|
| Author |
Message |
C_Spon41
Member
|
# Posted: 24 Feb 2014 01:21pm
Reply
I will be starting my 16' X 16' small cabin project within the next month. Should I use 4x4 posts every 6 1/2 feet for the foundation or 6x6 posts? The way my plans are now I'm set up for 9 4x4 posts.
|
|
OwenChristensen
Member
|
# Posted: 24 Feb 2014 03:37pm - Edited by: OwenChristensen
Reply
That's hard to answer. Things that determine the number of posts; Will you have beams under floor joists? or just perimeter support. If you are having beams, how big? Is your ground dry and stable? How thick will your floor joist be? Will your walls lap over the sides of the floor and will they have stiffness from plywood sheathing? How high off the ground will the floor be? What type of wood will each be. Treated wood has little strength, fir is strong, kiln dry pine is medium.
Generally on a 16' wide building , I'd use 2x8 SPF kiln dry joists on 16'' centers over two, three layer wide beams made from triple treated 2x8's, then the posts would be fine in most highland soils at 7' spacing and a foot overhang on each end, so six posts total.
|
|
C_Spon41
Member
|
# Posted: 24 Feb 2014 04:06pm - Edited by: C_Spon41
Reply
Planning on having three 2x8x16' beams under the floor joists each being supported by three 4x4 posts (9 total).. Off the top of my head probably going with 2x6 joists spaced 16" off center with plywood on top. Just a basic 4 wall structure with a loft. Thanks
|
|
OwenChristensen
Member
|
# Posted: 25 Feb 2014 07:34am
Reply
Yes, with three beams you can use 2x6's. Are your posts going to be set into the ground?
|
|
C_Spon41
Member
|
# Posted: 25 Feb 2014 08:42am - Edited by: C_Spon41
Reply
Yes, they will be set in the ground. Although I was also thinking about attaching the beams strait to the concrete pier .. Any suggestions?
|
|
OwenChristensen
Member
|
# Posted: 25 Feb 2014 06:10pm
Reply
I can't imagine how to get all the posts the same height. I would use 6x6 treated posts all the way. Then mark a level line across all of them for cutting.
|
|
C_Spon41
Member
|
# Posted: 25 Feb 2014 06:33pm - Edited by: C_Spon41
Reply
This is more what I was leaning towards.. three 2x8s each supported with three concrete piers.. 2x6 joists on top with a foot over hang on two of the sides.
|
|
OwenChristensen
Member
|
# Posted: 26 Feb 2014 07:22am
Reply
C_Spon41
Yes, that looks good. It's just hard to get the posts perfect.
|
|
|
Press
Member
|
# Posted: 26 Feb 2014 08:28pm
Reply
I'm building a 12 x 16 on 12 6x6 posts with three built up beams of 3 2x10s, on top of the posts. Used a water level to get post tops level.
|
|
C_Spon41
Member
|
# Posted: 27 Feb 2014 02:13pm
Reply
How did you fasten the 6x6 posts to the ground? Concrete form?
|
|
knock
Member
|
# Posted: 27 Feb 2014 09:01pm
Reply
C_Spon - I set my beams directly on top of the piers with the appropriate brackets. It can be hard to get the top of the piers level, but can be done with a string line and level along with sonotubes.
I had a sonotube that shifted before being poured and ended up a little low - so I used some non shrink grout below it after i had the beam level.
|
|
C_Spon41
Member
|
# Posted: 28 Feb 2014 12:15am
Reply
Looks great! Hoping I don't have too much trouble getting everything leveled!
|
|
Maxwake
Member
|
# Posted: 8 Apr 2014 12:06am
Reply
Can someone explain from very beginning how to build proper foundation for 8x8 building? Could I just concrete blocks and 2x8s? Floor is treated 2x6 joists on 16" center with 3/4 inch treated plywood. That part is done and easy.
Or do I make 4 holes in ground and fill with concrete and use brackets on top to attach 4x4 post to? Then attach 2x8 to that and set floor on top?
Very new at all this. Ground is sandy and it's northern WI so freeze does occur. This is off grid space.
