Learning, Sharing, and Teaching > Do it Yourself Discussion!
DIY - Decking + Backyard + Backyard Office/Extra Room + OPEN SPACE KITCHEN
MrSal:
For a couple of years, I have been wanting to build a tiny house. While I don't want a tiny house to backtrack the country, I actually was looking into them and always amazed on how simple construction it seems.
Also, my house is "smallish" - around 1000 sq ft - and would like to have extra space especially since I have been working from home more.
I thought of joining those ideas and make some kind of backyard office. At the same time, it could be extra space for friends/family when coming to visit since I could set it up as a small studio as well.
I was thinking something along these lines:
Something contemporary and modern...
In terms of size I was thinking on a 10x20 or 12x24 space.
I live in Central PA so I have a few questions regarding possible ways to approach this... while doing the list for my purchases, I came up with the foundation.
What to use for foundation? Should I go with s concrete slab or is deck blocks ok? If deck blocks are ok couldn't I use concrete blocks instead as well as a support? The difference in price is staggering 6.50 USD vs 1.50 USD per block.
Because my frost line runs at 2-3 feet, would I need to dig for footings or concrete/deck blocks would be ok?
My backyard is flat if that helps ...
I know this eventually will be a lot of work but I think it surely is something I am going to do. Will be taking pictures and detailing my journey for sure!
Smokystache:
definitely want to follow your progress on this. Those models are amazing.
wordnerd:
Have you read MMM's blog post on building his? It seemed to have a moderate amount of detail on foundations and such.
I'll be excited to see your progress. Good luck!
MrSal:
--- Quote from: wordnerd on June 11, 2017, 06:16:22 PM ---Have you read MMM's blog post on building his? It seemed to have a moderate amount of detail on foundations and such.
I'll be excited to see your progress. Good luck!
--- End quote ---
I actually did a little while ago, but if I remember he actually did a whole slab of concrete.
I was thinking of something not as labourous ...
Today while walking around, I saw one of my neighbors shed - it was a big shed maybe 10x15 or bigger. Its been there for years and nothing looks wrong. It was just the shed sitting on a few 4x4 laying flat across the floor joists, and the 4x4s sitting on top of a bunch of gravel.
In essence I dont want to have to dig 4 foot holes in the ground if I can...
lthenderson:
Depending on how level you want things after a few freeze thaw cycles in central PA, should determine your course of action. If you really don't care that the building remains level, sitting posts on top of gravel would certainly work. If you want your building to remain level, I would suggest a concrete pad with a rat barrier or footer below frost line in your neck of the woods. Note the nickname of rat barrier. Varmints love to crawl under buildings built on top of the ground. They love a sheltered home with a "roof" just as much as we biped animals. Concrete is much easier to seal out varmints. If varmints aren't a concern, one could sink round post footers below the frost line to support the beams and keep things level. You will have a colder floor in winter this way versus one sitting on a concrete slab.
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