I want to build a sort of shed-like thing, but I don't want it to be a shed. I want it to be a fully functional living area.

I was thinking of maybe 6x8, with a full roof/foundation. I want to keep rain/ bugs out, insulation, maybe a small heater or something, a mini fridge, so it would be like a small dorm room.

I know how to build a structurally stable building, I've built a heavy-duty shed with my dad and my neighbor before (Not really sure how to describe it besides heavy-duty, it has survived more than 1 tornado)

I don't know how to lay foundation, or insulate. Can someone help me with this?

This is where I plan to build:



So, how do I install insulation on the ceiling? I know how to do it on the walls. Also, how do I keep bugs out of it?

For the foundation you can dig about 6 inches to a foot deep around the perimeter of where you want the shed. Make it about a foot wide. Then fill it with concrete and place the support beams in to cement them in place. Not really sure how but thats how we did our addition on our baseement and it worked well. For the bugs all i can think of is sealing it really well especially the ground. Fill in all cracks and gaps with caulk.

Cheaper foundation- build the main floor frame support beams out of some heavy duty lumber [4x4s], and rest the whole thing on cinder blocks. To set the cinder blocks, dig a small hole[1' deep], fill it 8" up with gravel, then the rest with sand. Level them out approximately, then use a level and wiggle the cinderblocks into the sand to get them firm in there. Begin frame construction. For Insulation, that solid foam stuff would probably be perfect, though I don't know too much about insulation so I'll wait for someone else to answer that. Propane would probably be the best heating solution though.

Poke around for some different designs, there are a few designers pushing a small home movement right now in the name of energy efficiency and stuff, and they've made some sick little cabins with tons of pockets and good functionality the size you're talking. I'd post a link but I forget the guys name in the article I read. A good place to start is to think of what you want in there- Bed, desk, couch, dresser, tv, stove, fridge, bathroom, etc. The best design I've seen is making the "attic", or just right under the peak of the roof, the bed. It allows lots of space to sleep and you can just have a ladder to climb up. stick a couch in a corner, throw the TV across from it, and start adding drawers and storage into the side. Folding things are prime, like desks, tables, etc.

I'll hunt around for some links and stuff if you respond- I don't want to waste my time otherwise cause lots of projects in here never take off or the OP never responds again, so I'll wait and see.

Have fun with your 1' foundation cracking in the winter. You need to dig below or to the frost line, in ohio that's 36", up north its more and farther south it's less. The only way you would be able to get away with 1' is if you lived in florida or somewhere it never gets below freezing for more than a few hours.

Yeah, in Wisconsin, it's about 42 inches. You don't have to dig it all the way to the frost line if it's well-insulated, but it should still be pretty deep. I have a friend who has a clubhouse kind of thing similar to what you're describing, at about the same size. He simply built it with his dad about a foot and a half off the ground, and therefore it needed to foundation. I think this would probably be your best bet.

Step 1.Build Shed
Step 2.Weed
Step 3.???

I've always wanted to build a shed in my yard.making one myself,I'd surely save money doing it.
Look into mobile homes too.You could park one in your yard.


Good Idea.

A couple of changes to report: I'm no longer going 8x6, I'm going down to 6x6.

Also, I'm going to build this a couple of inches off the ground so bugs and weathering won't be as much of a problem.

I'm going to did a 6x6 hole, 6 inches deep. Lay a huge block of concrete and put supports about 4 inches up every 9 inches. I will then just build the house thing on that.

I also want to know what to do about electricity. I was either thinking just running an extension cord underground to the house, or a hydrogen generator. I know that sounds ridiculous, but now a days, it's quite easy to convert an engine to run on hydrogen.

Anyways, a portable heater and insulation will be added too, making this even more homely. Eventually I will get a mini-fridge, hot pad thing and maybe a microwave. Probably not a microwave, just because a hot pad will be sufficient.

There will be no windows, just a couple of vents on the ceiling to keep it fresh. There will be no windows because I'm really really paranoid. A real door will be installed, with 5 locks, a regular lock on the handle, a deadbolt lock above it, and 3 of these:

http://images.defcode.com/albums/Domestics/2005_01_23/DSCF0014.JPG

Of course they will not take up the whole door, just from the center of the door to the edge of the wall, as is demonstrated in that picture.

And questions? Comments?

Just do what I said. You're over engineering this like crazy-I built a heavy ass skateboard ramp and used my method, then leveled with a laser level so it slopes down 3" over 12'. Perfect, and you could do your shed for about $30. 4-6 cinder blocks + 4-6 bags of sand + 4-6 bags of gravel. It's off the ground so it won't rot/stay wet, super cheap, and very effective. Concrete will cost you $5 per 1/2 cubic foot, and be a bitch to lay.

If you go with the extension cord, figure out electricity use ahead of time and buy accordingly- It would suck to blow a fuse if you overload and have to go inside to flip it back, especially in the winter.


To take the load off of your electric cord, propane would be prime for heating.

May I suggest an opaque skylight, just so you get a bit of natural light? As well as a small fan so you can actively control the air- Those dual fans that fit in windows are prime. For both the skylight and the fans you could build a sliding pocket door to cover them when they aren't being used.

Found the link!

What exactly is this going to be used for?
Are you sure 6x6 is gonna be big enough for living comfortably? I've lived in a dorm and have found out how little room you actually need to be able to live comfortably, and 6x6 seems like it'd be the absolute minimum, for me at least.

I've been thinking about doing something similar on one of my parents' pieces of property. I was thinking about building a simple 12x12 elevated building complete with a kitchen and bathroom. It'd be just one big room except for a walled off 6x3 bathroom w/ a shower & shitter in one corner. The kitchen would just be a small sink and stove and a shelf pantry in one corner. The rest would be the livingroom with a recliner and couch, I'd maybe make a loft for a bed.

(I don't mean to hijack your thread, you just reminded me about it and I'm on adderall and I wanted to talk about it )

Haha 'salright Emag.

I've actually gone with an idea of how a deck is built. Instead of laying actual foundation, I'm going to do it deck style, saving me about 50 bucks in concrete and a lot in other things as well (Labor )

I plan on using this as a home for 2-3 or maybe 4 days at a time. I found that small spaces can actually be more comfortable than a large room.