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Another question for 8x8 garden shed I'm building

20,575 Views | 181 Replies | Last: 4 yr ago by JokkerZ
91_Aggie
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FYI, Here's a pic from several weeks ago AFTER I dug the outer perimeter down to 12", but before I could start putting in the gravel base (kept raining and this is clay ground). I actually spent $50 on Amazon to buy a small submersible water pump to get all that water out.

But the water really let me know where I had to level off the ground in the middle

Gary79Ag
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Appears you have it all covered!!!
Builder93
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91_Aggie said:

Builder93 said:


I'm impressed. Most people underestimate / underprepare.

A little unsolicited advice: I don't like dutch hips for roofs on sheds especially. You lose a lot of valuable hanging space. I would do a shed roof, gable, or hip. Gives you more wall for shelves, etc.

So, this shed is going to be 8-feet high before the "gambrels" start (walls will be 8 feet tall), so If put in a ceiling it would be a standard 8-feet high wall. It seems like I will still have plenty of room for hanging stuff (And I'm 6'3" so I can reach stuff that is hung way up high), plus the plans have option for putting in a "loft" with this and I like the idea of storing crap my wife doesn't want to throw away but will NEVER use up there.

Looking at the Shed roof and gable, it seems like I'd actually have less space for hanging stuff from ceiling.

And I like the way it looks better than Shed, hip, or gable.


We are opposites. I generally don't like the look of those sheds. My shed is a Midcentury Modern with a flat roof and a porch. I would post it but I like to maintain a little anonymity. My footprint is about 18x18. I always design to break on full sheets of material. Of course I was and architecture major so I tend to go overboard.
91_Aggie
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Builder93 said:





We are opposites. I generally don't like the look of those sheds. My shed is a Midcentury Modern with a flat roof and a porch. I would post it but I like to maintain a little anonymity. My footprint is about 18x18. I always design to break on full sheets of material. Of course I was and architecture major so I tend to go overboard.
Ugh, that is probably the "architecture" design I hate the most.... that just feels depressing to me and dated. to each their own, though.
OldArmyBrent
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Splitag said:

This! I built an 8"x12" a few years ago

What is this? A shed for ants?
Builder93
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91_Aggie said:

Builder93 said:





We are opposites. I generally don't like the look of those sheds. My shed is a Midcentury Modern with a flat roof and a porch. I would post it but I like to maintain a little anonymity. My footprint is about 18x18. I always design to break on full sheets of material. Of course I was and architecture major so I tend to go overboard.
Ugh, that is probably the "architecture" design I hate the most.... that just feels depressing to me and dated. to each their own, though.
You haven't been around good Mid Century. It is very bright, cheery, and clean. It's dated because it is from 60 years ago. Want to guess how far back a gambrel roof goes? BTW, I incorrectly said dutch hip earlier, I meant a dutch roof(gambrel).

Yes, I'm up late. Couldn't sleep.
91_Aggie
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Builder93 said:

91_Aggie said:

Builder93 said:





We are opposites. I generally don't like the look of those sheds. My shed is a Midcentury Modern with a flat roof and a porch. I would post it but I like to maintain a little anonymity. My footprint is about 18x18. I always design to break on full sheets of material. Of course I was and architecture major so I tend to go overboard.
Ugh, that is probably the "architecture" design I hate the most.... that just feels depressing to me and dated. to each their own, though.
You haven't been around good Mid Century. It is very bright, cheery, and clean. It's dated because it is from 60 years ago. Want to guess how far back a gambrel roof goes? BTW, I incorrectly said dutch hip earlier, I meant a dutch roof(gambrel).

Yes, I'm up late. Couldn't sleep.
No, when deciding what to do with it the roof, I googled and researched all the roof types.
Something can be old and classic like a Gambrel.

But stuff with that 50-60s "look" is horrible... and when people try to "update it", then all I think of is hipster trash Not trying to insult what you like... just how I feel about that slanted shed roof no matter how much someone tries to polish it up.


