A shed floor will be exposed to moisture and in time may rot if the proper materials are not used. Your wooden outbuilding creation drawings should opt for wood that has been pressure-treated which ensures its longevity. By including green lumber in your outbuilding schematics you will guard against rot caused by repeated exposure to water. You will also need joists that go around the perimeter of the frame and mudsills. The use of a mudsill is to rest it on your foundation and build the frame over it. In order to have proper support of the outbuilding walls you will need to rest floor joists on the mudsill. Look for plywood that is exterior grade to put down as flooring in your outbuilding. Never use plywood thinner than ¾-inch because the floor will flex between joists. Plywood that is tongue and groove is a little more expensive but locks together and makes the floor stronger. Fasten down the plywood with 2-inch long galvanized decking screws. Water is a wooden outhouse’s worst enemy and can rot and ruin your structure quickly. Excess moisture (reference) can also corrode hinges and blister your shed’s paint.
There is an easy remedy to rot caused by water and that is that you incorporate breathing room in your outhouse making drawings. According to shed crafting plans the lowest wood member should be built a minimum of 6 inches from the compacted ground. Fresh air will be able circulate underneath and prevent moisture from accumulating under your shed. Leave no less than two to three feet of empty area surrounding the outhouse. A yard of empty area around the outbuilding will allow wind to fully circulate around it. Without the shadow of trees over the outhouse you will also permit sunlight to destroy any moist environment. An added bonus of allowing space around your outhouse is that it will be easier to access to fix or make any changes. You can further encourage the movement of air by using fans. If you want to use a outbuilding for more than just storage you will want to include electricity in the diy outbuilding diagrams. Working with electricity can be dangerous so be aware of what is safe and practical.
To install electricity you must only use SWA cables. Running the SWA cable below ground is the preferred option as it will hide ugly wires. You must consider that sinking the wire below ground means you need to bury it to a depth of at least one meter. If you need some power but don’t want to mess with a lot of wires you can use solar panels instead. Direct light must reach the solar panel for most of the day in order to provide sufficient energy. Buy roof mounts for your solar panel to help you easily affix it to the outhouse’s roof. When running the cable from the solar panel be sure that it is not cruoutbuilding or bent. Wind turbines can also be a useful source of power for any outbuilding when there is less solar power available.
