How Thick Should a Concrete Slab Be for a Shed?

Sheds are incredibly useful little structures in your back garden, but only if they are stable. You don’t want to store your tools, lawn mower or gardening equipment in something that is going to fall with the first gust of wind. This is why concrete slabs are a vital part of a shed’s construction. But how thick should a concrete slab be for a shed?

A shed base provides stability and stops it from shifting (or sinking) so that it can last.

Concrete is the go-to material for these bases because it’s a durable and reliable material, especially when compared to other options like wooden foundations or gravel.

However, your concrete shed base does need to be a certain thickness to provide such stability. This will change slightly depending on the size of the shed or if you have a heavy-duty one, but typically, your shed base should be around four inches thick.

At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we have a combined 25+ years of experience working with concrete. In our time in the industry, we have provided concrete for a range of projects, but concrete shed bases are a regular for us. This means we have the expertise you need to get it right.

In this blog, we discuss how thick a concrete slab should be for a shed base.

How Thick Should a Concrete Slab Be for a Shed?

Every shed needs a base, and if you choose concrete (which we believe is the best option), then you need to know the answer to the question, “How thick should a concrete slab be for a shed?”

As mentioned above, the thickness of your concrete shed base will depend predominantly on the size of the shed.

For a small to medium shed (which is the common shed size we see for residential garden sheds), then you will need a concrete slab that is four inches (100mm) thick.

However, if you are building a heavy-duty shed in your garden, perhaps to use as a workshop or mancave, then you will need a base that is slightly more solid to take the extra weight of the structure.

For these sheds, you will need a slab thickness of 6 inches (150mm) or more.

You can also improve the strength of the concrete slab, if you want or need to, by adding reinforced mesh or rebar. This will increase the load-bearing capacity, so if you are likely to store heavy machinery or vehicles in the shed, the base will support the weight of the structure and everything in it without cracking.

Why Do You Need a Concrete Shed Base?

Seeing as you are looking into how thick a concrete shed base should be, we think you are likely to know why you need one, but it never hurts to explain this.

There are several reasons why you need a shed base:

1. Strength and stability - a concrete base prevents the structure from sinking, shifting, or warping over time.
2. Moisture protection - a base prevents water damage, protecting the shed’s structure and contents.
3. Longevity - a concrete shed base can last decades with minimal maintenance.

Laying a concrete base is basically a protective layer at the bottom of your shed so you can enjoy the space for as long as possible without worrying about its structural integrity.

What Type of Concrete is Best for a Shed Base?

There are a number of different concrete design mixes with varying strengths to handle different load-bearing capacities and functions.

Typically, a shed and its contents aren’t that heavy, so you don’t need a heavy-duty concrete mix for the base.

We usually recommend the C25 concrete grade, which is made of a 1:2:4 ratio mix. This isn’t the weakest type of concrete available, but it also isn’t the strongest. It sits in the concrete shed base sweet spot, so is cost-effective and durable.

Sometimes, we might recommend fibre-reinforced concrete for the base, which will reduce cracking and enhance longevity, especially for slightly heavier sheds.

Don’t forget, no matter what concrete mix you use, you need to let it cure before building the shed. Concrete should be left at least seven days to dry before installing the shed structure.

Why Concrete Pumping is the Best Method for a Shed Base

While concrete shed bases are one of the best options, we often hear people worry that it will be hard to get concrete to where they want their shed.

But worry not! At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we have the solution - concrete pumping.

Using our line and boom pumps, we can reach any project site, even if we have to go over or through a row of terrace houses, walls or any other obstacles. There are a few considerations that need to be made before hiring a concrete pump, though.

Using a concrete pump has many benefits:

• Efficiency - pumping allows for fast and even distribution, reducing labour time.
• Accessibility - ideal for hard-to-reach areas where wheelbarrowing is difficult.
• Better finish - provides a smoother and level surface, ensuring a strong foundation.

Concrete pumping takes the stress out of laying concrete for a shed base. Combining this with our mix-on-site concrete production, you get the right concrete mix and the right amount easily to your shed site.

Lay Your Concrete Shed Base With 2 Brothers

So now you know everything you need for your concrete shed base, from getting the answer to “How thick should a concrete base be for a shed?” to the concrete mix you need and even the best way to get it to the project site.

As you made it to the bottom of this blog, here is a quick recap:

• The ideal concrete base thickness is around four inches.
• A concrete base acts as a protective layer, preventing moisture, sinking and ensuring longevity.
• C25 concrete is the best concrete shed base mix.
• Concrete pumping is the most efficient way to get the material to your project site.

At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we have everything you need for a concrete shed base under one roof, from supplying the right concrete design mix to pumping it to your site with ease, all with the expertise you can rely on.

Thanks to our volumetric trucks, we will be able to mix and pump the exact amount of concrete you need to cover your shed site and meet the thickness needed. This means you will only pay for the amount you need, and you won’t face any disposal charges either.

Over our time in the industry, we have provided plenty of concrete for residential shed bases, and with this experience comes a wealth of knowledge at the top of our heads, so we provide an efficient and swift process with the guidance you need.

Contact our team to order concrete for your shed base today by calling us on 01489 552737 or completing our online contact form to request a callback from our experts.