Base Guidelines

✓ Suitable Bases

✓

Smooth Flat Concrete Pad

A poured concrete pad that has been screeded smooth and level. One of the best and most reliable base options for any garden building.

✓

Solid Timber Base With Cladded Top

A sturdy timber platform with a cladded or covered surface. Best results are achieved using pressure-treated materials to prevent rot and ensure long-term durability.

✓

Level & Flat Paving Slabs or Patio

Paving slabs or an existing patio that is completely level and flat throughout. All slabs must be flush with no lips, gaps, or uneven joints between them.

✗ Unsuitable Bases

✗

Uneven Concrete

Concrete that hasn’t been properly screeded or levelled. Lumps, cracks, slopes, and rough patches make it impossible to assemble your building correctly.

✗

Hardcore or Gravel

Loose hardcore, stone, or gravel on its own is not a suitable base. The surface is uneven and will shift over time, causing structural movement and instability.

✗

Plastic Eco Grids

Interlocking plastic grids filled with gravel do not provide a solid, continuous surface. The uneven grid pattern prevents proper contact with the building’s floor, leading to instability.

✗

Uneven Slabs

Paving slabs that are not level, have visible lips between them, or are laid on an uneven bed. This will cause the building to sit unevenly and lead to problems with doors and structure.

After Installation

Clearance Around Your Building

📏 Adequate Clearance Is Recommended

18″

Minimum clearance on all sides

After installation, it’s important to have sufficient space around the building to allow for proper treatment and maintenance of the panels. We recommend leaving at least 18 inches of clearance between your building and any walls, fences, or other obstacles. The 18″ is a recommendation, however we do require at least 10″ clearance all the way around the building to allow for proper installation.

Taking the time to prepare a proper base and leave adequate clearance ensures the longevity of your garden building and helps prevent unnecessary costs or complications.

Don’t Have A Base Yet?

Our Timber-Framed Base

If you don’t have an existing base, or your ground isn’t perfectly level, our timber-framed base is the easiest and most popular option. Built from heavy-duty 4×2 CLS timbers, it creates a solid, level frame for your building to sit on.

It’s installed by our team on the same day as your building — no need for expensive concrete pads, paving slabs, or hiring separate tradesmen. The ground underneath should have a gradient of no more than 6 inches for maximum strength.

You can add this upgrade during the quote process, or speak to our sales team to find out more.

Add Timber Base To Your Quote →