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Are slabs OK for a shed base?

Have you been eyeing up a garden shed but don't have a concrete mixer to lay your base? Don't worry – paving slabs will do the job just as well. Plus, they're far more economical in the long-run.

simplypaving.com - How to lay a shed base with paving slabs

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Have you been eyeing up a garden shed but don’t have a concrete mixer to lay your base? Don’t worry – paving slabs will do the job just as well. Plus, they’re far more economical in the long-run.

What you need Measuring tape

Wooden pegs

A roll of string

Shovel or spade

Trowel

Mallet

Garden rake

Hard-bristled brush

Tamping tool

Spirit level

MOT type 1 hardcore

Sharp sand

Jointing compound

Wheelbarrow (for the hardcore)

Earth rammer/plate compactor (you will need to rent these)

Tarpaulin (optional)

Like any large structure, sheds require a solid foundation; this prevents unexpected structural issues from occurring later down the line. For sheds, this means divorcing any contact with soil (as this can lead to warping and rotting of the wood) and building only on even ground (to avoid unnecessary strain on the sides of the shed). Want more guidance on where to prep your paving shed base? Read our six easy steps, below. How to prepare a paving slab shed base in your garden Firstly, get your measuring tape out and gauge where your shed could realistically fit in your garden. You will want to check that the land is even during this point (a slight slope is fine but steer clear of bumpy and mounded ground), and consider other potential issues, like overhanging trees and unstable soil. TOP TIP: If you’re unsure which type of soil in your garden is best for use under your shed, try to find a happy medium between very soft and very rocky soil. Soft soil could cause paving slabs to shift and sink over time, while rocky soil will be difficult to move out. TOP TIP: Don’t forget to examine your garden’s drainage channels before choosing a shed position. If you install a shed base on paving slabs at a low point of your garden, rainwater will have nowhere to go. This could pool up and cause flooding and instability issues. Once you’ve found the perfect spot for your shed, size out your base using wooden pegs and string, allowing an extra 20cm space on all four sides. To make sure your four corners are equidistant, you should measure across the area diagonally. If both diagonal measurements match, you’ve mapped out an equal space. Clear away anything within your marked-out area that could cause paving slabs to lift, such as surrounding vegetation. Now you can start digging. Shovel around 120mm off the top layer of soil across the entire area; this ensures you have enough room for the hardcore (50mm), sand (approx. 10mm), mortar (30mm) and paving slabs (approx. 30-35mm; check paving slabs thickness beforehand). Once you have excavated your earth from the area, take out the wooden pegs you used earlier and knock them into the freshly dug soil, leaving 50mm above ground. This will be the level for your hardcore. Finally, tamp the area with your tamping tool so that the remaining soil is firm. Your shed’s foundation is now fully prepped and ready for you to lay your sub-base.

Laying your sub-base

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While paving slabs are inherently sturdy and durable, they still require extra support if they are going to last. As such, shed bases which use paving slabs require a reliable sub-base. This will give your slabs the foundation they need to withstand the weight of the shed and all its contents – without the worry of any long-term issues. How to lay a sub-base for a paving slab shed base Using the 50mm pegs as your guide, add a layer of hardcore until it reaches the top of the pegs. Leaving the pegs where they are, compact the hardcore with your earth rammer or plate compactor. Cover the surface with a layer of sharp sand (approx. 10mm). This is called ‘blinding’ and is an essential part of building your sub-base as it fills any gaps in the hardcore. Lastly, rake the surface level and check it is even with a spirit level.