How To Install a Grid Shed Base!🛖(The EASY Way)

[@columbo9336]

One extremely useful feature of using the gravel grid system, is one you get to the stage you are at, if you find that part of the grid is lower, you just gently pull the grid upwards, the gravel will fill in below and it will stay at the new height you set. Makes leveling it very easy.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Very good point!

[@jmk1962]

Best and clearest video I've seen on how to do this.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Wow, thanks!

[@michaelroberts2863]

Lovely stuff! Thank you for sharing... I feel like we're leading parallel lives! Every time I start planning to do something (buy a drill press, lay a patio, build a covered area in the garden, lay a shed base to create space to build a new workshop), I get an alert saying you've created a video of exactly that thing! It's getting spooky, although I suspect it may be that every budding woodworker goes through a similar journey of getting set up, culminating in the big workshop build! Good luck with your projects and thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills!

[@sumeraybuilds]

Haha I swear I'm not mimicing your steps on purpose! Hope the workshop build goes well!

[@dougdavidson175]

I did a cement slab and patio stone backyard upgrade. Needed a pickaxe and heavy prybar to get through the hard scrabble under the sod layer. Glad I only went for a 5-inch base. Take care & stay safe.

[@sumeraybuilds]

The Rolls Royce if shed bases! I didn’t want to go to that effort/ cost for this but likely will for my ultimate shed!

[@Greyotterstudio]

Super hopeful that the shed moving means it’s making way for the new workshop! Nice video bud, not seen the gravel before, looking forwards to the rest!

[@sumeraybuilds]

That's the plan! Getting things cleared for the big build

[@prnfl]

installed base today, your video really helped. thanks

[@sumeraybuilds]

Glad it helped

[@paulmaryon9088]

What a great video, would never have thought of this option, thanks, be lucky

[@sumeraybuilds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mimigization]

One suggestion to cut cost, is to use the cheapest available pea gravel. At my local store, the decorative stuff you used was £4.50 a bag, but they had one at £1.99 a bag.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Great tip! Not sure how I missed this!!

[@MatthewTucker1SonOfGod]

Where can I get this pea gravel from?

[@mimigization]

@@MatthewTucker1SonOfGod I live near Stafford, but I’m sure if you go to any builders merchant, or diy store you can get pea gravel quite cheaply. Buying a 1 Ton builders bag , rather than small 25 k bags, can also save money for a larger shed base.

[@dumitreanadrian599]

@@mimigization hi, what shop please?

[@mimigization]

@@dumitreanadrian599 TFM superstore Penkridge.

[@Denbot.Gaming]

I can relate to the hard work... we've just spend the last week including the easter bank holiday, taking down an old shed and levelling a 8x5m area out.... my back (body) is in bits todays. Good news is the base kit is down, with a nice retaining wall around 2 sides to hold back the higher ground, with plenty of clearance between the base kit.

[@sumeraybuilds]

That’s a big area! All by hand? I just cleared a 6mx3m area and decided a digger was the way to go

[@Denbot.Gaming]

@@sumeraybuilds all with a spade and plenty of sweat I think if I was to ever do one again, I'd hire a digger. It kind of spiralled out of control once I spotted the back of the concrete slab garage was half buried, at that point we'd already cleared more than half of it out

[@sumeraybuilds]

@@Denbot.Gaming fair play to you! I've done similar projects like that before an agree it's extremely hard going!

[@Denbot.Gaming]

@@sumeraybuilds had a nightmare... got the laser level out on it last night, its an inch lower on the right side... any recommendations.... its full of pea gravel... my thinking is the ground was slightly softer on the right... My thinking is: 1# border it with halfs I have lay around and level out with more gravel 2# Take it all up, level it and lay it back down Cabin is sat on the drive so its a time crunch 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@sumeraybuilds]

@@Denbot.Gaming honestly I think I'd take it up and redo it. Anything else would be a bodging it and likley setting you up for more cost later down the line. Those cabins are mostly held together with gravity so having a level base is essential. If you out weed fabric down then this shouldn't be too bad...

