A building is only as good as its foundations, and this is certainly true for outdoor garden buildings. We can’t emphasise enough the benefits and the necessity of installing a solid base for your new garden building.
Read on to discover exactly why you need a base before constructing your garden room.
Why do I need a foundation for my garden room?
Whether it’s a garden room, workshop, garage, or any other outdoor building it’s going to need a good foundation. Laying the right base will protect your new garden building, ensuring you get many years of use from it.
A good foundation or base will protect your garden room from ground water leakages too. This is something that could exacerbate mould and rot if left unchecked. A solid foundation will also keep your windows and doors in alignment, ensuring they don’t drop with age and use.
One of the main functions of a base is to evenly distribute the weight of the garden room keeping it sturdy and secure. A garden room weighs a considerable amount (around the 2 tonne mark!) so careful thought and planning beforehand are a must.
What happens if I don’t have a base for my garden room?
At Noah Garden Rooms we offer a ten year warranty with all of our outdoor buildings. However, this only applies when they are constructed in line with our guidance, which includes the installation of an approved base first. Choosing to construct your garden room without a proper base could mean that you void your warranty and are left out of pocket if anything goes wrong.
What can I use as a base for my garden room?
There are various types of base suitable for a garden room or outdoor building. Traditionally, concrete slabs were the go-to option for many homeowners, however there are now a variety of options available, some more ecologically friendly than others.
Here are the recommended bases for outdoor buildings and garden rooms.
Concrete bases
Concrete bases are still a popular choice for many but can be considerably more costly. The area often needs to be excavated before a concrete base can be laid so prices will vary depending on how easily accessible your garden is and the contractor you use.
A concrete base is actually constructed of four elements: a hardcore base that will need to be leveled out and compacted, a damp-proof course to prevent damp, timber supports to create a mould for the concrete to set in, and finally the concrete itself that is poured across the area.
Ground screw bases
A ground screw foundation base is a quick, easy, and environmentally friendly way to install a base for your garden room. There’s no need for excavation, concrete or any of the general mess associated with other types of bases. It also has less of an impact on local wildlife and is reusable should you decide to replace or change the location of your garden room.
If you’re unsure about constructing a base for your garden room, let us do it for you! We offer professional installation with all of our garden buildings, including constructing your base for you.