A timber shed base, or portabase, is made from pressure-treated timber and comes with metal spikes which are hammered into the ground to keep the shed base in place. They can be installed on a level lawn or the frame can be placed onto a patio using the metal L-shaped legs to help keep it level.
Sheds usually have spikes that allow the base to be securely fixed onto unlevel ground. The spikes also help to keep the base off the ground, therefore reducing the threat of rot.
Assembly instructions will vary depending on the type of timber frame and the shed floor to be fitted, so always follow any specific manufacturer instructions.
Step 1
Spread out the timbers into position, roughly where the shed is to be located.
Step 2
Make two pencil marks on each end of the frame's two longer beams. These marks are where the screws will go. Make the marks align with the centre of the adjoining shorter beams. This will total eight marks - two in each corner of the frame.
Use a flat wood bit to drill recesses into each of the eight marks. These should be the depth of the screw's head. Also known as countersunk holes, these recesses ensure the screw heads will be flush with the frame's surface for a neat finish.
Replace your drill bit for one that's thinner than your screw's shank. Line up the adjoining beams and drill a pilot hole through the centre of the recess, from the longer beam into the adjoining shorter beam. A pilot hole provides a guide hole to help direct the screws and prevents the screw from splitting the wood.
Step 3
With the pilot holes drilled, it's now time to fit the two 100mm screws (as provided with the kit). Use a drill driver to tighten the screws into place.
Once the frame is assembled, evenly space out the remaining short beams down the frame and fix these in place too.
Step 4
Move the frame into its final position and use a square to check the frame is square. Each corner should be 90 degrees.
As a final check, measure the diagonal corners, if they are identical, you know the frame is square.
Step 5
With the frame in the final position, fix the L-shaped feet to the inside of the frame.
Drill pilot holes with a 2mm drill bit. Don’t position them too far into the corners, you need to allow space for the spikes.
Keep checking that the frame is level.
Screw the three 40mm round head screws (provided as part of the kit) into the pilot holes to secure the L-shaped feet.
Either of the two faces can be used for fixing the foot as this allows a larger range of height difference. Position the feet so that the base is firm and level in all directions.
Step 6
To secure the base to soft ground, hammer in the spikes at each corner until they are level with the top of the base. Use a club hammer and an off-cut of wood to prevent damage to the spike.
If the base is located on a hard floor (level paving or concrete), only the L-shaped feet are required.
Step 7
Continue to check the base is level with a spirit level and secure the spikes to the base with the screws provided.
Drill pilot holes using a 2mm drill bit and then secure the screws into the pilot holes.