base for 10'x6' shed

[wrathkeg]

Hi all,

I am going to get a new 10'x6' shed and am planning out the base for it. The base will be on quite heavy soil. I have read lots of books, websites, forums etc and seem to have come up with this as an attempt at a plan (as well as getting a bit lost off in the process): 100mm of hardcore as a sub base covered with 80mm of sharp sand as a blinding layer, topped off with 75mm concrete (1 part cement to 5 parts aggregate). I haven't done anything like this before (though I have laid slab paths), but it's starting to sound like overkill. Any thoughts? I am going to get a good quality shed, so I don't want the base to be its downfall. On the other hand, I don't necessarily need the base to outlive me and my children

Thanks in advance,

wrathkeg

 

[Richard C]

It’s only a shed; it’s not that heavy & isn’t going anywhere, especially on firm ground. I’ve had/erected many over more years than I’m going to admit to, many larger than that. All I’ve ever done/do is dig out 50mm & lay either 1.8m x 0.3m reinforced fence concrete gravel boards or 600 x 600 x 50mm flagstones (both seem to work equally as well) over around 25-30mm of compacted sharp sand which leaves the slabs around 25mm higher than the surrounding soil/grass. Largest shed at my current property is 20 x 8ft & has been up some 7 years; sheds at my previous property had been there for 18 years when I left & at least one is still there now (7 years later) but you must keep the roof felt in good condition & exterior preservative maintained. I also cover the bottom of the shed base with roofing felt; it’s cheap enough & keeps the shed base nice & dry.

 

[wrathkeg]

that's really helpful. thanks a lot.

Edit: I have been to the guy who will be making the shed, and he told me pretty much exactly the same about laying a base. The only differences were to use a dry mix of sand and cement, and to pour a watering can of water all over the surface once the slabs are laid.