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I used to joke that my dad was called ‘the shed collector’. He has so many sheds, probably around ten. With this in mind, plus the few sheds I’ve owned and installed for clients as part of my landscaping and garden maintenance business I ran for over 15 years, I think I have some useful knowledge to share when it comes to the best shed base kits.
Living on a small holding and my family owning a small garden centre meant you could never have too many sheds. They always come in handy for extra storage, and I even converted a couple of sheds into chicken coops and installed automatic chicken coop doors, which I documented here.
If one thing has to be perfect when assembling a shed, it is that the shed is built on a solid-level base. For most people, especially those not really into DIY, this is the most challenging part and one of the most important considerations of building a shed. To do it right, you must assemble a shed on a solid base that evenly distributes the shed floor’s weight and allows air under the shed to prevent rot and dampness.
Back in the day, I used to either pour a concrete slab (which is alot of work) or lay paving slabs like I recently talked about in my How to Build a Greenhouse base guide as shown in my picture below, basiclly, a small paved patio, but it’s also ideal for a small shed.
Over the last 5 or 6 years, I have started using the shed base kits that come in a simple form. I like them because I don’t have to mix any concrete or build a paved area using heavy paving stones and it can keep costs down. These days, I can buy a shed base kit, install it with the shed fully assembled in less time than I can build the shed base from concrete or paving stones. It’s faster and easier!
Most shed base kits are super easy to install and are the perfect solution for anyone needing to install a shed base for a shed, especially plastic sheds, but they are also suitable for wooden sheds. Even with wooden sheds, if you need to install it on a patio or driveway, there are now shed base kits such as the EcoBearer Shed Base Kit that raises the shed slightly above the ground to provide airflow underneath the shed to prevent moisture from rotting the shed timbers and provide better support but more on these further down.
One of my favourite shed base kits, especially for plastic sheds, are the plastic grid tiles that connect together to form a solid base like the one above. There are a few different versions of this style of shed base, however, the Eco Deck Garden Shed Base Grid is probably my favourite option. To install, measure the area for the base and make the ground as level as possible. I like to also use a compacter wacker plate, but it’s optional. These plastic grid kits are super easy to install on soft ground like soil or grass. You just need to dig out the area with a spade; I also like to use a lawn edger on lawns and the important part is to make sure the ground level.
I recommend using a spirt level and a long piece of timber to make sure it’s level. Then, neatly lay some weed control fabric and pin it down to prevent the weeds from coming up, lay the plastic grids in position, and lock them together to the included clips. The clips to connect the grids together can be a little tricky to clip into position. I find it easier to use cable ties, and they work perfectly. Finally, use some gravel. I find 10mm or 20mm natural gravel is the cheapest and works great; there’s no need to get anything fancy and then pour it into the grids so that it’s level. Thats it; you can now assemble your shed on top of the base. This is probably the best choice for most people; it offers good value for money, is easy to install and does the job.
Another slightly different style I really like is this Hawklok Plastic Shed Base Kit as an alturnative. This works in the same way. However, the locking system is much better, and you don’t need to use gravel which I think is a big plus. This is well worth taking into account if you’re comparing prices for a project. Gravel can be £5-£6 a bag now, and the average 6ft x 8ft plastic shed base might use up 12-15 bags of gravel. Gravel never goes as far as you think!
Both the Eco Deck Garden Shed Base Grid and the Hawklok Plastic Shed Base Kit are great options. I prefer to use gravel and use the Eco Deck Garden Shed Base Grids, but thats is my personal choice. I get the gravel for free with my mum and dad owning a garden centre, so I’m just putting that out there, might be a different story if I was paying for the gravel!
It also comes with a 25-year guarantee, which says something about the quality.
