Buying a shed is an investment in time and money, so you want your investment to stand the test of time. You must install it on a solid surface to get the most out of your shed. Solid means concrete screed, concrete slabs, stone slabs, or a plastic shed base kit.
Successful shed installation relies on sensible shed foundation options, and placing your shed on grass is not one of them. Always install a base for a shed on grass, we discuss some options below.
Can you put a shed on grass?
There are many reasons why you should not install your shed on grass or directly onto the soil. These include stability issues, moisture and water damage problems, and the risk of pest infestation. This blog post will look at the best installation options and reinforce the idea that you should not build your shed on grass alone.
Stability issues
Building the best base for a shed on grass solves your stability issues. If you install a solid base made of concrete, by way of slabs or screed or install a plastic shed base kit you will get around the stability issues. Should you decide to ignore our advice and install your shed directly into the grass or soil, your shed will lean, move and become generally unstable. The shed will suffer from water damage and almost certainly become the home for all manner of pests.
Moisture and water damage
When you place your shed directly on the grass, you significantly increase the chance of moisture and water damage. If you put a wooden shed directly onto grass or soil, as wood is a natural material, it acts like a sponge and soaks up all the moisture in the soil. While any wooden shed will sell is covered with a lengthy guarantee, by placing the shed on grass, you risk invalidating your warranty and, more importantly, shortening the life of your garden building.
Pest infestation risks
Pest infestation is also a risk factor when you ignore the best shed foundation options. Where there is moisture, there will always be insects and pests that love a warm, damp home. Pest infestation means insects like ants, flies, worms, and woodlice will borrow into your shed to lay their eggs and use your wooden shed as a food source. Infestations will ruin your shed, even if made of plastic or metal. Insects feed on the rust that appears on metal sheds or garden buildings when they are not installed correctly.
What is the best base for a shed on grass?
The best base for a shed on grass is a concrete base, paving slabs, a plastic shed base kit with a gravel foundation, a wooden shed base, or wooden decking, which acts as a shed foundation because the decking is installed on a plastic foundation and a wooden frame.
Concrete base
There are several contenders for the best base for a shed on grass, and concrete is high on the list. Some gardens may already have some concrete shed hard standing laid by the previous owner. If this is the case, then the chances are your shed is also in the best spot for its purpose. If not, then a base made of concrete screed is the most hardwearing and practical option, especially if you choose a timber shed or wooden garden building.
Wooden decking
Wooden decking is a great base for sheds on grass; however, the position of the decking within your garden or outside space may not be suitable or conveniently placed for practical shed use. You may want to install a wooden deck surface for your shed to sit on if you are going to use it for leisure or work-from-home purposes as opposed to storing your dustbins or garden tools and equipment.
Plastic base with a gravel foundation
A gravel foundation with a plastic shed base kit is an economical and practical way to install a hardwearing surface for your shed or garden building. The plastic shed kit uses gravel to secure and weigh down the base. You could opt for a straight layer of gravel, like laying your shed straight on the grass. The gravel will move or dislodge over time, causing all the problems associated with having no base at all.
Paving slabs
Paving slabs are one of the best shed foundation options. Some people are lucky enough to have an area in their garden or outside space with paving slabs in situ. Paving slabs make an ideal shed base because they are a sturdy DIY option. They act as a stable base for sheds on grass simply because they level out the ground and settle to form a solid and dependable base that stops moisture penetration and inhibits pest infestation.
Which is the best of the shed foundation options?
We can summarise the best shed foundation options in the following list:
- A concrete base - is the most suitable shed base over grass or soil
- Wooden decking - comes in second as the next-best shed foundation option
- Paving slabs - come in our list third, but it is a close call between decking and slabs
- Gravel combined with a plastic shed base kit - comes in fourth but scores a solid first for economy
- Gravel without a plastic shed base kit - it is a solid no from us!
With concrete leading the way on the shed foundation options, it is worth pointing out additional factors that may change the ranking depending on your circumstances.
