Shed Base - bearers or no bearers?

[danieloverton1984]

Currently have a B&Q 8x6 shed that I’m planning on replacing with my own build.

Shed sits on weed barrier, 2-3” of gravel and then a grid of slabs so that the 3 bearers of the current shed are on the slabs. The floor is nailed to the bearers and bends and flexes under the lightest weight as it’s only supported at the front, back and centre.

I’m planning to build my shed with a 16” on centre (400mm) floor joist layout. My question is, can I build the floor joists directly on top of the slabs? Or do I need to put bearers down and then the floor joists on top of them?

Doing it with bearers means stepping up into my shed by the height of both bearers and floor joists which will be a pain for the lawnmower etc. I don’t have the space out front of the shed for a ramp either.

 

[Burnerman]

I'd just lay your joists directly onto the slabs with a DPC strip, but I'd give them a damn good proofing first and try hard not to let water blow under there......keep the voids clear of leaves so air can get in.
John

 

[big-all]

what size are you floor joists ??
if say 3x2" at 16 centres you would need a definate point off support every 24-30"
if supported full length then no problem

 

[foxhole]

Low profile, rot free.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3626575133...MI8fGYoKKk6wIVie7tCh1qgwW0EAQYBCABEgIudfD_BwE

 

[danieloverton1984]

what size are you floor joists ??
if say 3x2" at 16 centres you would need a definate point off support every 24-30"
if supported full length then no problem

My plan is to use 3x2. The current shed is 8ft wide with the slabs laid so that the bearer goes corner to corner. Basically means the bearer is supported the full length except for three 6” gaps between the slabs. The new shed will be larger but I plan to replicate the slab pattern.

Low profile, rot free.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3626575133...MI8fGYoKKk6wIVie7tCh1qgwW0EAQYBCABEgIudfD_BwE

These look interesting, would these make up the joist frame or be used as bearers?

 

[foxhole]

My plan is to use 3x2. The current shed is 8ft wide with the slabs laid so that the bearer goes corner to corner. Basically means the bearer is supported the full length except for three 6” gaps between the slabs. The new shed will be larger but I plan to replicate the slab pattern.



These look interesting, would these make up the joist frame or be used as bearers?

How you use them would depends on budget , cheapest option is just to use as bearers to get timber off the ground .