Builder93
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91_Aggie said:

Builder93 said:

91_Aggie said:

Builder93 said:





We are opposites. I generally don't like the look of those sheds. My shed is a Midcentury Modern with a flat roof and a porch. I would post it but I like to maintain a little anonymity. My footprint is about 18x18. I always design to break on full sheets of material. Of course I was and architecture major so I tend to go overboard.
Ugh, that is probably the "architecture" design I hate the most.... that just feels depressing to me and dated. to each their own, though.
You haven't been around good Mid Century. It is very bright, cheery, and clean. It's dated because it is from 60 years ago. Want to guess how far back a gambrel roof goes? BTW, I incorrectly said dutch hip earlier, I meant a dutch roof(gambrel).

Yes, I'm up late. Couldn't sleep.
No, when deciding what to do with it the roof, I googled and researched all the roof types.
Something can be old and classic like a Gambrel.

But stuff with that 50-60s "look" is horrible... and when people try to "update it", then all I think of is hipster trash Not trying to insult what you like... just how I feel about that slanted shed roof no matter how much someone tries to polish it up.



See, I like agreeing to disagree although I think the argument/debate can be fun. I remember one of my professors saying "We can't teach taste, but we can teach process" I always appreciated that.

I generally hold that every era has good and bad design examples. There is a lot of bad 50-60 architecture but the good stuff is very refreshing to be in. Associations have a lot to do with how we appreciate architecture. You see hipster architecture, I see clean materials and materials used to their strengths or in other words materials not trying to do things they don't naturally do, like brick hanging above your head. Think Evans Library. My dad used to refinish antique furniture after he retired. When we would look at antiques, he would say, "just because it's antique doesn't mean it's good." I like good gambrels that are detailed well. I just see too many that are done very poorly.
91_Aggie
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It's over... it's done (well the foundation is.. but building the actual shed will be cake).

So I began the morning at 6:30AM moving 50 80# bags of concrete from the Garage to the backyard in a good spot. Piled them as High as I could to avoid having to so many from the ground as the day progressed.
The was actually the hardest part of the job... Wheelbarrow could hold about 4 bags, so lots of trips.
Then I went to rental place for the concrete mixer.
I got the cheapest smallest, one because the bigger ones had to be towed and i never actually every bought a towing ball for my truck (owned the truck for 21 years... ha).

That set me back $44 but damn was this thing worth it. It could do two bags at once and it was on wheels so I could move it close to the concrete pile to mix it, and then it was easy to roll to all the sides of foundation to pour it.

Now, as tired as I was after moving those 50 bags to the back yard I was having some second thoughts about trying to do this on my own, but I got a good rest since, even though it was my day off, I still had to attend 2.5 hours of mandatory meetings for work... love a day off in these times

So finally around 10:30AM, I got everything setup... had a nice craftsman workbench that was the perfect height for placing a bag on concrete on, cutting one end open and could then just slide it forward and lift and dump... easy peasy.

The mixer could have done 3 bags but I was having concerns about getting mix right. I'd pour the water in for the first bag, then dump first bag in, and let that get going for 30 seconds, then pour water for 2nd bag and then quickly dump that bag in. Work out well and then I could spray extra water if there wasn't enough.

I did have a helper... my 16 year old daughter was filling the water buckets between me and grabbing a bag and getting it ready... I wrap Duct tape on the outside of 5 gallon bucket at the 6 pint mark so she could easily know how much water to fill it up to. Worked Great!

She also helped me screed as we got enough concrete in to move from back to front. (Yes, I was a clever lad and started the furthest away from the concrete pile and moved closer.)

Now, funny thing... the only thing I apparently had a problem with all this was math and/or my initial measurements of depth and/or ignorance since this was my first ever concrete foundation job. Once we got it all filled with concrete and making sure it was settled and in every nook and cranny I looked over to see 11 bags of Concrete left over... Yikes!!! I swear I measured and calculated the cubic feet over and over... not sure how I got off by 20%... I did estimate high on everything but thought I'd only be about 2-4 bags over.

Anywho.... got it screeded, put in the anchor bolts, floated it, ran the "curved edger" over all the edges, and called it good.

Think it was about 1:30pm at this point... but I was being very anal about keeping everything clean and not concrete caked.

Ugh... now I had to haul 11 bags of concrete back to the front yard, load in my truck and return to Lowes.
Lowe's was a mad house at the time I went there. One register open on the lumber yard side and the line going way back down the lumber aisle. I noped out of there and went to return the cement mixer, then got me a double-Whataburger, large fries and large Coke... I don't understand people that won't use the outside drive thru lane at Whataburger. No one was in it, so i used it while the first lane was completely packed behind where I came in... Oh well... got my food faster. Drove back to Lowes and found a tree to park under while I ate my burger and fries.

