Photo: Ono Kosuki

What size timber should I use for a shed base?

For ordinary garden sheds, a thickness of 3" (75mm) is sufficient in most situations. On soft clay, or on larger buildings, increase the thickness to 4" (100mm) laid on 2" (50mm) of finely broken and compacted hard-core if required. Half the depth of the base (approx) should be above ground level.

fountaintimber.co.uk - Constructing a Base for a Shed - Fountain Timber Products

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It is important to build a suitable base for your garden building as without one the building will quickly deteriorate, leading to problems like sagging walls and roof or damp. The following steps will take you through how to build a base, including how to make formwork (wooden framework constructed to form concrete pad) and how to prepare and lay concrete. It is well worthwhile taking special care and a small amount of time to ensure a good base is constructed. This will reap benefits in years to come.

Select a suitable site

Try to visualise what the building will look like in the position selected. Make sure that access is going to be adequate for the intended usage. Take into account the distance from the site to the closest electricity and water points etc.

Design a base

Your base can take several forms, but whatever method is employed it is essential that the end result is above all firm, level and square. If you require a new base to be constructed, it is advisable to use a good local builder. However if you intend to build it yourself, this article could offer some guidance. The best option would be to construct a solid concrete slab to the correct size for the building but you could use paving slabs, blocks or timber bearers. Bricks are not recommended unless set onto an existing base as they can sink individually. Prepare the site by cutting back any infringing trees and bushes. Allow at least 12" (300mm) all around and 36"-48" above the roof of the building. The base must be firm, level, square and designed to suit the floor size of the selected building. Obtain the exact base size and add 1" (25mm) to length and width - use these dimensions to set out the base.

Timber bearers

If you choose to use timber bearers, we suggest 3" x 2" (75mm x 50mm) pressure treated timber bearers complete with a damp proof course. You can lay these straight onto your ready prepared level site when you assemble your new building. Bearers will raise your building off the base altogether, stopping any damp from rising and encouraging air circulation. We recommend their use when your base is larger than the size of the floor. If you have an area of firm, level ground, clear all vegetation from the selected site and carefully level and compact the soil. A 2" (50mm) layer of pea shingle laid on top will allow good drainage.

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Rows of blocks or paving slabs

If using rows of blocks or paving slabs, it is important they are laid in complete rows across the width of the building, i.e. at right angles to the pent or apex shaped end. Floor battens always run from shaped end to shaped end. If your shed is transverse (i.e. 8'x12' instead of 12'x8') please ask for a floor plan. The same principle will apply if you are laying your own timber or concrete bearers. The rows may be up to 2' apart, but if your shed floor comes in two pieces then you need to ensure that you have a row where the floor sections meet. Buildings with a floor size over 8'x 7' and up to 12' x 8' tend to have floors that come in two equal halves: it is important to have a row centrally to support this join. Buildings over 12' x 8' may have their floors supplied in a greater number of pieces, so please check how your floor is supplied before constructing your base. Remove all vegetation from the site and carefully level the overall area. Lay the supports with one at each end and correctly spaced in-between, ensuring each support is level to the next by using a spirit level and a straight edge. Ensure these supporting rows are set on a firm sub-base and bed them onto a sand/cement dry-mix. They must be level over the whole site in order to spread the load equally and avoid the base sinking.

Concrete slabs or patio areas

If you have existing patios or old shed bases on which you plan to site your building, please check these are level and suitable. If the intended site is larger than the size of the building, we recommend it is raised off the base. This is in order to stop any puddles formed from soaking the floor. Fountain Timber can supply 3" x 2" (75mm x 50mm) pressure treated timber bearers with damp proof coursing (DPC) which are ideal for this purpose.

fountaintimber.co.uk - Constructing a Base for a Shed - Fountain Timber Products