Thanks much for any advice.
|
|
Just
Member
|
# Posted: 8 Apr 2014 02:08pm
Reply
Maxwake
4 pads one in each corner , dig out the first 6 in of sod .In a 24 x 24 in. square in each corner ,fill with gravel and compact and level the stone , 4 , 4x 8x16 solid concrete pads 2 on the bottom 2 crossing on top making a 16 x 16 x 8 in. pad with one deck block on top of the pad. One pressure treated beam 4x8in. x 8ft.joining each 2 deck blocks . Depending on location maybe some wind straps attached to some ground anchors .
Do not dig 4 holes and fill with cement the frost will move that for sure !!
|
|
Maxwake
Member
|
# Posted: 8 Apr 2014 08:53pm
Reply
Is there a reason to do 4 blocks instead of just two 4x16x16?
On the gravel, does that mean just have 6 inches down?
Thanks
|
|
Just
Member
|
# Posted: 8 Apr 2014 09:33pm
Reply
Quoting: Maxwake 6 inches down
4 solid blocks much stronger than 2 concrete building blocks .
you need to keep the building as high as you can I think 10 in would be minimum.
gravel should fill the 24x24 in. hole + a bit [2 in.] to make up for settling.
this type of footing will require leveling periodically , but for such a small building it will work fine and be of reasonable cost.
|
|
Maxwake
Member
|
# Posted: 8 Apr 2014 10:05pm
Reply
Can the 4x8x8 be two 2x8x8? Do those fit in the deck blocks sideways?
Looks like the only take a 2x8 when laying down? Or do you have to notch out the deck block?
Thanks for answers.
|
|
Maxwake
Member
|
# Posted: 8 Apr 2014 10:15pm
Reply
Another question on height then. Would it be better to to put a vertical 4x4 post in each deck block and attach 2x8s to those?
Then height could then be higher.
|
|
Just
Member
|
# Posted: 8 Apr 2014 10:39pm
Reply
yes 2 2x8's
most deck blocks will except a 4x4 if turned 90*
"could be higher" now you are talking like a real cabin owner [how can I make" my " cabin a little better???] good luck " just "
|
|
mongo1
Member
|
# Posted: 9 Apr 2014 09:35pm
Reply
I built my cabin on PT 6x6,s and used my transit to make sure all 9 posts were notched at the same exact height.I checked on all 9 places where the posts sat after the main framework was done and everything was within a 1/4 inch of each other which was good enough for me.It,s all in the math seeing as every hole is a different height to start with.I do a lot of decks so I have an idea of what,s happening.I would always use 6x6,s.We notch the 6x6 3 inches to receive a double bamboard for the outside perimeter and then carriage bolt it all together.Have fun.mongo
|
|
Maxwake
Member
|
# Posted: 10 Apr 2014 08:15am
Reply
Sorry but what does "used my transit" mean?
Thanks
|
|
Just
Member
|
# Posted: 10 Apr 2014 09:03am
Reply
transit is a type of level you will not need one . Just a regular bubble level and a strait 8 ft. 2x8 will work fine.
|
|
mongo1
Member
|
# Posted: 10 Apr 2014 08:52pm
Reply
Max,
Transits are used for shooting exact grades-levels etc.It sets up on a tripod.Kinda like looking through a scope with crosshairs.Like at work today we had to set a 24 foot beam-set up the transit-hold the tape on one end of the beam-it reads at 6inches then you set the other end of the beam reading 6 inches through the transit and your perfectly level.The laser transits are the cat,s-ass though.It goes beep-beep-beep when your within 1/2 inch either high or low and then makes a flatline noise when your dead on.As Just said a good level works also.I,m in the trade so I have most of the equipment.Have a great day!!!!!
|
|
tcmatt
Member
|
# Posted: 13 Apr 2014 06:01pm
Reply
I built my 12x16 on 6x6 posts. 6 around the perimeter set in concrete and 3 sitting on conc cookies down the middle to keep the floor joists stiff. I nailed (with giant twisted pole barn nails) PT 2x12's around the perimeter and used 2x8 floor joists. I went about 3-4' down with the perimeter posts. My site was 100% sand (back of a wooded sand dune 700' from Lake Michigan). It worked great.
|
|
|
