Garden room foundations: ground screws, concrete or pads?
The short answer
Most garden rooms sit on a concrete slab, ground screws or a timber frame on concrete pads. Ground screws, at around €90 to €110 per m², are quick and need little digging. Concrete is the most solid. Pads are cheapest for small, light rooms. Follow your supplier's requirements, since the base affects the guarantee.
The three main bases
- Concrete slab: a reinforced slab poured on a prepared base. Very solid and level, but it means digging, skips, deliveries and days of curing.
- Ground screws: steel screws driven into the ground, with a timber or steel frame on top. Fast, with little mess, and easy to level on a slope.
- Timber frame on pads: a treated timber frame resting on concrete pads or paving slabs. Cheapest, but it suits smaller, lighter rooms on firm, level ground.
Side by side
| Concrete slab | Ground screws | Frame on pads | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digging and mess | Most | Little | Little |
| Time on site | Days, plus curing | Usually a day | Usually a day |
| Sloping gardens | Needs building up | Good | Limited |
| Best for | Large or heavy rooms, garden homes | Most garden rooms | Small, light rooms |
| Cost | Varies with size and access | €90 to €110 per m² | Lowest |
How to choose
- Start with the supplier. Many specify the base their room needs, and some include it.
- Think about access. No side passage? Ground screws avoid barrowing concrete through the house.
- Think about weight. A large room with heavy glazing, or a garden home, may need a slab or an engineered base.
- Think about what's underneath. Leave a route for power, water and waste ducts before the base goes down.
Check your site first
Common questions
Are ground screws good for garden rooms?
Yes, for most garden rooms. They go in quickly with little digging, cope well with slopes, and cost around €90 to €110 per m² from Irish suppliers. Very soft or rocky ground can be a problem, so ask the installer to test the site.
Do I need a concrete base for a garden room?
No. Concrete is the most solid option, but ground screws and timber frames on pads are widely used. Follow the garden room supplier's requirements, since the base affects their guarantee.
Sources
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