What Is A Shed Base? Why Do I Need One?
A shed base is constructed and installed before your garden shed. Regardless of what size shed you buy or what material it is built of, a suitable base is always necessary. A shed base is required for a number of reasons. A secure base reinforces the structure of the shed. This makes it safer and more secure. Without a base, there is a heightened risk that the ground beneath the shed will become saturated. This could lead to a sagging floor, making the interior of your shed damp, unsafe, and unsuitable for use.
What Happens If I Don’t Place My Shed On A Shed Base?
Choosing not to use a proper shed base exposes your shed to unnecessary risk. An example of such risk is placing your shed in direct contact with the ground. By doing this you are exposing your shed to the moisture found in soil and grass. This in turn can lead to wood warping, causing your shed to lose its shape and possibly affect its structural integrity. To learn more about wood warping, check out our blog post on it here.
Exposing your shed to consistent moisture can accelerate the rate at which rot and decay occur, because the wood absorbs moisture into its fibers. Timber can be pressure treated, like the wood we use in all our products here at MCD Garden Sheds. Fully pressure treating timber is a way to force preservatives inside the wood, offering ten years protection from rot and decay. To find out more about pressure treated timber, read our blog post, which you can find by clicking here.
What Are The Different Types Of Bases I Can Get For My Shed?
There are three main types of bases that can be used for sheds. These are plastic bases, concrete bases and slab bases.
Plastic: A plastic base is made of multiple plastic pieces that interlock with each other. This allows you to customise the size of your base. A plastic base is an affordable way to increase the longevity of your shed. They require very little skill and no specialist tools to install. A plastic base allows for good drainage. They can be filled with gravel or stone to increase stability if you feel you need it.
Concrete: A concrete base takes more skill and time than a plastic base but can offer a more reinforced shed base. To create a concrete base, start by marking out an area slightly bigger than your shed. Dig roughly six inches into the ground and fill halfway with ballast. Line the edges of the pit with timber, this will act as a frame for the concrete. Use a long, flat piece of timber to apply a smooth finish to the top of the concrete. When applying the final step, move the timber in a saw type fashion.
Slab: Similarly with the concrete base, lay out your base, leaving some extra room. Dig between two and four inches, depending on the thickness of your slabs. Fill the base roughly halfway with concrete. Lay your slabs, ensuring that they are level.
Any base that you place beneath your shed will increase the longevity of your shed by reducing its exposure to moisture. What shed base you choose to use will depend on your budget, skills and access to the required materials.
Interested in the eco base?
Shed Eco Base
The MCD Eco Shed Base is easily joined to create an exact fit to your shed.
- Installs easily in minutes
- Sleek design and style
- Solid base foundation for your shed
The Eco base is sold in packs of 10
Can I Build A Shed Base On Uneven Ground?
Building on uneven ground will require you to choose between two different ways of making your shed base level.
Build your base using a set of support legs/stilts. These raise the overall height of the base until it is level with the ground. Cut into the side of the hill or slope in order to lay a long, flat piece of timber on top of stone. The base is then placed on top of this timber and supported on the adjacent side by the support legs.
Use a retaining wall. This involves cutting into the side of the hill or slope and removing soil until there is a level surface. A small wall is then constructed to stop the soil from rolling down the hill. The shed base is then placed on the flat surface, adjacent to the wall.
It is important to consider the placement of the door when building on an uneven surface. Ensure that it is on a side of the shed that is easily accessible. It is also important to leave enough space to maneuver around the shed. This is essential for maintenance of the shed. Lastly, we recommend that you check with local authorities before you construct a raised shed as this could cause issues regarding planning permission etc.
Are you in the market for a new shed? Take a look at some of our products below. Alternatively, you can contact a member of our sales team by clicking here. All of our garden buildings are manufactured on site at our facility in Naul, County Dublin by our team of expert carpenters. Our garden sheds come with steel roofs and pressure treated timber as standard. MCD Garden Sheds, built to last.