[@kchaudhry3628]

Really useful mate. Thanks for this.

[@sumeraybuilds]

No problem 👍

[@davidstorton910]

Nice one mate, I'm moving this year and will want a shed and this sounds like a good option for me

[@sumeraybuilds]

Good luck!

[@intothemultiverse1033]

I used this method for 5.5x3.5m summerhouse. Absolutely no problems yet whatsoever. In fact I prefer it to concrete because if water gets underneath it’ll just drain away and not pool around the floor bearers.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I actually agree, I also have a summer house but went for a concrete base and it 100% has puddles under it for several days after rainfall.

[@prnfl]

Did you use a sub base? I'm told an MOT 1 sub base is recommended for a summer house

[@intothemultiverse1033]

@@prnflyes at the depth I dug it out at. I then trampled down to make level as best I could. Then put in the gravel grids and filled leaving them to take care of any minor level issues.

[@bagelandapriusrv]

Great video! Could i do this exact process for a driveway? But maybe add gravel dust on top?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes you 100% can

[@ginaweller620]

Look into granite powder, acts like sand to spread, than water, turns out like concrete.

[@lukedaunt4434]

Does the shed not then need to be anchored to the ground for storms?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Mines full of heavy stuff, otherwise I would have

[@stephenstone2606]

Good video thanks for showing👍👍

[@sumeraybuilds]

Thanks 🙏

[@geeunit831]

Thanks for this video mate I found it super helpful. Do you think this would work for a smaller shed? My shed is 1.52 x 0.78 x 1.95m and weighs only 40kg. What could I use to help weigh it down so it doesn’t blow away?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes it would work. But if your shed is light and not going to be fillled with heavy stuff then you can stake some timber into the ground and fix it with screws.

[@geeunit831]

@ cheers mate, I’ll let you know how I get on.

[@jonbarbuti1779]

this is fantastic and so useful. I'm looking to add a fairly basic summer house to the back garden (more a glorified shed) and it's been suggested to add a layer of hardcore, then sharp sand, then the membrane, grids and stone. However, I can't really see that the hardcore is needed, and you haven't used it here. Would it just protect the base a little from water coming up?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Hard-core should be used if the soil that you’re putting it on is particularly soft. It’s really there just to make sure that the ground doesn’t budge overtime for most of the UK soil is quite soft or sandy in which case you should put hard-core down the ground where I ended up putting mine was quite hard so decided against it.

[@jonbarbuti1779]

@@sumeraybuilds ahh - thanks. Our soil is heavy, prob high in clay and an absolute nightmare to dig out so I think I can probably do without the hardcore in that case. thanks for the reply.

[@catsmeow5566]

Thank you! I need o see if they have this stuff in my area in the US. Better than concrete and making forms and all that crud.

[@sumeraybuilds]

It’s available on Amazon, I think ☝️

[@G.D-og1ip]

How level is level? Yours is the only tutorial that doesn't skim over levelling as if its a one sentence afterthought, but it still seems like it was a much more straightforward process than I'm having.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I got it pretty much perfect with the sand and I’d suggest everyone does the same. It’s just a case of digging the high areas and filing in the lows, checking with the spirit level regularly

[@mrpanther8353]

Nice job!!

[@sumeraybuilds]

Thanks! 🙏

[@imaginitivity7853]

Depending on what you have to hand or is available, you can make your own stabilising grid by cutting French drain tubing into 2 inch sections. I've seen those grids be quite costly, so that might be a cheaper option. ETA: I should acknowledge the excellent Apple Drains on YT for this idea

[@sumeraybuilds]

Great tip!

