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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Foundation or slab

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cooker308

11-02-2004 15:24:01




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Building a shop 36ft. by 48ft Will be a project over a few years,as I am cutting and milling my own lumber. What would be better with no building on it, A 4ft foundation on a footing,backfilled inside and out or a slab poured on compacted gravel. I live in Canada so cold and freezing is a issue. Thanks.




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JeffE

11-03-2004 05:02:55




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 Re: Foundation or slab in reply to cooker308, 11-02-2004 15:24:01  
I built a 30' x 45' polebarn six years ago in Minnesota, poured a floating slab & used zip strips to control cracking, no problems. Saved a bunch of $$ vs a foundation. Use wire mesh for reinforcement and make sure you have a good base and you shouldn't have any problems.



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NC Wayne

11-02-2004 20:48:35




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 Re: Foundation or slab in reply to cooker308, 11-02-2004 15:24:01  
Seems to me that if cold/freezing weather is an issue then snow/water is also gonna be an issue. That said I'd go with the foundation type building vs the floating slab. Without the footing/foundation moisture can to get to the edge of the slab on all four sides making it really easy for it to wick its way into your shop and leave the floor wet. The way I did my 30x40 foot shop was to pour the footing, then build up the foundation to where I was three courses (24") above floor level and then studded up from there. That gives nearly a ten foot ceiling height, and keeps the bottom of your sheathing from being directly on the ground. When I was laying the foundation I also laid piers to the inside about every ten to fifteen feet for the outer edges of the pad to rest on. I covered the entire pad with 6 mil plastic, then got some small rebar from a local scrap yard and laid it where it ran from the piers out into the floor, then put 1/2"x4 expansion joint all the way around the edges. Lastly I spent the extra couple of dollars a yard to have fiber put in the mix. Since I don't pull in anything extremely heavy I only poured it 4-5 inches thick. About the heaviest thing it sees is my old forklift that weighs maybe 4500 lbs. My shop also sets at the bottom of a hill and catches alot of runnoff around both the front and back side. In the 5 years since I built it I have yet to see any cracks in, or even a drop of moisture anywhere on the floor. Just my .02

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Vern-MI

11-03-2004 06:54:26




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 Re: Foundation or slab in reply to NC Wayne, 11-02-2004 20:48:35  
Use a 6 inch layer of 3/4 inch aggregate under the cement floor to keep ground moisture away from the concrete. The floor will take on the temperature of the room much more readily.



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NC Wayne

11-03-2004 16:14:04




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 Re: Foundation or slab in reply to Vern-MI, 11-03-2004 06:54:26  
I've never heard of doing that but I can see where it would work. I'll have to remember that when I get around to putting on the addition to my shop.



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Bilko

11-02-2004 17:09:13




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 Re: Foundation or slab in reply to cooker308, 11-02-2004 15:24:01  
You can guarentee two things about concrete. One is it is going to get hard, and two that it will crack! I just built a detached garage and did a mono pour/floating slab. I am happy with it so far.MIke



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jhill

11-02-2004 16:39:55




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 Re: Foundation or slab in reply to cooker308, 11-02-2004 15:24:01  
I have a 36 x 42 building with a four foot foundation. I am happy with it. In my area we have trouble with woodchucks digging under slabs.



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John R.-IL

11-02-2004 16:28:53




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 Re: Foundation or slab in reply to cooker308, 11-02-2004 15:24:01  
If the shop will be attached to another building, you have to do the same as that building. If not, you may go either way. If you put in a footing it has to be deeper than the frostline or it will do no good. Personally I would pour a slab and save the expense of the foundation. Just use rebar and wire mesh, should have no problem. I am a foundation contractor and if the garage is attached to the house, then it gets the same footing and walls as the house. If not attached, a floating pad is good enough and saves money.

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upred

11-02-2004 15:58:26




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 Re: Foundation or slab in reply to cooker308, 11-02-2004 15:24:01  
if it were mine I would go the added expense and put in footings- thats a big slab to have floating, better chance of it cracking where you dont want it to. jmoh - rick - upper michigan



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