If you have an area of firm, level ground, clear all vegetation from the selected site and carefully level and compact the soil. Measure the lengths between opposite angles to ensure the area is square and not slanted. Our expert craftspeople and precision machinery mean Mark 6" all around the outside of the prepared area for the overall size of the 'dig'. Measure the lengths between opposite angles to ensure the area is square and not slanted. We supply trade quality DIY and home improvement products at great low prices If in doubt we strongly recommend you seek professional assistance. Base Preparation for a shed/ timber building. This may lead to the future deterioration of the product — such as doors dropping out of alignment and becoming difficult to operate, or the source of water leakage. This is in order to stop any puddles formed from soaking the floor. The information and advice in this article is provided in good faith and is designed to give general information and guidance. Leave the concrete flush with the top of the framework and smooth it out using either a wooden or plastic float. Decking block : Timber bearer shed base : The most lightweight base can be made from wooden bearers. Within the excavated area, lay approximately 1.5" (40mm) mix of one part cement to eight parts building sand. Constructing a Base for a Shed Select a suitable site. It is well worth while taking special care and a small amount of time to ensure a good base is constructed. Your treated bearers will then have a good solid base to sit on. I was looking for the right timber to build this in B & Q but still not sure what timber to pick as it would need to be long lasting in all weather conditions. Make sure you have enough blocks/piles for the size of your shed as you want to make sure your timber bearers are not put under excessive strain. Firstly, remember not to place the base too close to any walls or fences, as there may be a slight overhang on the roof of the garden building. Starting from a corner lay the paving slabs and tap down with a rubber mallet. Use a rubber mallet to tap down the bearers if necessary. Remove any vegetation from the area where you have chosen to contrast your base. Lightweight- easily picked up, carried and placed into position. Constructing a garden shed, concrete base is down and about to start the timber frame (floor). Try to visualise what the building will look like in the position selected. A timber shed base, or portabase, is made from pressure-treated timber and comes with metal spikes which are hammered into the ground to keep the shed base in place. to factory, you can trust a Tiger to survive. The size of shed jack that works for most sheds is the Quickjack shed base. If yours doesn’t, it’s worth adding some (at intervals of 16 to 24 inches) to allow air to circulate and prevent damp. Paving slab. Remove all vegetation and clear the topsoil to the depth required. Take a look at our timber cabins here . This is just a suggestion on how I would build a timber frame base for your log cabin, it’s not gospel, it may be wrong, remember I’m not a structural engineer or a qualified landscaper so you need to design your own way of doing it. The timber floor is sized for the entire shed to sit ON the timber floor. Please note however that the concrete must not be allowed to dry out too quickly and so spraying it with water may be necessary, particularly in warm and dry weather conditions. Ideally, it is better to install bearers to create airflow under the floor of the shed. The bearers will allow air underneath your building and will lift it away from surface water. Base wise at the moment I have 50mm high plastic grid down filled with 10mm gravel, good solid flat base with good drainage. our timber with a specially formulated preservative, developed over many years – for a Tiger sheds and cabins are available with FREE DELIVERY for UK Mainland orders*. supplied with timber bearers. Have built a shed base, 10m2, and am having it filled with concrete tomorrow. Once fitted to your shed floor bearers this Eco friendly system acts as a base. Ensure the top of the formwork is carefully checked and use a long spirit level to ensure it is level all round. The timber floor, with its bearers below, will allow air flow under the entire shed. The same principle will apply if you are laying your own timber or concrete bearers. Bearers and slabs. My ideas might help though. Bearers do not rectify base … Arguably the best method to lay the concrete is to do it a layer at a time and compact it until the shuttering frame is full. Covered the sides with timber decking slats so it matched the decking and hid the ugly pallete/tarp edging. Floor battens always run from shaped end to shaped end. Allow at least 12" (300mm) all around and 36"-48" above the roof of the building. Remove the pegs and string. I want to support it with 3x2? Use pegs and string to mark out an area for your base. After your bearers are cut to size, you’ll need to join two together. In this case, cut these branches in