[@betterstill100]

I love Apple Drains

[@EarthlyVibes]

Going to find apple drains. Thanks. This us one of the beat part of YT

[@timgusterson7541]

Ive seem this grid system on garden buildings like dunster house - 5m x 3m or similar - they offer grid based foundation base options - you talk to some people and they swear by conctret base of timber - but I was hoping to go down the grid based one -as its cheaper and possibly easier for us to do...? thoughts -and replies would be helpful if you can - thanks - good video!

[@sumeraybuilds]

I think you’ll be fine, just make sure to put a layer of compacted hardcore underneath the weed fabric and nothing can go wrong imo

[@jimbrechin1089]

I am using this for a pent shed at the side of the house. If I lay the weed membrane, do I need to keep it away from the house for damp reasons? Also, with a bad back in play, I don't want to dig out existing gravel. Was going to put sand down, then membrane, more sand then the grid and gravel. Would that be OK? Cheers.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I’d recommend raking back the gravel first so you’re putting it onto a hardish base. And no need to worry about the weed membrane affecting damp as long as it’s below the dpm layer of blue bricks.

[@benjaminbates626]

Great video thanks mate. I’ve gone for the hardcore sub base option with this on top, 6x2.5m, I’m having a lot of trouble getting it totally level tho, would a layer of gravel under base do the job ? I’ve got a load of thst but not sand, thanks

[@sumeraybuilds]

I don’t think gravel would, I think it would move as soon as you put any weight on the grids. Worth buying a few small bags and doing it with sand 👌

[@Toxic_0_]

What kind of weight would this kind of base be able to support long term? I’m hoping to get a log cabin style shed and I’m still deciding if a concrete base is necessary.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I have a log cabin (Dunster House) and decided to go with a concrete base. I don’t think I’d put it on this stuff. Personally I’d reserve this plastic grid stuff for smaller more temporary sheds.

[@sciencefollowstheevidence11]

Great video, I'm confused as in don't you need to put down any mot type 1 before laying tye grids down? Or don't you need a sub base for a shed?

[@sumeraybuilds]

You certainly should do that, if you’re installing something substantial. But a small shed doesn’t really need it if the floor/ soil is fairly hard already.

[@esprit333]

@sumeraybuilds am wondering how you then anchored your shed to the base? Or is it just held there by its own weight?

[@sumeraybuilds]

I’m planning on the shed weighing enough. It’s a pretty solid shed plus will be filled with timber which 🤞 will weigh it down enough. If you were just going to put one of those cheaper thin sheds on here then it might be worth staking/ concreting some timber to screw the shed to to prevent it blowing away!

[@MRacer001]

funnily enough i did my own grid shed base before xmas, was nice to confirm that everything i did was correct :D

[@sumeraybuilds]

Glad to hear it!

[@Isiena]

how is your shed and shed base holding up now?

[@MRacer001]

@@Isiena very good actually, it was only a very small shed but ive been very impressed with how its held up so far, base and all

[@ThePaulg123]

Nice video 👍🏻 I was just wondering for a driveway i wouldn't want to have the grid pattern showing, just seeing if you have any ideas for that? I don't know wether if i made the depth like a centimetre deeper, then after using the pea gravel to fill high enough for the grid, then putting 20mm on top for that 1cm extra depth? Then I'm worrying if the 20mm will sit ok on top of the 10mm when cars are going on and off? 🤔🤯

[@sumeraybuilds]

The honest answer is I don't know, never tried. But I don't see any reason this wouldn't work. I suspect the gravel you have ontop of the grids will move overtime to reveal the grids you're trying to hide. Other than that I can't see a reason why this wouldn't work.

[@ThePaulg123]

@@sumeraybuilds many thanks for your reply, the only idea I had is if I filled the grids almost to the top with 10mm and topped with the 20mm, that way at least the 10mm gets in all those important air gaps in the grid and compacts it all nicely still🤔

[@blobby482002]

I laid this for a drive and it works very well, I used to top up driveway every year but haven't needed to do that for three years! We have a very busy driveway too! We have a trees on our property with TPO's and cant lay a solid drive without planning permission and a miracle from God. These grids are a really good option!! I cannot believe I hadn't seen this as a shed base option too!! Great video!!!

