A properly constructed foundation is the key to creating a shed that will not shift or move. Before you put down any concrete, check to make sure you have prepared the ground properly and built your formwork correctly.
When planning to build a shed, the first step is to prepare the base. In order to make sure that the shed stays put and does not move around, you will need to set it up on a solid foundation. This can be done with concrete or bricks and mortar. Once you have decided on what foundation works best for you, you will want to begin laying down thick foam insulation on the floor of your base.
The base is arguably the most important part of your shed. Sure, the walls keep out the weather and hold up the roof, but if you don’t have a solid foundation for them to rest upon then you might as well not bother. A good base may not be exciting to look at or build, but it will stand the test of time and keep your shed safe from stormy weather or even being blown over in high winds. In this article I’ll show you how I built a strong base for my shed using concrete blocks and gravel.
Building your own shed base can be a daunting prospect for the inexperienced.
Building your own shed base can be a daunting prospect for the inexperienced. It is however, not difficult if you know what you’re doing and how to do it.
If you’re thinking of doing this as a DIY project, then I would strongly suggest getting some help from someone who has experience in concrete pouring. A good tip is to find out if there are any local builders or tradesmen that could offer their advice and guidance on building your shed base. If you don’t have anyone like this nearby then there are plenty of books available which will give all the information required for building the perfect concrete base for your garden shed.
Getting the foundation right will ensure that your shed doesn’t fall down in high winds or when it’s loaded up with heavy equipment.
Getting the foundation right will ensure that your shed doesn’t fall down in high winds or when it’s loaded up with heavy equipment. It should also be waterproof, strong enough to support the weight of the shed, and able to support the weight of your shed in high winds.
The best way to make sure you get it right is to follow these steps:
- Dig out a hole for your base, making sure it’s level (use a spirit level).
- Add some cement slurry into the hole, then start digging again until there’s a good depth all round; this should be deeper than where they’re going on top because they’ll compress slightly when they settle.
The key to getting it right is to know what you’re doing and either asking someone who has done it before, or following a plan that works.
The key to getting it right is to know what you’re doing and either asking someone who has done it before, or following a plan that works. You can do it yourself, but you need to be careful, and not rush it.
Here are some tips on how to build a shed base concrete:
- Plan carefully – make sure that the area where you want your shed is level and clear of any debris or rocks. The area should also be large enough so that when the shed is built all four walls have at least 5ft between them. If they don’t then some materials will have to be removed from one side which may incur extra costs so this should also be considered when planning your project
- Buy good quality materials – if possible buy these locally because there are usually cheaper deals available than those advertised by suppliers online; however if this isn’t possible then consider using an online retailer such as Amazon who often offer free delivery options too
There are different ways to build a shed base but this example shows you how to lay concrete.
The concrete base is the most popular and versatile choice for shed bases because it’s easy to install, easy to maintain, and strong enough for any type of shed. The concrete base can be installed on a level surface or sloped terrain.
The process of laying your own concrete is more involved than using readymade precast blocks, but it’s still straightforward enough that anyone with basic DIY skills can do it themselves with minimal assistance from a professional builder.
This is the way we built ours, using decent quality timber that was flat and true.
- Make sure your timber is flat and true
- When you’re buying concrete blocks, make sure that they are made from the best quality materials available
- Buy high quality gravel for your base (it’s the most important part)
- Use good quality paint on the blocks
It was populated with top quality concrete blocks and filled in with good quality gravel.
The base of your shed needs to be constructed using a concrete block, not a brick. It’s also important that you use gravel rather than sand to fill in the base, as this will make it easier for the water from heavy rain to drain away from the shed.
To ensure that your concrete spends long enough curing in order for it to be as strong as possible, I would recommend using good quality concrete blocks and materials—a good brand of block will last longer than an inferior one and give you better results when laid.
Furthermore, since we’re talking about building something so large (the base area measures around 2 meters by 1 meter), it’s worth investing in some new equipment: there are many different types available but I would recommend getting hold of both a vibrator and screed tool if possible—these two items are essential if you want to make sure your work is done properly.
We smoothed the gravel off and then poured on a layer of concrete.
After you’ve smoothed the gravel, you’ll need to level it. Using a spirit level, check that your foundation is completely flat. If it isn’t, use a few small pieces of wood to lift up the higher side and place shims under the low side until they’re level with each other. Then remove any excess gravel by brushing it away with a brush and smoothing out any lumps or bumps with your trowel.
Next, mix up some concrete using water and cement following the instructions on the bag until it’s thick enough to spread without running around in circles like an excited puppy (which we did).
Spread this over your base using your trowel (or if you have one handy an old credit card), leaving about 1″ between each layer so that there are no gaps for water to seep through later on.
Finally we painted the concrete to create a lovely smooth surface that looks like an extension of our patio slabs.
When you’re done pouring the concrete and it has cured for at least 24 hours, you’ll want to seal it. The sealer will make it easier to clean and protect the surface from stains.
You can use a concrete sealer in two ways: with a roller or paintbrush, or through an airless sprayer. If you have access to an airless sprayer, we suggest using that because it makes application much faster and easier than using rollers or brushes (although those are still effective methods).
When applying the sealer on large areas like this shed base, we recommend using either a brush or roller/brush combination instead of just spraying straight on top of your slab because they will get into any cracks that might be present in your base and help distribute the product evenly across its expanse rather than leaving large clumps behind where application was uneven.
Once you’ve built this type of base you won’t need to rebuild it again, as long as you look after the timber and paint it every few years.
It’s important that you look after your shed base, so that it doesn’t deteriorate over time.
Every few years you should give the timber a good brush down with some warm water and a stiff brush to remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated on top of the wood. If necessary, you can use a pressure washer (with a low-pressure setting) to clean off any stubborn stains or mould growth.
Another way of keeping your shed base looking new is to paint it every few years with exterior-rated wood preservative – this will prevent rot from occurring in damp conditions and make sure the timber stays strong for many years to come.
Whenever you build something, take care with planning and preparation for best results.
As with any project, planning and preparation are vital to get the best results. It’s important to do your research and make sure you have all the right tools, materials and people around you who can help you succeed.
If you’re building something from scratch like a shed base concrete, it’s worthwhile looking into how other people have done it in order to avoid making common mistakes. The internet has some great resources on this topic so use them.
Final words
I hope you can see from this example that building a shed base is not beyond the capabilities of an amateur builder. It just takes attention to detail and care with preparation, just as anything else does.