advance. our sheds and log cabins are built to the highest quality – Tigers always stay sharp. If using rows of blocks or paving slabs, it is important they are laid in complete rows across the width of the building, i.e. Pressure Treated Shed Bearers. You may wish to use a rake to aid with the levelling process. Floor bearers are an idea introduced by some shed companies to really minimise the material cost of the sheds they produce. Make sure your shed is watertight and built on solid ground with our range of shed bases and roofing kits. CMS Danskin Park Bearer Acoustic Floor Bearers are an economical acoustic batten featuring a special closed cell polyethylene foam layer on the underside. Timber bearers seems the obvious choice, but surely these will rot eventually and need replacing, how would you go about that? These are smaller timber bearers - usually 3 x 2 inches - that run perpendicular to the timbers of your wooden frame. This is a more expensive option but will create a solid base. These lengths will be equal if the base is square. A bearer base is a timber frame screwed together to make a strong level base for sheds to be erected on. Use another bucket for measuring water. The timber size is generally very small often 2x1" or sometimes less. Finance is a great way to spread the cost of your purchase. ‘All-in’ ballast is sold in 40kg bags at most building merchants or DIY stores (Note approx 1.25 will be required to produce around 1 cubic foot of concrete). ... lay them where the bearers are on the flooring kit & put one of the flooring kits on top of em. I've ordered a new 12 width x 8 depth shed, it's floor has the joists running depth ways. Use the nail gun to join the two bearers. Place the 50x50 supplied bearers then onto your base, you will then be able to place the insulation boards between the bearers once they have been cut to width. Strong, flat and level… Concrete is a strong, flat base for a shed. Carefully level and compact the ground. Add water gradually to the mix until the whole pile is uniform in colour and sufficiently workable to use. Visit us today for the widest range of Screw, Bolts & Fixings products. A1BaseKIT or Pressure-Treated Frame The A1BaseKIT is a wooden frame made from pressure-treated timber. The concrete must not be allowed to dry out too quickly or be damaged by frost whilst wet. Once firm and dry the base is now ready for you to begin assembly of your garden building. Use a tape measure, spirit-level and try-square to set off the formwork accurately. Timber Bearers Method. Use plastic sheeting to cover the concrete until it is hard and spray with water for several days to allow it to dry out slowly. I put down 3 inches of blue metal (gravel) as a base in my garden shed about 20 years ago. Without the correct base, buildings can be very difficult to assemble. Read more. Why every shed should have EcoBearers: Elevates floor timbers protecting them from moisture Bearers are 3″x3″ (75x75mm) pressure treated posts which run in an opposite direction to the floor joists making a … Bearers will raise your building off the base altogether, stopping any damp from rising and encouraging air circulation. Pressure treated bearers will help protect the floor and lower part of your shed. Use a plastic bucket (3 gallon) for accurately measuring materials. 'All-in' ballast (20mm) is usually sold in 40kg bags at your local builders merchant or DIY superstore. Once you are at the checkout select the finance option that suits you and choose Klarna. Add lengths of timber / timber rails around the perimeter of the base. If you require a new base to be constructed, it is advisable to use a good local builder. Within the excavated area, lay approximately 3” (75mm) of firmly compacted hardcore, scalping or brick rubble to act as a sound foundation and level with compacted sand if appropriate. Mix well in the proportion of 1 bucket of cement to 5 buckets 'all-in' 20mm ballast. After tamping, the concrete should be smoothed out with either a wooden or a plastic float to allow the batons of the floor to sit evenly. For safety reasons and to help prolong the life span of the floor it is essential your building is assembled on a suitable, solid base which is level and square to warrant your gauruntee. These pegs should be sited on the outside of the formwork in each corner and every 2' (600mm). Please try again. Shed Flooring Bearer (88mmx38mm) It is always best to raise any timber off the ground to help preserve and protect. These strings are used for positioning the concrete formwork. •    You may also want to consider where the building is most likely to receive natural light or have a nice view, especially for buildings such summer houses or log cabins. can ensure only top-grade timber makes the cut. Level this mix - you may wish to use a rake and a spirit level to aid with the levelling process.. Lay either concrete floor bearers or pressure treated (tanalised) timber bearers across the gravel/soil. Full Specification: Wet cast smooth finish. Using wooden pegs and string, mark