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What makes the best base for a garden room?
When you invest in a garden room, you want it to be a space to enjoy for years to come. Whether you’re creating a garden office, gym or bar, your garden room’s foundations are crucial to its longevity and stability.
In this article, we’ll explore three popular options for garden room bases: concrete, patio and stainless steel ground screws. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each to help you determine which one is the best choice for your specific needs.
Concrete base
A concrete base is a traditional choice for many garden room foundations. The construction process involves excavating the area, building a timber frame to contain the concrete and then pouring the concrete into the frame. Once the concrete has set, the frame is removed, leaving a solid, level base for your garden room.
Concrete offers a few pros. It’s a strong and long-lasting material that can withstand the elements and provide a stable foundation for your garden room. Many builders and tradespeople have experience working with concrete, making it easy to find someone qualified to construct your base.
On the downside, it’s labour-intensive. Creating a concrete base requires a significant amount of manpower to excavate the area, move materials and prepare the ground. The materials and equipment needed for a concrete base can also be expensive, making it a less cost-effective option compared to other base types.
A concrete base needs to be bigger than the garden room itself, which can be problematic if you have limited space in your garden. Depending on the base’s size and weather conditions, it can take a few days to set properly. And as concrete production is responsible for around eight per cent of the world’s CO² emissions, it’s a less environmentally friendly choice for eco-conscious homeowners.
Patio base
A patio slab base is another option for small to medium-sized garden rooms. The construction process is similar to creating a paved area without a structure on top, adding packing sand between the slabs to ensure a stable base.
On the plus side, once you have the measurements for your garden room, creating a patio slab base is straightforward. It’s also relatively cheap. Patio slabs are available in various sizes and are generally less expensive than other base materials. And if you decide to build a bigger garden room in the future, you can easily extend your patio slab base.
However, there are drawbacks to this type of base. Laying individual patio slabs can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have a larger area to cover or an irregular-shaped base.
Like a concrete base, creating a patio base involves excavating and levelling the ground to create a flat surface for the slabs. And if you want to move your garden room to a different location in the future, a patio slab base can be challenging to move with it.
Stainless steel ground screws: the superior choice
Ground screws are a modern and innovative solution for garden room foundations, providing a stable and level base for your structure. Ground screws are suitable for small and large projects and can be used on various soil types.
As their name suggests, ground screws are essentially large, helical piles that are driven into the ground using specialised equipment. The installation process is relatively simple and involves minimal disruption to your garden. A trained installer will assess your soil type and determine the appropriate size and depth of the screws needed for your project. They’ll then drive the screws into the ground, leaving only the top portion exposed. Your garden room is then constructed on top of the ground screws, creating a stable and level foundation.
We believe stainless steel ground screws are superior for several reasons.
Unlike concrete and patio bases, ground screws don’t require extensive excavation. They create less mess and disruption to your garden during the installation process. We can install ground screws in less than half a day, depending on the size of your project. Once the screws are in place, your garden room can be constructed immediately, saving valuable time.
Ground screws are also a more eco-friendly choice compared to concrete, as they emit 50% less CO² during production and installation. They can be installed at different heights and lengths, making them ideal for small or irregular-shaped spaces. They can also be used on both hard and soft ground, providing flexibility in terms of location.
And if you decide to move your garden room in the future, ground screws can be easily removed and reused in a new location. They come with a 25-year guarantee, ensuring your foundation will last for years to come.
Ground screws don’t have many drawbacks, other than while the installation process is relatively simple, it does require trained professionals, like our team here at Riverside, to ensure they’re installed correctly and safely.
How can Riverside Garden Rooms help?
Choosing the right base for your garden room is a crucial decision that will impact the longevity, stability and overall enjoyment of your new space.
While concrete and patio bases have been popular choices in the past, stainless steel ground screws have emerged as the superior option for modern garden room foundations. We love them. It’s what we use for every garden room we build. Ground screws offer numerous benefits, including minimal disruption to your garden, time-saving installation and environmental friendliness. They’re also suitable for most ground types and small spaces.
Based on the above comparison, it’s clear that ground screws offer the most advantages for your garden room’s foundations, and fewer drawbacks. They provide a stable, long-lasting base while minimising disruption to your garden and reducing the environmental impact of your project. What’s not to like?
At Riverside, we’re passionate about creating garden rooms that align with your eco-friendly values. Every garden room we build embodies our respect for the planet. From steel ground screws and frames to ethically sourced, FSC® certified timber, we craft spaces that blend modern innovation with a conscious commitment to the environment. To learn how we can build your dream garden room on stable, sustainable foundations, book a free, no-obligation consultation today.