ones. The type of masonry is determined by the parameters of the blocks. Large ones, in the shape of a parallelepiped, are lowered into the trench. A foundation of small foam blocks is laid in order and bonded with cement.

Asbestos pipe poles

The diameter of asbestos pipes is selected according to the size of the trench. A sand-crushed stone cushion is placed at the bottom of the pit, making sure that it is below the extreme limit of soil freezing. The fragility of the walls of an asbestos pipe is eliminated with cement mortar, to which crushed stone or pebbles with small fractions are added. The mass is poured into the pit.

Organization of the strip base

The relevance of a solid strip foundation for any shed in private housing construction is based on the simplicity and speed of work.

Advantages of strip foundations

The design has a lot of advantageous advantages:

ability to withstand heavy weight;
affordability and easy work algorithm;
increased stability indicators.

“Tape” is also distinguished by its versatility - it can be laid on all types of soil.

Construction progress

To make a strip type base, you need to calculate the amount of materials and refer to the step-by-step work algorithm. The foundation tape is poured with your own hands in a few steps:

The territory is marked with wooden pegs and stretched twine. The line of marks forms the line of the future base. Large outbuildings are divided into sections.
A trench channel 45-70 cm wide is dug using a shovel. The depth of the pit is planned below the extreme freezing point of the soil.
A sand and crushed stone cushion is installed at the bottom of the pit. Crushed stone with medium fractions is covered in a layer of 8-10 cm, and sand is poured on top of it by 4-5 cm.
The formwork is being constructed. Plywood or wooden boards are used for it.
Reinforcement is being carried out. Metal pins are laid inside the formwork frame, connecting them with wire. Vents are constructed from plastic pipes of round or square cross-section, which will be located in different parts of the base.
Concrete solution is prepared. In home construction, it is advisable to calculate proportions using buckets, since not everyone has access to a concrete mixer.
To fill the strip structure, you will need to make several cubic meters of mixture. For 1 m3 of concrete mixture you will need 300 kg of M500 cement, 1100 kg of crushed stone, 600 kg of sand and 150 liters of water. Optimal material consumption is 2:5:9. The difference in the volumetric weight of the component for sand (bucket - 19.5 kg), cement (bucket - 15.6 kg) and crushed stone (bucket - 17 kg) is taken into account.
The mixture is poured into the formwork gradually and distributed with a shovel. Experts recommend leaving the first layer to harden, and then pouring the second.

The concrete base-tape completely hardens in 24-27 days.

Screw structure for utility block

A barn built on screw piles is a new technique for low-rise construction. Owners of their own plots can appreciate the versatility and affordability of the technique.

Characteristics of the “fast construction” technology

Pile supports are relevant on any soil. They are installed vertically, previously measured with a level. Screws with sharp ends and threads are screwed in and can easily penetrate any soil except rock. Before starting work, the piles are leveled with a grinder and filled with concrete mortar.

Features of installing screw piles

The screw foundation is installed quickly - 3 days are enough to install the piles. Work is carried out in any season. The barn, placed on screw piles with a special grillage, has a number of construction features:

pile supports are placed in increments of 2-3 m;
the number of elements depends on the size of the building. For a small shed, 4 piles in the corners of the building will be enough;
the bearing capacity of piles with a standard screw diameter of 10.8 cm is determined according to the type of soil. For clay soil, supports weighing 2-4 tons are sufficient, for sandy loam - from 3 to 6 tons, for sand - 6-9 tons.

It is advisable to purchase screw piles with a diameter of 108 mm made of galvanized steel. They will extend the life of the building to 50 years.

Using cinder block

The inexpensive cost of blocks made of crushed stone, slag and sand allows you to build a foundation for a barn on your own. Hygroscopicity and high thermal conductivity will be acceptable for small buildings.
The cinder block base is built in stages:

The soil is cleared of debris, tree stumps and leveled.
A trench is dug into which the blocks will be laid.
A cushion is formed using a mixture of crushed stone, sand or limestone and carefully compacted.
Waterproofing is carried out with roofing felt, on which a reinforcing frame is poured.
The first row of blocks is laid, and the next one - in a run-up with it. The elements are fixed with a 1 cm layer of concrete mortar. To strengthen the base, concrete mixture is poured into the cavities of the stones.
Having adjusted the base in height, it is reinforced with a belt of reinforcement.
The surfaces of the foundation walls are treated with mastic and then thermally insulated with foam polystyrene slabs.