When I was done, i went into Lowes and was 2nd in line.. easy peasy. No hassle on the return of 11 bags and they didn't make fun of me for so badly estimating how many I needed.

I'm likely gonna be sore tomorrow, but overall this turned out easier than what I had pictured/imagined before starting it... and then some of you were really scaring me by telling me I better have another person helping.

Now to wait for it cure and then start the fun part. I never framed something like this from scratch before. Get to do something new again.

Gary79Ag
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Looking good!!!

BTW, I went to that Lowe's shortly after you left and you should have seen how much fun they were making of you!
91_Aggie
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Gary79Ag said:

Looking good!!!

BTW, I went to that Lowe's shortly after you left and you should have seen how much fun they were making of you!
I'd believe that if I believed that Lowes employees actually had any idea how to DIY projects.
Gary79Ag
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91_Aggie said:

Gary79Ag said:

Looking good!!!

BTW, I went to that Lowe's shortly after you left and you should have seen how much fun they were making of you!
I'd believe that if I believed that Lowes employees actually had any idea how to DIY projects.
Touche...
maddiedou
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I have never seen so many post about a damn 8x8 shed

Hell i could have built this in less time and less words that this whole thread

Stick with the day job
maddiedou
txag2008
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You sound fun. The OP clearly enjoys the analysis & discussion and you would think anyone else on a Home Improvement/DIY board would be in the same boat.

If he is anything like me, the process of overthinking the process and paying close attention to the details all throughout is enjoyable. The age old saying that its not the destination, it's the journey can definitely be applied here.

Well done on the slab, keep up the good work. Heaven forbid you take your time and learn some new things along the way.
91_Aggie
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txag2008 said:

You sound fun. The OP clearly enjoys the analysis & discussion and you would think anyone else on a Home Improvement/DIY board would be in the same boat.

If he is anything like me, the process of overthinking the process and paying close attention to the details all throughout is enjoyable. The age old saying that its not the destination, it's the journey can definitely be applied here.

Well done on the slab, keep up the good work. Heaven forbid you take your time and learn some new things along the way.


Thanks! Was fun to learn and do this on my own.

Not sure why maddiedou is even reading this forum. She sounds like an expert at everything, and doesn't seem to want to contribute advice. She must have wandered in here by accident on her way to the "Iamverysmart" forum.
Builder93
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It looks far better than my first concrete job, Of course, I was 19 years old, had no patience and I knew everything about everything
GrimesCoAg95
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On page 1, maddiedou offered to come help for free. I think that the last comment was a joke, as maddiedou often offers real advice.

I do agree with the comments though because this forum is a great place to learn. A shed is also a great way to learn. You are building this just like a house. Slab with beam, standard framing, and roofing. After this project, OP will have learned a ton.

Keep up the posts!
91_Aggie
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Perhaps I went scorched earth a little bit too hasty.
91_Aggie
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Here's a question... How long should I wait before removing the forms?
GrimesCoAg95
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It is a shed, so you can probably remove today. In general, keep the slab wet as much as possible and leave the forms on for as long as you can. Concrete cures about 70% in one week and 90% in three weeks or so.

I would give it a bit (week or so) before starting your start framing.


Edited: I corrected the 3 week cure percentage.
91_Aggie
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GrimesCoAg95 said:

It is a shed, so you can probably remove today. In general, keep the slab wet as much as possible and leave the forms on for as long as you can. Concrete cures about 70% in one week and 97% in three weeks or so.



thanks!
GrimesCoAg95
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Just keep spraying it with the water hose. It will cure stronger. Also, the concrete is green at this point, so you are much more likely to damage your edge if you remove the forms soon. The forms also hold in moisture.
ABATTBQ11
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Wheel barrow it back. The delivery would probably be cheaper than the bags and mixer rental.
91_Aggie
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ABATTBQ11 said:

Wheel barrow it back. The delivery would probably be cheaper than the bags and mixer rental.


Too late. Approximately $160 for bags and mixer rental. Really wanted to try on my own, though. And glad i did it this way because i would have ordered way too much and had a blob of concrete i couldn't use.
JP76
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Are you in city limits or have an hoa ?


