How To Build A Level Floor Foundation (for a shed or home office) using TuffBlock deck blocks

[@Buildtuff]

Thanks to Chris for this awesome build! Go check out part 02 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXK7h6KHlL1_Z8Usi=DkdE4-o34DnLsgXs And whilst you're there, consider subscribing to his channel: www.youtube.com/@humediy Chris makes tons of great DIY content that you don't want to miss!

[@justinblanchard512]

This is exactly the kind of shed/office foundation video I was looking for--just the right amount of detail and lots of little explanations of how to do the small steps that other people leave out. Thanks!

[@Buildtuff]

That's great it helped you out! The real person to thank is Chris from Hume DIY who we partnered with to make this video. If you want to support him, go check out his channel as he has tons of similar content to this: www.youtube.com/@humediy

[@justinblanchard512]

@@Buildtuff Subscribed -- Thanks for working with great creators!

[@M.A.R.V.]

i cant wait to build my shed

[@davidwicksmusic]

Is there much risk of sinking over time with the rocks straight on the dirt? Am looking at a deck build soon but concerned that there might be some sinking over time. I plan to dig the earth down and fill with FCR/roadbase and pack it down and sit the tuff blocks on yhat. Cheers!

[@Buildtuff]

Like you suggested, if you remove the top soil and then compact that down, you'll mitigate any sinkage or settling. The soil a few inches down is usually much firmer and compact than the top layer. Using a tamp and compacting that down creates a super solid base. Aggregate on top like paver base or road base also helps a lot with drainage in areas with heavy rains.

[@davidwicksmusic]

@@Buildtuff thanks for the reply! Looks like I'll be using tuff blocks for my deck! No holes to dig 😃

[@omarlittle5802]

THANK YOU!!!! Question: what was that 'bag of rocks' you used? I went to the hardware store and had a 20 min conversation about '3/4 clean' vs 'Paver base'? (I ended up leaving without it because I wanted to research 😅) The price difference wasn't much, so really I just wanna get one that wont sonk over time? Any thoughts? Also, for that insulation, was that wood just some 2x2 or something?? Thanks again for this!! Its EXACTLY what I was looking for!!🎉🎉🎉

[@Buildtuff]

Thanks for reaching out! There's no right or wrong type of aggregate to use underneath the blocks. Thicker aggregate like crushed rock will drain better, but doesn't compact as good as paver base (which doesn't drain quite as well). Ultimately they're both good options and some builders even use them in combination. Other times people build straight onto the compacted earth without aggregate. As for the wood holding up the insulation, yes those we just small bits of 2x2. Glad you found it useful. Make sure to go thank Chris on his page, as he did all the hard work with building this project and making the video :) www.youtube.com/@humediy

[@natalieduncan4965]

Great job and video!! Can you share the Amazon link to those ties/anchors, please? I've been searching but can't find that style.

[@Buildtuff]

Thanks! (on Chris's behalf). He did a great job with this build. Here is a link to earth anchors that are very similar to the ones used in the video: www.amazon.com/Anchors-Trampoline-Camping-Canopies-Resistant/dp/B0C9LTSLR8

[@natalieduncan4965]

@Buildtuff thanks! These just don't have the hardware that connects directly to the posts. I'm worried about relying on tying string and would love to just have hardware.

[@boicutt]

Could I use the same method to build a pergola safely?

[@Buildtuff]

We'd always recommend using an in-ground method for a pergola because it acts like a giant sail in high winds. You can build the deck floor using deck blocks though, and you can see a good example of that in this project: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWiQnIWMZq6ka6csi=VA0nrwq-ynSe94Dn The outdoor kitchen roof uses a separate method to the deck.

[@jackgray5749]

What no noggins between joists ???? Surely there will be floor bounce !!

[@mattman8822]

Man I wish I had the confidence to build a shed, I’m afraid I would screw it up

[@Buildtuff]

Everyone starts somewhere! Check out Chris' second part to this video where he goes into great detail about the second half of this build (link in the description). Every builder, even experienced makes errors along the way during a build. So it's all a learning experience.

[@nyetloki]

Unless you are really really Dee you Emm Dee the worst you can do is make it crooked.

[@MarioMario-q1n]

Hi. You ca try to build one of these at a very small scale, like a dog house, or a hen house or something like that and go from there.... :). Perfect square foundation and rafters cutting are the big difficult jobs here. For perfect foundation corners you can use 3,4,5 rule too and for rafters, the step-off method worked for me very well. Making mistakes is fine, repeating them is the real problem . :)

[@jols83]

Notching the 4x4s was the crucial step missing in a "big follower" video where they built the same foundation. What could you use to skirt the bottom of the frame to prevent animal intrusion underneath

[@Buildtuff]

Yeah notching 4x4s means the load bearing weight is on the post, not the fasteners. To prevent animal intrusion you can look at gopher wire, and also lattice skirting.