Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by Dale Allan

Can A Shed Be Put On Decking

Are you looking for a handy and secure way to add extra storage space to your garden but not sure if decking is a right option?

Maybe you don’t want to install your new shed to the ground?

With some careful planning and consideration of factors like deck capacity, stability, local regulation codes and weather conditions – you can make the most of placing a shed directly onto your existing timber or other type of decking platform.

Quick Info

• – A shed can be placed on decking, however, the weight capacity of your decking must be taken into account and extra support may be needed.
• – When choosing a base material for your shed it is wise to consider the weight of the structure, drainage options & insulation needs.
• – Ensure the base is leveled and stable; take all local regulations and codes into account as well as climate conditions when installing the shed.
• – Secure the shed by using anchor bolts which offer most stability or lag screws if necessary; tension all fixings for safety before installation.

Can A Shed Be Placed On Decking?

If you wonder if a shed can be placed on decking, there are certain factors to consider before doing so.

Exploring The Possibilities And Limitations

A shed on decking is a great way to add valuable storage and space to your backyard, but there are some factors you need to consider before embarking on this project. Firstly, you need to assess the weight capacity of your decking as shed aren’t as light as, let’s say, garden benches.

Even if your wood and/or timber deck is strong enough for the shed’s weight—not forgetting any contents inside—it may not have support in certain parts like around windows or walls.

Also, it’s important that you build a level foundation so that the shed sits evenly and safely on the surface of your deck. To do this properly, it’s best practice to test if certain areas of your yard require additional levelling before making any construction plans.

Finally, you should also check with local regulations and building codes as they may impose restrictions when putting up structures like sheds on decks.

Options For Shed Base Materials

Shopping around for a shed base material can be daunting, with so many options available.

Firstly, you’ll need to consider the weight of the shed, which will help decide what type of material is best suited for the job.

The classic option for shed foundation is a concrete slab or ‘raft’. It requires extensive digging up of turf as well as laying down hardcore before pouring concrete into forms and then levelling off with screed boards or trowels.

On the other hand, plastic sheds don’t typically require such elaborate foundations: they can usually be placed directly onto soil beds once trodden down—but their flexibility also means they’ll probably require some repositioning at some point later down the line due to subsidence issues over time.

Paving slabs come in various shapes and coloured finishes suitable for level surfaces within gardens; whilst recycled sleepers can also make an attractive alternative bedding material either stacked on top of each other or reinforcing your current deck setup (or offering extra drainage away from main sections).

Timbre decks may offer yet another option depending on specific levels required; however these definitely represent greater commitment – sacrificing space (and potentially expense) proportional too whatever you go with here.

Potential Issues To Consider

Before putting a shed onto decking, it’s important to think about the potential issues you may encounter. Firstly, you need to calculate the weight capacity of your decking and make sure it can cope with the load of your new shed.

The heavier the shed, for example plastic sheds tend to be much heavier than wooden ones, then more additional support will be needed when installation occurs. Secondly, ensuring that foundations are level and stable is vital when using a deck as your shed base – extra supports such as joists could come in handy if any reinforcements are required during install.

Factors To Consider Before Installing A Shed On Decking

include assessing the capacity of the decking, ensuring the base is stable and level, checking for any local regulations and codes, as well as considering weather and climate conditions.

Assessing The Capacity Of The Decking

Before putting a shed on decking, it’s important to make sure the weight of the shed and its contents won’t exceed the load-bearing capacity of your existing deck. This is especially crucial if you’re attaching a large shed or placing one made from heavy materials such as metal or concrete.

To be safe, take some measurements of your deck structure first – check for signs that it might need reinforcement like sagging joists or loose fastenings.

Be aware that flat roofs are typically heavier than sloped ones; so, even if you don’t anticipate filling your shed with too much stuff, this could still tip the load balance in an unfavourable direction.

Once you have determined how strong your deck can support and whether additional reinforcement will likely be needed, measure out where best to install your garden shed across the area you have allocated for it on top of your deck and take into account any stairs/steps near by when working out where exactly to site things like wall hooks etc..

Ensuring The Base Is Stable And Level

Having a solid and level base is essential for the longevity of a garden shed.

Unstable or uneven surfaces can easily damage the integrity of the shed walls, flooring, doors, and roof due to weight distribution misalignment.

The most basic way to check whether your base is both stable and level is by using a spirit level.

If your decking isn’t providing you with this stability naturally, then adding paving stones as extra reinforcement may be necessary – especially when dealing with larger structures such as log cabins or metal sheds.

A mix of concrete and gravel will also provide excellent drainage; whilst wooden subframe sections create more structural support around the slab base areas.

Checking For Local Regulations And Codes

When it comes to putting up a shed in the garden or on our decking, we all need to check what is legally allowed.

We may think that this sort of development, such as sheds or garages, are permissible but ancillary buildings under certain circumstances can still require planning permission – something worth checking before installation begins.

Outbuildings and garden sheds are typically classed as permitted developments so long as they meet regulations regarding the height (4m for ridged roofs, 2.5m for pitched), area size (no larger than 4sq metres) and distance from boundaries (1m from any house walls).

