Shed Foundation/Base

Grz.26

Hello All,

I was wondering what is the best way to go about a shed/office building at the bottom of my garden. The size of the building is 12x12. I want it weather tight etc and done properly. Made out of all wood. I was thinking 3' of hardcore compacted, then concrete over this, do i need to put any insulation in? Or even any damp prove membrane? I have some steel mesh that i was going to put in to make it more "solid". Any advice is most appreciated.

Regards.

111KAB

I would use a greater thickness of hardcore if you can - it really depends upon how soft the material (soil?) is you are taking away. Make sure it is well compacted. As you mention the word 'office' I would definitely incorporate a dpm ~ make sure your hardcore is blinded say with sand so the membrane doesn't get pierced. Minimum of 4" of concrete and great if you do have some mesh as this will assist. Sounds as though you have got it sorted really ~ might be worth thinking about some type of impervious material (dpc ?) to lie on top of the slab to the underside of the timber walls.

OK_Sauce

I built a 3.5 metre square cabin in my garden. For the base I used a modular system called Ecobase. It's made from recycle plastic. Exposed parts ie the overlap of base can be filled with pea shingle. I'm really pleased with the results and there was no need for messy concrete or heavy slabs. All you do is level the ground, cover with weed supressing membrane and then clip together the base.

More info here...http://www.ecobase.biz/

I found this to be the cheapest last year (could have changed)...http://www.simplygardenbuildings.co.uk

Grz.26

111KAB - This is all good advice, I didn't think about a DPC to the underside of timber walls, so thank you for that. One might have to dig up more earth

Hintza

How about keeping the shed off the ground on piles/columns and a wooden frame?

We are just building some stables and a lot of effort is going in to keep dampness away from the walls (inside and out for a stable). But the main thing is the weather board will extend over the concrete base slightly to stop the horizontal rain get under the wood.

Loads of pea gravel and 4" drainage pipe around the base will also help.

Grz.26

...Just a quick question, I have dug out the space where I will be laying the concrete slab, it is surrounded by 3 walls and 1 side where I will have to baton up. My question is, how do I make sure that the whole area is level? Does it matter if its a little out?

Many Thanks,

Rich

27col

Its called a spirit level. To level lengths longer than the level you place it on top of a long straight batten. Alternately, you could borrow or hire a water level. Google water level, if not sure what that is.

s_b

mm do you have neighbours?
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/outbuildings/