What Is The Best Pub Shed Base

One of the most important parts of any building project is the foundation it sits on. So when it comes to building a pub shed to house your home bar, the base is important. But what is the best pub shed base?

There are a variety of different options to choose from when it comes to the base for your shed. But the most important thing is to get this stage of the build right. Get the base right and the rest will fall into place with ease.

In this article I will look into the available options for a good solid shed base.

It is recognised by many that a concrete base is the best you can lay as a foundation for a shed. However concrete can have its problems and is expensive to lay. Paving slabs are an alternative to concrete, but again can have their problems. A wooden frame makes for a good shed base and can be easily adjusted for a level platform. Then there is a plastic grid filled with gravel that can be a good solid base.

All have there pros and cons, but it mainly comes down to individual choice, budget and circumstances.

Why Is A Shed Base Important?

A shed or cabin needs to have a solid level base. This will not only support the weight of the structure, but also make sure it stays square and true.

If the base is not solid and level then the shed will move and come out of square. This can cause panels to warp and twist. Doors and windows may not open or shut properly and leaks may happen.

Forget a good shed base and sit your shed straight on the ground. It’s an option, but watch the moisture creep up your shed walls as it soaks up the moisture from the ground.

A good way to shorten the life of your shed, and watch it rot.

There is no getting away from the fact that a shed, cabin or any garden building needs a good solid level base.

So how do you choose the base that will be right for you?

Choosing The Right Shed Base

Choosing the right shed base can be a mind bend. I know because I have recently gone through the same process as I am building a pub shed right now.

There are a number of choices when it comes to a good foundation, probably more than you think. So I will go through as many as I can remember, starting with the most obvious.

The first thing is to decide the size of your pub shed, then you can decide on the base.

Concrete Shed Base

This is by far the most popular shed base and used by many, it is a good solid base for any size garden building.

That is as long as it is installed properly. The biggest downside to a concrete base is they are expensive to do. Also they are quite labour intensive too.

The basic steps for a concrete base are:

  • Mark out the area using pegs and string line. Make sure it is square by measuring the diagonals, they need to be the same measurment.
  • Dig out the area within your string line. Make sure you dig it out level and all grass and vegetation are cleared from the area. Aim to dig out around a 100mm (4 inches).
  • Lay a sub base of MOT type 1 and make sure it is compacted down with a wacker plate.
  • Cover sub base with a layer of sand for the damp proof membrane.
  • Build the shuttering framework around the parameter the size of your slab. Make sure it is square and then peg it using wooden pegs.
  • Lay the damp proof membrane making sure it is flat and overlap the shuttering.
  • Mix and pour your concrete working as quick as possible. You will need a second person to help. To estimate the amount of concrete you will need multiple the width by the length by the depth of the area to be filled.
  • Finally tamp the concrete down using a long piece of wood using the shuttering as a guide.

The concrete should be okay to walk on in a couple of days. However it will take around couple of weeks to be cured enough to build on.

As you can see a concrete base is quite labour intensive.

Paving Shed Base

Paving slabs can make a good shed base as long as they are laid properly. There are a number of sizes of slabs available. The bigger the slabs the less you will need for your base.

However the large slabs are heavy and can make the job a back breaking one. But in my opinion are the better slabs for a base.

The basic steps for laying paving slabs:

  • Measure the area for the base and mark out with pegs and string line. Make sure it is square.
  • Clear the area and dig out 100mm (4 inches) of soil then make sure it is level.
  • Lay a ground sheet like a geotextile fabric.
  • Lay a sub base MOT type 1 and compact it using a wacker plate.
  • Mix up a concrete mix and have it ready to hand.
  • Put a layer of concrete where first slab it to be laid and spread.
  • Lay slab on top of concrete.
  • Using a rubber mallet and spirit level tap the slab until it is the desired height and level across each side and diagonally.
  • Repeat for all slabs butting them up together until your base is complete.
  • Once all is set grout the joints, although not everyone does this.

Laying a slab base can be heavy work, especially if you use the largest slabs.

Wooden Frame Base

A wooden frame for your shed base is a little less labour intensive as well as be less expensive too. It is a matter of constructing a frame the size of your shed which is then support by legs.

There are several methods of supporting those legs, which include concrete pads, block pads, paver pads or even ground screws.

The basic steps are:

  • Mark out the area with pegs and string line making sure it is square.
  • Dig out or clear the area of vegetation.
  • Workout how many supporting legs you will need (this will depend on the size of shed) and mark out where they are going to be situated.
  • Prepare the ground for the type of support you are using.
  • Install your supports making sure they are all the same height and level.
  • Build the outer frame of your wooden frame and place it on top of your supports.
  • Square the frame and fix to supports.
  • Add joists across the width of the frame using joist hangers and fixing them 400mm to centres.
  • Fix struts (noggings) between joists to add rigidity.

A wooden frame base is a good solid base for a shed and can be adjusted to level.

Plastic Shed Base

What Is The Best Pub Shed Base

The plastic shed base is a grid system that locked together and then filled with gravel. Again a good solid base to support any garden building as long as it is installed properly.

This system is inexpensive and easy to install, unless you have to level the ground first, which can be a pain.

The plastic grid system is the one I opted for my pub shed base.

The basic steps for a plastic grid base are:

  • Mark out the area with pegs and string line, and make sure it is square.
  • Prepare the ground by clearing and vegetation or obstacles.
  • If the ground isn’t level then make sure to level it.
  • Once level some say it is ready for a groundsheet. However you can add a sub base first, just make sure you level this layer.
  • Lay the ground sheet across the whole area.
  • lay your plastic grid base by clipping each square grid together until your base is complete.
  • Check that the grid is level.
  • Fill your grid with gravel and rake level.

The plastic shed base is an easy and quick base to lay. My ground is on a slight slope, so I had to level it, which is no easy feat. However it is worth spending time on this step, because it is important to be level.

After that, the rest is easy.

Other Shed Base Option

There are other options to choose and some of them may suit your needs and circumstances more than those I have covered.

Ground Screws

These do make for a good solid shed base, and can be levelled as you go.

Basically think very large screws that are screwed into the ground. The concept is simple, however you won’t be able to use your trusty screwdriver to fix these monsters.

A special bit of kit is used to get these hefty screws into the ground.

I did look into this method, but when I priced it, WOW expensive.

Concrete Blocks

I have seen many people just use concrete blocks to support their garden room.

By placing blocks on gravel or cement mix they can make an adequate shed base. Just make sure the blocks are all level and you use enough to support the whole shed structure.

Add more than you think just to be sure.

There are an array of different products, like easy pads, metal jacks, deck blocks and gravel pads. The list goes on.

You just need to go for the one that fits you.

Final Thoughts

Although originally I was going to plump for a concrete base for my pub shed base. The shear work and access put me off, as well as it being more of a permanent structure.

The wooden frame also took up some attention. However it will raise the shed higher off the ground than I wanted.

So after much research I went for the plastic grid system, it is strong and less invasive. I used a similar system for my driveway and it has been great.

I can easily take it up and reuse it in another location. Plus the drainage properties keep any damp away from the shed.

For me levelling the ground first was the hard part, but once that was finally done (it took a while). The rest was easy and straightforward.

I think it is down to personal choice and individual circumstances that really decide which base to go for. As long as the base is level and strong, then it will do the job.

If you have any questions or other good shed base ideas, then do share your thoughts below.

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