If you have decided to put a wooden house in your garden to create a tidy and functional space, you should know that first it will be essential to prepare a solid base on which to place it, to guarantee its durability and stability for a long time.

In fact, without an adequate base, the house could be subject to deformation, collapse or water infiltration.

In this article we will guide you through the various steps necessary to prepare the soil and build a solid foundation for your wooden house.

Why is a base for the wooden house necessary?

After choosing the garden shed, it is therefore time to worry about finding a safe and stable support.

When the ground is uneven, the lack of adequate foundation can become a cause of instability or seepage, especially in the event of strong winds or rain.

The water and humidity that penetrate the wooden house can ruin its structure and encourage the formation of mould, thus compromising the safety of the entire construction. For these reasons, the construction of a base is a very important step, which will require attention and care especially in the initial phase.

Ground leveling

Before proceeding with the construction of the base, it is necessary to prepare the ground correctly.

This includes leveling the ground to remove any irregularities, thus ensuring that the surface is completely flat. To do this you can arm yourself with tools such as a shovel, a rake and a level: in a few simple steps you will get an optimal result! Carefully remove roots, stones and other debris that could compromise the stability of the base and loosen the earth a little to make the area as uniform as possible.

Obviously, when it comes to slightly uneven terrain it is difficult to do a job accurate to the millimetre, but don't worry: in this case it will be possible to intervene with specific supports for unevenness, which will guarantee a perfectly level final result!

Although tiring, this step is truly essential to avoid future stability problems.

Materials for the base of the wooden house

There are different materials to choose from for the base of the house, all with their own advantages in terms of aesthetics, cost and durability, to obtain a truly optimal result in line with the needs of the specific case.

So let's explore some of the most common options, analyzing the benefits of each material.

Stone plates

Stone plates are a functional and aesthetically pleasing choice for the base of wooden houses because they offer a natural and tidy appearance to the garden, while at the same time maintaining high resistance to atmospheric agents and, therefore, a long life over time.

The base on which the stone plates rest must be well leveled and compact, even better if composed of a layer of sand, which will help improve the overall stability of the structure.

Concrete slabs

Similar to stone, but cheaper, are concrete slabs. For the base of the house, concrete represents a versatile and resistant option. These slabs are generally cheaper than other solutions and can be placed directly on level ground, creating a solid base: this solution is ideal for those looking for a compromise between cost and functionality.

Concrete base

Another viable solution is that of a concrete base to provide a solid support for the wooden garden shed. The preparation and installation procedure includes first excavating the ground to a suitable depth, then preparing a formwork of the desired size using wooden panels and pouring the concrete into the formwork, carefully leveling it.

After letting the concrete dry for the necessary time (approximately 48 hours), the advantages offered by this material, which is extremely resistant and long-lasting, will immediately be evident.

“Stadium” foundations

With concrete and steel support it is also possible to build "slat" foundations, i.e. a solution that allows the weight to be unloaded onto the subsoil, distributing it in a uniform and homogeneous way. This type of foundation offers greater protection from humidity, preventing it from penetrating from the ground to the house.

The "slab" foundations are particularly suitable for unstable soils or those subject to movement, guaranteeing a solid and long-lasting base even on soils that are not suitable for withstanding excessively high pressures.

PVC base for wooden houses

The lightest and easiest solution to install is undoubtedly the PVC base, more modern and practical for wooden garden sheds. 

Among the numerous advantages of PVC we certainly find its lightness and ease of transport and installation. This material is also particularly water resistant and is not at risk of moisture-related damage like wood or other materials.

The maintenance required is minimal, making this solution extremely accessible and economical for your wooden house.

Tools necessary for building the foundations

To prepare and level the ground and build a solid foundation, you will need several tools. A shovel and rake are essential for removing debris and leveling the ground, while the level will help you check that the surface is perfectly flat.

Wooden formwork is necessary for the preparation of concrete, while waterproof sheets will protect the base from moisture.

Finally, a layer of gravel under the footing will improve drainage, preventing moisture buildup under the shed.

By following Home Idea's advice and using the right materials and tools, you can ensure that your wooden house has a solid and long-lasting base, ready to face any weather condition!