Shed Base

[newbiesarah]

Hi everyone
I'm going to be putting a shed on my new allotment soon, what would be the best way to create a base. All help gratefully received, Thanks.

[Bill HH]

Has the shed got a wooden floor already?

[johnjohn]

Hi Sarah, welcome.

At our allotment we don't have a choice, we have only recently been allowed to have sheds and the parish council have drawn up some rules.

We have to put down a slab base and then put the shed onto wooden bearers to create a gap of not less than 4" between the slabs and the shed floor.

You could just put it onto the slabs but we don't get the choice.

[Currysniffa]

I always sit my sheds on wooden bearers that are sat on slab's and blocks. I try and get it high enough so the fox can get at any rats that my be lurking/ nesting under the sheds.

[Bigmallly]

Plywood or planks on pallets.

[Bill HH]

It is vital to have an air gap under the shed of 4 to six inches so air can flow underneath to prevent rotting. It is also important to make sure it is level. Strong stakes at two opposite corners bolted to the shed to prevent wind blowing it off the base is also a good idea. If a shed is not on a level base it leans and that puts a strain on every nail, the shed gradualy collapses. As Chris said a decent gap underneath also makes it easier to prevent rodents taking up residence. If looked after, and regularly treated with preservative a shed can last at least 50 years, in fact the nails corrode before the wood rots. You dont have to cover the whole base with slabs or concrete, concrete blocks evenly spaced with cross timbers will do a good job.

[crannman]

i used all the rubble from my plot there was loads of it (pics on my profile ) then leveled it with a concreat mix

[wellywoo]

We put our shed on wooden pallets and so far so good (it's been 4years)


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[out in the cold]

Our shed is sat on crates filled with stones. These are not the exact ones we bought, but are very similar...
Plastic Shed Bases - Lightweight and Strong alternative to concrete. - MatsGrids Shed Bases

[newbiesarah]

Thanks everyone, I will invest in some slabs and cross members I think, first I'd better level the area


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[Bill HH]

The thing is the ground doesnt have to be level, you can build a shed on a slope, so if you lay a slab on the highest corner then put a straight edge on the length of the shed, then lay the next corner slab and build it up with bricks or whatever till your straight edge is level. One end of the base could easily be 1ft higher than the first slab. But the shed will be level. Take all your levels from the first slab, and check the diagonals are level. Then you can lay some strong timbers across the piers, For delicate height changes bits of slate are useful. It saves a lot of digging if your on a slope.

[snakeshack]

I bolted my 6ft x 4ft shed at the lottie down to 3 lengths of railway sleeper that are leveled giving good airflow and extra storage space under the shed.the sleepers are on top of weed control fabric.its unlikely to blow over or grow legs for that matter!


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