DIY Plastic Sheds

Base Preparation & Condensation Prevention

Garden sheds and storage buildings are usually not heated. The natural extremes between warm and cool can cause internal condensation. The only way this will occur is if there is any internal moisture. This is why the preparation of the base is so important. The building itself, no matter how expensive, will not prevent condensation occurring, particularly in the colder months. It is important to protect your building from moisture from the ground as well as the sky!!

Metal and plastic Sheds will only suffer from condensation when dampness is present in the foundations. The air inside the shed is always slightly warmer than outside and therefore, any moisture in the foundation base will rise until it touches the cold roof panels. The moisture then condenses, drips down and becomes part of the cycle again. This condensation cycle is difficult to stop so it is important to prevent dampness at the outset.

All steel and plastic sheds must be anchored to a firm foundation to protect against wind damage.

These are the four options recommended:

Base Instructions To Prevent Condensation.

1. The concrete slab base should be a few inches larger than the base rail size of the shed, e.g. a shed with base rail measurements of 93" x 70" should have a foundation measuring of 96" x 73". Excess water outside the shed must have an escape route away from the building.

2. The foundation should contain a damp-proof membrane which should be inserted into the base at least 2" higher than the surrounding land area. This prevents water drainage from the immediate surrounding soil running onto the base surface.

3. The foundations of the shed should be allowed to ‘cure’ for at least 7 days after casting the concrete, longer if the atmosphere is damp. If this is not done, the water drying up from the concrete will provide amble moisture content to set up a condensation cycle.

4. After bolting down the shed to the concrete or slabs, apply mastic sealant to the inside of the shed base rails not the outside. This is to preserve the drainage capability of the channels whilst preventing water seepage under the rails and into the shed interior.

Creating a Concrete Base

Step 1:

Decide where to position the building in an optimal space, allow enough distance from hedges or fences for easy access to all sides. Using pegs and string to mark out the base to the dimensions of the shed/foundation kit and measure diagonally to ensure the area is square. To get this to the right size you could build the foundation kit/shed base rails first and marks out using the outside edge of the framework.



Step 2:

A Concrete base requires 3 inch (7.5 cm) of compacted hardcore (not supplied) underneath the 3 inch (7.5cm) concrete layer. The base can be level with the ground or raised above it. If it is to be level excavate the top earth to 6 inch (15cm) to allow for the hardcore layer and the 3 inch (7.5cm) thickness of concrete.

Level the area with a rake and remove the pegs.



Step 3:

Set up levelled framework if you have not got a foundation kit. Spread a layer of well compacted hardcore and cover with a liberal amount of sand. (Hardcore and sand not supplied)



Step 4:

Place a DPC (Damp Proof Membrane) on top of the sand. This is to prevent rising damp once the concrete has set. (Please note that the illustration is just to show the DPC, only use timber framework if you do not have the foundation kit option, as the foundation kit has its own shuttering). (DPC not Supplied).



Step 5: (If you have ordered a foundation kit)

Construct the foundation kit (if not already built) and lay it into your working area.



Step 6: (If you have a foundation kit, construct the building before commencing with this stage)

Mix the concrete (not supplied) using one part cement to five ballast or use bags of dry-mixed concrete to which you just add water. Small amounts of water should be added at a time and mixed into the concrete mix to ensure excessive amounts are added making the cement sloppy, as the concrete should be kept on the dry side.




Spread the concrete evenly and slightly proud of the framework. This can be levelled off to the top of the foundation kit frame with a long straight edge of timber resting on the edges of the foundation kit or top of the formwork using a sawing motion slowly (as shown below) over the entire surface of the freshly laid concrete. You should be able to see the top surface of the foundation kit flush with the concrete.

If wet weather is forecast, cover the concrete with polythene for 24-hours. In warm weather cover the base with damp sacks and sprinkle them with water over the 24-hour period, this will ensure the drying concrete will not shrink or crack.

The result is a smooth, sound, level base. The perfect foundation for the construction of an outdoor storage building.

 

If the base is already constructed, and a problem of Condensation is apparent, proceed as follows:

1. Detach the shed from its base and construct a timber floor on raised bearers, dimensions to be a few inches larger than the base measurements of the shed. Fix the shed to the surface of the floor with wood screws and mastic seal the inside of the shed base rails. This will allow air flow under the new floor and keep the base area dry. Always ensure that water cannot collect under the floor.



2. Clean off the underside of the roof panels with methylated sprits and ensure the panels are dry.

Obtain the cheapest polystyrene tiles and glue them to the underside of the roof using the specialists spray glue made by 3M Company, Product No. 77 Spray Can. This glue is made specifically for bonding polystyrene to metal and is not adversely affected by heat or cold. After 1-2 minutes the surfaces should be bonded together. It is advisable to carry out this work on a warm dry day. This action does not remove the moisture from the atmosphere but prevents it condensing due to its insulation properties.