[@ThePaulg123]

@@blobby482002 thanks for your comment , just wondering how you prepped the driveway? With the layers like sub-base and membrane etc? So did you fill the grids with gravel then top off to hide the grid pattern? How did you get on with utility pipes like electric, gas and water? I'm so nervous about doing it even if I know where they are. Thanks in advance for your time if you can answer 🙏🏻👍🏻

[@blobby482002]

@@ThePaulg123 Yes mate. There is a root protection honeycomb filled with hardcore as a sub base, this was installed by builder as part of building control. We just raked back the existing slate topping and the grid was laid on top of the hard core and filled with slate. We didn’t worry too much about hiding the grid as it looks ok as it is. It hasn’t budged since laying!! 👍

[@cbdyna]

Thanks for the video. Shame these aren't being sold in the US for around the same price or I'd opt for this base instead of 2'X2' pavers. Closest I could find to this system on US amazon was a brand called vodoland for $150 dollars compared to $60 dollars cost of pavers.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Sorry to hear that! Seems like a big opportunity for someone over there 👀

[@yyl8374]

Would this still work in a new build estate where the soil quality is very low and clay like? I.e poor drainage?

[@sumeraybuilds]

It would work, but if you want to be certain out 3/4 inches of hardcore down on top of the soil first.

[@Denbot.Gaming]

nicely done, got my shed kit on route, might share how I get on with it, I was on the fence between the ecobase and a slab.... how is your base holding up so far?

[@sumeraybuilds]

It’s been down just over a month and so far it’s doing great. No sign of movement ect. If you can be bothered I’ve seen some people put 2 or 3 inches of hardcore down below the grid to ensure no movement. It’s great for drainage, certainly better than slabs/ concrete

[@Denbot.Gaming]

@@sumeraybuilds I was looking at some sharp sand for under the sheet, then some larger gravel on top of the sheet, but under the grid

[@sumeraybuilds]

@Denbot.Gaming that should work as long as you get the larger gravel compacted down and level

[@aaron1uk]

Is this method good for a seldomly used gravel path too, or should a MOT 1 Sub base still be laid?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes this will be great for that. It depends what your soil is like underneath. If it's hard then don't worry, if it's soft then you'll want MOT.

[@bernieb515]

I've just subscribed to your channel. My husband and I are having a cabin put in our garden (4.5m wide x 3.5m deep). Got a quote for paving to be done. But my husband and I are considering doing the base ourselves----good for the muscles, lessons for the brain, contentment at the thought of doing and completing it ourselves. But what's best, concrete or this new grid base?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Good for you!! Personally I’d suggest spending about 20% of what the shed/ cabin/ workshop cost on the base. If you’re budget allows then concrete is 100% the best way to go in terms of longevity and how hardwiring it is. But if a fairly cheap shed then the grid base stuff works great 👍

[@bernieb515]

Hi there, I've got another sort of "stupid" question: We're thinking using the grid, but put a thin layer of concrete on top of the grid / pea shingle. Is this doable, viable, logical? We're also thinking putting bricks around the perimeter of the grid as edging for the grid base, locked in with concrete. I know, kinda silly question, but need your advice. Help! Is it obvious I'm a first time DIY-er 😅

[@sumeraybuilds]

I wouldn’t advise doing this. 75/100mm of hardcore with 100mm of concrete is the bare minimum you’ll want to do if you want concrete. I’d imagine the concrete would break apart pretty quick if you did put it on top of those grids

[@bernieb515]

@@sumeraybuilds Thanks! Was just watching your Concrete Base video. What did you do with the DPM extra on the sides----were they cut off?

[@sumeraybuilds]

@bernieb515 yes they were cut off. I think I show that in this video. Still going strong

[@RDesign9483]

How did you fix your building down to that?

