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Jeff Morris
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?

I recently purchased one of those small (8x10) steel storage shed kits from
the local home improvement warehouse type place here. I'm not sure how
much anchoring I need for it. The instructions simply say "this shed must
be anchored", and they provide instructions for anchoring it to bare ground
using cable anchors, anchoring it to wood posts, or to a concrete
foundation, using their concrete anchors.

I have constructed a foundation/floor for it by building an 8x12 frame out
of 2x4 treated lumber (I made the foundation 2 feet longer so I could stack
my firewood on it as well), covered with 1/2" treated plywood. The shed is
securely attached to this foundation by a 2 1/2" screw at every mounting
hole, however the foundation itself is not anchored. The shed is also
nestled in to a wooded area, between trees and our house, so it is somewhat
shielded from wind.

Photo at: http://www.nullmodem.org/shed/

So my question is, do I need to provide additional anchoring beyond
attaching it to the foundation? My thinking is that the weight of the
shed, the foundation, the firewood pile, and the shed's contents are now
all contributing to holding it in place, so probably not. The shed itself
weighs only a few hundred pounds, but the combination of all of the above
comes in at at least 1,000 - 1,500 pounds (there's an old riding mower in
there, a regular mower, several snowblowers, etc... it's packed pretty
full.) Frankly, if we got strong enough winds to worry about, I think they
would more likely tear the shed apart before tipping it or moving it. Then
again, the cable anchors that can be purchased separately are rated at
2,000 pounds, so I'm not 100% sure.

Yes, I realize I could just go ahead and add cable anchors as well, "extra
protection won't hurt", but I'd prefer not to spend the money if they
really aren't necessary. Yeah, they're only about 30 bucks, but times are
tight, and $30 is $30. I've already spent way too much on this project as
it is, but I needed to get all this junk out of my garage. :-)

--
- Jeff

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I-zheet M'drurz
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?

Jeff Morris wrote:

(Snip)

I have constructed a foundation/floor for it by building an 8x12
frame out of 2x4 treated lumber (I made the foundation 2 feet
longer so I could stack my firewood on it as well), covered with
1/2" treated plywood. The shed is securely attached to this
foundation by a 2 1/2" screw at every mounting hole,


... My thinking is that the
weight of the shed, the foundation, the firewood pile, and the
shed's contents are now all contributing to holding it in place,


Yes, I realize I could just go ahead and add cable anchors as
well, "extra protection won't hurt", but I'd prefer not to spend
the money if they really aren't necessary. Yeah, they're only
about 30 bucks, but times are tight, and $30 is $30.


You should be fine. The weight of that wooden platofrm alone
should keep it from going airborn, even if it was empty. And
as you say, everything -in- the shed is now holding down the
platform. Save your $30.


--
Baisez-les s'ils ne peuvent pas prendre une plaisanterie
--------------------------------------------------------
Tom Pendergast e-mail is for sissies, say it on line
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Edwin Pawlowski
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?


"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
The instructions simply say "this shed must
be anchored", and they provide instructions for anchoring it to bare

ground
using cable anchors, anchoring it to wood posts, or to a concrete
foundation, using their concrete anchors.



So my question is, do I need to provide additional anchoring beyond
attaching it to the foundation? My thinking is that the weight of the
shed, the foundation, the firewood pile, and the shed's contents are now
all contributing to holding it in place, so probably not.


Look at the surface area of the side. Look at the suface area of a sial
that iscapable of moving a boat. Getting the idea? If not convinced, look
at some news footage of thunderstorms, hurricanes, etc. That 30 bucks
invested now can save you hundreds later.





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Edwin Pawlowski
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?


"I-zheet M'drurz" wrote in message
You should be fine. The weight of that wooden platofrm alone
should keep it from going airborn, even if it was empty. And
as you say, everything -in- the shed is now holding down the
platform. Save your $30.


I agree.
The engineers that design those things are not nearly as smart and you and
I. They just want to bleed a few more bucks from the consumer. Those storms
they sow on the news are just Hollywood stuff to get ratings. Nobody
actually gets wind damage.


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I-zheet M'drurz
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:


"I-zheet M'drurz" wrote in message
You should be fine. The weight of that wooden platofrm
alone should keep it from going airborn, even if it was
empty. And as you say, everything -in- the shed is now
holding down the platform. Save your $30.


I agree.
The engineers that design those things are not nearly as smart
and you and I. They just want to bleed a few more bucks from the
consumer. Those storms they sow on the news are just Hollywood
stuff to get ratings. Nobody actually gets wind damage.