 

 

Duramax Plastic Sheds are manufactured from extremely high quality, fire retardant PVC vinyl with steel frames and supports. DuraMax plastic sheds are highly durable, will not rust or rot, nor lose their colour due to weathering. DuraMax plastic sheds never need painting or treatment of any kind. All DuraMax plastic sheds come with a 15 year limited warranty. DIY self install DuraMax plastic vinyl sheds are available in a wide range of sizes, optional garden shed foundation flooring kits and shed window kits can also be supplied on certain plastic shed models. DuraMax self build plastic garden shed installation is very easy, clean and safe and can be completed in a few hours. All shed parts are pre-cut, drilled and numbered for ease of assembly.
DuraMax plastic sheds are designed for diy and are very easy to install. DuraMax sheds are supplied with all necessary hardware as well as an instruction booklet. All DuraMax plastic vinyl sheds are 100% maintenance free, so no need for painting every couple of years. No rust or rotting will occur as with timber garden sheds.

 

Duramax Plastic Shed Features 100% Maintenance Free Rust and Rot Proof All weather durable PVC Fire Retardant Built to Last High Head Room for Garden Tools Available in Various Sizes Quick & Easy Assembly Wide Double Door Openings 15 Year Limited Warranty FREE UK mainland delivery Delivery approx 4 weeks

 

Duramax Little Hut Plastic Shed Plastic Shed Dimensions 5' x 3' High quality 5x3 plastic shed, this diy self assembly plastic shed is supplied with a 15 year guarantee	Duramax Large Hut Plastic Shed Plastic Shed Dimensions 5' x 5' High quality 5x5 plastic shed, this diy self assembly plastic shed is supplied with a 15 year guarantee
Duramax Sidemate Plastic Shed Plastic Shed Dimensions 4' x 8' High quality 4x8 plastic shed, this diy self assembly plastic shed is supplied with a 15 year guarantee	Duramate 8x6 Plastic Shed Plastic Shed Dimensions 8' x 6' High quality 8x6 plastic shed, this diy self assembly plastic shed is supplied with a 15 year guarantee
Duramate 8x8 Plastic Shed Plastic Shed Dimensions 8' x 8' High quality 8x8 plastic shed, this diy self assembly plastic shed is supplied with a 15 year guarantee	Woodbridge 10x8 Plastic Shed Plastic Shed Dimensions 10' x 8' High quality 10x8 plastic shed, this diy self assembly plastic shed is supplied with a 15 year guarantee
Woodbridge 10x10 Plastic Shed Plastic Shed Dimensions 10' x 10' High quality 10x10 plastic shed, this diy self assembly plastic shed is supplied with a 15 year guarantee	Woodbridge 10x13 Plastic Shed Plastic Shed Dimensions 10' x 13 High quality 10x13 plastic shed, this diy self assembly plastic shed is supplied with a 15 year guarantee

The Duramax Little Hut Vinyl Shed features strong, moulded integral floors in which the walls sit. Very easy to install and provide a safe and secure storage space. They are manufactured from fire retardant durable pvc and are also weather and fade proof, it will never rust, rot nor require painting every year.

The Duramax Large Hut Vinyl Shed features strong, moulded integral floors in which the walls sit. Sizes available include an 8x6 plastic shed & an 8x8 plastic shed. Very easy to install and provide a safe and secure storage space. They are manufactured from fire retardant durable pvc and are also weather and fade proof, it will never rust, rot nor require painting every year.

The Sidemate Vinyl Shed is ideal for beside the home or garage and offers excellent storage facilities and and is very easy to install. Available in one size and clad with the highest quality pvc on a strong steel frame and supports. The Sidemate provides a safe and secure storage space. The Sidemate is manufactured from fire retardant durable pvc. It is also weather and fade proof, it will never rust, rot nor require painting every year.

The Duramate Vinyl Shed offers excellent storage facilities and and is very easy to install. Clad with the highest quality pvc on a strong steel frame and supports. The Duramate provides a safe and secure storage space. The Duramate is manufactured from fire retardant durable pvc. It is also weather and fade proof, it will never rust, rot nor require painting every year.

The DuraMax Woodbridge Vinyl Shed offers excellent storage facilities and and is very easy to install. Clad with the highest quality pvc on a strong steel frame and supports. The Woodbridge provides a safe and secure storage space. The Woodbridge is manufactured from fire retardant durable pvc. It is also weather and fade proof, it will never rust, rot nor require painting every year.