At the end of the work, the pit is filled up and walls are built.

Monolithic base

A good option for making a foundation for the building of a utility block is a monolithic slab. A perfectly flat base is used when a large load is created on the floor surface. The activities will require standard materials - crushed stone, gravel, concrete, sand, boards and nails, as well as reinforcing rods with a diameter of 12 mm.

Algorithm for constructing a solid base

The fundamental monolith is arranged according to simple instructions:

A pit is dug 1 - 1.5 in depth.
At the bottom of the trench, a cushion is laid with a mixture of gravel and sand, raised by 30 cm, the layer is compacted, covered with crushed stone to a depth of 10 cm and leveled. Be sure to control the elevation of the pillow above the ground (10-20 cm).
Formwork 10-15 cm high is constructed from lumber.
A reinforcement grid with cells 200x200 mm is placed on the pillow.
A solution is prepared from 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, 6 parts crushed stone with medium fractions and water. The mass is poured into the formwork onto a cushion.

The main advantage of monolithic slabs is immobility. An absolutely flat surface eliminates the need for laying floor coverings and ensures the tightness of the building.

What should be the solution for the monolith?

To achieve a smooth surface, the working mixture is prepared in a concrete mixer. The device thoroughly mixes the mass and removes lumps. According to the volume of the concrete mixer, the amount of wet composition is calculated, which prevents the formation of cracks in the slab.

Non-standard ideas for the foundations of a utility block

At the dacha, you can use foundations that are made from deteriorated materials - tires and sleepers. You will need a certain number of elements, a little patience and desire to build a solid foundation for the shed.

Rubber tire construction

Fundamental construction is justified on rocky, crushed stone soils or sandstones. The tire will be a kind of formwork frame for concrete grade M15, damping the mobility of the soil. A belt or column structure is erected from truck tires. The work is carried out according to the construction algorithm:

Debris is removed from the ground, stumps are uprooted, and the top layer is removed.
The tires are placed on the same level in 2 tiers so that they form a column. The removed soil (about 80%) is poured into the tire cavity.
Ruberoid waterproofing is laid on top of the column and concrete is poured.

The base of an outbuilding has many advantages - strength, durability, good waterproofing. In addition, the use of waste tires will save on the purchase of building materials.

Sleepers as a foundation material

Reinforced concrete beams guarantee the stability of the barn and its quick repair. When working, keep in mind that the specific smell will remain on the site for a long time. The standard size of the railway beam is 2.7 m in length, which allows not only to install a grillage, but also to equip the foundation for a brick or block shed.
Construction activities are carried out as follows:

A trench channel is dug, resembling a system for a tape-type base. The width they break through is 2 times greater than the width of the sleeper. Trench depth – 50 cm.
A bed of gravel with a layer of 10 cm and sand with a layer of 30 cm is poured onto the bottom surface.
The bottom and walls of the trench are waterproofed, and then sleepers with strapping are placed.

Sleepers play the role of reinforcement, which increases the strength and rigidity of the foundation. In private construction work, only reinforced concrete elements are used.
To make a high-quality foundation, regardless of its type, you need to follow several techniques. High-quality concrete mortar is obtained from Portland cement grade M400, purified crushed stone and sand. Activities for the construction of the foundation are carried out sequentially - this way your shed will receive the characteristics of strength, reliability and external aesthetics.

Anyone who has at least once directly dealt with construction issues and delved into all the details knows very well that the stage of erecting the foundation of any structure is the most expensive. But that's not all. In some situations, installing a foundation is either impossible, or undesirable, or unjustified from an economic point of view.

