A Shed Is Only Good As It’s Foundation

As a house is only as good as its foundation, so is a shed! It is always important to start your DIY projects off doing things the right way from the beginning, especially when they involve building a structure. This makes it easier later when you decide you want to add on to your shed, convert it into a living space, use it as a workshop, etc. Many factors will contribute to your chosen shed foundation type including budget, size of shed, and your shed’s purpose, to name a few, and every shed is different.

Why Shed Foundations Are Important

Is a foundation important for all sheds? The short answer is, yes! A strong, level, and dry foundation is necessary for all structures, including your shed. Without some kind of foundation, your shed will end up leaning and can become unsafe. Sheds that do not have foundations and are instead built on just ground will lean and become unstable as the ground moves, which it will. A shed without a foundation will also be unprotected from moisture damage. The ground floor of the shed could erode over time, and the walls of the shed could begin to develop dry rot. Therefore, you will want to have a foundation of some kind! Before you get started thinking about what kind of foundation works best for you and your shed, make sure to check in with your local building inspector or planning department to make sure you are complying with any regulations on structure foundations. You should also make sure to start with solid, level ground, no matter which foundation method you end up using.

Gravel Foundation Option

Sheds that are smaller than 8 foot x6 foot, will likely do just fine on a gravel or crushed rock foundation. This method is ideal if your shed fits the size constraint and if you are on a budget, as it is probably the cheapest option for a foundation. It is also relatively easy installation for a moderately experienced DIY-er. Gravel will not completely keep out moisture, so if you live in a moderate to wet climate, you might consider something more waterproof even if you have a smaller shed. Moisture can be a concern for the structure itself as well as whatever items you are storing inside your shed. If your shed is intended for people’s comfort, you should also consider that gravel floors get cold from the ground and will keep your structure cold inside, even in mild temperatures.

If gravel ends up as your foundation of choice, it requires only that you dig a few inches deep into the ground you’ve chosen for your shed to lay the gravel down into. When it comes time to attach the shed to the foundation, you can use pegs or auger anchors.

Paving Slab Foundation Option

Paving slabs are pre-poured slabs of concrete that you lay down next to each other like tile. They are much stronger than gravel yet are still a cheap option. If you are going to lay pavers, you should take extra care to ensure the ground below is as level as possible. It is recommended that you lay down gravel or sand first in order to guarantee levelness. This will also help prevent the pavers from sinking down into the ground over time, which they can do on plain ground. Pavers can be difficult to level with each other, which is why it’s important to start with a very flat base. It is easier to secure your shed walls to pavers than it is to gravel. Photo: http://southwicks.co.uk/gallery-2/

Poured Concrete Foundation Option

A poured concrete slab is probably the most durable option here, but also the most expensive. It is the most time consuming installation, especially considering set time, which is over a month, and requires more experience and skill. If your shed is quite large, though, a concrete slab might be the best option for you still. Also very important to factor your concrete depth correctly for the final load weight of the shed. Pouring a too thin foundation makes for instability and cracking, so it’s best to err to a deeper concrete slab especially if you might convert the shed to living space in the future.

Timber Decking Foundation Option

Timber bases for sheds are likely one of the most popular foundation choices for sheds. If you are a skilled woodworker, it is likely that this is the easier job for you.This structure for a shed is ideal because you can make your shed sit off the ground, protecting it from moisture and chilly air. Make sure you use lumber that has been treated for outdoor use so that it is protected from pests and moisture. To keep your shed off of the ground, piers are recommended, which are concrete blocks that the walls can rest in. Piers are more expensive and difficult to deal with, however. You can also use pavers to support the timber base structure.

If you are intending to use your shed, either now or in the future, as a hang out space for friends or a guest bedroom or office, we recommend that you pick a foundation that is more permanent and suited for large structures and won’t compromise the comfort of the location. Otherwise, if you are just using your shed for storage, we recommend using the foundation that is the cheapest but lets the least amount of water in the shed. And, if your funds are unlimited, we recommend the poured concrete! Whatever your shed DIY plans choose Shed Windows and More as your shed window and shed hardware choice because we have all the hard to find parts you need to make your shed project turn out great!