Why Do Sheds Need Bases

When purchasing a garden shed, or another garden building such as a Summerhouse or Workshop, it is important to note that you will need to have a base for the structure to be built on.

Why Do I Need a Base?

Regardless of the type of shed you have purchased, you will require a base for the following reasons:

• Flat Surface: It is imperative that the ground of which the shed will be built on is completely flat and level. A base that is not flat could cause structural issues with the building over time or cause issues during the assembly of the shed.  
• Air Circulation: This is important if you are building a timber shed. A suitable base allows air to circulate under the shed to prevent mould and rotting.
• Weight: A suitable base helps to support the weight of the shed. This prevents your shed from sinking into the ground and becoming unusable or damaged.

Types of Bases

When it comes to selecting a base option you have a number of different choices.

The 3 main types of bases are as follows:

• Wooden Shed Base: If you are building a timber shed then a wooden shed base may be the ideal option. This is simply a wooden framework which features spikes which are pushed into the ground to create a stable and flat base for the shed to go on top of.
• Concrete/Paving Slabs: The most common base option and broadly used is a completely flat paved or concreted area for the shed to be assembled on. For Plastic and Metal sheds these can be anchored straight on to this base. If you are assembling a timber shed onto concrete/paving slabs then you would need to ensure the shed has pressure treated floor bearers.
• Plastic Base: A cost effective solution are plastic gridded bases, such as EcoBases. These can be filled with aggregate and the shed is assembled on top. These are often cheaper than laying a concrete/paved base, are eco-friendly and can be moved should you move to a new house or wish to re-position the shed.

Depending on the material of your shed some bases may or may not be suitable:

Shed Material	Type of Base Suitable
Timber	Wooden Shed Base, Concrete/Paving Slabs (if shed has floor bearers), Plastic Base
Metal	Concrete/Paving Slabs
Plastic	Concrete/Paving Slabs, Plastic Base

What is Anchoring?

Anchoring is a term for using bolts to secure your shed to the base you have pre-prepared.

Anchor bolts normally are inserted around the perimeter of the bottom framework of a plastic or metal shed. These go straight into your base, ensuring that the shed will not move when under pressure from high winds.

Plastic sheds must be anchored as this forms part of the structural stability of the product. A plastic shed that has not been anchored will be more likely to move and to potentially collapse.

Do Sheds With Floors Need Bases?

Many sheds include a floor option, but it would be incorrect to assume that this would also act as a base in all cases.

The Rowlinson Premier Shiplap Apex Shed 6X8 for example includes a floor, and whilst with this particular model this would be suitable to be assembled directly onto a concrete or paved flat surface, this would not be suitable to be assembled on any other type of ground such as soil.

A floor is a worthwhile addition should you be looking to purchase a shed, as this allows you to store items on the floor with less worry of damage. Most timber sheds include floors, however many plastic and metal sheds do not. If your shed does not have a floor, then the base you have used for the building will act as a floor.

If you are unsure on if the shed you wish to purchase requires a base or not it is always worth checking with the retailer before purchasing for reassurance and advice.