I am building a custom shed for myself. I will be set into the side of a hill putting the rear end obout 36 inches underground.. It will be faced with Stone up to about 48 inches. Is is practical to frame the whole shed in 2x4s and to sheath the part of the shed that will be faced with stone and underground with durarock including the underground area? My thought was to use solid 4 inch concrete blocks in the underground area so not to waste stone and then waterproof the blocks. Of couse sufficient drainage would be provided as I already have a drywell located in the area.
Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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I'd use the blocks and start my framing on top of them above ground level.
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I agree with seeyou. Use block underground. At least you know it won't rot.
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You could frame it with hemlock or cedar, and sheath it with Durock as you proposed, and it would probably last a good while...say 20 or maybe even 30 years. But it would cost you a hatful more than just setting block or even pouring a foundation. And you'll still have to waterproof it, which means membrane. Durock and cedar aren't cheap, and neither is Blueskin or Resisto.
If you really want to frame this shed, what I'd suggest is you cut into that hillside deep enough to make room for a stone retaining wall, then build the shed freestanding on a well-drained flat below that wall.
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I'd do the block, too. Block is porous, so you definitely will need to waterproof the outside of it. Otherwise you'll have weeping and efflorescence.
What would you use to waterproof? The most common way around here it to trowel on tar and cover it with plastic. Any other thoughts or better products?
Parge coat with mortar/stucco, then mix a slurry of Thoroseal to paint on itThen provide drainage at the base to give the water someplace to go.if you anticipate a lot of water, go ahead and add the aasphaltic coating too, or use Ice and Water shield
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What Piffin said.