- Aesthetics – if you are using your shed or garden building as a studio, workshop, summer house, or garden office, you should consider using or installing decking; this will create a pleasing aesthetic and a practical one
- Cost – if cost is a factor, then a concrete shed base is the most expensive option unless your garden has inherited some hard standing you can utilise
- Longevity – there is little doubt that concrete or paving slabs offer the longest life span of all shed bases, but if your shed or garden building is temporary, then a plastic shed base kit combined with gravel is one of the five sensible foundation options
- Time – concrete shed bases take time to lay, and if you are time-poor, you might consider laying paving slabs instead
Preparing the site for a shed base
Once you have chosen your shed base, it is time to clear and level the ground, removing rubbish and debris as you go. We explain why you must prepare the site before installing your shed base and then discuss common mistakes to avoid.
Clearing and levelling the ground
Clearing and levelling the ground for your shed base is vital. Ensuring your ground is level will give you a uniform surface on which to place your shed base. Without a clear and level ground space for your shed or garden building, you cannot ensure your base is perfectly vertical, and the knock-on effect is a leaning, uneven, or slumped shed. With your shed or garden building's life span in jeopardy, skipping this step is a false economy.
Remove rubbish and debris
Removing rubbish and debris from the area of your shed’s location is also crucial. While you might like hiding some rubble, rubbish or garden debris under the shed base, this is not a good idea in practice. Your base needs to settle, and if it is sitting on an uneven surface created by rubbish, the shed base will settle unevenly, and you will not be able to achieve a perfectly vertical surface. The rubbish stored under your shed base could conceal unpleasant odours that release over time and linger in your new garden building. That is a situation no one wants!
Common mistakes to avoid
We have all made mistakes, so this part of the blog lists the common mistakes to avoid, including ignoring drainage needs, skipping base preparation and choosing the wrong material for your shed base and your shed.
Ignoring drainage needs
Ignore drainage at your peril. If you live in a wet part of the UK or have soil that does not drain quickly, you must pay close attention to your shed’s drainage needs. Waterlogged soil will damage your shed even with a solid shed base in place. To make sure your soil is well drained, consider the following:
- Choose a high, well-drained spot - in your garden; in the first instance
- Create a slope - in front of the shed so water can drain away naturally
- Excavate - the chosen area to remove material that might hold water
- Install a gravel layer - under your shed base, particularly if you are installing paving stones or decking
- Use stabilisation fabric - this prevents gravel and soil from mixing
- In severe wet circumstances - install a drainage pipe to take the water away from the site
Proper drainage is the key to protecting your shed base and your shed's life span.
Skipping base preparation
Skip your shed base preparation and repent at your leisure. Thorough preparation is the best way to ensure your shed base sits perfectly vertically in the selected space. Why go to all the trouble of choosing and purchasing a shed or garden building if you do not install it correctly? Your shed is an extension to your home, an additional room designed for work, rest, and play, so put in the hard work at the beginning and enjoy years’ worth of extra storage space or hobby space that is perfect for your lifestyle.
Choosing the wrong materials
You can choose the wrong material for your shed base by not assessing your needs properly. If you are installing a large shed, you need a substantial shed base made of concrete. Placing a large shed on a gravel and plastic base kit is not recommended. Equally, consider the location of your shed.
Choosing a wooden shed in a wet coastal location might be a poor choice when a plastic shed with a solid base will withstand extreme weathering. Here is a list of factors to consider so you do not choose the wrong shed base material:
- The local weather conditions
- The location of the shed within the garden
- What you will use the shed for
- Cost per use value
We hope this blog post answers the question ‘Can you put a shed on grass?’ and gives you plenty of useful advice and tips so that installing your wooden shed is as simple as possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right garden shed base is key to the longevity and stability of your shed or garden building. Whether you are looking for a shed base on grass, a paving slab shed base or a concrete base we can help you make the right decision for you. A solid foundation whether it is wooden decking, a plastic shed base kit, or a plastic grid shed base will ensure your shed is level, stable and protected from water damage and pests. Proper ground preparation is key to avoiding problems like uneven surfaces or instability.
Contact us
Are you looking for advice on the best garden shed bases? If so, we can help! Whether you are looking for a shed base to add to grass, a paving slab shed base or a concrete shed base our team can advise. From soft ground to heavy-duty garden buildings to a level surface for your wooden shed or log cabins, we will help you choose the right base.
Contact us to see the options, from plastic grid systems to paving slab bases:
- Phone – speak to us when you dial 0333 003 0518
- Email – get in touch with us through our contact form to discuss your next shed floor or garden building installation
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