help me build a pallet Garden room

RobAMerc

Hi all,

I am in the middle of planning a Garden room

My intention is to build it out of 50 euro pallets ( coz they are cheap and easy to build with )

My intention is to use 5*3 for the floor - making it 3.6 by 4.0 m in size

Back wall will then be 5 * 2 rows of pallets on the short side = 4 m wide by 2.4m tall

Front wall will be 3 * 2 rows of pallets on the short side = 2.4m by 2.4 tall

Sides will be 3 * 3 rows = 3.6 long by 2.4 tall and 2 * 3 = 2.4 by 2.4 tall

the short side and front allows me to put in a door at an angle

I think the drawing attached outlines my plan.

So my first questions is - whats the opinion on its viability ?

Secondly, I am having an issue in that the ground I am trying to build it on is very difficult to dig out. Its soft ( top soil ) but totally chock full of roots and debris.

I was thinking of putting down 24 * 2 - 4 inch blocks (at each corner of each pallet )
Another option is to put down a base of hard core and try to level it and lastly I could put in a concrete raft, however it cannot get a mini digger in and its going to be difficult to bring in premixed cement

So what are the opinions here on the best option for a base ?

Thanks

Fann Linn

Plenty of tips/instructions on Pinterest.

Lumen

Do you have a plan for a roof?

And how to keep the roof socially distanced from the floor?

RobAMerc

straight forward cold flat roof with rubber or maybe fiberglass - cold because it might start getting a bit tall with warm. My neighbour is a dick and will no doubt call someone about something ( even though he wont be able to see it without going through his hedge and peering over the wall - he'll know its there and want to shout at someone ) he is a dick.

Lumen

When you say "50 euro pallets", is that what they're costing you each?

Cos I make that 2500 euro in non-structural, non-treated timber that doesn't really do anything well (load bearing, racking, weather proofing, insulation).

Seems like madness.

I think you need to produce a bill of materials for the whole project and think about what the pallets are saving you.

E30i

Lumen wrote: »

When you say "50 euro pallets", is that what they're costing you each?

Cos I make that 2500 euro in non-structural, non-treated timber that doesn't really do anything well (load bearing, racking, weather proofing, insulation).

Seems like madness.

I think you need to produce a bill of materials for the whole project and think about what the pallets are saving you.

Euro pallet is the size. 800mm by 1200mm by 144mm. Also called a CEN pallet

Lumen

E30i wrote: »

Euro pallet is the size. 800mm by 1200mm by 144mm. Also called a CEN pallet

Ah, of course. Are you getting them free?

RobAMerc

About €4 each.

Lumen

OK, well I think you need to think about what roles the pallets are playing in this design. The roof is going to have to be conventional rafters, and the weight of that is going to have to be borne down to the ground safely.

The frame of a garden room made from conventional construction timber is actually really cheap, strong and efficient. It's all the other bits that add up.

listermint

Genuine question, have you built anything similar or at all recently or in the past?

Im asking this because doing this would require a significantly level of DIY skill to keep it standing and safe. Consider that theres wind load involved.

Im not trying to poo poo your idea but based on your design im questioning if you have the tools or skillset to finish something like this and make it safe to be in or beside.

RobAMerc

Lumen wrote: »

OK, well I think you need to think about what roles the pallets are playing in this design. The roof is going to have to be conventional rafters, and the weight of that is going to have to be borne down to the ground safely.

The frame of a garden room made from conventional construction timber is actually really cheap, strong and efficient. It's all the other bits that add up.

Why would pallets be any less strong than conventionally constructed walls ?
They are designed to withstand 1500kg in their normal plane of use, so I think they are fairly strong no?
I would also intend on putting insulation in the voids and ply walls on the inside - this too would add to their structural strength no ?

Externally I would wrap in breathable membrane, batton and clad but that wouldnt add much either way I think.

Pros: There would be a massive time saving I think doing this vs cutting nailing the whole subfloor, and walls. I am alone and have bad back !

listermint wrote: »

Genuine question, have you built anything similar or at all recently or in the past?

Im asking this because doing this would require a significantly level of DIY skill to keep it standing and safe. Consider that theres wind load involved.

Im not trying to poo poo your idea but based on your design im questioning if you have the tools or skillset to finish something like this and make it safe to be in or beside.

honestly no, I have built a number of lean to structures of various sizes, and decks in numerous houses as well as lots of furniture such as book shelves etc over the years but nothing enclosed like this.

listermint

Personally id just build stud walls, Its just as quick. Joining these pallets together your probably going to have to use studs anyway unless you plan screwing them together in a janky fashion ?

