Preparing a concrete foundation is a crucial step in ensuring the longevity and stability of your Morley Garden Sheds steel garden shed or greenhouse. In this article, we will go over the steps and materials you will need to properly prepare a concrete foundation and touch briefly on the follow-on installation of your steel garden shed or greenhouse from Morley Garden Sheds.
- Location for your Steel Garden Shed or Greenhouse
The first step in preparing a concrete foundation is to choose the location for your shed. This location should be level, well-draining, and free of any underground utilities. Once you have chosen the location, you will need to mark out the area for your foundation. This can be done by using wooden stakes and string to outline the perimeter of your shed.
2. Excavation of the Foundation
Next, you will need to excavate the area for your foundation. This will typically involve digging down to a depth of about 6 inches. The excavated area should be slightly larger than the footprint of your shed, with the edges sloping away from the shed to allow for proper drainage.
Once the area has been excavated, you will need to prepare the subgrade. This involves compacting the soil to create a solid base for the concrete foundation. You can use a hand tamper or a petrol-powered compactor to do this. It’s important to ensure that the subgrade is level and compacted to prevent settling or shifting in the future.
After preparing the subgrade, you will need to add a layer of gravel to the excavation. This will help to improve drainage and provide a stable base for the concrete. The gravel should be spread evenly and compacted to a depth of about 2 inches.
3. Pouring the Concrete
Now you are ready to pour the concrete. The concrete should be poured in one continuous pour and leveled off to create a smooth surface. It’s important to use a concrete mix that is appropriate for your climate and soil conditions.
Steel anchor bolts are embedded within the concrete while it is still in its wet, or plastic, state. Once the concrete has cured, the steel frame will be attached to the anchor bolts using nuts and washers. This creates a secure and stable connection between the steel frame and the concrete foundation, allowing the structure to withstand various forces such as wind and other inclement weather conditions.
The concrete should be allowed to cure for at least 7 days before moving on to the next step.
4. Completing the Build
Once the concrete has cured, the steel shed or greenhouse frame will be installed on top of the foundation via the steel anchor bolts. The Morley Garden Sheds installation team will attach the frame to anchor the anchor bolts that were embedded in the concrete at stage 3 above. It’s important to carefully level and plumb the frame to ensure that it is properly aligned.
Finally, the siding and roofing materials are installed to complete the shed. The installation team from Morley Garden Sheds will attach the metal siding to the frame and will install the roof, flashings, trims and complete the final quality inspection.
In conclusion, preparing a concrete foundation for your steel framed garden shed or greenhouse is a crucial step in ensuring the longevity and stability of the shed or greenhouse. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can be sure that your shed will be properly supported and able to withstand the elements for years to come. It’s important to take the time to properly prepare the site, subgrade, and pour the concrete, and level and plumb the frame to ensure that your shed will be structurally sound and safe to use.
For more information:
Morley Garden Sheds
Portagh,
Mayo Abbey,
Claremorris,
Co. Mayo.
Tel: 087 672 4421