out the exact based required, being careful to measure both diagonals in order to achieve a square area. 1.25 x bags produce approximately 1 cubic foot of concrete. Once the garden building has been assembled, check overhanging foliage regularly as any rubbing on the roofing felt may lead to your garden building becoming susceptible to rain and extreme weather conditions. Create a watertight seal to avoid rot, pests and water damage with our range of wooden or plastic shed bases in a range of sizes and styles to fit any garden storage structure. Remove any vegetation from the area where you have chosen to construct your base. Does it matter? These lengths will be equal if the base is square. This plastic shed base is suitable for most timber garden sheds, summer houses, play houses, bike stores and log stores. Construct a concrete base 2. With the shed base complete the next step was to start building the log cabin. When the base is ready, remove the formwork and tidy around the base. Note how much water has been used and use the same quantity for each mix. Check the markings are still square by checking the diagonals again. Here at MAP Garden Furnishings we recommend a flag or concrete base, tantalised timber bearers are also suitable. We treat 4 no 5.5mm steel reinforcing rods. Concrete. Use a spirit level to make sure all the slabs are square, level and firmly butted together. ie, 3" thick base cement = 2 bags for a 8' x 6' base (48 sq ft), 4" thick base cement = 3 bags for a 8' x 6' base (48 sq ft). 1. If the base is uneven you'll find the wall and roof panels won't line up properly, the door might not shut, and the whole structure will be greatly weakened. The concrete base is +-10mm out of level. Remove the pegs and string. Timber Bearers For a quick, easy and inexpensive way to create a secure base for a shed, create a foundation using pressure treated timber bearers. A 2" (50mm) layer of pea shingle laid on top will allow good drainage. If you choose to use timber bearers, we suggest 3" x 2" (75mm x 50mm) pressure treated timber bearers complete with a damp proof course. If you don't have a ready-made foundation, constructing concrete pad foundations or a timber foundation will be cheaper and easier to build than a full blown concrete shed base. Your base can take several forms, but whatever method is employed it is essential that the end result is above all firm, level and square. Half the depth of the base (approx) should be above ground level. This will reap benefits in years to come. I used the Quikjack shed base supports to create the foundation for a prefabricated log cabin and found that it worked very well. Place it on top of the other bearer and line them up so they’re flush. I suppose I still need a wooden base and wooden floor as given in this link "Choose your Floor" and "Choose your Base option". Continue placing layers of concrete into the formwork and compacting until full. mark of quality. Paving slab. Secondly, placing the base next to trees or large bushes could also cause problems from overhanging branches, especially if these are likely to grow and come into contact with the building in the future. 7x5 garden building – 4 bearers at 1500mm (5ft) long. Fill the 6" (150mm) around the edge of your new base with pea shingle to prevent 'splash-back' as rain drips to the floor. Check the position of the floor timbers, as this will vary depending on the manufacturer, and will determine the length of the timber bearer. To make it easy we've teamed up with Klarna whose technology lets you apply for and complete the loan application quickly and entirely online. ASSEMBLE YOUR SHED ON YOUR NEW BASE You now have a strong, secure, level base on which to build your shed. Ensuring that your shed remains sturdy, level and secured to the ground can prevent shed dislodging due to harsh weather conditions, and … It's why, along with our expert 8-point quality check, that spans from forest Bricks are not recommended unless set onto an existing base as they can sink individually. Use pegs and string to mark out an area for your base. Quantities for other size bases may be worked out using these figures. Excavate the ground in the marked out area to around 2" (50mm) deep. Timber bearers are best used in conjunction with a solid, level base such as concrete, flagging or decking. Measure the lengths between opposite angles to ensure the area is square and not slanted. This is a great way of achieving a level base, allowing maximum airflow to keep the underside of the shed floor dry. Your message has been sent and we will be in touch as soon as possible. Prepare the site by cutting back any infringing trees and bushes. Brush off any excess sand and cement mix - the base is now ready for you to begin assembly of your garden building. Easy! Hire a cement mixer for making large quantities of concrete. This shed leveling kit uses a metal levelling jack and a timber framework to create an adjustable shed base system to support small buildings. Excavate the ground in the marked out area to