Now, I want to quickly mention the EcoBearer Shed Base Kit shown above, which is fairly new. It’s perfect for wooden sheds you plan to assemble on a solid surface like a patio, concrete bases or decking. Basiclly, they attach to the underside of your shed base to the bearers on your shed floor (the timbers on the bottom of the shed), which includes most standard shed floors that come with wooden sheds. It’s a great idea, and they’re super easy to install; they simply clip to the bears that run underneath your shed floor, no tools are needed, and they keep the shed slightly raised above the ground to prevent rot. It’s a great solution if you already have a solid-level surface to work with.
One more shed base I want to mention before I get into my detailed reviews and buyers guide further down is this QuickJack Shed base system. Firstly, it’s a little expensive because it doesn’t include the timbers to make a base frame; this is usually fine for wooden sheds as they already have a base to which you can attach the QuickJacks although you might want to consider building a separate base frame first. However, if you want to install a plastic shed, you will need to build a base frame first to attach the QuickJacks to and then assemble the plastic shed to this. Basically, you attach each steel jack system to the shed bearers or support frame if you make one, flip the base over, and drive the steel stakes into the ground to get the base as level as possible. You can then adjust each jack with a spanner, which raises and lowers the base to get it perfectly level. Use a hammer and a piece of timber when levelling the base level so you don’t damage the base. What I like about this is you can install them straight onto soft ground, and you don’t even need to dig the area out to get it level, as this is done using the jack system.
BEST PICK
Top 7 sheds that we have reviewed, including our top picks:
- Eco Deck Garden Shed Base Bearer Kit
- Eco Deck Grid Garden Shed Base Kit
- Quick Jack Shed Base System
- Power High-Grade Premium Wooden Shed Base
- True Products 6ft x 4ft Eco Shed Base
- Hawklok 6 x 4 ft. Plastic Base Kit
- Forest Timber Shed Base
Top 7 Best Shed Base Reviews
1. Eco Deck Garden Shed Base Grid
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The Eco Deck 8ft x 6ft Garden Shed base Grid Kit comes with the membrane weed control fabric and plastic grids. The kit comes complete with everything you need to build a base for a shed measuring 8ft x 6ft but they also sell this kit in different sizes depending on the size of your shed. This grid is also designed for driveways and paths that are ideal for pushchairs, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and cars so it really is a versatile product where it really stands out is when used to build a shed base as it’s so easy to do.
This shed base is made here in the UK from local recycled materials which I think will appeal to many, it’s basiclly a more eco-friendly choice than concrete. Quick and easy to install, it offers load spreading support for structures that rest on it, and it is strong enough to support tonnes of weight. It also helps to prevent damp and, in turn, lengthen the durability of the shed it is supporting.
Important to note is that the installation area must first be made level. After that, you can lay down the membrane and connect the grids together. The kit comes with connectors that simply lock in position for tool-free assembly. Instructions are also supplied to guide you through the process. A little warning about the connectors, they could be better. I recommend using heavy-duty cable ties instead of the supplied connectors as they do the trick too. For extra stability, fill the grids with gravel or sand, though the base is solid enough on its own and has enough drainage and ventilation holes.
Pros
- I great option for all sheds including plastic and wood.
- Made from recycled materials, therefore, an environmentally-conscious option.
- Comes with a heavy-duty membrane and durable plastic grids.
- Easy to construct thanks to connectors that simply lock into position or swop them out for some cable ties (A few quid).
- 25 years warranty for lifetime peace of mind.
My recommendation
Eco Deck offers a 14 days moneyback guarantee, not to mention their industry-leading 25 year warranty on this product so it’s virtually risk free. Should you have any issues or questions, their customer service is just a phone call away, but it’s unlikely.
Overall, this Eco Deck model is one of the most affordable shed base kits on the market and one of the best choices. The only thing that can let it down are the clips but as mentioned, get yourself some scale ties and use these instead. Apart from this, it’s a really good system that is super easy to install and comes with everything you need.
