What base should you use for a garden building?

A solid foundation is key to ensuring the longevity and stability of any building, and that includes your garden room, garage or shed. There are several choices for garden building foundations, so which one is best?

In this blog, we will explore the pros and cons of the different types of garden building base materials, and give our recommendation on which ones offer the best foundation.

A Solid Base for Your Garden Building

Before we consider the different types of materials you can use as a base for your garden building, it’s important to know the value of having a solid foundation:

1. Stability: A well-prepared base provides a stable surface, preventing your building from sinking or shifting over time.
2. Protecting from Moisture: Moisture can seep from your garden into your garden room or shed if the base doesn’t adequately protect against it. A good base will minimise the risk of rot and decay in your timber building.
3. Lifespan: You want your garden buildings to go the distance, and having a good, solid base is a vital element in making it last.
4. Structural Integrity: The stability (or lack thereof) of your base can affect how smoothly your doors and windows open. Ensuring you have a base that remains level will keep everything flowing smoothly in your garden room.

Now let’s take a look at the different types of bases available.

Concrete Bases

Pros

1. Strength and Durability: Concrete bases are incredibly strong and can support heavy loads, making them ideal for larger garden buildings.
2. Lifespan: A properly installed concrete base can last for decades with minimal maintenance.
3. Stability: Concrete provides a stable, level surface that minimises the risk of shifting or settling.
4. Moisture Resistance: Concrete bases help prevent moisture from seeping into the building, protecting the timber from rot and decay.

Cons

1. Cost: Concrete bases can be more expensive to install compared to other types of foundations due to the materials and labour involved.
2. Installation Time: Concrete bases require more time to install and cure, which can delay the overall construction process.
3. Intrusiveness: The installation of a concrete base can be intrusive to your garden, involving significant excavation and disruption.

Slab Bases

Pros

1. Cost-Effective: Slab bases are generally more affordable than concrete bases, making them a popular choice for many garden buildings.
2. Ease of Installation: Slab bases are quicker and easier to install compared to concrete bases.
3. Less Intrusive: Installing a slab base is less disruptive to your garden as it requires less excavation work.
4. Adequate for Most Structures: Slab bases provide sufficient stability and support for most garden buildings, particularly smaller to medium-sized structures.

Cons

1. Limited Strength: While adequate for most buildings, slab bases may not provide the same level of support and durability as concrete bases for larger, heavier structures.
2. Potential Shifting: Over time, slab bases may shift or settle, especially if not installed correctly or if the ground beneath is not properly prepared.
3. Maintenance: Slab bases may require more maintenance over time to ensure they remain level and stable.

Gravel Bases

Pros

1. Drainage: Gravel bases provide excellent drainage, preventing water from pooling around the base of the building.
2. Cost-Effective: Gravel is a relatively inexpensive material, making this a budget-friendly option.
3. Ease of Installation: Gravel bases are relatively easy to install and can be adjusted as needed.
4. Flexibility: Gravel can be used in areas where other types of base may not be feasible, such as uneven or sloped terrain.

Cons

1. Stability: Gravel bases may not provide the same level of stability as concrete or slab bases, especially for larger structures.
2. Maintenance: Gravel bases require regular maintenance to ensure they remain level and do not shift or settle over time.
3. Limited Support: Gravel bases may not provide adequate support for heavier garden buildings.

Timber Frames

Pros

1. Ease of Installation: Timber frame bases are relatively easy to install and can be built on-site to match the specific dimensions of your garden building.
2. Flexibility: Timber frames can be used in areas with uneven terrain or slopes, providing a level foundation for your building.
3. Aesthetics: Timber frames can blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings of your garden, offering a more aesthetically pleasing option.

Cons

1. Durability: Timber frames are not as durable as concrete or slab bases and may be susceptible to rot and decay over time, especially if not properly treated.
2. Maintenance: Timber frame bases require regular maintenance to ensure they remain in good condition and provide adequate support.
3. Limited Strength: Timber frames may not provide sufficient support for larger or heavier garden buildings.

What base should you use for a garden building?

At Paterson Garden Buildings we offer two options – slab bases and concrete bases. Both will ensure the stability of the structure long-term, and both will withstand sinking or shifting.

For most small to medium-sized garden rooms, summerhouses, and sheds, a slab base provides an excellent foundation that offers years of good structural integrity. It is more cost-effective than concrete, easier to install, and less intrusive to your garden.

For a larger or heavier garden building, we recommend using a concrete base reinforced with metal fabric. This will cost more, and we will have to do a little more digging in your garden, but for heavier buildings, this extra level of stability is required to prevent shifting and settling.

All Paterson’s buildings which are placed directly onto a concrete base will have a railing installed on the underside which is wrapped in DPC (Damp proof course) and we will use DPM (Damp proof membrane) to protect against rising damp. Slab bases will have a pressure-treated bearer under the floor joist to help prevent any decay of the wood.

As with every aspect of our projects, we will guide you to ensure you have the right materials for your garden building. If you have any more questions about the different types of garden building bases, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Installing your Garden Building

Just as important as getting the right base materials, is ensuring that the installation is of the highest quality. We offer a garden building installation service that will ensure your garden is completely level, water-tight and secure. We can cover every aspect of the installation, from preparing your garden to finishing touches like painting your garden building.

Our slab bases are measured and built to the exact size of your garden building i.e. an 8’ x 6’ shed needs a solid level 8’ x 6’ slab base. This stops any water running underneath the building.

The ground clearance of a concrete base should be at least 50mm above the ground. This accounts for instances where the ground isn’t level.

It is these precise details that make all the difference to the quality of your garden building.

What other factors affect the stability of my Garden Building?

A solid foundation is a good start, but what else should you consider when investing in a garden room?

Moisture is the enemy of any garden building! So ensuring your structure is well ventilated, expertly sealed and has the correct coating, will help you get as many years as possible from your garden room.

We include vents in all of our buildings which improves airflow, preventing moisture build-up, and reducing the risk of rot and decay. We also use high-quality, pressure treated timber to improve longevity. We can coat your timber with paint after installation, but you will need to top this up every 2-3 years to keep your wood fully protected.

Getting the right base for your Garden Building

Choosing the right base for your Paterson Garden Building is a crucial step in ensuring its longevity and stability. Correctly installing the base is of vital importance, which is why we offer a full service, right through from design consultation to coating.

We offer a wide range of buildings including garden offices, tool sheds, garages, greenhouses, equestrian stables, playhouses, summer houses and pet homes. We design every build to the same high standards, installing a solid concrete or slab base for every garden building.

You can explore our range and our show village in South Alloa, easily accessible from central Scotland, Fife and the Scottish Borders. You can trust Paterson Garden Buildings to deliver quality, durability, and exceptional service every time.