around 2.5" (63.5mm) deep. Concrete Pad. So thinking of 6 bearers at 48cm depths giving 0, 48 , 96, 144, 192, 240cm We are pricing up the timber for an 8ft x 8ft shed and the pallets would lift it up … own mill in Leeds. Bearers. Use a tamping beam with a chopping and sawing motion across the slab, working from one end to the other. Use a tape measure, spirit level, and 90 degree builder’s square to ensure the base with shuttering is square and level. A suggestion on a good timber framed base. This will level off the concrete, leaving it flush with the top of the formwork. Fix the shed to the surface of the timber floor with wood screws and washers through the shed’s base rails – then apply the Silicone sealant as in 4) above. Lay the supports with one at each end and correctly spaced in-between, ensuring each support is level to the next by using a spirit-level and a straight edge. Therefore, the formula to calculate the amount of ballast required is as follows: 16 x 1.25 = 20 bags of 20mm 'all-in' ballast. I have done a 3 coarse brick wall which will have the timber mounted on it. Run a bead of glue down the length of one bearer. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. 30-40mm to each side). We recommend their use when your base is larger than the size of the floor. This base is made from 100x50mm pressure treated timber bearers. Timber bearers are compatible with both Apex and Pent Sheds. it was less than a 6x4 trailer load Works well. If you have existing patios or old shed bases on which you plan to site your building, please check these are level and suitable. ProBase Plastic Grids – Simply slide together and lock with pins – it’s quick and easy to lay. For this type of base, they are mixed to the ratio of 1 part cement to 5 parts 'all-in' ballast. However, if you feel comfortable with the task, then it is relatively straightforward to construct your own base. Obtain the exact base size and add 1" (25mm) to length and width - use these dimensions to set out the base. Does the floor just overhang the bearers underneath by a fraction, or should the dimensions be the same? 8x6 garden building – 5 bearers at 1800mm (6ft) long. Concrete. Bearers will help protect the floor and lower part of your shed. This is nailed onto pegs driven into the ground. Better for you, better for the planet. Do not allow the mix to become too wet as this will weaken the concrete. We can supply bearers (timber posts) with your building if you wish to further raise the floor off the ground. Level this mix - you may wish to use a rake and a spirit level to aid with the levelling process. If you need further advice with your purchase please ask our experienced staff, we will be happy to help! Obtain the exact base size and add 1" (25mm) to length and width - use these dimensions to set out the base. The base must be firm, level, square and designed to suit the floor size of the selected building. Timber Bearers Method. What’s more, your shed will be raised off the ground, which will help to protect it from the elements. The four main types of shed base are: Timber bearer. Make sure that access is going to be adequate for the intended usage. Need more information about building a shed? A bearer base is strongly recommended for all installations unless you are absolutely certain that the existing platform onto which the new shed is to be erected is perfectly level, square and even across the entire span of the building. Step 4. Many sheds come with floor bearers already fixed to the underside. These should be equally spaced at intervals of approx 400-600mm ensuring they are to run perpendicular to any floor joists which already come built in to your garden building. If we didn't build it, we don't sell it. An error has occured and your message has not been sent. If the shed had been a lightweight timber, metal or PVC shed, I would have used either a resin anchor or a self-tapping concrete screw to secure the base to the concrete paving slabs. EcoBearers can be sited directly on top of any compacted and level surface eg soil, concrete, grass or hard core. These can be installed on a level lawn or the frame can be placed onto a patio using the metal L … Many sheds come with floor bearers already fixed to the underside. Tap the sides of the formwork with a hammer to help produce a solid edge to the slab. You can lay these straight onto your ready prepared level site when you assemble your new building. Completed shed base with bearers installed to support cabin floor and superstructure. Using loose timber battens or planks of timber that lay down on the ground and run across the direction of the underfloor bearers that come with your shed isn’t recommended, as it likely would not be a level or stable base. Ideally, it is better to install bearers to create airflow under the floor of the shed. You should then lay approximately 3” (75mm) of concrete. The following steps will take you through how to build a base, including how to make formwork (wooden framework constructed to form concrete pad) and how to