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Putting up a shed

butchpt2503butchpt2503 Posts: 12
in Tools and techniques
Now to the masses this question will seem simple, yet I have no idea how to prepare and put up a shed... 

I only want a basic she'd just for storing the lawnmower and other items in. Yet I'm being told by 'folk' I need a layer of hardcore, sand, cement and slabs perfectly level with the old shed on top. 

Surely it can't be that hard... 

Help me out here. It's likely I'm gonna have to dig out and level the area I want the shed to go, but after that where do I go... What do I do?
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Posts

  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Make it as easy as possible for you to do( especially in this heat!) Level soil area just larger than the shed size, lay membrane over the area and cover with gravel. Doing this will stop weeds growing under shed. Use wooden rafters 4×4  placed about 12 inches apart to put floor of shed on use level at this point to ensure base is level and build. Jobs a good un. 😉
  • Hampshire HogHampshire Hog Posts: 330
    Much the same as above depending what you have laying around but if you have some old bricks or paving slabs then I would not even bother with the membrane or gravel I just put down two or three old bricks at the ends and centre of each 4x4  you don't even have to level the whole area just where the bricks go make sure the 4x4 are level in each direction.

    I have done this on many occasions never had any problems I have also used old pallets if you can get them just lay them down level and build the shed up off of these.
    "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Our shed is on a proper concrete base, and the next one will be, then wood rafters to get an air gap
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    You'll need to raise the shed off the membrane/grass/concrete...........whichever you decide to go for, otherwise it will begin to rot from the base upwards.
  • Hampshire HogHampshire Hog Posts: 330
    As mentioned above getting the base up off the ground is the main thing to ensure a good airflow below, I also always give the underside of the floor a couple of coats of wood preserver before putting down.
    "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    edited July 2018
    Wait until the temperature goes down
    Chose your site.
    Level it
    Spray it with weed killer
    Leave for two weeks
    Lay down weed suppressing plastic / mesh
    Fix a pallet of the correct size into the soil.......so the shed dont decay
    Use a spirit level to make it level...........you dont want your Merlot spilling in the shed
    Find two good friends and bribe them
    Which way do you want the door and window facing...into the wind ?
    You will need some metal brackets...a hammer...several screw drivers and screws and a lot of patience
    Fix a water gutter to the sides and position your water butt 

    Photo please when its up 

    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • Hampshire HogHampshire Hog Posts: 330
    You need to have a slight lean allows the sediment to settle at the bottom end of the barrel   :D


    "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    If the site is subject to very strong gusts of wind you may wish to install some breeze blocks to stop it taking off....unless you have a Mary Poppins outfit of course
    Hic...hic to all who sail in her !!
    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    A metal shed won’t rot. Can be bolted to a poured concrete base or paving slabs set in sand, either way directly on a levelled earth base - the base needs to be bigger than shed as already pointed out, ideally with a bit of a fall to the outer edges for rain runoff. You need something solid to wheel the mower in and out easily if the shed doesn’t come with an integral floor.

    Hardcore, sand, cement then paving slabs is totally OTT!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Air gaps under the floor are essential to stop a wooden floor rotting. They also provide a lovely place for mice, rats and other creatures to live. A concrete floor is more rodent proof, or use chicken wire to stop at least the rats from getting in to the space.
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
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