2. EcoBearer Shed Base bearer Kit For Wooden Sheds
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The EcoBearer Shed Base Kit is a great option if you already have a solid service to build a wood shed or even a plastic shed but you would need to build a wooden base first. The kit consists of 12 ecobearers. These are struts made of recycled plastic that clip onto the underside of the load-bearing boards on the underneath of your shed floor. The ecobearers clip together for the length of the boards and raise your shed above the ground. They’re waterproof and weatherproof, durable and strong. They basically help prevent damp and help add extra support to the shed.
The 12 ecobearers you receive are sized for a 6ft by 4ft shed. They clip onto struts up to 35mm in width, a standard size when building a shed. They’re each two feet long, so you need three of them per board. Assuming you have four boards supporting your shed floor, that’s the 12 ecobearers used up.
If you have a smaller shed you want to raise off the ground, you can easily cut the plastic ecobearers with a hacksaw or jigsaw to the length that you need them.
Make sure to put your shed base and the ecobearers on a compacted and level site, including grass and hard core. The ecobearers also act to spread the load of the shed, adding to its stability. You can anchor the system to hard or soft ground, again adding to its stability and avoiding issues of wind lift and gusts.
Pros
- Ecobearers – load-bearing struts under a wooden base floor (not included).
- Constructed of recycled plastic.
- Sized for a 6ft by 4ft shed.
- Easy to trim to size.
- Assemble without specialist tools.
- Anchor to the ground, hard or soft compacted.
My recommendation
This EcoBearer Shed Base Kit is quick to assemble underneath your shed and base. They raise the structure off the ground while spreading the heavy load of the shed and its contents. Made of recycled plastic, they’re durable and stable without too much care from you. This product fits a 6ft by 4ft shed but can be easily cut down for a smaller shed. It’s a great option instead of raising your shed on bricks or timers but can be less than ideal and not the most supportive way to do it.
3. Quick Jack Shed Base System
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The Quick Jack Shed Base system is available in different kits, so you can pick the one that meets your requirements the most. The various options range from a 6 x 3ft shed base to a 12 x 10ft, with other sizes in between including 8 x 6ft, 8 x 8ft and 10 x 8ft. First thing to note, the kit just includes the quick jacks and not the case so you will need to either build a base or fasten them directly to your shed base. I recommend using 4 x 2 timbers to which you will then attach to their “Quick Jacks”
These shed bases are ideal for soft surfaces, and they come with the necessary components for installation, including brackets, adjustable bearing plates, screw piles, cross plates and screws but not the timber frame as already mentioned. Instead, they require you to construct an ideal size frame out of . No groundwork nor equipment is required at all and the supplied Quick Jacks will help to anchor your structure.
Thanks to the adjustable bearing plates, the Quick Jack shed base is easy to level on ground with up to 8 inches of slope. The built structure will help protect your shed from damp and water ingress, making sure that the items inside the shed are in top-notch condition as long as they’re in there.
Pros
- An adjustable base system that fits even surfaces with up to 8 inches of slope.
- Easy and quick to fit using the supplied components.
- Includes commercial-grade components with a 10-year warranty.
- No groundwork required to install the shed base.
My recommendation
Made from heavy-duty components, this shed base system is sure to support serious loads that may be thrown at it. The 10-year warranty offered on this product also gives substantial assurance of its quality. If you have some odd-shaped sheds that you would like to support, consider one of the shed bases from Quick Jack.
Read next: The best shed paint to protect your shed from rot
Read next: The best long-lasting shed felts
4. Power High Grade Premium Wooden Shed Base
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The POWER High Grade Premium Wooden Shed Base is designed as an accompaniment to the POWER shed you have or may purchase. POWER sheds come with the shed floor included in the purchase. But you need this base frame to stand the shed on. There’s a wide variety of base frame sizes to match the shed sizes.
This wooden shed frame is constructed of tanalised timber. That’s wood that’s been pressure treated so that the preservation protection goes right into the heart of the wood, rather than just remaining on the surface as when it’s brushed on.
The frame is easy to assemble and comes with instructions.
Pros
- Wooden shed base frame.
- Constructed of 90mm by 50mm tanalised (pressure treated) timber.
