One of the biggest debates in our industry that many people will never agree on, which is the better foundation? Concrete or Plastic? In this blog we will be looking at the main selling points of a shed base and how concrete and plastic compare to each other in these categories. Read on to see which, if any, is better:
Concrete bases can take from at least 24 to 36 hours to lay and begin to set dependent on the installers experience and the amount of preparation work that is needed before laying the material. Most concrete bases need a border installed to keep the concrete from spilling out which is an added job after preparing the ground and before laying the concrete. Once the base is level there is then a wait of around 7 days to allow the concrete to complete cure and be ready for a shed or garden building.
Plastic shed bases can be installed in matter of hours if there is a reasonable amount of ground preparation to complete before laying the base. Our plastic panels are so easy to lay that 100m² can be laid in an hour by one person. As soon as the ground is ready they can be installed and filled with gravel and are instantly ready for your shed or garden building to be installed on top. In terms of cost, a recent customer told us that he had been quoted £600 for a 10ft x 8ft concrete base but after looking elsewhere found our 10ft x 8ft Plastic Shed Base which costs just £120!
Concrete bases can be very hard to install both technically and physically, of the two options, concrete is by far the most labour intensive option and if installed incorrectly can be costly and again physical to remove and replace.
Plastic shed bases are lightweight, easy to install and is relocatable. The laid base can be installed straight on to a prepared sub-base and does not need surrounding or underground support to ensure it does not break or move out of place.
Comparisons
Most installers suggest using support structures throughout your concrete base which is more work. No support structures needed for PSB.
Concrete needs to be between 3 and 4 inches thick (75mm – 100mm) –plastic shed bases are just 40mm deep.
If installed yourself, concrete is a labour intensive and can take hours to lay and level correctly. If done incorrectly can be very costly to replace, also permanent. Plastic shed base lightweight, easy to install and if you need to move it can be picked up and relocated.
Concrete needs a solid border to ensure that it does not spill out of place, PSB can sit on top of a sub-base and be protruding without the need for border and work well.
Concrete isn’t permeable but is porous, so any rain or water will sit on top of the concrete and possibly be absorbed by the concrete or shed and lead to rotted shed or freeze thaw to concrete. Water freezing on and in the concrete can lead to the base cracking and breaking. Where as Plastic Shed Bases are fully permeable, water can drain away naturally away from shed and plastic is weather and UV resistant.
Concrete has a large load capacity but this can depend on how it is installed, if not done professionally and cracks form it can become considerably weaker. Plastic Shed Bases can hold up to 420 tonnes per sqm unfilled regardless of who they are installed by and most DIY’ers can install one themselves.
Concrete bases are a permanent structure, this is both a positive and a negative. If you never move your shed then you are winning however if you rearrange your garden or move home you will need to have a new concrete base laid. Our plastic bases can be lifted up and easily relocated which gives you the flexibility to move your shed wherever you please.
For more information about our Plastic Shed Bases, have a read through our website or do not hesitate to contact us.
Do you need some thing between concrete and wooden shed ?
Hi Eddy,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, it is advised to install our base on top of the concrete and under your shed. Our base improves air flow and reduces the chance of rotting as there won’t be any puddling around the foundation of your shed.
Hope this helps.
Hi Callum
We are looking at buying a 6×4 plastic shed,. And would like to know if a plastic shed base be alright to sit it on ,the ground it is going on is clay
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your question. A plastic shed will be fine to sit on one of our plastic shed bases.
As the ground below is clay we recommend following our installation guide closely and ensure that you create a strong sub-base onto which the plastic base will sit, allowing the base to perform to its fullest capability.
Hope this helps, if you have any more questions please do get in touch.
Hi,
I’m wanting to build a shed to use for my home gym. It will be quite large. Would plastic base be fit for purpose and would it be possible to lay flooring over the base inside the shed
Hi Luke,
Thanks for your question. Yes, our plastic base would be more than suitable for the foundation of your home gym shed.
It is difficult to answer the flooring question without knowing all of your project details (type of gym flooring, equipment to be used etc.). Please could you call us on 01246 589021 or LiveChat during office hours and a member of our team can answer any questions you may have and find a solution.