For example, in a small garden plot, where there is a high risk of damage to part of the root system of vegetation and it is difficult to carry out excavation work, given the density of plantings. In such cases, the best option is to erect a temporary lightweight structure directly on the ground. Let's figure out how to make a shed from boards without a foundation in your country house or local area with your own hands.

On many thematic sites, in addition to the advantages of this engineering solution (high speed of construction, reduced costs), significant disadvantages are also noted - the fragility of the structure and the low level of thermal insulation.

The author himself is a summer resident with extensive experience, and categorically disagrees with this. The reasoning is quite clear. Firstly, if the installation is done correctly, the shed will last for many years. Secondly, the quality of insulation is also a controversial issue, since such buildings are intended mainly for storing household equipment and improvised materials, therefore, the microclimate inside them does not play a special role.

And making a bedding under the bottom of the barn, for example, from expanded clay, is not difficult. Well, it’s not difficult to determine how and what exactly to additionally cover the inside of the house to increase the temperature.

How to make a shed is probably not the most important thing that interests the reader. Moreover, the building material has already been determined - board. But “without a foundation” and “with your own hands” is somewhat unusual, although quite simple. This is what the author will focus on, based on personal experience in the construction of such a structure.

All areas are different, and that says it all. But you still have to take something into account.

The segment of the territory on which the plank shed is supposed to be built should not be at risk of flooding. Since it has no foundation, excessive soil moisture will lead to rapid destruction of the building. Therefore, for construction you should select (if possible) the highest “patch” on the site.
It is advisable that the barn be exposed to the sun most of the day. In this case, there is a guarantee that even if water accumulates near it, it will quickly evaporate, and the earth will dry out well. And moisture ingress is inevitable, especially if irrigation is done not by soil, but by sprinkling. By the way, many summer residents practice exactly this technique, fortunately, there are many inexpensive plastic “turntables” on sale.
When choosing a location, you should also take into account the perspective. Summer residents who not only know what crop rotation is, but also practice this growing technology, understand what we are talking about. When changing the order of planting garden crops or redeveloping a plot, the barn should not be a hindrance to the gardener.

How to make a shed base

Still, any building, including a barn, by definition must have one. The reader has two simple options to choose from. High speed of installation and minimum costs for the shed are guaranteed.

Option #1

An often mentioned way to build a shed is on pallets. It is unlikely that such a technology deserves attention, given that such a base (made of wood) will rot quite quickly. With an expectation of 1 - 2 years, this is a good option, but this is more suitable for temporary structures that are installed on sites, for example, by builders and installers. This is not the best solution for the private sector.

Option No. 2

On supports. Someone will object that this is already a columnar type foundation. This is not entirely true - there are similarities, but small. The fundamental difference is in the depth of installation of the supports. For a small-sized wooden shed, they are dug in 50±10 cm. This is quite enough for the base to withstand a not so significant load.

After installing the posts, they are aligned on all planes, securely fixed in place, after which they are tied. The supporting frame is the foundation on which the shed will be built. It turns out that you won’t have to do any excavation work on the site (except for digging 4-6 holes) or preparing concrete mortar in large volumes. In fact, the barn is made without a foundation.

The advantage of this solution is not only the speed of construction of the foundation and the minimal cost of materials. Since timber, that is, wood, is used for strapping, it will not be difficult to install the frame posts on it with your own hands. Yes, and the barn can be slightly raised above the ground, even the structure can be leveled if the site is downhill.

Calculator for calculating the quantity and volume of lumber

What to consider during construction

It is advisable to start work directly when all preparatory measures have been completed. Since the supports (you can use fragments of timber or logs) will be in the ground, you should choose a method for processing them to protect them from rotting. The concept of “do-it-yourself” often implies that the owner makes do with improvised materials and not purchased materials and means.

The author recommends thorough (at least 2 times) impregnation with waste engine oil. Additionally, it is advisable to coat all edges of the blanks used as posts (except for the top cut) with tar (molten, of course). There is virtually no financial investment, and the durability of the foundation is ensured.

