Base and foundation options for wooden buildings
There are a number of options available to construct a base or a foundation to your new timber building. A concrete base, typically a concrete slab foundation is the most stable and lasting option, but according to your product type, other options might also be available.
The most important thing is that the foundation or base is level, can carry the weight of the building, and does not allow any wooden components to contract with moisture or soil.
An insufficient foundation on the other hand, might create gaps between the wall planks, cause issues with windows and doors, and lead to premature rotting or permanent damage to your building.
Timber post foundation with ground screws or adjustable riser pedestals on a gravel pad
A timber foundation is the most common of foundations for small to medium-sized timber garden buildings. The wooden frame itself is usually treated with a strong preservant and designed to be the barrier between your wooden building and the ground.
If you have a tight budget, it’s the best option but you won’t have to compromise on structural integrity - whether your terrain allows you to install adjustable riser pedestals or ground screws, when built by professionals it will surely do the job.
A concrete slab foundation
A concrete slab is usually the most popular and stable concrete foundation for garden buildings, summer houses and log houses. It’s durable, solid, and suitable for a simple garden shed but also a 2-storey log house.
But the quality, longevity, and stability come at a price - a concrete foundation is considerably more expensive and needs more labor than a wooden post foundation or, for example, a base made of paving stones.
A concrete slab foundation is complex and its construction is best left to professionals. If you don’t have a concrete slab foundation in place for your wooden building and you’d like to have one, you can ask for a quote. We’ll be glad to provide you with a solid base for your wooden building.
Concrete strip foundation
A concrete strip foundation is a cheaper alternative for a concrete slab foundation. Concrete strips are relatively easy to construct on a level surface and can be removed easily enough for relocating your garden building.
The strip foundation might also prove to be one of the trickiest to get right because any sloping and uneven areas might lead to differences between the height of the strips, leading to an uneven base for your building. Once again, this type of foundation is better left for professionals who have experiences in levelling the strip foundations out to create an even base for the building.
Paving slabs
A base made of paving slabs is one of the easiest ways to create an even and strong surface to support your building. It might be the best option for garages and carports, because more often than not the paved driveway can be extended to form the floor of the building on the same surface level.
It is also a great base for garden sheds and garden houses that might be extended in the future. When the ground underneath the paving stones is prepared correctly, then it should be even and stable enough to support a wooden structure without causing any problems.