Why You Need a Base for Your Garden Building

Every garden building needs a firm, level base. It's the single most important thing you can do to make your building last, and it only takes an afternoon with the right kit.

Why a base matters

  • Easier assembly: on uneven ground, panels won't line up properly and your building can be very difficult to put together.
  • Doors and windows that keep working: a building that isn't level can twist over time, so doors drop out of alignment and become hard to open and close.
  • Keeps water out: a raised, well-drained base keeps the floor off wet ground and stops rain pooling underneath, which helps prevent rot and leaks.
  • Protects your guarantee: manufacturer guarantees on timber garden buildings require the building to be assembled on a firm, level base made of a suitable material. Assembling on the wrong base is likely to invalidate it.

The easy option: EcoBase Fastfit

EcoBase Fastfit Shed Base Kits are made from tough, interlocking recycled plastic grids that click together, with a sheet of weed-resistant membrane cut to size. They're lightweight, simple to lay, a lot lighter and easier to handle than paving flags, and much quicker and less messy than laying a wet-mix concrete slab. No gravel is needed, and rainwater drains straight through, keeping your floor bearers dry and ventilated.

  • Each grid can support 240 tonnes per m2
  • Made from 100% recycled waste plastics
  • Rot proof and chemically inert, so no maintenance needed
  • Free delivery to mainland England, Wales and lowland Scotland, usually in 3-5 working days

When you buy a Norven Gardens building, you'll see the recommended EcoBase kit for that building as an add-on, so you can order the right size in one go. Your base is delivered separately, so it can be laid and ready before your building arrives.

Shop EcoBase Fastfit base kits

Larger log cabins and garden rooms

For our largest log cabins and garden rooms, a concrete base laid by a local builder is recommended. If you're not sure which base is right for your building, request a call back and we'll talk it through with you.

Where to put your base

  • Make the base slightly larger than the building's footprint (around 30-40mm on each side).
  • Leave a gap from walls and fences, as roofs usually overhang, and so you can reach every side to treat the timber.
  • Keep away from overhanging trees and large bushes, which can damage the roof felt.
  • Think about access, natural light and, if you're planning power or water, how close you are to the supply.