The best shed foundation for a garden shed is the one that fits your individual budget and storage needs. There are several garden shed foundation and types of foundations to choose that depend on the shed’s size if the location will be permanent and how much money you want to spend on the project.
Choose the Type of Garden Shed Foundation and Location
There are several shed foundation possibilities for a garden shed. The size of your lawn or garden will most likely dictate your storage needs. Some storage sheds are about the same size as a small closet. This type might not even need a shed foundation and can be placed directly on a patio.
A simple do-it-yourself foundation is usually fine for most garden sheds that are used to store rakes, shovels and potting supplies. For a large shed that will accommodate a variety of heavy equipment such as riding lawn mowers or tillers, you might want to consider hiring a professional to do the excavation and install a permanent concrete shed foundation. Either way, choosing the best location is your first decision. A garden shed should be on the level ground that has good drainage.
Concrete Base for Shed Foundation
Concrete Slab Foundation
The most permanent foundation for a garden shed is a professionally installed concrete slab. Concrete is a stable and durable material that gives the option of having a large shed. It’s a good choice if you have heavy lawn equipment. If the shed will store a riding lawn mower, you’ll also need a ramp for the mower.
Keep this in mind when determining location and cost. This is a shed foundation that will stand the test of time. Since it is a permanent shed foundation, you won’t have the option of moving the garden shed at a later time.
Concrete Pavers Foundation
This is a great choice for a garden shed foundation for several reasons. It’s more stable than just crushed stone alone but It’s also more budget-friendly than a concrete slab shed foundation. It has some of the benefits of concrete, but it’s not as permanent or durable. It will require some heavy lifting but it’s certainly not out of reach for do-it-yourselfers.
Using concrete pavers for a shed foundation is a similar process as using them for a walkway. You’ll need to remove any grass and excavate the top layer of soil. A layer of gravel or sand is a good option for the base beneath the concrete pavers. This foundation is still capable of supporting weight but could shift over time. Since water can easily drain between the pavers, this is a good shed foundation if the garden shed will do double duty as a potting shed.
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Crushed Stone Shed Foundation
Crushed stone is often used as the base for the concrete pavers to aid in drainage and for leveling the ground. But gravel alone can also be used as the main shed foundation. This is the most affordable of the options and the easiest to remove later if you should need to move the garden shed.
To do the job correctly, preparation is still extremely important. For best results, the site should still be excavated and leveled. The deeper the gravel base, the longer the foundation is likely to last. It’s important to place the garden shed in an area where drainage is excellent and run-off from heavy rains won’t be a problem.
Wood Shed Foundation
Wood is an option to use as a garden shed foundation but extra steps will be needed to make sure the foundation isn’t sitting directly on the wet ground. The wood can be pressure treated lumber or even a plywood sub-floor. Either type will need to be raised above the soil with either concrete blocks or landscape timbers.
A wooden floor is not as strong as a concrete foundation. Depending on the wood chosen for the flooring of the shed, it might not be as durable for heavy lawn equipment. No matter which foundation is best for your garden shed, it’s sure to see many hours of use. A well-planned garden shed will leave you with more time for gardening!
References
- Garden Sheds Pepper Pot Farms: http://www.gardensheds.com/building_foundation.html
- Secrets of Shed Building: http://www.secrets-of-shed-building.com/storage_shed_foundation.html
- The 5 Most Popular Shed Foundations: http://www.bylerbarns.com/shed-foundation-101/
