Choosing The Right Amount Of Pea Gravel For Shed Base

When building a shed base, it's important to consider the type of gravel you'll be using. Some sources advise against using pea gravel as it doesn't compact well and may cause movement. However, others suggest that it can be used effectively, especially when combined with other materials like sand or MOT1. The amount of pea gravel needed will depend on the size of your shed base and the depth you want to cover. It's recommended to calculate the volume of the area and then convert it into litres or kilograms to determine the required amount of pea gravel.

Pea gravel may be too small and cause movement

Some people suggest using pea gravel, but others say that it may be too small and cause movement. If you are using a plastic shed, you may want to consider using a different type of gravel.

One option is to use a heavy-duty weed membrane and then 100mm of MOT1 and compact level. Put your grids on top of the MOT1, and the shed can go right on top. The eco deck instructions say to use 'angular' shaped gravel and not 'pebble' shaped gravel.

Another option is to use a 2x4 frame and fill it with a weed barrier and gravel. The amount of gravel you will need depends on the size of your shed and the depth you want to fill it to. For example, if you have an 11x9 shed and want to fill it to a depth of 3.5 inches, you will need about 1.52 tons of gravel.

You need to dig down 100mm

To build a base for a plastic shed, you need to dig down 100mm. This is to ensure that the ground is level. You should then use a heavy-duty weed membrane and 100mm of MOT1, compacted level. The shed can then be placed directly on top.

The amount of pea gravel you will need depends on the size of your shed. For an 8x8 shed, you will need 810kg of aggregate. For an 11x9 shed, you will need 1.52 tons of gravel.

It is important to note that pea gravel is round and does not compact, so it may not be the best option for a shed base. Some sources recommend using 'angular' shaped gravel instead.

Use a heavy-duty weed membrane

To build a shed base using pea gravel, you will need to follow these steps:

• Dig down 100mm (or more in areas that are not level).
• Use a heavy-duty weed membrane to cover the area.
• Add 100mm of MOT1 and compact level.
• Put your grids on top of the MOT1.
• Place the shed directly on the base.

It is important to note that pea gravel is round and does not compact well. Therefore, it is recommended to use 'angular' shaped gravel for shed bases. Additionally, make sure to calculate the volume of the shed base and the amount of gravel needed accurately. For example, for an 8x8 shed base, you would need 810kg of gravel.

Put grids on top of MOT1

To build a shed base, you will need to dig down 100mm and use a heavy-duty weed membrane. Then, you will need to add 100mm of MOT1 and compact it level. You can put grids on top of the MOT1 and then place the shed directly on top.

To calculate how much pea gravel you will need, you must first work out the volume of the shed base. For example, if your shed base is 8x8, the volume will be 9m2 x 0.1m = 0.9 m3. There are 1000 litres in a cubic meter, so 0.9 cubic meters is 900 litres of aggregate. If a litre of aggregate weighs less than 1kg, say 0.9 kg/l, that will be 900 l x 0.9 kg/l = 810 kg.

However, some sources advise against using pea gravel as it is round and does not compact. Instead, they recommend using 'angular' shaped gravel.

If your shed has its own floor, you can build a frame out of 2x4s and then fill it with a weed barrier and gravel. For example, if your ground area is 11 x 9 x 3.5 (inches with 2x4), you will need about 1.52 tons of gravel.

You may need more than 100mm MOT1 sub base for a driveway

Pea gravel is not recommended for shed bases as it is round and does not compact. Instead, it is suggested that you use MOT1 and compact it to a level of 100mm. For a 10x8 plastic shed, you will need about 1.52 tons of gravel.

For driveways, it is recommended that you use a minimum of 150mm of sub-base to account for heavier vehicular use. This is because driveways require a greater load-bearing capacity than patios and footpaths. If you are using MOT1, you will need to lay it at a compacted depth of 150mm. However, some sources suggest that 200mm is required for a driveway.

Frequently asked questions