Just the kind from anal retentive overly cautious people who
let fear run their lives.

--
Baisez-les s'ils ne peuvent pas prendre une plaisanterie
--------------------------------------------------------
Tom Pendergast e-mail is for sissies, say it on line


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m Ransley
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?

It depends if it is in a sheltered area and what you store in it. They
say to anchor it figuring it can be empty. Its up to you , in a open
field area yes or an area with wind empty it will blow away .

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I-zheet M'drurz
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?

m Ransley wrote:

It depends if it is in a sheltered area and what you store in
it. They say to anchor it figuring it can be empty. Its up to
you , in a open field area yes or an area with wind empty it
will blow away .


I'm counting on that few hundred pounds of Wolmanized wood
screwed to the bottom for a little help. "Cautious Charlie"
who replied before mentioned wind moving a boat, but yeah,
that's what we *want* to happen, we diesign the boat so it
glides through the water with a little wind in the sails.
We're talking preventing a trip to Oz in the other case.
The wood deck is *fighting* movement by gravity and friction.

--
Baisez-les s'ils ne peuvent pas prendre une plaisanterie
--------------------------------------------------------
Tom Pendergast e-mail is for sissies, say it on line
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m Ransley
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?

A wood deck would do it for most but often I get 50 - 60 mph gusts
across a lake in front. Mine is in back sheltered , 100 mph wind wont
move it and I didnt bolt it down. Its a cheap shed, the lawyers have to
cover themselves. one of those may blow away to pieces bolted down in a
60 mph gust, who knows.

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William W. Plummer
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"I-zheet M'drurz" wrote in message

You should be fine. The weight of that wooden platofrm alone
should keep it from going airborn, even if it was empty. And
as you say, everything -in- the shed is now holding down the
platform. Save your $30.



I agree.
The engineers that design those things are not nearly as smart and you and
I. They just want to bleed a few more bucks from the consumer. Those storms
they sow on the news are just Hollywood stuff to get ratings. Nobody
actually gets wind damage.


You might be right about that and I speak from the perspective of an
engineer by degree(s) and practice. I heard that a fellow did a PhD
thesis in Mechanical Engineering to find out why all the standard design
handbooks called for 4x over design in the strength of materials used
for loading docks. Why? Well, nothing in the math could explain it,
but all the seasoned "engineers" said that if the 4x factor were not
used, the loading docks would collapse. In the end then found it was
because trucks were backing into the docks, not the weight of stuff on
the dock.
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Edwin Pawlowski
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?


"I-zheet M'drurz" wrote in message

I'm counting on that few hundred pounds of Wolmanized wood
screwed to the bottom for a little help. "Cautious Charlie"
who replied before mentioned wind moving a boat, but yeah,
that's what we *want* to happen, we diesign the boat so it
glides through the water with a little wind in the sails.
We're talking preventing a trip to Oz in the other case.
The wood deck is *fighting* movement by gravity and friction.


I've driven around a couple of houses that were blown into the street. This
was at the New Jersey shore after a storm. Codes have changed requiring
better anchoring, but buildings can and do blow away.




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Jim Elbrecht
 
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Default Storage Shed Anchoring?

Jeff Morris wrote:


-snip-
Photo at: http://www.nullmodem.org/shed/

So my question is, do I need to provide additional anchoring beyond
attaching it to the foundation? My thinking is that the weight of the
shed, the foundation, the firewood pile, and the shed's contents are now
all contributing to holding it in place, so probably not. The shed itself
weighs only a few hundred pounds, but the combination of all of the above
comes in at at least 1,000 - 1,500 pounds (there's an old riding mower in
there, a regular mower, several snowblowers, etc... it's packed pretty
full.) Frankly, if we got strong enough winds to worry about, I think they
would more likely tear the shed apart before tipping it or moving it. Then
again, the cable anchors that can be purchased separately are rated at
2,000 pounds, so I'm not 100% sure.

Yes, I realize I could just go ahead and add cable anchors as well, "extra
protection won't hurt", but I'd prefer not to spend the money if they
really aren't necessary. Yeah, they're only about 30 bucks, but times are
tight, and $30 is $30. I've already spent way too much on this project as
it is, but I needed to get all this junk out of my garage. :-)


If I remember right-- and it's been 30 years since I had one of those
things, the anchors attach to the top plate, below the roof. That's
the only thing I would consider.

Attach cables of your own design, or the $30 ones, to keep the walls
intact. They will not only hold it down, but prevent lateral
twisting which will bend the panels & tear out the screws.

Jim
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