- Sized for an 8ft by 6ft shed.
- Six open panels.
- Easy to assemble.
- Designed for a POWER shed only.
My recommendation
This POWER High Grade Premium Wooden Shed Base goes along with the POWER shed you own or are about to purchase. It comes in a wide variety of sizes to match those of the POWER sheds available. Although these sheds come with a floor, it’s a good idea to raise the shed off the ground with this base frame. This keeps it, and the contents of the shed, dry and avoids rotting. This is a highly recommended accompaniment for any POWER shed.
5. True Products 6ft x 4ft Eco Shed Base
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The 6ft x 4ft Shed Base Kit by True Products consists of 24 TruePave Grids that are quick and easy to put together. You can then choose to fill the assembled structure with materials like soil, gravel, stones, sand or grass turf to give it enough strength to support the shed that would sit on it. Each grid measures 33 x 33 x 4cm, with every 9 of them giving a square metre coverage and strength of up to 250t/m². Better still, you can create a smaller size of base if your shed isn’t that big.
This product is made in the UK from 100% recycled material redirected from landfills. The material is eco-friendly and weatherproof so it can survive the typical British weather throughout the year. Moreover, it comes complete with weed fabric that is good quality and sufficient for the job. The larger size of this base also makes it perfect for larger sheds and is also suitable for other outdoor structures such as a greenhouse soakaway, private lanes, green car parking areas and construction sites.
Pros
- Comes with 24 TruePave grids, giving you so much flexibility.
- Robust, weatherproof and a doddle to install.
- Can be filled with various materials; sand, gravel, stones and more.
- Suitable for a variety of uses including a base for garden sheds and decking, patio, pathways and more.
My recommendation
Overall, this would make an excellent choice if you need something flexible in terms of the shed you can use it with. As long as you install it on level ground, this shed base is sure to offer stability and support for years.
6. Hawklok Plastic Base Kit
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
The Hawklok 6 x 4ft. Plastic Base Kit is supplied with membrane and six tiles, enough for a 6 x 4ft garden shed. This base is also perfect for small outdoor structures, children’s playhouses or sheds, small greenhouses, log cabins and many more buildings. The membrane prevents grass and weeds from growing through the base and allows ventilation as well as drainage to ensure the area stays dry. This is another eco-friendly base constructed from 100% recycled material to reduce the carbon footprint in your garden.
This shed base is very easy to use thanks to its lightweight construction. Once you level the area, installation takes about half an hour and that includes laying out the membrane and connecting the pieces together. The design of this base eliminates the need for lengthy excavations and laying slabs or concrete.
Pros
- Eco-friendly – made from 100% recycled plastic materials.
- Comes with a weed and grass suppressing membrane.
- Lightweight and easy to assemble.
- Self-ventilating and free draining to ensure a dry area.
My recommendation
All in all, this 6 x 4ft shed base offers a painless, fuss-free, environmentally friendly and cost-effective way of supporting structures and a good alternative to the Eco Deck Garden Shed Base Grid.
7. Forest Timber 8 x 6ft Shed Base
Buy on Amazon.co.uk
Another 8 x 6ft wooden shed base with metal spikes, this Forest Timber Shed Base is quick and easy build. It requires minimal DIY skills and takes less than an hour to build. This wooden shed base will do away with the hassle of laying concrete bases and slabs, which is usually a backbreaking job. The wood has been pressure-treated to ensure great resistance against rot. Forest is so confident that this product will beat the test of time that they offer a 15-years anti-rot warranty.
Once constructed, the shed base provides a level and sturdy base that is slightly raised off the ground to protect the shed floor from damp. The metals spikes are meant to secure the shed base into the ground.
Pros
- Made from high-quality softwood that has been pressure treated to last a long time.
- Includes metal spikes that secure the base firmly in the ground.
- Guaranteed for 15 years.
