how do i build a base for a shed?

Question

I am putting up a playhouse for my children and dont particularly want to lay a concrete base, do you know of an easier effective alternative

Answer 1

I know concrete might sound messy and complicated to deal with, but if you choose any other alternative you will probably regret it. If you go with wood you would have to raise it above the ground to avoid moisture which would rot the wood and attract insects and rodents. It shouldn't be to complex. If you are pretty sure that ur ground is solid enough you don't need to reinforce the concrete for a building that size (unless you will have brick walls.) Just dig out about 6 inches of dirt and lay plastic sheeting membrane as a moisture barrier and then pour your concrete and trowl it. If you want to build it to last longer you can reinforce your concrete slab with 8mm (1/4inch) steel mesh and just place it on reo chairs or just small wooden blocks to raise the mesh off the ground then pour your concrete and trowl it. That will leave you with a smooth solid floor which will prevent bugs and moisture and last you for as long as you want it to. If you have any further questions or would like a sketch of it i'd be happy to help.

Answer 2

Use 8 x 4 concrete blocks. For a 9' foot square shed, for instance, lay 4 inches of sand over the whole area. Dig 12 blocks into the sand so that 3inches is showing above the sand. Place the blocks in a square pattern over the entire area, making sure you have one at each corner. They will support any size shed up to 10 yards square.

Answer 3

We laid scaffold boards onto gravel then built a wooden shed on top of them; the weight of the shed keeps it very grounded but you could drill holes into the base at the four corners and drive some long bolts or similar into the ground to give it a bit more stability. We didn't cut the boards to fit the shed, we left them longer to make a patio outside and we placed a bistro table and chairs just under the window. It looks lovely with a window box and a couple of hanging baskets!

Answer 4

I did the same thing last year for my mother - a 6 x 8 shed on paving slabs. But there is a certain amount of work involved. Don't just lay the slabs on the grass. You need to level the area, bed the slabs on sand (making sure they are level) and fill the joints and edges with concrete. This stops the sand escaping. Sounds a little complicated but is easy enough once you start. You may need a bit of muscle to help you though. The slabs can become surprisingly heavy as you lay them one by one, usually having to lift and relay them several times to get the levels right.

Answer 5

They sell a concrete product notched specifically for framing a base for decking or planking, it looks like a castled heavy duty cement block. Once leveled framed and planked you can build a shed. I helped build a shed with this type base five years ago its still looks good.

Answer 6

the easiest way but not too effective is lay a plywood base, i put a shed together last night at home and used 2 lengths of 4 x 4 on the ground (leveled) then the base was laid on top of that which was made up of a frame with joist spread about a foot apart and then boarded on top.

Answer 7

When I put a shed in my garden, I dug out an area about 2 inches deep, put a thin coating of sand on it and laid cheap paving slabs on it (from B&Q - about £2 each). The sand ensured I had them all level and the shed sits on top of that.
I would suggest doing the same with the playhouse.

Answer 8

I know the perfect solution if you are just starting with woodworking and also if you have already experience with it. I reccomend to give a look to this website ( woodworkingplans.kyma.info ) You can find a lot of woodworking plans and you will be able to manage the projects with a CAD/DWG software. It allows you to modify the projects and to alter the arragements. If you are a beginner this is the easiest way to start, it's the best approach to woodworking; and if you already have experience you will find a lot of ideas and inspirations to improve your abilities with woodwork. I'm sure that you will love it!

Answer 9

Concrete slabs on sand is easy and effective, It's a good idea to stand the shed in the centre of the slab to prevent it tilting.

Answer 10

Check out www.npda.co.uk.

Its the national property developers association so I'm sure someone there will be able to advise you.

You can become a member (for free) and ask in the forum.

Hope this helps