Sheds and Bases - Basic advice required
Discussion
Hi everyone, sorry for the noob question but I have just bought a house and would like to put a 14 x 10 wooden shed / cabin type structure in the back garden to house a few of my motorcycles.
I have been reading online as best I can and it seems like a minefield! I had assumed that I would need to build a concrete slab to put it on but there is lots of stuff online about sunken plastic grid with gravel alternatives. Are they really any good?
They would be beneficial from an eco and ease of fitment point of view, plus also still allowing water to drain away easily from the wood. This is no good however if it is going to sink after a few months. The types of cabin I have been looking at have floors with them so that is not an issue.
What are peoples thoughts?
Also prices seem to vary wildly for sheds which from what I can see if mainly down the the thickness of the wood. I'm still at the very early stages so any advice would be appreciated
I have been reading online as best I can and it seems like a minefield! I had assumed that I would need to build a concrete slab to put it on but there is lots of stuff online about sunken plastic grid with gravel alternatives. Are they really any good?
They would be beneficial from an eco and ease of fitment point of view, plus also still allowing water to drain away easily from the wood. This is no good however if it is going to sink after a few months. The types of cabin I have been looking at have floors with them so that is not an issue.
What are peoples thoughts?
Also prices seem to vary wildly for sheds which from what I can see if mainly down the the thickness of the wood. I'm still at the very early stages so any advice would be appreciated
I think considering what your housing in the shed, a good solid concrete base would be best for strength as you know there's real weight in a motorbike.
Regarding shed prices, there is definitely an element of 'you pay for what you get'. If it seems cheap, it will be cheap, with thin nasty wood that will warp, distort and split easily.
Go for a pressure treated shed too for best weather protection, as apposed to 'dipped'. You can still paint or stain these if you like.
Regarding shed prices, there is definitely an element of 'you pay for what you get'. If it seems cheap, it will be cheap, with thin nasty wood that will warp, distort and split easily.
Go for a pressure treated shed too for best weather protection, as apposed to 'dipped'. You can still paint or stain these if you like.
Lincsls1 said:
I think considering what your housing in the shed, a good solid concrete base would be best for strength as you know there's real weight in a motorbike.
Regarding shed prices, there is definitely an element of 'you pay for what you get'. If it seems cheap, it will be cheap, with thin nasty wood that will warp, distort and split easily.
Go for a pressure treated shed too for best weather protection, as apposed to 'dipped'. You can still paint or stain these if you like.
Thanks, I had seen one at my local shed place back in the summer which was made of interlocking 45mm boards which certainly seemed pretty sturdy. I didn't think to ask them at the time about recommended people to lay the base Regarding shed prices, there is definitely an element of 'you pay for what you get'. If it seems cheap, it will be cheap, with thin nasty wood that will warp, distort and split easily.
Go for a pressure treated shed too for best weather protection, as apposed to 'dipped'. You can still paint or stain these if you like.
AceOfHearts said:
Thanks, I had seen one at my local shed place back in the summer which was made of interlocking 45mm boards which certainly seemed pretty sturdy. I didn't think to ask them at the time about recommended people to lay the base
If you can go view a particular shed and its seems nice and strong and you're happy with the build quality then that's great.Try to make sure yours is put together well, often they are nailed together. Much better to screw them.
Last shed I had delivered was sent with screws, I use them all and then added extra.
Regarding the base, a decent landscape gardener might do one for you or its a small job for a local builder.
Broadly you pay for what you get in sheds. Compare the ones in the garden centre with the ones in B and Q to see what the difference is. The differences are in the studwork, the more expensive sheds with have better studwork, with a greater cross section, and thicker panelling.
If you are going to store motorbikes security may be an issue. You may want to be chaining them through the floor to your concrete base! Toy might also want to give consideration to the strength of the door, and the security protection it offers.
If you are going to store motorbikes security may be an issue. You may want to be chaining them through the floor to your concrete base! Toy might also want to give consideration to the strength of the door, and the security protection it offers.
I’ve done concrete bases in the past and slabs. Latest shed I bought the plastic grids off bay of E and gravel in bulk from a local supplier. Provided you get the ground reasonably level first it is so quick and easy. Click the base to together and pour gravel in and rake level. Also the grid allows the bottom frame of the shed to breath and the gravel drains well so the base doesn’t get wet. Unless you need a massively solid construction I would go grid every time.
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