Why does everyone insist on using a 2x4 for every single shed floor frame?

I keep seeing folks in my neighborhood build them directly on the ground, which rots in under 5 years, but a simple gravel base with treated 4x4s lasts decades. What's your go-to method for a solid foundation?

3 comments

3 Comments

sean_johnson161mo ago

Ugh, that drives me nuts too! It's pure habit and cheap lumber prices. People just copy what they see online without asking if it's smart. My go-to is crushed stone and concrete blocks for the posts. It keeps the wood up and lets air move under it, so nothing rots. Why fight gravity and moisture when you don't have to?

charlienelson1mo ago

So what's the cost difference between your blocks and @sean_johnson16's 4x4s?

bennett.patricia27d ago

...and honestly that's what makes so much sense about your blocks versus the 4x4s. I actually watched a video last week from a guy who tested both methods side by side, and the concrete block setup held up WAY better after just one season. The wood on wood contact on those 4x4 decks just traps moisture like a sponge. Plus, you don't have to dig post holes or mess with pouring concrete. Seems like a no brainer to me, especially if you're building something that needs to last more than a couple years.