[@sumeraybuilds]

I didn't, it's just using a gravity system 😂

[@Mike-sh5nh]

I am thinking of gong down this route as opposed to a concrete slab; my only concern is the weather. Our location can be extremely windy and a lightweight shed might relocate a few fields down. So, did you anchor yours down and was it easy to do? I'm probably worrying unnecessarily with weight of the contents in the shed, just covering all bases.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I didn’t anchor mine, but it’s quite protected from wind by surrounding houses. I would probably use post Crete and a long length of timber at th e front and back to anchor it if I was worried about wind. Good luck!

[@jacquipross]

How large was the area of your shed foundation? And how much pea gravel was needed?

[@sumeraybuilds]

It’s 2.4mx 1.2m. A calculator puts this at 285kg or about 10 bags of gravel

[@Ash-op9dg]

Not being rude but at 5:15 it looks very uneven. How did it fare when you actually put the shed on it, did you have any issues levelling the shed itself?

[@sumeraybuilds]

It was pretty much level, I agree that bottom right grid looks a bit off in the photo but the weight of the stones helped it lays perfectly level 😃

[@dumitreanadrian599]

how much gravel you put there, in bags please, thank you 😊

[@sumeraybuilds]

It was about 20 bags!

[@dumitreanadrian599]

@@sumeraybuilds thanks m8

[@sirbustasirbusta8099]

How do you secure the shed on the base

[@sumeraybuilds]

I didn’t 👀

[@djemu88]

How would you anchor the shed to the base?

[@sumeraybuilds]

I didn’t, but my shed is heavy af. I guess you could hammer some big stakes in after to screw the base to. Mines been fine so far and it’s been very windy

[@djemu88]

@@sumeraybuilds thanks a lot. I've got a big metal shed to put up, 11x9ft. Gonna put it on this and hope it doesn't blow away, but it's 130kg so should be okay.

[@geeunit831]

@@djemu88how’d you get on with your shed mate? Has it been okay or has it blown away?

[@djemu88]

@@geeunit831 it's been rock solid, even after last week's storm. I laid a base like this, put the shed over the top of it. Shed was bigger than my base, so I filled in the sides with more stones. Moisture barrier, then 18mm plywood on top as flooring (unsecured but shelving on top so stable).

[@geeunit831]

@@djemu88 Awesome mate! I’m going to give it a crack with my new 1.52 x 0.78 x 1.95m shed. Hopefully it works for me too 🤞🏾

[@chana100red]

good video, although I thought it costed you more in material than to buy a ready made or self assembly timber base? As we all know material has risen in price. what was the total cost of the project?

[@sumeraybuilds]

I think I say it in the video. Was about £120 from memory. I think a timber base would be cheaper but these grids usually mean a lower step into the shed which I really like

[@Bob-bo8ik]

How do you secure the shed to the ground?

[@sumeraybuilds]

I used gravity. But you could use a wooden stake and screw this to it

[@Bob-bo8ik]

@@sumeraybuilds Where I live, that shed would be like the house in the Wizard of Ozz several times a year, if I only used gravity. Wooden stake? No.

[@mework1871]

wow prices for the plastic grids went up quickly. Just checked and the cheepest ones a tenner more the rest have almost doubled

[@sumeraybuilds]

Jeeeez! Sorry to hear that!

[@vladvladmtb]

Can you put slabs there?

[@sumeraybuilds]

If you mean can you put slabs onto these grids then I wouldn't recommend it. You need a layer of hardcore and cement below slabs, I did a video on it.

[@prnfl]

excellent. the cost of a concrete base was putting me off, this means I can spend more on a bigger and better shed

[@sumeraybuilds]

Good decision 😀

[@paulhodgson4790]

Seems like a good budget option. Like to know how it stands up over a few years.

[@sumeraybuilds]

They have very good reviews. I think as long as they’re laid properly that will make the biggest difference for their longevity.

