We’re often asked whether our recycled plastic Hebden Grids can be used as a low-cost alternative to concrete for shed bases, and the answer is a resounding yes!
Not only does it work out costing you less money, but it’s also far quicker. It’s also less invasive, so should you decide to sell your house at any point, the new owners won’t have a concrete slab in the garden to deal with.
So, how do you build your shed base? Fortunately, we have a handy infographic for you, which you can also download as a PDF.
Mark out the correct-sized area for your shed base in your garden or allotment using stakes and string. If you don’t have metal stakes, gardening bamboo will work just as well. We always recommend that the base be slightly larger than the actual structure to be erected on top.
To ensure your area is completely rectangular, use string to measure from corner to corner, ensuring the distance is the same across both diagonals.
Remove the top layer of soil down to 50-70mm (two or three inches) with a spade.
Stop for a cup of Yorkshire tea.
Level the ground, ensuring it doesn’t slope away in any direction. A common and easy way to do this is to turn any higher areas over with a fork and then rake the loose material to the lower area, using a long spirit level and batten or bar to ensure that you keep the surface level.
Compact the shed base area by standing on a board on the soil and moving it around, or by just walking on it repeatedly.
Cover with a layer of builder’s (sharp) sand or gravel, ensuring the surface remains level.
Stop for a cup of Yorkshire tea.
Lay weed suppressant membrane over the whole shed base area.
Begin by positioning the first Hebden Grid in one corner of the designated area, ensuring the edges with slots align with the perimeter of the marked-out space. Continue by placing the second grid to the right of the first, fitting the slot over the peg. Repeat this process, working systematically from left to right, and laying subsequent rows as needed. Ensure each grid’s slots are securely placed over the pegs to maintain a stable and even surface.
Once all grids are laid, pour on the pea gravel. You should use around 8kg of gravel per individual grid, so for each 3 square metre box of grids, you’ll need around 216kg of gravel.
Once the grids are full of gravel, erect your shed or garden building on your lovely shed base.