As well as this potential issue around restrictions imposed by residential areas and local authorities another factor to consider is whether decking covers over half of a garden space or stands more than 30 cm off ground level – if either of these scenarios applies then planning permission may be necessary again its best to check with your local authority prior to commencing building works.

Considering Weather And Climate Conditions

When installing a shed onto your decking, it’s important to consider the weather and climate of where you live. For instance, if you live in an area that experiences regular snowfall in winter months, it’s advisable to opt for materials such as metal which are better able to withstand extreme weather conditions than other materials.

Additionally, wooden sheds can be vulnerable to dampness caused by constant rain or moisture so placing them on decking may not be suitable unless they are protected with additional coverings and layers designed specifically for extreme climates – as this will help increase their longevity.

In dryer climates too much heat from the sun can cause plastic walls or windows of your shed to warp over time – leaving them weak and unable to protect against external elements.

Another problem associated with exposed wood is rot and mildew spores, which can spread quickly across a deck during rainy periods making any timber surfaces potentially hazardous over time.

How To Put A Shed On Decking

Installation is key to ensuring your shed stands the test of time.

Choosing The Right Location And Decking Material

When putting a shed in a garden, one of the most important decisions that needs to be made is what type of base should be used. Decking can provide an ideal platform for a shed as it provides extra leisure space and convenient storage.

Firstly, the weight of the planned shed must be taken into account and you’ll need to ensure that your decking can bear this load. You should use pressure-treated timber boards or opt for composite materials such as plastic wherever possible since these will offer better resistance against water damage and rot caused by damp conditions.

Secondly, you’ll need to make sure that the area is level so that everything fits snugly together and the foundation is stable beneath it. This way you can prevent any potential sinking or sagging due to weathering over time which may detrimentally affect your whole structure if left unchecked.

Building A Strong And Stable Base

When it comes to putting a shed on decking, one of the most important factors is to ensure that the base of your shed is secure and stable.

The base needs to be level and durable enough to keep your shed standing for years at a time.

There are many different materials you can use as a foundation when building this type of structure; some of these include gravel pads, paving blocks and lumber, solid concrete blocks and lumber, or deck blocks.

One option for ensuring an even base is by constructing the frame out of timber beams or hard-wearing recycled plastic boards which have been pre-treated against rot.

This type of construction will also help avoid any cracking due to moisture levels in areas with heavy rains or snowfall.

As well as this, pressure treated wooden products can add extra stability while keeping water away from those sensitive foundations too! If you are looking for something more permanent then consider using slab stones or concrete pavers instead – both excellent choices when it comes to creating a strong foundation.

It’s always wise to check local regulations before beginning work though as there may be specific requirements about what sort of material you should use for your particular local area.

Securing The Shed To The Decking

It is important to secure the shed to the decking and make sure that it’s stable.

The weight of a filled shed has a greater bearing force than an empty one, so you should pay attention to the strength and stability of your deck.

Anchor bolts are considered to be most effective for connecting a shed frame securely onto timber or plastic decking but lag screws can also be used if necessary. If using brackets for loading, ensure they have adjustable connections in both dimensions so there is no way for the loading points on each side of the bracket to become unequal – this could add pressure on one part of the structure resulting in permanent damage over time.

Brackets should also be at least 100mm thick with evenly distributed holes along their length which can connect into multiple wall studs within the shed while allowing some minor structural movement due to ground movements as well as expansion from temperature changes throughout all weather seasons.

To prevent accidental toppling over accidents, consider attaching tether ties around metal poles/studs wherever possible and tension these before completely installing them into place.

For wooden sheds, screwdriver bit extensions will allow sufficient torque levels when screwing down all necessary components without any issues.

Maintenance And Safety Tips

It is essential to carry out regular maintenance and safety checks on your garden shed. Before carrying out any of these tasks, make sure that you are safe by wearing protective gloves, goggles and clothes.

Clean the surfaces inside and outside your shed with a mild detergent mixed in warm water.

This will help reduce dirt build-up and keep it looking good for longer. Inspect the floor, walls, roof, door frames and windows for signs of wear or damage regularly as this can weaken the structure over time.

Look for areas vulnerable to rot or infestation such as wood panels near damp groundwork. Secure any exterior fittings securely using appropriate fixings (for example screws) to avoid them becoming loose in strong winds resulting in potential damages.

Alternatives To Decking For Shed Bases

When it comes to installing a shed in the garden, most people think that the only option is to place it on top of decking. However, there are other materials out there that can provide just as effective – and sometimes even better – support for your shed.

1. On-grade base: This is likely one of the easiest options when constructing a foundation for your shed as it involves laying down a simple footprint or frame with gravel or crushed stones inside them and leveled off before putting up sheets of plywood above them and fastening with screws.

2. Skid base: A skid foundation works best when building on sloping surfaces due to its flexibility but also has good weight capacity for larger structures like sheds too.

3. Patio Stones/Bricks Base: More complicated than the other foundations listed here but offers greater sturdiness because patio stones (aka pavers) interlock one another providing more strength overall similar concept applied towards block wall installations like those used underground keg cellars beer brewing facilities etc..)

Thanks for reading.

Hope that clear things up a bit and you’ll know if you can put a garden shed on a decking. 

Dale