How to Build on Top of a Foundation

Foundations for a shed can be made from everything from pressed bare earth to paving stones to pressure treated lumber to concrete slabs. In some cases, local zoning laws may specify what kind of foundation is necessary; in others, your climate may be the deciding factor. In any case, the steps to building on the foundation are the same.

Pressure treated lumber, 4 inch by 4 inch
Roto hammer
Masonry drill bit, 1/4 inch, 6 inches long
Hammer
16 penny nails
Saw
Plywood
Floor joists

Instructions

- 1
  Lay skids made of 4-inch-by-4-inch pressure treated lumber lengthwise on the foundation. Depending on the size of your shed, there should be three of these, one located a few inches in from the edge of both sides of the foundation and a third in the center.
- 2
  Drill holes directly through the wood into the concrete slab foundation with the roto hammer and masonry drill bit. Place two nails into each hole and hammer them in firmly. There should be nails every foot or so to lock the skids to the concrete.
- 3
  Attach rim joists width-wise at each end of the skids, nailing them onto the skids. Attach joists across the skids every 6 to 8 inches, nailing them in.
- 4
  Attach band boards lengthwise to the rim joists and floor joists by nailing them to each joist.
- 5
  Nail plywood sections to the joists to form a floor, cutting to size where necessary.

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