How to fix a measuring mistake

[urbaninsteading]

Hi all,

I'm making a 24 square foot coop. I'm putting the coop on top of a raised base. It is a frame with 3 cross beams made of 2x4s (width) and two 2x4s for the length. The legs are 24" high and are made from 4x4s. Well, I accidentally measured the base wrong (I calculated square feet on the outer dimensions instead of the inner dimensions) and it is 8 inches shorter in length than I intended. I haven't put the plywood flooring on the base yet (it's just the frame), but I intend to use 3/4" thick quality plywood . Would it be okay to attach the correct size plywood flooring and let it overhang the frame a little or will this cause structural issues? The width of the frame is correct for the coop size - it's just the length that I measured wrong. The final (outer) dimensions of the finished coop will be 7'3" x 3'8" x 5'9". The base dimensions are currently 6'7"x3'8". The plywood flooring (and coop) would overhang the frame by 4 inches on each end. For the coop itself, I'm converting/expanding a wooden playhouse and adding corrugated tin roofing. It's not a terribly heavy structure so I'm hoping that I can get away with not having to re-build the base.

Thoughts?

 

[WIchickMama]

I think you could use it just the way you have it. Do you have enough to make one or two more legs to add to the edge of the base floor just for extra support?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Hi all,

I'm making a 24 square foot coop. I'm putting the coop on top of a raised base. It is a frame with 3 cross beams made of 2x4s (width) and two 2x4s for the length. The legs are 24" high and are made from 4x4s. Well, I accidentally measured the base wrong (I calculated square feet on the outer dimensions instead of the inner dimensions) and it is 8 inches shorter in length than I intended. I haven't put the plywood flooring on the base yet (it's just the frame), but I intend to use 3/4" thick quality plywood . Would it be okay to attach the correct size plywood flooring and let it overhang the frame a little or will this cause structural issues? The width of the frame is correct for the coop size - it's just the length that I measured wrong. The final (outer) dimensions of the finished coop will be 7'3" x 3'8" x 5'9". The base dimensions are currently 6'7"x3'8". The plywood flooring (and coop) would overhang the frame by 4 inches on each end. For the coop itself, I'm converting/expanding a wooden playhouse and adding corrugated tin roofing. It's not a terribly heavy structure so I'm hoping that I can get away with not having to re-build the base.

Thoughts?

Been there, done that!

Is there a way you could use brackets or a pocket hole jig to add more 2x4s to support the length? Or add additional legs to that part? Pics may help folks make recommendations.

 

[aart]

The width of the frame is correct for the coop size

You need to make the floor the same size as the outer coop walls, you don't want the floor sticking out past the walls.

 

[urbaninsteading]

I think you could use it just the way you have it. Do you have enough to make one or two more legs to add to the edge of the base floor just for extra support?

Yes, I do

 

[urbaninsteading]

Been there, done that!

Is there a way you could use brackets or a pocket hole jig to add more 2x4s to support the length? Or add additional legs to that part? Pics may help folks make recommendations.

I think so. I just don't have much technical know-how. I have a bit of extra lumber and enough 4x4 to make two more legs. I just added pictures.

 

[aart]

I just added pictures.

Cut the flooring to fit the outer walls of the little building.
If it only overhangs the frame by a couple inches, it's not going to matter much.

 

[urbaninsteading]

Cut the flooring to fit the outer walls of the little building.
If it only overhangs the frame by a couple inches, it's not going to matter much.

I was hoping that would work!

 

[aart]

I was hoping that would work!

One(or more) thing(s) that just crossed my mind is....
How heavy is that little building and how will you get it up there?
Might want to put some diagonal bracing between the legs and the cross members.

I hope those screws(?) on the legs are good and sturdy...and that there's more than the 2 in each leg.

Where will those legs sit, is the ground solid enough not to shift or frost heave?

 

[urbaninsteading]

One(or more) thing(s) that just crossed my mind is....
How heavy is that little building and how will you get it up there?
Might want to put some diagonal bracing between the legs and the cross members.

I hope those screws(?) on the legs are good and sturdy...and that there's more than the 2 in each leg.

Where will those legs sit, is the ground solid enough not to shift or frost heave?

The building is quite light - the roof and extension will make it a little heavier, but it was very easy to lift with two people (and I'm weak). I wanted to add diagonal bracing, but my partner's dad was convinced that it wasn't necessary (it's hard working with family, especially when you're borrowing their power tools, haha). I might mention it to him again. The screws are very sturdy and there are two on each side of the leg (4 total). I think they are 2.5 inches long. I forget what brand they are, but he was convinced that each leg would hold 1200 pounds. Now that seems like an exaggeration to me, but....

I live in Minnesota, so frost heave is definitely a concern. What would you recommend to make sure the building won't have structural issues due to the ground?