The UK's bestShed Bases2022 Review

Why use a shed base in the first place? Here are some of the main reasons:

• Using a shed base can extend the life of your shed by protecting it from damp and subsidence. Having invested several hundred pounds in a new shed, it’s worth making sure that it will last as long as possible – so don’t skimp on the base!
• Without a base, water can cause damage. Wooden structures soon begin to rot when in constant contact with damp earth and metal structures will likely succumb to rust very quickly. Even if the exterior of a plastic shed can withstand being in contact with a damp surface, tools and items inside the shed will likely be affected by damp.
• Similarly to the point above, shed bases help with air circulation. Making sure that moisture doesn’t get trapped inside the structure is very important.
• If you don’t use a base you may find that the soil moves and your shed does not stay level. This will cause the building to warp, and doors and windows will become distorted, eventually failing to open and close properly.

Traditionally, sheds have been constructed on bases made of concrete poured over a sub-base. Nowadays, there are a lot more options available. Whilst some people still use concrete, others opt to lay a paved area, use plastic grids, or build a wooden frame. So, which option makes the best shed base?

Concrete

Concrete has often been a popular choice for shed bases because it creates a very solid, flat surface and keeps insects out. It can take a lot of weight if installed correctly.

However, it’s not as waterproof as you might initially think – concrete is porous and this means that water can absorb into it. If a wooden shed is in prolonged contact with concrete, it may rot overtime. The likelihood of damp can also be increased. Additionally, concrete will also be prone to crack if the absorbed water freezes and expands.

The permanent nature of concrete is both a blessing and a curse – it won’t require a lot of maintenance, but if you want to move your shed, you’ll be stuck with a concrete plinth in the garden.

You’ll likely want to get a professional in to do the job, if you go for a concrete base. This will give you the best chance of laying the concrete in a way that ensures it won’t crack and is as strong as possible.

Concrete can also be quite expensive, even without professional installation, so it definitely isn’t the most budget-friendly shed base material.

Finally, many people have been put off concrete in recent years because it creates a lot of CO_2. In fact, around 5% of the world’s total CO₂ emissions come from the making of concrete. So, it’s becoming something that a lot of people are looking to cut back on.

Paving Slabs

Using paving slabs as a shed base can create a level and structurally-sound foundation. However, the process of laying slabs can be tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with how to do it.

You will need to dig an area to place the slabs in, making sure the ground is completely level. The process will likely require the use of cement; to create a really water-tight finish, you’ll need to point the slabs (fill in the gaps with mortar and cement), which means that this isn’t necessarily a very eco-friendly option.

Simply placing slabs on the ground and then putting your shed on top will spell disaster in terms of damp. If you want to use paving slabs as a base, it’s better to go to the effort of doing it properly – otherwise it’ll only end up costing you more in the long run.

Plastic

A plastic shed base is an effective, low-cost, easy-to-install option. Some people don’t like plastic because of how it looks, but it can be quite well disguised by filling it in with gravel.

Using plastic grids might not sound environmentally friendly, but it’s actually one of the more planet-conscious options – a lot of manufacturers make their grids from recycled materials. If you make sure that this applies to the plastic base that you purchase, it can really cut down on the carbon footprint.

It’s also important to make sure that the plastic base comes from a reputable company that customers have shown their satisfaction with. The biggest disadvantage of plastic bases is that they can crack under heavy weight (like the weight of a shed) if they’re not made strong enough. Therefore, checking reviews to make sure that other customers haven’t had this experience is a very useful tactic.

In terms of installation, a plastic shed base can be assembled easily, and normally takes just minutes to put in place (as long as the ground underneath has been levelled first!). They can be laid on grass, sand, or pea shingle, eliminating the need for expensive excavation, concrete pouring, or constructing a wooden base. Plastic bases come in the form of interlocking grids which simply clip together.

Some people choose to strengthen the connections of the base further by using cable ties.

The nature of the grids means that they work well to provide drainage and ventilation around the shed, keeping it elevated off the ground. You may need to use gravel to improve drainage, although some companies are confident that their bases provide sufficient drainage without. Plus, you won’t need as much gravel as you would if you made the base out of a wooden frame filled with gravel.

Wooden Frame

To create a wooden frame as a shed base, you will need to construct a wooden boundary, and then fill it with gravel.

A wooden frame offers good drainage and is relatively environmentally friendly (just make sure the wood is responsibly sourced and FSC approved). Whilst not as easy to put together as a plastic base, wooden frames can still be assembled by most people with basic DIY skills.

Seeing as the shed will sit on top of gravel, any water will easily drain away from the structure. Therefore, a wooden base is pretty good at stopping damp or rot becoming an issue in your shed.

Compared to using a plastic base filled with gravel, with a wooden frame you will need to purchase a lot more gravel to ensure there is enough to create a really firm base. This is also where wooden bases can run into difficult; if insufficient gravel is used, it will shift and won’t offer a stable support for your shed. Therefore, it’s important to make sure the wooden frame is sufficiently filled.

Wood needs to be treated to protect it from insects and rot; therefore, there is some maintenance involved in having a wooden base. You will need to treat the wood before laying it, and continue to do so every year.

Damp-proof weed membrane should be placed between the ground and the shed base.

This adds another effective layer that will protect your shed against damp.

The more distance you can put between your shed and the ground, the better. Damp-proof membrane creates an effective barrier between the damp of the ground and the base of your shed.

This weed membrane will also stop weeds and grass from growing in this area, which is highly beneficial. If weeds and grass grow under the shed, this will make the area damp which can ultimately cause rotting, rusting, or other damage.

Check the measurements of your shed and allow for a little extra when choosing the base, this will help ensure proper drainage and ventilation.

For the most part, it’s a good idea to leave at least 30 – 40 mm extra room on all sides of the shed, but you can leave more. Not only will this extra space help with rain run-off, it will also allow a little room for error.

If using a plastic base, you will likely also want to purchase weed membrane (unless some came included).

Again, you should buy slightly more membrane than the size of the space. You’ll want it to cover any edges so as not to leave any gaps. It’s always better to buy more membrane and trim it than not have enough. You may even use a double layer.