Base for timber framed building

[stuart]

Hello again,

I am interested in building a timber framed workshop/ barn/ 'grand' shed in the garden, you know the typical two bay garage type things from the old days.

the oakwrights say it needs to have a 1m deep foundation under the walls and whatever is necessary for its use in the middle, but i detest cement so wont be doing that. presumably this is to meet building regs rather than being necessary? these things were around before cement so I am wondering if anyone knows an alternative?

I thought about limecrete but heard it was expensive, although ive not seen of any prices on the www.

a lime base would presumably be quite flexible therefore not being necessary to make so deep?

any thoughts appreciated
stuart

 

[biffvernon]

Get a different oak-wright. Stop calling it a 'grand' shed. Just build a shed. It doesn't need either foundations or Buildings Regulations Approval. Set the timbers well above soil level on plinths built of brick/stone/whatever set in a mortar made of 3 parts aggregate 1 part dry bagged hydrated lime. Just remove the topsoil - say the top nine inches - and jump up and down a good bit to make sure all is firm. Then start building. You floor can be made of the same stuff layed over a layer of broken brick/stone/whatever. All you need to buy is a few bags of lime at about £7 per bag. The rest you should be able to dig up/gather/scrounge or otherwise appropriate.

 

[David Q]

The traditional way was to use a course of stone or brick as a base, then to erect the base of the frame on that. On agricultural cheaper buildings then the base would also be timber, that rots eventually but these buildings were intended to be replaced at intervals anyway.
So build a base in brick or block and erect the frame on that. Use lime if you like for bricks, definitely if you use stone.

 

[Nemesis]

There are always tyres of course...

http://www.strawbalebuildingassociation.org.uk/g1.html

It's very popular now.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-special_projects/w-news-projects-st_catherines_footprint/w-news-projects-st_catherines_footprint-get_strawblog.htm

 

[NT]

I am interested in building a timber framed workshop/ barn/ 'grand' shed in the garden, you know the typical two bay garage type things from the old days.

the oakwrights say it needs to have a 1m deep foundation under the walls and whatever is necessary for its use in the middle

Wrong oakwrights then. No foundations are needed, unless of course youre on very unstable ground. Timber framed builds are somewhat flexible anyway, and can handle a little ground movement without batting an eye.


NT

 

[NT]

There are always tyres of course...

how long are those likely to last? I'm unsure about building a house on them.


NT

 

[middi]

Tyres....!!!!!!!!!.

That would be a great idea if the side sole plate beams were to be extended and 4 pairs of lorry type tyres are fitted on a stub axle end, the right way up of course.

Take it a bit further, allow for a set of brakes , fit No.plates and you may even be allowed to tax and insure it for road use.

You could also get four shire horses to pull it about. Who needs cars.

Think of climate change !!!!!!!!!!.

 

[stuart]

Thanks for the advice. I thought 1m was slightly odd, even if you do want building regs approval (i didnt say a lot of the frames are intended as accomodation)

I quite like the idea of using tyres and straw - the 'footprint project' looks good, although slightly beyond the scope of what im intending (well, quite a long way beyond infact). i suspect that there wont be room to get in the shed if i use straw bales for walls though!

not sure how long the tyres would last, as NT says. surely they will perish after a few years?

have a good weekend[/quote]

 

[NT]

(i didnt say a lot of the frames are intended as accomodation)

Then the various replies dont apply. Maybe youll engage brain next time.

NT