I built a shed base (here is a picture before the shed was delivered), and I want to see how I can hide the wood base. The property slopes a decent amount....

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

Picture didn't come through.
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html

 

Sorry this didnt get attached in my last post

 

Not sure I understand what/why your base plan is ??
Wood having contact with the earth like that will have a short life. Ideally you'd dig out around the perimeter and pour concrete. Does the shed have a wood floor?

 

Have to agree with marksr, looks like you trying to form a pond not a foundation.
2 X's are not direct grade contact rated, once they rot out what's there is going to wash away.
There should have been a footing below the frost line, concrete blocks a few inches above grade at the front, then a slab.

 

thanks for the replies!

Here is a better picture of the shed installed. The 2x6s are pressure treated and it's whats recommended for a shed foundation. The shed rests on crushed stone thats placed in the base.

I am trying to find a way to hide the wood base that levels the shed (as you can see the property slopes on the left side of the image).

 

Most 2x PT lumber is not rated for ground contact. There is some that is but it costs more and sometimes has to be special ordered [depending on location] Hard to tell from the pic but does the mulch under the wood make contact with the shed wood? that is an invitation for rot It does look nice though!

 

Now you have a shed with what looks like T-11 siding that needed to be at least 6" above grade sitting far to close to the mulch, 2 x's forming a pond that are not direct contact rated.
Just not going to last for a long time.
There's been dozens of post on this and any DIY site asking how to fix the rotted wood at the bottom of sheds and garages.

 

It's actually LP Smart Siding. 30 year warranty against rot/mildew on the siding. The 4x4s under the shed (the runners) are ground contact rated (saw a sticker on the side of one of them).

The shed manufacturer I used doesnt use T1 much because the smart siding is much more resistant to issues over the years.

 

There is nothing worse than asking for advice then turning around and acting like you know more than the people giving the advice.

FYI, LP Smartside installation instructions recommend their siding be installed 6" above grade as Joe mentioned. Check it out for yourself.

http://lpcorp.com/resources/product-...tions-english/

That 30 yr warranty doesn't mean squat when you haven't followed the installation instructions to a T. If your shed guy is telling you its ok, he is dead wrong. You can do it, but don't expect it to last 30 yrs and don't expect the warranty to be good.

Its good that your 4x4s are rated for ground contact. Now, are your 2x6s? Because thats what he was pointing out... the 2x's... not the 4x's. Just because the 2x6's are "pressure treated wood" doesn't mean they are rated for "ground contact" unless it says so. You say the 4x4's have the tag, so I think Joe is questioning if the 2x6's have the tag too. Its a valid question.

As far as looks is concerned, it looks fine. Just may not last as long as it could/should if it is not rated for ground contact. There is nothing you can add that will make it disappear... it will just have a different color or texture andcwill probably stand out even more than it does now. Putting lattice on it and planting a vine would be one idea. Landscaping blocks to form an actual retaining wall would be another idea.

 

I apologize if it came off as if I knew more than everyone on here helping me out, that was NOT intended. I was just going off of what I was told by the manufacturer of the shed and was typing a quick message off my phone.

I was told by the person at Dykes that the wood was suitable for ground contact (the 2x6s), as there was no label since it was precut for me, BUT time will tell.

I was thinking of going the "fake" retaining wall to make it look nicer. The other thought I had was the faux stone panels, but I don't think those are rated for ground contact.

Thanks again for all the good feedback and suggestions.

 

Sorry, I must have been really crabby this morning. I didnt mean to sound so snobby.

 

No problem at all. Thanks again for the help!

 

Glad to help. The shed does look nice. Looks like something you would see in a swanky back yard in Paramus.

 

Thats right near me. Being from Nebraska how do you know Paramus?

 

Spent about 4 months in the area last year... was working on a big construction project up 17N in NY... stayed in E. Rutherford 3 mo and Paramus 1 mo.