Ethan Clarke
Laying a plastic shed base is a simple and quick process that can be completed by following a few easy steps. First, you must decide on a suitable area for your shed base, ensuring the ground is strong enough to support the weight of the base and the shed. The ground must be levelled, and you can use a spirit level to check this. Next, unpack the pre-assembled panels of the plastic shed base and connect them together using the provided fixing pins to create a base that is slightly bigger than the size of your shed. Once the base is installed, you can fill the panels with angular gravel or aggregate to create a solid surface for your shed. Finally, you can backfill around the edges of the base with a compost or soil sand and seed blend to help it blend into your garden.
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What You'll Learn
Ground preparation
Next, remove the existing turf and soil from the outlined area to a depth of around 70mm. Dispose of the waste responsibly. With the area clear, lay down a weed membrane, which will prevent weeds from growing up through the base while still allowing for water drainage. Secure the membrane to the ground using the provided metal pins.
On top of the secured membrane, lay down a bedding layer of angular gravel or crushed aggregate. This layer should be between 5mm and 20mm in size and approximately 30mm deep. Compact this layer down well. If you intend to fill the outer sections of the base with pea gravel, you can do this once your shed is erected. However, if you have a larger building or poor-quality ground, it is recommended to add pea gravel throughout the base.
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Levelling the ground
First, decide where your shed will be located in your garden or allotment. Once you have decided, measure out a suitable area for the base, which should be slightly bigger than the total size of the base you will lay. You can use string and pegs to mark out the area.
If your chosen area is already level, you are good to go. However, if your lawn is sloping, you will need to determine how uneven it is. In severe cases, you may need to dig out a level section. You can use a spirit level to check if the area is level. If the area is only slightly uneven, you may be able to rake over any soil to level it off.
Once you have a level area, you can prepare the ground by removing any existing turf and soil from within the outlined area. Dig down to a depth of around 70mm to allow for the base to sit flush with the remaining turf once the installation is complete.
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Laying the membrane
With the area cleared, it's time to lay the membrane. Unroll the geo-textile membrane and secure it to the ground using the provided metal pins or membrane U-pins. Ensure the membrane is pulled taut and smooth, with no wrinkles or bumps. The membrane will prevent weeds from growing through your shed base while still allowing water to drain away naturally.
Once the membrane is secure, you can trim any excess material with a knife or scissors. This step is not always necessary, depending on your base size and membrane roll size. Now, you can add a thin layer of gravel or crushed aggregate on top of the membrane. This layer should be compacted down very well to create a stable base for your shed.
If you are using a grid system for your plastic shed base, place the grids on top of the membrane and connect them together. The grids should interlock easily, and you can cut them to size if needed. Filling the grids with gravel will make the base more solid and capable of bearing the weight of your shed.
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Filling the panels
Firstly, ensure you have prepared the ground adequately. Choose a suitable area for your shed base, making sure the ground is strong enough to support the weight of the base and the shed. It is important to measure out a base area that is slightly bigger than the total size of the shed base you will be laying. You can use string or pegs to mark out the area. Check that the ground is level using a spirit level; if it is not, you may need to rake or dig out the soil to level it off.
Once you have levelled the ground, lay down a weed membrane to prevent weeds from growing through your base. Secure the membrane to the ground using the provided metal pins or membrane U-pins. This will also allow for natural water drainage.
Now you are ready to fill the panels. If you are using a product like the Plastic Pro Base, simply place the panels on the prepared base area and click each panel together to create your desired size. Each panel should then be filled with angular gravel or angular aggregate to a depth of around 30mm to 40mm. You will need approximately 8kg to 10kg of gravel or aggregate per panel, depending on the product.
For larger buildings or if your ground is of poor quality, it is recommended to use pea gravel with a diameter of 10mm. This will provide a stronger base to support the weight of your shed. Once the panels are filled, compact the gravel or aggregate down very well to create a solid surface.
Finally, backfill around the edges of your new base with a 60:40 compost, soil sand, and seed blend to help your plastic shed base blend seamlessly into your garden.
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Building the shed
Now that you have your plastic shed base installed, you can start building your shed. If you only intend to fill the outer sections of the pro base with pea gravel, you can do this once you've erected your shed.
If you're using a shed kit, it should include a grid system and be permeable. Check you have all the parts before you start. You'll want to use a weed membrane under the base to stop weeds from growing under and around your shed. Lay the grids out and connect them together to create a base large enough for your shed. You can use the clips and grooves to connect the grids, and a handsaw to cut them to size if needed.
Once you have the right-sized base, fill the empty spaces in the grids with pea gravel to make the base more solid and ensure it can carry the weight of the shed. You'll need around 10kg of gravel per grid, with the gravel measuring 10mm in diameter.
Now your base is ready, you can build your shed on top of it.
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Frequently asked questions
Ground preparation is a crucial part of installing a plastic shed base. First, decide where your shed will be located in your garden or allotment. Once you have decided, measure out the base and outline this in the turf.
The next step is to lay down a weed membrane. The membrane is used to stop weeds from growing through the base but still allows water to drain away naturally. Secure the membrane into the ground using the provided metal pins.
Unpack all of the panels which arrive pre-assembled. Place the plastic shed base in one corner of the levelled base area and click each panel together as you move away from the corners to create your required area.