Pallets have the illusion of cheap excellence but they will need timber down through each ones to join and stabilize from floor to ceiling

RobAMerc

maybe - and what about the sub floor?
To explain, I was going to put in a bunch of blocks, cover with dpc use turned up pallets to sit on them. fill the voids with insulation and then ply ontop to further tie the pallets together and give me a floor.

listermint

Whats under the blocks to keep them level ? is there hardcore ? how is the weight of one wall maintained if for example you get heavy rain in the soil on that part of the garden.

Look you can build anything really out of pallets the question is how long you want it to last or if you want it to last and look well.

Lumen

RobAMerc wrote: »

They are designed to withstand 1500kg in their normal plane of use

...but not point loads, as you will have where you're transmitting the roof load to the blocks under the pallets.

And at the top of the walls you're going to have a roof loads bearing on the edge of the pallets, which is definitely not a direction they're designed to take load in.

RobAMerc

the look of it wont be effected whether I use pallets or anything else as they will be hidden. Yes, hardcore pads under the blocks.
Again, I am not keen on trying to build a traditional subframe as my back wont allow for all that cutting and nailing - the digging for foundations is unavoidable no matter what I do unless I do pier foundations maybe.... which means a traditional frame ! uugh ....

listermint

if its something quick and cheap you want...



https://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_shed/


various ones here you might not have considered.

mloc123

Somebody on here detailed a pallet shed build a year or so ago... at the time I felt it must be as cheap to stud it properly with 4x2.

Lumen

mloc123 wrote: »

Somebody on here detailed a pallet shed build a year or so ago... at the time I felt it must be as cheap to stud it properly with 4x2.

This?

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058001124

Pics on p2.

RobAMerc

listermint wrote: »

if its something quick and cheap you want...



https://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_shed/


various ones here you might not have considered.

As bad as my drawing is I think you know I am after something a bit better than whats in that link.

RobAMerc

Lumen wrote: »

This?

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058001124

Pics on p2.

Yup, now yer talking !

listermint

RobAMerc wrote: »

As bad as my drawing is I think you know I am after something a bit better than whats in that link.

ive no idea what you are actually after because you want to use pallets to build it.. There are metal sheds in that link that are better than what you are proposing.

I am not even sure of the purpose of this. So tbf you will have to give people a break when they are trying to comprehend the outcome.

Pallets...paving slabs as base....no roof design?

People cannot see into your head only you can.

Bullocks

If your back is bad I reckon you will have it harder to lug pallets around and hold them together than you will from carrying 4 * 2 lengths .
If using pallets anyhow I'd say you will want corner posts and a good wallplate for the roof rather than relying on the pallets to take weight .They aren't built to take weight the way you will be using them .

RobAMerc

listermint wrote: »

ive no idea what you are actually after because you want to use pallets to build it.. There are metal sheds in that link that are better than what you are proposing.

I am not even sure of the purpose of this. So tbf you will have to give people a break when they are trying to comprehend the outcome.

Pallets...paving slabs as base....no roof design?

People cannot see into your head only you can.

Fair enough - but there is also a lot worse there.

I hope its ok to do this but I've copied the photos from the referenced thread so that I can try explain what I am suggesting.


https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/5609/yNA3vg.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1233/xskdLk.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/9801/M32hiA.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/4503/7Jup0Q.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/5065/fsDc23.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/3285/KmA04q.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/3126/N11cAG.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/8088/F2iaRI.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/8403/NDoblq.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/9881/LhUblO.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/1849/LAqXF9.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/1792/NUWM6O.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/4962/olib9o.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/2530/IJCuy8.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/7038/yGsBvG.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/7041/drifhN.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/3328/l31JVr.jpg

pablo128

This one looks doable. https://youtu.be/FzUSnnSggLU

RobAMerc

yep, thats what made me think it was doable - but the folks here are less convinced. I'm no expert so maybe they are correct

listermint

The one in the images you posted doesn't look great tbh. There no overhang and I'd say it leaks water all the time.

The one in the video better job but I'm assuming the price came on prob 1k or more. I linked metal sheds in the 600 to 800 range second hand that would do a better job.


Just saying to need to come at this that is not easy and it won't be cheap despite using pallets. I've just finished a timber frame porch addition which I finished in cladded ceder. Cost wise including insulation it came to prob 2 half k. Doors and windows included.