[@Nick-xv4mk]

I have had my base down on my 8 x 7 Workshop for 4 years without a problem. The shed is beneath a mature Ash tree due to space, and a concrete pad wasn't an option due to the roots. I opted for a membrane, a 4" base layer of crushed rock and clay, then the grids topped with crushed Granite chips, all held in place with recycled plastic timber. The tree roots haven't proved an issue, everything remains solid and level, and the water simply drains away.

[@Justjames89]

Just in time this video ha

[@sumeraybuilds]

Glad to hear it!

[@GT.Bugger]

Ive got two areas i need to create bases for and paying someone to do it is not an option as their quotes are insane. This video gives me hope that i can do this myself, and hopefully, it'll be sufficient and not look a mess 😂

[@sumeraybuilds]

You can 100% do this, it’s hard work but an easy method!

[@mikechanning8764]

I laid too many. Is there a trick to lifting them, on my own?

[@sumeraybuilds]

I've not had to. I imagine the key is going to be pateince or brute force 😂😂

[@Chrisruptor]

I went out and bought these on Amazon thinking it would be easy and cheap.There were no instructions provided in the description. Only when looking at the same product on B&Q website it says you need 80-100mm layer of MOT type 1... Do you really need it? I have clay soil if that makes a difference

[@sumeraybuilds]

Depends on what you're putting on it. If you just have a small shed and existing base is solid then you'll be fine.

[@stevenclarke5606]

Probably a stupid question, What do I do with the turf that I’ve removed?

[@sumeraybuilds]

You can either 1) take it tip or 2) turn it upside down somewhere in your garden so it decomposes over time.

[@stevenclarke5606]

@@sumeraybuilds ok thanks for the advice

[@morecambemarko]

Complete novice over here, but appreciate your help with my question. Why the weed control? I’ve been told that because the weed control isn’t permeable water might pool beneath, so don’t use weed control- Is that right ? Are they talking BS

[@sumeraybuilds]

Simply to prevent weeds coming through, it is permeable so no issues with drainage. You could not use it, but you'll likley get weeds come through eventually.

[@simongilbert2704]

why the weed fabric ? it's dark under there , also roots love weed control mesh , it's worse in the long run , it's a con , also gets caught up when strimming ,

[@sumeraybuilds]

Even though it’s dark it does prevent weeds, that’s my understanding anyway. I guess you could skip it if you wanted to save £20.

[@simongilbert2704]

@@sumeraybuilds hi, its not 20 quid that is an issue , i work on a lot of paths and borders where this stuff is used and the weeds love it . they sink their roots into the mesh and make it hard work to weed , in the shed base term of things that you are doing i have watched some others and it seems a good idea to keep the gravel from sinking too much , so i will follow your instructions and use some thick stuff to retain the gravel ;;;

[@peterrear2864]

Thats not a pitch fork its a digging fork

[@sumeraybuilds]

Thank you! 😂

I'd chose different fabric. This one will break.

[@sumeraybuilds]

You think? I’ve used this quite a lot in the past and it’s been fine. 🤞 it holds up!

@@sumeraybuilds Looks like the one that deteriorates after a few years and breaks into small parts.

[@ryanblanz3943]

Which fabric would you use?

@@ryanblanz3943 I'd go for some geotextile that should last much longer and doesn't breakdown.

[@ryanblanz3943]

Thanks for info!

[@FGM666MGF]

While it makes the work easy I have big doubts about its durability/lifetime and sustainability as well environmental friendliness.

[@sumeraybuilds]

It’s going strong so far 💪

[@tombell9964]

Base won’t last two winters, squeaky floor ahead

[@sumeraybuilds]

We'll see...

[@janiceh3995]

I did a base like this 2.5 years ago and its still going strong with no issues

[@Nick-xv4mk]

Mine is 4 years down without any issues.

[@christophehorguelin7044]

That's a lot of plastic

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yep 👍

[@AlisonLewis-e8w]

please go back a slide for a minute

[@sumeraybuilds]

🤷‍♂️