Is that your front fence or a side or back fence ?
maddiedou
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91_Aggie said:

txag2008 said:

You sound fun. The OP clearly enjoys the analysis & discussion and you would think anyone else on a Home Improvement/DIY board would be in the same boat.

If he is anything like me, the process of overthinking the process and paying close attention to the details all throughout is enjoyable. The age old saying that its not the destination, it's the journey can definitely be applied here.

Well done on the slab, keep up the good work. Heaven forbid you take your time and learn some new things along the way.


Thanks! Was fun to learn and do this on my own.

Not sure why maddiedou is even reading this forum. She sounds like an expert at everything, and doesn't seem to want to contribute advice. She must have wandered in here by accident on her way to the "Iamverysmart" forum.



I like the tag. Of Iamverysmart. Because I have seen so much and have done so much in my 29 years with bags on for that long. And as Said above I have walked many people thru construction jobs.

But the one I think shoud get
Iamsmart moniker

Is jp76. He is so freaking smart. The questions that he asked when somebody is trying to fix a complicated problem is beyond amazing.

Nop. No man crush. Nope. Never met him or do I know him or bid against him. Just impressed

Edit. Well. Crap. You were not to post before me
maddiedou
91_Aggie
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JP76 said:

OP

Are you in city limits or have an hoa ?


Is that your front fence or a side or back fence ?

side. I stay away from back fence, and I did all necessary due diligence for where I live. Although probably overboard with what everyone else does in my neighborhood.
JP76
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91_Aggie said:

JP76 said:

OP

Are you in city limits or have an hoa ?


Is that your front fence or a side or back fence ?

side. I stay away from back fence, and I did all necessary due diligence for where I live. Although probably overboard with what everyone else does in my neighborhood.


So i assume you do not reside in CS city limits ?

Because if you are and that slab isn't at least 7 feet away from the property line you could be opening a can of worms with the neighbors/city for placing a now permanent structure outside of building set back requirements.
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ABATTBQ11
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Sasappis said:

JP76 said:

91_Aggie said:

JP76 said:

OP

Are you in city limits or have an hoa ?


Is that your front fence or a side or back fence ?

side. I stay away from back fence, and I did all necessary due diligence for where I live. Although probably overboard with what everyone else does in my neighborhood.


So i assume you do not reside in CS city limits ?

Because if you are and that slab isn't at least 7 feet away from the property line you could be opening a can of worms with the neighbors/city for placing a now permanent structure outside of building set back requirements.


He said his due diligence. Why worry about anything else? The vast majority of the world (and this board) live outside the city limits of college station.


Well, it's a good point to consider, wherever you live. I'm looking at building a shed in SA, and the city website says you don't need a permit for anything under 300 sf. They don't tell you anything about setbacks, and it seems buried in zoning regulations. You wouldn't even know it exists without knowing it already and where to look. Based on the city website, you'd think you're just good to go wherever you want.
GrimesCoAg95
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Pull those forms and get to framing! We want an update.
91_Aggie
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Heh. Wanted it to have plenty of time to cure and also needed a break. Company just told us we are working from home until June 1st so want to pace this out, otherwise i will find some other project that will eat up more.money

Gary79Ag
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91_Aggie said:

Heh. Wanted it to have plenty of time to cure and also needed a break. Company just told us we are working from home until June 1st so want to pace this out, otherwise i will find some other project that will eat up more.money


Ah come on, join the rest of us suckers...
GrimesCoAg95
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You have framing, siding, roofing, painting just to get the outside done. Then you have the electrical (this may be a change order) and interior finish out with shelves. This is Texas so you better plan for a full shiplap interior. It is in style you know.
SoulSlaveAG2005
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Gary79Ag said:

91_Aggie said:

Heh. Wanted it to have plenty of time to cure and also needed a break. Company just told us we are working from home until June 1st so want to pace this out, otherwise i will find some other project that will eat up more.money


Ah come on, join the rest of us suckers...


This is so true. Just finished our wet bar... wife says, let's do some garden work. I told her and my boy I'll start digging out dirt to do edge work and ground prep... came home to this the other day.


Apparently my son and a neighborhood decided to help... now I'm filling in the hole too before even spending money to finish project.i can't be mad, proud dad coming home to see his boy covered in dirt from head to toe.
 
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