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Step-By-Step
Foundations
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 Simple
Solution For Uneven
Ground
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1/
Prepare Your Site For
Construction
 BEFORE
YOU RECEIVE
your
garden building or gazebo, clear
the construction area. Remove all
debris, roots, grass and
rocks.
Make sure the ground slopes away
from the site at least 10 feet in
all directions. If necessary,
build up the soil in the center
of the site and slope away for
the high point to provide
drainage. Fill in any low spots
within the perimeter of the site.
A slope of 1/8 inch per foot is
enough to prevent water
accumulation.
We recommend excavating the site
4 inches deep and laying gravel
or crushed rock where drainage
may be a concern.
2/
Laying Out The
Foundation
No
matter which type of foundation
you’ve chosen, start by
outlining the "footprint" on the
site. Start by choosing one
corner of the garden shed or the
center of gazebo and mark it (A)
by driving a stake into the
ground.
GARDEN
SHEDS
Stretch a line from stake A
straight across C and fasten it
to a temporary stake outside the
intended garden shed area.
Measure along this line from A
and mark the garden shed
dimension in that direction.
Drive a stake there and set up
batter boards. Use the 3-4-5
triangulation method to extend
another line at right angles to
the A-C line. Measure to the next
corner and stake it. Continue
until all corners of the garden
shed are connected by right angle
lines.
3-4-5 Triangulation Method
Measure
along the line 3 feet from the
first stake A, and mark the
string at this point. From stake
A, run a second line
perpendicular to the first.
Measure out 4 feet to locate
point C. If this second line is
exactly at a right angle to the
first, the diagonal line between
A & C will be 5 feet. If not,
move point C left or right until
the diagonal measures 5 feet and
stake that point.
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LAYING
OUT THE
FOUNDATION
1. Mark one
corner of the
proposed shed
by driving a
temporary
stake, then set
temporary
batter boards
at right angles
to each other
to provide
support for
guidelines.
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10
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LAYING
OUT THE
FOUNDATION
2. Run a
line across two
stakes. Measure
from point A on
the first stake
along this line
3 ft. and mark
point
B.
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10
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LAYING
OUT THE
FOUNDATION
3. Run a
second line
perpendicular
to the first
across point A.
Mark point C
4ft. from point
A. Move line AC
so that the
distance BC is
exactly 5 ft.
Angle BAC is
now 90
degrees.
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10
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LAYING
OUT THE
FOUNDATION
4. Set up
batter boards
and guide lines
to outline the
entire shed,
making right
angles at each
corner using
the 3-4-5
triangle method
described in
step
3.
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10
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GAZEBOS
Stretch a radial line from center
stake A. Calculate the radius by
using 1/2 the diameter of gazebo.
Using orange spray paint or
something similar, mark out a
circle.
First determine door location by
using one Rim Joist of Gazebo,
stake points where rim joist
intersects circle. Move around
circle staking out all
intersecting points until all
corners are connected. See
Specifications
Sheet
for Rim Joist size and radius
measurement.
3/
Determine The Type
Of Foundation
1.
PATIO STONE FOUNDATION
If
the ground is stable and has
sufficient drainage, you can set
patio stones directly on firm,
compacted soil. If not, lay on
gravel or crushed rock as
previously described.
GARDEN
SHEDS:
Starting
with one floor section, position
stones around its perimeter and
specific joists. (For details,
see specific instruction manual)
Use a 2x4 straight piece of
lumber on edge and a
carpenter’s level to
position correctly. Add or remove
soil/sand under each stone until
level. Complete remaining floor
sections in the same manner. When
all floor panels are level with
each other, flip over, screw
together and place back on level
foundation.
GAZEBOS:
Position
patio stones on outline of gazebo
previously described. For details
of how and where stones go, see
specific instruction manual. Use
a 2x4 straight piece of lumber on
edge and a carpenter’s level
to position correctly. Add or
remove soil/sand under each stone
until level. When stones are
level, position completed
sub-structure (Rim, Long &
Short Joist and Core Block) on
top. Once again, use a level to
confirm positioning and make any
necessary adjustments.
2.
4'x4' PRESSURE TREATED BEAM
FOUNDATION
You
can build directly on
pressure-treated beams or
railroad ties laid on a properly
prepared construction site. Run
beams perpendicular to floor
joists. Use a 2x4 straight piece
of lumber on edge and a
carpenter’s level to
position correctly.
To prevent the beams from
shifting, secure them with a 1/2"
inch rebar inserted through holes
drilled in the beams and driven 3
to 4 feet into the ground. Leave
each side or end of the
foundation open to promote
drainage and air circulation
beneath the floor.
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4x4
PRESSURE
TREATED
FOUNDATION
This simple
foundation
consists of
pressure
treated beams
laid directly
on compacted
gravel base.
Use 1/2 " rebar
to prevent
beams from
shifting.
Joists are
attached to
beams with 16d
galvanized
nails.
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3.
CONCRETE SLAB FOUNDATION
Typically
a slab 3-4 inches thick laid over
a subbase of 4 inches of gravel
or crushed rock is sufficient but
may vary depending on your
geographic location.
Using either mix your own
concrete of having it delivered
by truck, ready to pour, depends
on how much time and effort you
have to dedicate to the project.
A slab for our 8x10 foot Rancher
or a 10 foot gazebo both to a
depth of 4 inches will require
approximately 1 cubic yard of
premixed
concrete.
Use
the following
procedure:
1. Excavate the slab area and
footing trench.
2. Excavate the slab area to a
depth 6 inches. This would put
the finished slab surface 2
inches above ground (4 inches of
gravel)
3. Set up your batter board
strings to represent the outside
face of the slab. At each corner,
drop a plumb line from the
intersecting strings to the
bottom of the trench, then drive
a 2x4 stake at this point. Using
the plumb bob again, drive a nail
into the top of the stake where
the plumb bob touches it. Attach
strings between the stakes. Using
the strings as guides, drive the
2x4 form stakes around the trench
perimeter, spaced on 2 foot
centers.
4. Attach the form boards to the
stakes with double-headed nails.
Make sure the stakes are on the
outside of the boards and flush
with or below them.
5. Use 2x4 stakes to brace the
corners of the forms.
6. Backfill the excavation with 4
inches of gravel, then lay down a
plastic vapor barrier.
7. Spread or pour concrete with a
rake or hoe, compacting it gently
into the footing areas. Use a
shovel to move concrete into
footing trench. Make the pour to
about 1 inch above the forms to
allow for settling. Use a long
2x4 to level the concrete. Move
the board in a side-to-side
motion as you pull it towards
you.
8. Use finishing tools, such as a
bull float and trowel, to smooth
the concrete surface. Allow the
concrete to cure fully (seven to
ten days).
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CONCRETE
SLAB FOUNDATION
1. Backfill
excavation with
gravel; install
vapor
barrier.
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CONCRETE
SLAB FOUNDATION
2. Pour
concrete into
the forms, and
spread it with
a rake or
shovel. Use a
long 2x4 to
screed the
concrete level.
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10
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CONCRETE
SLAB FOUNDATION
3.Use
finishing
tools, such as
a bull float
and trowel, to
smooth the
concrete
surface to the
desired
finish.
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