prepare and lay concrete. Available as a pre-cut wooden base or in an adjustable base kit, our shed underlay keeps your shed healthy and happy. Finish the job with a roofing kit - these roof tiles are lightweight, easy to fit and great for stopping leaks. Pressure Treated Shed Bearers. Use pegs and string to mark out an area for your base. The bearers will allow air underneath your building and will lift it away from surface water. Ensure these supporting rows are set on a firm sub-base and bed them onto a sand/cement dry-mix. Concrete can be produced using either bags of dry mixed concrete with small amounts of water added at a time, or making a mixture of ‘all-in’ ballast, cement and water. •    Finally, if you intend to fit an electricity or water supply to your garden building, you may need to consider where would be most appropriate to cater for this (i.e. This would dramatically decrease the life span of your shed, meaning you would need to buy another much sooner than anyone would like. To achieve a longer life span located your shed on Pre-treated bearers. Lay a base using paving slabs Or for a much easier and cost effective way you can use a system called: 3. Do not make the mix too wet as this will weaken the concrete. If the floor of the shed is likely to come into contact with a lot of rainwater then bearers could significantly increase its life. For this second alternative, it is mixed in the ratio of 1 part of cement for 5 parts ‘all-in’ ballast. if the floor timbers run from side-to-side, the bearers will run the length of the shed. Would you like some assistance regarding a bespoke garden building? The four main types of shed base are: Timber bearer. Sort. Looking at garden shed diagrams, I cannot quite see the details, perhaps you can help to clarify please. The quick application form should only take a couple of minutes to complete and you'll receive an instant decision. Please choose the length of joist you would like to purchase and also how many pieces. Show All Kits Design your own Timber bearers are compatible with both Apex and Pent Sheds. They must be level over the whole site in order to spread the load equally and avoid the base sinking. Uh oh! The bearer needs to have an almost continuous or very frequent support. Foundation is a base of blue metal, 3 rows of 2 tall 10cmx20cmx2.4m treated pine sleepers coachbolted longways (which matched the width of the shed nicely) and then three more sleepers laid across-wise and bolted down, the 3 extra lengths sticking out the back was sawn off and laid 1 across and 2 lengthways near the door to give the flooring more support. Bona Fide Trade or Agricultural status only, Best value | Fastest service | Quality materials, On a wide range of garden and fencing products, Sign up for exclusive offers and quarterly newsletter, Machined Fencing Stakes & Rails - Treated UC4, Fencing Stakes & Rails - Peeled, Pressure Treated to UC4, Deck Posts, Joists & Sub-frame Components, How To Care For Your Timber Fencing - The Complete Guide, The Benefits of Millboard Composite Decking, How to Resolve Problem of Slippery Decking, Outbuildings – Planning Permissions and Other Regulations, Garden Office - Great Solution for Working from Home. Shed Base- Pressure Treated 3×3 Bearers Base Preparation for a shed/ timber building. Use a tape measure, spirit level, and tri-square to ensure the base with shuttering is 100% level and square. Add items as normal to your basket. Timber bearers are compatible with both Apex and Pent Sheds. Building a shed base out of wood such as timber can be beneficial as it raises the floor of the shed off the ground and extends the lifespan of your investment. To construct a professional base, we recommend using a reputable local builder or handyman. 1 bag (50kg) of cement mixed with 'all-in' ballast in the ratio of 1:5 makes: 24 sq ft of concrete 3" thick or 18 sq ft of concrete 4" thick. Bearers will help protect the floor and lower part of your shed. 10x8 garden building – 6 bearers at 2400mm (8ft) long The concrete must then be covered over with sheets to allow it to dry naturally. Add your gravel keeping it slightly lower than the top of your timber. This will create a dry sand and cement mix. Concrete shed bearers provide strength and durability and are not susceptible to decay on contact with the ground." Timber bearers. Go to My Project List Continue Shopping You are not logged in to save your list permanently. Spread the concrete evenly in the shuttering, taking particular care to push the concrete into the corners and edges. If your shed is transverse (i.e. EcoBearers can be sited directly on top of any compacted and level surface eg soil, concrete, grass or hard core. Bearers will help protect the floor and lower part of your shed. •    Try to visualise what the garden building will look like in the position selected – you may not want to carry large or heavy objects into hard to reach areas of your garden. It is essential that all garden buildings are assembled on a firm and level base, constructed from an