Is decking a suitable base for a shed?

Timber decking is a great base for your shed. It ensures your shed is on a level and stable ground making the life span of your shed longer. You will need to make sure that it's strong enough to hold the weight of the shed if you're getting a large one or planning to put heavy items in it.

shedsdirect.net - The Types of Shed Bases & Which is the Best Choice | Sheds Direct

How close to your house can you put a shed?

How Close To A House Can A Shed Be? You must avoid building a shed too close to your house. Generally, a shed must be at least 10 feet (3m) away...

Last updated May 7, 2022

How do you lock a bike in a shed?

Lock it to something secure and immoveable The solution, particularly for garages and sheds, is to fit a lock anchor. The best option is a heavy-...

Last updated Jan 3, 2018

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

The types of shed bases, and which is the best choice

Many people forget a vital thing whilst purchasing a shed, the base! Ensuring your new shed has a good base is key to the life span, as a good base will mean your shed will remain level and stable for years. If the base is uneven you may find the wall and roof panels won’t line up properly, the door may not shut, or the whole structure could be very weak. Below are the different options for bases including the pro’s and con’s of each.

Loose Timber & Railway Sleepers

Using loose timber battens or planks of timber that lay down on the ground and run across the direction of the underfloor bearers that come with your shed isn’t recommended, as it likely would not be a level or stable base. This would dramatically decrease the life span of your shed, meaning you would need to buy another much sooner than anyone would like. Our advice would be to stay away from this base.

Pro’s

Quick and easy to build

Low cost

Con’s

The shed can twist and become unstable, therefore the shed will have a shorter life span The timber may not hold the weight of your shed if you put heavy things in it

Pressure Treated Timber Frame

This base is a wooden frame made from pressure treated timber, known as tanalised timber. It’s made to the exact size of the shed and then pegged to the ground and made level. It’s a great way of keeping the bottom of your shed dry but allowing maximum airflow. No ground preparation is needed for this base, meaning it’s a speedy option if you didn’t realise how important the base is. Adding metal frame supports is an additional measure you can take to ensure your shed remains stable for a long period of time (years and years). They are completely adjustable, but do require to be concreted in to stop the weight of the building pushing them into the ground. They’re great for new sheds or for area’s that are prone to sinking or have tree roots below.

Pro’s

The shed will be levelled and stable meaning longer life span

Can support area’s that are sunken as the metal frames can be lowered or heightened

Don’t need a concrete base to support

How is wood measured?

The board foot is the most common standard used for saw logs and lumber. A board foot contains 144 cubic inches of sawed lumber or the equivalent...

Last updated Mar 9, 2018

What is the gap between door and frame called?

Margins (sometimes also called “rebates”) are the spaces between the door and the door frame. These are often important if you're looking at issues...

Last updated Nov 17, 2022

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Con’s

As there is no ground preparation needed the ground may not be suitable

Timber decking

Timber decking is a great base for your shed. It ensures your shed is on a level and stable ground making the life span of your shed longer. You will need to make sure that it’s strong enough to hold the weight of the shed if you’re getting a large one or planning to put heavy items in it. It’s a popular base as it looks good and you can chose the same colour wood as your shed, so it matches. However, you need to make sure that the decking is slightly bigger than the shed so it offers more support.

Pro’s

It makes a sturdy reliable base

Your shed will be levelled

Con’s

May not be strong enough if you want to put heavy items in the shed TOP TIP – If you’re choosing a wooden base, always make sure you use a pressure-treated (tanalised) timber or hardwood as it will last much longer.

Eco Bases

Eco bases are a popular request, but definitely one we don’t recommend. They’re made from recycled plastic and come in squares that looks like a grid that fit together to make up the size of the area your shed will cover. You can fill them with gravel to form a french drain. They’re lightweight so anyone can fit them but this is also a drawback as it means they are very unstable and hard to level up.

Pro’s

Eco friendly as they’re made from recycled plastic

Can be recycled after use

Easy to carry

Con’s

Hard to level

Becomes unstable and then causes the shed to twist

Decreases the life span of the shed

Paving slabs

Paving slabs provide a good solid, long-lasting base for your shed. In order to lay the slabs, you will need to do some preparation to the ground such as removing turf, levelling and adding bottoming and sand. Make sure you check that the ground is well compacted before laying, as they’re prone to settling. Choosing paving slabs will be more expensive as more preparation goes into it but it will be able to hold larger, heavier sheds.

Pro’s

A good solid base for you shed.

They will be able to hold any size and weight shed

Con’s

What decreases home value?

Changes in the real estate market can lower the value of your home. Natural disasters and climate change can lower your property value because the...

Last updated Jul 8, 2020

How steep Can concrete be poured?

Now, a caveat: One-quarter inch drop per foot is the standard measurement for concrete drainage. Depending on the surrounding conditions and the...

Last updated Sep 9, 2019

Promotion

A lot of ground preparation is needed before you can lay them

Could be costly

Concrete

Concrete makes the strongest base out of all the different types. As well as being strong it’s low maintenance and long-lasting and this transfers to your shed, if you decide to use concrete, your shed will have a really long life span meaning, in the long run, it’s very beneficial. However, it can be costly and will be a permanent thing in your garden when laid.

Pro’s

Very strong so can hold the weight of any size shed

Once laid you don’t need to maintain it

Con’s

A lot of work and a slow process to create

Permanent placement

Existing Hardstanding

You may already have a hard base in your garden that would be suitable for a shed to go on. But you need to make sure that its level and stable. If not then the shed will twist and become weak and won’t have a long life span.

Pro’s

Won’t cost any extra money

Con’s

The ground may not be as level as it should causing the shed to twist Your shed may end up in a place that’s not suitable e.g. under a tree.

Still have questions?

We hope you have found this article helpful – if you have any other questions or would like our advice about choosing the right shed for your needs, then do get in touch.

Request a quotation or call our sales manager, Kevin on

About Sheds Direct

We build quality garden sheds, Dutch barns, workshops and summerhouses. All of our sheds are built to last, we use quality materials, thicker tantalised wood framings for solid structures. Whether you’re wanting a shed for storage, to work in or as a relaxing space, you can be sure all of our products are premium made, of quality materials and will look fantastic. Sheds Direct manufactured by us in Britain, and erected in your back garden. We are so passionate about what we do and its really important that we deliver the best products we can at a great price. But don’t just take our word for it – check out our Facebook and Google for testimonials by our customers.

Request a quote today

shedsdirect.net - The Types of Shed Bases & Which is the Best Choice | Sheds Direct

How long should a garden shed last?

When the better weather appears, it's the ideal time to give it some TLC, making sure it's looking great for the rest of the year and prepped for...

Last updated Jul 28, 2021

Do I need a base layer of gravel?

The first step to installing your gravel driveway will be to calculate how much stone material will actually be required. You also will need to lay...

Last updated Jun 4, 2018

Promotion

How high can a shed be in back garden?

If it will be within 2m of the boundary of the house, it must be 2.5m high. its eaves will be more than 2.5m high. it will include a veranda,...

Last updated Sep 18, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

What slope should a lean-to shed roof be?

I always recommend at least a minimum pitch of 1 in 40. This translates into a fall of just under 2.5"" on an 8 foot roof.

Last updated Apr 17, 2022