Hi, I am wanting to convert a portion of my steel shed into a living space. The upstairs area will be 20' X 32' which will be for two bedrooms. I am trying to build it myself in order to save money. Can anyone advise me how to go about putting in a second floor and what supports I need?
2006-08-18 15:01:49 · 3 answers · asked by Sherry 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Assuming you will laterally brace this assembly adequately, you can use the following:
Posts: 4 columns(3-1/2" sch 40 steel, or an equivalent in a wood product) spaced evenly across each side of the 32' run
Beams: (2) 1-3/4" x 11-7/8" BC 2.0 2800 Versa Lams x 32' on each side gang nailed, glued and braced.
Joists: BC Series 900S 11-7/8" joists at 16" o.c.
or TJI 560 11-7/8" joists at 16" o.c.
Sheath the floor with any plywood/osb/composite flooring available at any home improvement center. Screw and glue to the joists. build the walls directly on top.
Again, it must be laterally braced....i.e.....connect the sides of the assembly to the existing structure. (at least 2 sides)
You must also have poured concrete pier pads to support and distribute the column loads. Your column loads will be 5,000# on your interior columns(calculated from your 108 sq. ft. tributary area at those interior columns)
Assuming 2,500 soil bearing capacity (you're not on sand or clay or weak soils), you can figure pouring 8" x 2'-6" x 2'-6" of 3,500pcf concrete with (4) #4 bars each way.
Good luck
2006-08-18 15:29:13 · answer #1 · answered by rheins2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a way you are building a deck inside your steel shed. If you use all wood, you will need atleast 8X8 posts and 2X10 rim and floor joists. Then cover with a 3/4" plywood deck and then build your walls from there. If you are in a city or county that has building codes you will need to get permits and see if there are any requirements for structural integrity. I would find someone to draw up some plans. Some Lumber/Hardware stores (Lowes, Home Depot) have planning stations that can help. You will need help to get it done. Lumber is heavy and you can't hold both ends of a long board to nail it into place.
2006-08-18 15:22:17 · answer #2 · answered by mazdaparts 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot depends upon what meterials the shed is built from.
If red iron then it possably could be bolted right into the framework.
You could always build a "building inside the shed basically on stilts that is freestanding from the original building.
2006-08-18 15:18:28 · answer #3 · answered by Robert F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