Which base or foundation is right for a garden shed?

All our garden sheds - no matter the material and size - must be placed on a firm and even foundation or base such as flagstones, a wooden deck, cement, stamped gravel, or similar. This will provide stability, easier assembly, durability, functionality and the perfect look. On the other hand, an insufficient or uneven foundation will provide a lot of problems, including a potentially shorter lifespan for the shed and trouble getting the doors and windows to operate smoothly.

The following types of foundations are all good and solid foundations for garden sheds and other smaller buildings. Each foundation type has its pros and cons, so if in doubt, visit your local builder’s market or ask a professional builder. It is not a very difficult task, but it is important that you do it right from the start! The type of foundation may also depend on the type of soil in the garden – is the ground sloping, do you already have a patio with flagstones, how big is the shed and how much are you prepared to pay for the foundation.

1. Concrete Slab Base

A concrete base is often used as a foundation for many types of buildings. This type of foundation is well known and has been used for decades for all kinds of buildings both small and large. A concrete foundation is sturdy and durable, but also a little more expensive than most other types of foundations as it is a bit time-consuming.

2. Strip Foundations

Strip foundations are an easier, lighter and less expensive alternative to a concrete slab – but also a bit time consuming. You can use it for almost any size garden shed if the ground is not too sloped. If you at some point need to remove the shed and build a new one, you can easily remove one or more strips in order to fit the foundation to the new shed. The concrete strips are strong, stable and durable.

3. Paving slabs or flagstones

A paving slab base is a great foundation for small and medium-sized sheds and gazebos. It is relatively easy to build, relatively cheap and does not involve concrete. Furthermore, it looks nice and it is easy to build the shed on top of this foundation. It is also easy to extend or remove if you at some point decide to get another shed or remove it all together. Can be used for sheds without flooring and with wooden floor or similar.

4. Adjustable Riser Pedestal or Breeze Blocks on gravel

This type of foundation can be built at a very reasonable price. The adjustable riser pedestal is superb if you already have a hard standing surface that only needs some levelling. The final foundation will be level and firm.

5. Stop Digging Ground Screw or GroundPlug©

An innovative way to make a foundation is ground screws that will save you a lot of digging, removing soil, and buying and working with cement. The Stop Digging ground screws or a similar product from GroundPlug© offer a fantastic way to give your garden building a safe and level foundation. You can have the ground screws ready in only a fraction of the time you need to install most of the other foundations and you do not have to cast in cement or concrete but you can start building right away!

Did you know?

As a general rule, you could say that a stamped gravel foundation is best for smaller building, which has a wooden floor or similar. Concrete is the best foundation for a garage or a shed without a pre-built floor. But it is up to you what you prefer – just make sure that the foundation can hold the weight – especially important for garages.

How to build a stamped gravel foundation for your garden shed

In some cases, you can place the shed directly on the ground – preferably on an area with compact gravel. You do need to protect the wood against moist by placing a barrier between the ground and the bottom of the shed. Please note that if you choose a gravel foundation, you need to use the right type of gravel and prepare the area to make it plane and firm. Stamp the gravel with a plate compactor, which you can rent in most builder’s markets. If you place the shed on a gravel foundation, we recommend that you install a floor if your shed doesn’t have one to begin with. When you place the garden shed on flagstones or on a wooden deck, you will automatically have a floor inside the shed. Another solution is our anti-slip floors in recycled PE, which are easy to lay and strong and durable.