How to Plan a Portable Building
With sound construction, almost any small building not affixed to a permanent foundation can be transported. Portable buildings can rest on a permanent foundation, such as a concrete slab base, without being affixed to it. But they should be constructed extremely well in case they ever need to be lifted and moved. Taking extra time to properly design the portable building and secure all framework and sheathing should enable it to stay intact over time. It's usually wise to build a portable building out of recycled or inexpensive materials, but the use of the building will determine how much to invest in it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sketch pad
- Measuring tools
- Stakes
- Large pieces of cardboard
- Construction design books
Instructions
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Use a construction design book to review ideas for a portable building. Look for roof shapes that will be adequate to shed rain, such as a 30-degree pitch at minimum. Keep in mind that a highly pitched roof may pose difficulties during transport, since the roof adds height to the building, and added height increases the likelihood of hitting tree branches and electrical wires. Select a more artistic or visually appealing roof line if the building will be used for a public event or trade show.
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Sketch your building, such as a square shed with an A-frame roof. Avoid wings or additions, since it will be difficult to keep the structure intact when moved. Keep in mind that windows should be kept to a minimum due to the possibility of glass breakage during transport.
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Define the actual size of the building by marking off space with stakes in the ground. Make sure the length and width of the building will fit a truckbed or trailer bed. Obtain pieces of cardboard to lay out a floor plan that will show any separate rooms and any built-in features such as cabinets and shelves.
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Plan the framing in detail. Draw floor joists constructed from boards that measure a minimum of 2 inches by 10 inches. Indicate use of lightweight wood for wall and roof framing; construction with lightweight wood reduces the overall weight of the building. Plan to install wall framing and roof trusses with 2-by-4-inch boards. Remember to plan for additional screws and nails to hold the structure intact.
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Design the exterior walls and roof. Consider using 1/2-inch plywood or recycled siding to cover the entire building and using metal for the roof. If you plan to paint the structure, select a good-quality exterior paint to protect your investment once it's constructed.
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Tips & Warnings
Leave floor joists slightly exposed at the building perimeter so that a forklift driver can easily see where to insert the forks when picking up the building. Avoid nailing exterior siding too close to the bottom of the foundation. Tugging on this bottom part of the building to place it on a truck for transport may damage the siding.
When transporting the structure, secure the building tightly to the truck or trailer. For example, use chains and tie-downs to stabilize the structure. A building that is not secure can fall off the truck in traffic, injuring or killing someone.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit h shed image by Watt from Fotolia.com
