If both of these diagonal measurements are the same, your foundation is square. When you’ve recorded this measurement, hold your tape measure in the next corner and measure across the diagonal to its opposite corner.
Begin by holding your tape measure in one corner of the foundation and measuring across the diagonal to the opposite corner. This method is extremely quick and simple, and the only tool you’ll need is your tape measure. If you don’t want to go about setting up batter boards and string to measure out your foundation’s corners, another way to determine if you have a square foundation is to use a tape measure and the diagonal measuring method.
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How to Square a Foundation with a Tape Measure If your third, longest side isn’t measuring out to five, adjust the string and batter boards as needed until you end up with four square measurements in each corner. In each corner, measure out your 3-4-5 triangle (or a larger multiple if it’s easier) and look for that distance of five feet between the smaller sides of your triangle. That’s why it’s best to enlist the help of someone else when proceeding to the next step of squaring off the corners (aka using the 3-4-5 method). Working with string can be a little finicky, especially when dealing with a large surface area. Once you have the perimeter marked and the string in place, it’s time to employ the 3-4-5 method. Once you’ve chosen the spot for your shed, use batter boards and mason’s string to measure out the perimeter of the shed’s foundation. How to Square a Foundation for a Shed with StringĪnother back-to-basics method for squaring a shed foundation involves using string. Carpenters and contractors use the 3-4-5 method all the time to check that their corners are square as they go, and to avoid a base or foundation issue before progressing to the next steps. Using a larger multiple to measure a larger surface area will make the corner measurements more accurate.
If you measure two sides at three and four feet, and the third, the longest side doesn’t total five feet, you’ll know the corner isn’t square, and you’ll have to adjust your measurements.įor measuring larger surface areas, measure the corner in question with any multiple of the 3-4-5 method (for example, 6-8-10, 9-12-15, 12-16-20, and so forth). If you can find this 3-4-5 triangle within the corner, you are trying to square, and you’ll know that the corner is, in fact, square. The general rule of thumb behind this method is that if a triangle has three sides, which are three, four, and five feet long, that triangle is a right-angle triangle that includes a 90-degree angle. The 3-4-5 method has its roots in the Pythagorean Theorem, but thankfully, you don’t need to be a math wizard to understand it. Ensuring your corners are as close to 90 degrees as possible will make the rest of the shed-building process go that much more smoothly. 3-4-5 Square Method – Triangle MethodĪny time you’re working with corners, whether you’re installing carpet, laying flooring, or in this case, creating a shed foundation, you’ll want those corners to be square. If you need to store heavy items in your shed, installing a concrete slab is always the best way to go. Similar to deck blocks, concrete blocks aren’t the best option if you’re planning to store heavy equipment in your shed, due to structural weight-bearing concerns and the possibility of vibrations. As long as you’re leveling as you go, concrete blocks are relatively simple, quick, and inexpensive to install. Like deck blocks, they can also support any shed size, including prefab sheds. Concrete slabs are also permanent, so it’s vital that if you choose to pursue this method, it’s done correctly.Ĭoncrete blocks are another very suitable option in terms of shed foundations. It’s important to note that pouring a concrete slab isn’t necessarily an easy task and can be quite expensive. They create excellent support for the base of any size shed and are strong enough to make storing heavy equipment, machinery, and even vehicles completely doable. Because of this, it’s best not to use deck blocks as a foundation if you’re planning on storing heavy equipment in your shed.Ĭoncrete slab foundations tend to be the most long-lasting and sturdy. The one downside to using deck blocks is that they can sink into the ground over time, creating slopage. A shed foundation built from deck blocks involves evenly spacing out precast concrete blocks, most of which have notches in the top for wood joists. They’re suitable for a wide variety of shed sizes, they’re relatively easy to install, and the cost of the materials required is relatively inexpensive.
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