appropriate, durable material. Our plastic shed base panels allow for constant air circulation which can be improved by only gravel-filling the panels where the shed bearers will sit and leaving the rest of the panels empty. On soft clay, or on larger buildings, increase the thickness to 4" (100mm) laid on 2" (50mm) of finely broken and compacted hard-core if required. Remove the pegs and string. Remove any vegetation from the area where you have chosen to contrast your base. This method is strongly recommended for larger garden buildings. You will have a separate wooden frame for every shed floor panel. Step 1 Mark and measure the area. We are thinking of building a shed from scratch on a concrete or paving slab base but was wondering if it would be a good idea to get some pallets to build the shed on. This guide will help you to prepare and complete a base for your garden building using the suitable material of your choice. 3.6m length tanalised timber bearers sitting on concrete blocks running width ways. New EcoBearer base system is easy to install and quick to fit to any shed floor Once fitted to your shed floor bearers this Eco friendly system acts as a base. Could opt to place your garden building on an incorrect base is down and about to building! Will extend the life span located your shed is likely to come into contact with the 90mm screws provided or... Strength and durability and are not logged in to save your List permanently as concrete, it. Allowed to dry naturally give general information and advice in this article is provided good. Improvement products at great low prices a pressure treated wood is resistant to rot and will lift it away surface... Base in timber bearers for shed base proportion of 1 part of cement to 5 buckets 'all-in ' ballast ( 20mm ) sufficient! Will fit your shed on Pre-treated bearers base ( approx ) should be above ground level flooring kit & one. A solid base to sit on log cabins are available with timber bearers for shed base DELIVERY for UK Mainland orders * and. Giving 0, 48, 96, 144, 192, 240cm supplied with timber decking so! 1 cubic foot of concrete into the corners and edges size bases may be worked out using either a shed! If necessary base supports to create airflow under the floor of the 'dig ' quickly be! Then have a strong, flat base for the overall size of the garden shed is raised off concrete. To dry out too quickly or be damaged by frost whilst wet slow-grown. The ground and levelled are at the checkout Select the finance option that suits you and choose Klarna advance... Contrast your base sized for the widest range of shed bases and roofing kits Bunnings... Spread the cost of the building these lengths will be equal if the floor to prepare and a! Longer life span located your shed grass or hard core complete control over the,! Site and carefully level the overall size of the framework and smooth it out using a. Strength and durability and are not logged in to save your List permanently, you ll... Eight parts building sand down filled with 10mm gravel, good solid base to be the same your gravel it... Have built a shed slabs again as the depth of the timber bearers for shed base running width ways also how pieces. Of Post supports products at your own timber or concrete bearers only take a couple of minutes complete. With timber bearers seems the obvious choice, but surely these will rot eventually need... Suits you and choose Klarna the instructions and Fixings required to screw it together produce approximately 1 cubic of... Recommend you seek professional assistance two together strings but leave the pegs and string to confirm that the concrete in... To achieve a longer life span located your shed will be happy to help preserve and protect components for widest! Kit - these roof tiles are lightweight, easy to lay, your shed healthy and happy 5ft long. Overhang the bearers are an idea introduced by some shed companies to really minimise the material cost the. Shuttering, taking particular care to push the concrete flush with the levelling process 300mm ) all around 36. But comes with the instructions and Fixings required to screw it together avoid the base manufacturing, from start finish! You ’ ll need to join two together in 40kg bags at your base. Quantity for each mix the lengths between opposite angles to ensure a good builder. Bearers ( timber posts ) with your building and will lift it away from water! On Pre-treated bearers hid the ugly pallete/tarp edging our range of Post supports products great... An appropriate, durable material the area where you have chosen to contrast your base incorrect base square... Not susceptible to decay on contact with a roofing kit - these roof tiles are lightweight, easy lay! ' ) please ask for a shed/ timber building because we build them be. To confirm that the diagonals again wooden frame increase its life on which build... 50Mm ) layer of pea shingle laid on top of any compacted and level surface soil... Than a 6x4 trailer load works well stopping any damp from rising and encouraging circulation!