Wood Base Installation
Wood base foundations are perfect for resin/plastic, vinyl, or metal sheds. As shed experts, we’ve spent years developing the ideal wood foundation for supporting these kinds of sheds. We’re proud to offer a wood foundation that has a strong, functional, and attractive design capable of providing decades of support for your shed.
Our wood foundations are built as low to the ground as possible for easy access to your shed. It’s pressure-treated frame is kept off the ground to avoid moisture and rot, while it’s attractive 2-ply skirt prevents pest intrusion. We also build it with the straightest unblemished lumber we can find.
This commitment to quality means minimal maintenance and decades of support. Wood might not have the longevity of concrete, but we stand behind every wood foundation we build with a guarantee that it will last for the life of your shed.
Wood foundation and shed installation can be completed in just one day.
Concrete Shed Base Installation
Concrete provides a perfect foundation for any type of shed. For wood and cedar sheds, concrete foundations are built at a hair less than the footprint of the shed to prevent moisture accumulation and rot. For all other sheds, concrete foundations are built with a 3.5” beveled border to create a clean and tailored look. We can also build a 2-3 foot extension to serve as a functional landing area at the entrance of your shed. Whichever route you take, we’ll customize your foundation to your shed and your needs.
Here’s our process for building the perfect concrete foundation:
- We remove the sod and top 4-7” of soil to create a level base.
- The dirt is quickly but carefully removed from your yard.
- Several inches of gravel is added to the area to provide support for your new foundation and provide proper drainage.
- The gravel is graded and levelled to give the pad even weight distribution and mitigate future cracking.
- The gravel is compacted, and concrete is ready to be poured.
- Fresh concrete is wheelbarrowed from the street to the site so the weight of the concrete truck doesn’t damage your driveway.
- We pour proper 32c2 concrete with air mixture that is poured 5” thick. A steel mesh rebar is inserted in the centre of the pad to prevent future cracking.
- The concrete sets for 48 hours until we replace the sod and soil along the border of the foundation and begin shed installation.
Concrete foundations require a little bit more time and investment, but they’re the best quality long-term foundation for any homeowner.
Rail-Tie Shed Foundation
Rail-tie is an affordable style of foundation for wood and cedar sheds. While this technique is named after a cheaper type of lumber that’s prone to twisting and warping, we use high quality 4” x 4” pressure treated lumber instead.
It all starts with installing these beams into specialized concrete footings. The footings are placed on compacted gravel to ensure proper drainage and support. As we’re levelling out the footings, we ensure that the foundation is built as close to the ground as possible so you can safely and easily access your shed. Once the foundation is completed and the shed is installed, we wrap the foundation with a matching skirt for a polished look.
Rail-tie foundations are a fraction of the cost of concrete. While taking down old sheds, we’ve seen many improperly installed rail-tie foundations that have caused rot and decomposition. But when installed correctly with high quality materials, this is a solid and affordable option.
Piers
If you’re planning on installing a shed in a heavily sloped area, or a pergola over grass, piers might be your best option. Concrete can also serve this purpose if budget and conditions permit; but piers are typically our go-to option for uneven or unpaved areas. They are also the type of foundation that is included in our installations of OLT raised playhouses with sandbox option.
Piers are used instead of our standard footings for sites whose difference in depth exceeds 2 feet end to end. To see if your site requires piers, follow these steps:
- Find a level and long straight piece of wood. It can be anything from a 2×4 to a hockey stick.
- With the help of a second person, place the level on the wooden piece and stretch it out from the high area of the site to the low area.
- Ensure the bubble in the level is centred.
- Measure the distance between the level and the low area of the site.
Chances are you’ll need to install piers if this measurement is 2 feet or more. If you’re still unsure, feel free to give us a call.
Patio Stone Foundations
Patio stone foundations are a solid and cost-effective solution for smaller wooden sheds. While patio stone foundations tend to shift slightly over time due to seasonal climate changes, wooden sheds are able to absorb this shift. For this reason, we do not recommend patio stones for vinyl, resin/plastic, and metal sheds. These types of sheds run the risk of damage or even dilapidation on patio stones in extreme cases.