My recommendation
This 8 x 6ft model is Forest’s largest in their range out of 6 models that are currently available and it really offers a hassle-free solution to garden sheds and garden buildings. The dimensions of this shed base are 38cm x 233cm x 176cm. Please be aware that this product is only recommended for use with Forest sheds of a similar size. The shed base is a bit expensive compared to other 8 x 6ft models. However, it is a long-term investment that will last for many years.
Shed Base Buyer’s Guide
How large should your shed base be?
Ideally, it should be almost the same size as the floor of your shed. However, there are those who like to build their bases slightly larger than the shed’s floor. This helps to keep weeds and grass away from the shed walls. It also allows for cleaner access and space to empty out tools and equipment onto a hard-standing area. On the downside, it may foster dampness by allowing raindrops to bounce off the projecting section of the base and up onto the side panels.
What type of shed base should you install?
Sheds were traditionally built on concrete bases or placed on top of a paved area. The only problem with these methods is that they are time-consuming, labour-intensive and cost so much more money. The alternative to this heavy work is to install a plastic or wooden shed base.
Plastic shed bases
Plastic shed bases are usually made from recycled plastic, which is also great for the environment. They are ultra-lightweight, allowing you to install them without even an extra hand. A plastic shed base is usually made of interlocking tiles that look like puzzle pieces and these pieces are designed to fit together smoothly for easy and quick assembly. You will need to fill the spaces in between with a filler material such as pea gravel or sand.
Even with gravel infill, a plastic shed base allows airflow to ensure that the bottom of your shed won’t rot or corrode. The plastic base itself is not susceptible to rot and won’t crack under the stress of the load standing on it. The plastic is also usually UV stabilised to prevent stiffening or becoming brittle from exposure to the sun as regular plastics do.
Plastic shed bases also sit directly on the ground and they don’t have protruding sections where rain may hit and splash onto the walls of the shed. This ensures that your wooden shed won’t get wet.
That said, a plastic base is a great fuss-free, cost-effective and long-term option for creating a solid foundation for your shed or any other garden structure. Whether your shed is plastic, wood or metal, you can count on a plastic base for years.
Wooden shed bases
Most people use wooden bases for their sheds. They are very easy to construct because all you need to do is to cut the timber to size and screw them together. Whilst you can lay your wooden shed base on bare ground, it is not such a good idea. Contact with the wet ground can cause the timber to rot faster than you can imagine. Of course, you can lay pavers before the wooden base and protect it from moisture damage but this will cost a lot more money and time.
If you want to go for a wooden shed base, make sure it’s made of pressure-treated timber. This trick helps the wood to resist decay and last for many years. You will find that most pressure-treated wooden models are warranted for 10-20 years, but that’s because of the treatment.
Another modern technology method that works with wooden shed bases is the use of QuickJacks. These are galvanised metal jack systems designed to attach onto the bottom of a wooden frame and then drilled into the ground to a given depth. They are a doodle to fit and extremely long-lasting. Most importantly, they are independently adjustable allowing you to set a level base, even on sloping grounds.
Even after your shed has been assembled, QuickJacks can be adjusted up or down, making them perfect for unstable areas that may be prone to sinking or for adding new building properties. Because they are mainly used in conjunction with a wooden frame, QuickJacks are ideal for wooden structures such as sheds, log cabins and summerhouses. They can also be compatible with metal or plastic buildings if you build a decked surface on top of the frame.
Basically, the choice is between a plastic base shed and a wooden shed base. Having addressed their pros and cons, let’s look at the options available for you.
Final Conclusion
It’s hard to point out one specific model as the best shed base kit because our needs are all so different. The thing I like about mybest pick – ECO SHED Shed Base – is that you can get it in different sizes including 8 x 6ft, 6 x 6ft, 7 x 5ft, 10 x 8ft and 12 x 8ft. So no matter the size of your garden size, there’s something for you in this model.
Don’t forget durability when deciding between models because you don’t want to be in the market for another base again after the next winter. We hope this guide has been insightful enough for your decision making.
Last update on 2024-12-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
