Why Do I Need A Base For My Shed?
If you are looking to purchase a shed for the first time, then you might be surprised that every single structure requires a strong base and can’t simply be placed directly onto the terrain of a garden or backyard. A shed is still a simple and straightforward structure to erect, but a shed structure’s sturdiness and longevity will be heavily affected if it does not have a decent foundation.
You can’t expect a brand new shed to be functional for many years to come if you leave it exposed with its foundations. This will inevitably affect its structural integrity and its ability to perform its job effectively as a result.
Whether this be an apex shed, pent shed or a garden office shed, a shed or summer house foundation is a necessity. So why exactly do you need one of these? Read on to find out…
A level base
One of the most obvious reasons to install a shed base is to create a flat and steady surface for the structure to sit on. If your shed is on a slop – even if this is very slight – items may slide or roll across the floor, with an uneven amount of stress being placed on certain areas and joints. This makes the structure fundamentally unsafe and more prone to wear, tear, and damage, generally shortening its lifespan.
Damp and rot
Your shed will need a base even if your lawn, patio, or decking is completely flat and level, even if this may seem like a strange concept at first! The reason for this is that, particularly on organic surfaces such as grass, rain can still seep between the ground and bottom of your shed, soaking into the exposed wood. This can cause boards to warp and soften, instigating rot that can cause extensive damage to the structure.
If you are storing products that need to be kept dry such as electrical products, they will be negatively affected as a result of the damp, and it is likely that the whole shed will need replacing a lot earlier than expected.
Erosion and subsidence
Over time, the weight of the shed that is not protected by a base may cause the structure to appear to lean. This could be a result of the walls missing proper support, or you may notice that one side of it is sinking into the ground. This will cause considerable damage to both the shed and your garden which could be long-lasting.
Damage to land
The extra unprotected weight of your shed can cause the structure to sink into grass, creating extensive (and expensive!) damage to your lawn. Also, because there is no way of spreading that weight across an acceptable surface area, even solid surfaces such as decking and paving can be affected. Flagstones can be forced down into the ground, and, through a combination of damp and pressure, decking boards can splinter or rot.
Look
Finally, your shed will look neater and sturdier with a strong base. Without one, the structure will look a little strange and uneven – especially if it leans – spoiling the well-rounded garden building that you are looking for. It will also give the impression of a flimsy temporary feature as opposed to a structure that is here to stay. A base can help to finish off the design in a visually pleasing manner, attractively trying the shed into its surroundings.
Contact us
Would you like to find out more about effectively and safely erecting a shed in your garden or yard? If so, all you need to do is contact the specialists at Solid Sheds today on 01695 51442. Alternatively, you can use the handy contact form that can be found on site. We have sites all across the United Kingdom, so be sure to pop into your nearest branch to see what they have to offer. Depending on its location, a Solid Sheds site is usually open been 9am and 5:30pm throughout the week, so check online to see when is best to contact your nearest outlet.