And I've a garage full of tools to do it.

Lumen

RobAMerc wrote: »

yep, thats what made me think it was doable - but the folks here are less convinced. I'm no expert so maybe they are correct

It's completely doable, but the pallets are only a small part of that build.

There's a conventional roof, OSB racking inside and out, OSB floor, extra members holding up the pallets....

It looks harder to me than a regular stick built shed, because the pallets determine the size since you can't cut them to size. It's less effort to use standard 400mm and 600mm studs and then the OSB will go right on without trimming.

Honestly, pallets will be fine but they don't look easier.

RobAMerc

listermint wrote: »

The one in the images you posted doesn't look great tbh. There no overhang and I'd say it leaks water all the time.

The one in the video better job but I'm assuming the price came on prob 1k or more. I linked metal sheds in the 600 to 800 range second hand that would do a better job.


Just saying to need to come at this that is not easy and it won't be cheap despite using pallets. I've just finished a timber frame porch addition which I finished in cladded ceder. Cost wise including insulation it came to prob 2 half k. Doors and windows included.

And I've a garage full of tools to do it.

I wasnt copying the one in the images as a design, I was using it as an example that it could be done. A better attempt at the roof and some money spent on cladding and I think it could look ok.

If you think the metal shed looks anywhere near as good as the one in the video at even twice the money I have to say I cant agree.

However, you and lumen seem to know what you are talking about, and if you both say it wont be any easier to build then I'll take that on board - now if I could only find a damn website to price up the cost of the timber for a traditional build.....

Bonzo Delaney

Goodwins.ie
Limited stock availability ..... damm you Corona

RobAMerc

thanks but nope - unless I build it from stair spindles !

Lumen

RobAMerc wrote: »

now if I could only find a damn website to price up the cost of the timber for a traditional build.....

I paid between 270 and 380 per m3 for CLS/TRS plus VAT plus 80 delivery. This was in 2018.

You'll need to over order to account for wastage, and the less skill you have the more you will waste due to cupping and twisting.

But again, the frame is one of the cheapest bits.

GreeBo

OP are you building the room from pallets flat on the ground or up on their sides?

If its just stacks of pallets then you should be ok (other than having to sheet the top pallet to spread the load of any roof timbers)
But I still dont really see what its buying you as you are going to still need to clad it somehow, your walls are going to be crazy thick but not help with insulation (sound or temperature)

Do you just have a load of pallets that you are trying to find a use for or do you actually want a garden room?

If a room is the goal I would just follow a conventional design...

smelly sock

Op would you not just buy a few blocks instead?

RobAMerc

GreeBo wrote: »

OP are you building the room from pallets flat on the ground or up on their sides?

If its just stacks of pallets then you should be ok (other than having to sheet the top pallet to spread the load of any roof timbers)
But I still dont really see what its buying you as you are going to still need to clad it somehow, your walls are going to be crazy thick but not help with insulation (sound or temperature)

Do you just have a load of pallets that you are trying to find a use for or do you actually want a garden room?

If a room is the goal I would just follow a conventional design...

I think you should look at the drawing on the first page !

I think I am coming round to the conventional way of thinking.

deadlybuzzman

I built a dog house out of euro pallets a few months back. I used pallets because I've never built anything in my life and I had no confidence that I could make anything sturdy enough to stand a properly strong wind.
It turned out to be sturdy but if I ever do anything else I'll just use regular wood as it's easier to handle 1 length of timber at a time than a whole pallet.
They're fine for very rough projects but as you put more time into something the more you'd like it to turn out well and than can get hard to do with pallets.
That said I know a guy that used blue pallets to build a mock old style cottage. It turned out brilliant and I could be wrong but would that side step having to get planning?

Lumen

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

That said I know a guy that used blue pallets to build a mock old style cottage. It turned out brilliant and I could be wrong but would that side step having to get planning?

It would not side step the requirement for planning permission. Those laws are not concerned with the method of construction.

deadlybuzzman

Lumen wrote: »

It would not side step the requirement for planning permission. Those laws are not concerned with the method of construction.

Ah OK I thought maybe someone could argue that as it was only made of pallets that it could be called a temporary structure

Lumen

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

Ah OK I thought maybe someone could argue that as it was only made of pallets that it could be called a temporary structure

There are no exemptions for temporary structures, or at least not in the way that you mean.

It's a common myth.