A barn built using this technology has been standing on the author’s property for 12 years now. And there are not even indirect signs that repairs need to be done. By the way, the timber used for strapping should also be impregnated with mining.

Procedure for installing the base of the shed

Nothing complicated for those who are familiar with the technology of foundation construction.

Marking the area for the barn.
Digging holes. You need to try to ensure that their diameter is only slightly larger than the cross-section of the support.
Bottom seal. It is advisable to load a little clay (but always oily) into each hole, and then compact this layer. It will protect the hole from penetration of liquid into it from below. Considering that the tree for the supports is coated with tar, this will be enough. The specificity of this method of constructing a shed excludes the possibility of using other insulating materials (film, roofing felt), since they cannot be correctly laid (and straightened) in small holes.
Next is a layer of river sand or ASG.
Installation of supports and alignment of each vertically and horizontally.
Loading small gravel, broken bricks, etc. into the holes, compacting this mass.
Filling holes with cement mortar. It must be made of a sufficiently liquid consistency so that it penetrates as deeply as possible.

Drawing of a barn made of boards without a foundation

After hardening of the artificial stone obtained in this way, you can tie the posts under the barn, that is, mount the support frame.

This technology is more suitable for areas that are uneven. Or if for some reason the shed needs to be raised higher above the ground.

Option #3

On the "sleepers". If the space allocated for the shed is fairly level, then this is the most convenient way to quickly build a shed. It is used (a log is not suitable in this case), which is laid horizontally. In order to make a small shed, 2 blanks arranged in parallel are enough. Under a larger structure (in width), it is advisable to mount a third one, the location for which is selected in the center.

Timber processing is carried out only by impregnation. Since the products placed on the ground are also the foundation on which the frame of the shed will be erected, the tree should not be coated with tar.

Tracing the territory consists of marking the contour of the barn along the perimeter and determining the places where it is necessary to dig shallow (10 cm is enough) trenches. Timber will be laid in them.
Preparation is identical to the method described above - soil compaction, clay, and so on.
The bottom of each mini-trench is lined with P/E film, since the wood was not protected with tar. It makes no sense to use such a popular waterproofing material among summer residents as roofing felt. Within 3 years it will rot and the fungus will begin to destroy the wood.
After laying the beam, it should be fixed to prevent horizontal displacement. There are two ways. An easier one is to drive pieces of reinforcement into the sides of the products, at the end parts. If a massive beam is chosen, and the barn is large in size, then 2–3 (depending on the length) through holes are drilled in each workpiece along the center line. Pins are also driven into them.
The final stage is fastening the timber. All workpieces are connected with staples, metal plates, and corners. That's all - the strength and immobility of the base is ensured.

By the way, it is not necessary to dig trenches. You need to focus on your capabilities and local conditions. It is enough to fill the area with fine gravel, compact this layer well, and then lay the support beam on it.

There are a number of other methods for building a shed without a foundation. What they have in common is the presence of a supporting frame. The difference is in the columns on which it is installed.

There are also several options - reinforced concrete products, metal supports with plates, bricks and so on. The author did not consider other technologies for only one reason - the complexity of the connections. The supporting frame is made of wood, the posts are made of other materials. You can articulate it with your own hands, but why complicate your life by looking for a hammer drill, concrete drills, large metal drills or anything else.

How to build a shed

No detailed explanations are required for this stage of work. The technology of frame construction has long been known and is described in detail on many sites, in every detail. In principle, the author has nothing to add. The photographs clearly explain everything.

Frame installation

For a light shed, a beam with a side of 10 or even 5 cm (depending on the dimensions) is enough. For example, do this.

Installation of trusses (front and rear)

If the front pillars are made higher, then you can do without them. In this case, the roof will be pitched. It's easier to build.

Covering the frame with boards

Do it yourself - nothing complicated.

You just need to take into account that nails often go sideways and can also split the wood. It is better to fix all elements with self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws, with preliminary drilling of the channels.

The reader will determine for himself how to cover the roof and cover the shed outside and inside. You can do this.

If you show your imagination, an originally designed barn will become a real decoration of your summer cottage.