What to put under garden shed

awec

Getting a garden shed in the next few weeks. Going for a timber one, probably 8 x 6.

The various shed sellers all say I need to provide the concrete blocks for the foundations, which is no problem, I can source those somewhere.

But what should I put underneath the shed? Should I be putting down a plastic membrane, put the blocks on that and then covering the rest with some sort of stones? Or should I just lay the blocks on the soil and have nothing between the soil and the shed floor?

Also, is there a certain height the shed floor needs to be raised off the ground?

Calahonda52

I have alway put wooden shed on 4 " blocks on the flat on a crushed stone base of about 4 " just to ensure no vermin decide to take up residence as well as no water lodging underneath for extra damp

Lumen

I had no issues with just blocks on soil with a small wooden shed.

NickNickleby

I had a wooded shed, I got rid of it as I suspected there were rats hiding under it. Neighbour had one, and stray cats gave birth under it.

In my own case, it was sitting on 15"x4" concrete blocks on their flat sides - one at each corner and a few at mid points(about 7 in all if I recall). It never rotted at the bottom. The grass underneath died, and the grass round the bottom grew sufficiently to hide the gap. I placed plastic mesh round the bottom, and 'something' made a hole in it. when I threw rat poison blocks through the hole, they were gone overnight. That was enough for me - shed gone. (I had seen a rat in the garden one Sunday afternoon). After demolishing the shed, there was no evidence of nesting, nor holes or burrows.

Daughter recently bought a house, and in urgent need of storage they purchased a steel shed. It has no floor, but the guy putting it in laid a concrete base and sat the shed on it. All in one day. It was about 1000-1200 if I remember correctly. They're happy with it.

awec

Thanks Nick but from an aesthetic point of view I want a timber shed. It’s a small enough garden, and the shed will be constantly in view, I think the steel sheds would look out of place.

SandyMac1234

Have 2x 15 year old timber sheds, Installers placed blocks on soil, shed on top. No vermin seen. Neighbor had rat problem at one time, even then they didn't take up residence. Grass dies off underneath.

awec

Sounds good, thanks all.

While I have you all, have any of you ever bought any of the sheds from Woodies? Any issues if so?

NickNickleby

Hi awec,

one last thing. The shed was very close to two walls - it was right in the corner. Because I didn't keep an eye on it, over about 12 years, leaves collected, decomposed, repeat. Until there was a pile of compost against one side of the shed and THAT'S where the wood rotted. But as I said, the whole floor was completely intact, and it was rough cut timber with some sort of preservative painted on it.
If I was doing it again, I'd do it the same all over, but I'd use something more robust at the bottom to keep out the wildlife - just for peace of mind.

Can't offer comments on Woodies sheds, sorry about that.

Lumen

NickNickleby wrote: »

If I was doing it again, I'd do it the same all over, but I'd use something more robust at the bottom to keep out the wildlife - just for peace of mind.

I actually think the better strategy is to leave enough clearance for predators (i.e. cats) to get underneath.

If you create a cage, the rats will still get in but the predators won't. Happy rats!

SmartinMartin

Wife.

awec

Hm, mine is actually planned to be in a corner, one side will be against a concrete block wall (which will be higher than the shed) and the other side against a wooden fence.

NickNickleby

Lumen wrote: »

I actually think the better strategy is to leave enough clearance for predators (i.e. cats) to get underneath.

If you create a cage, the rats will still get in but the predators won't. Happy rats!

My neighbour has FOUR cats. the only thing they catch is baby birds! I like your suggestion, but I think it requires hungry cats.

Stigura

Awec; Just get it off the ground, enough that at least a terrier, preferably even a determined rat catcher, can get under it. Then, ye covered, aren't ye?

Lex Luthor

had a wooden shed, binned it for a metal one
night & day between the 2
you can get the metal sheds in all colours, I'm sure it will match in, I wouldn't rule it out

Joey the lips

Have wooden shed 14 years. On blocks solids layed flat. All fine. If you want to use weed fabric you can but its pressure treated timber on sheds so should not need to.

My neighbour done the same, but put a skirt around the blocks. As the wood is in constant damp its been changed once.

Don't worry to much

awec

Digging this up again, someone recommended to me that I concrete under the blocks to prevent sinking.

Any need? I'm leaning towards no, but just want to get opinions.

bassy

mine is on pallets all leveled and then shed on top.

Steve

awec wrote: »

Digging this up again, someone recommended to me that I concrete under the blocks to prevent sinking.

Any need? I'm leaning towards no, but just want to get opinions.

Dig a bigger hole than needed, about 5-10cm bigger all round , shovel in some dry concrete mix without wetting it. Set the block on top and level it, then shovel in some around the sides. Moisture from the ground will set the concrete after a few weeks.