Building a Concrete Base for Your Garden Room

Whether you’re building a garden room, log cabin, summer house, hot tub base or any other garden structure it is essential the concrete base or foundations are sturdy and well-constructed . Establishing a solid and reliable concrete base is crucial to ensure your garden rooms longevity and durability. Building a concrete base for your garden room is a gratifying project that, when done correctly, guarantees a durable and steadfast foundation. Utilizing C20/25 – ST4 concrete is a viable choice due to its balanced strength and versatility, offering a solid groundwork for your tranquil retreat. Here, we provide a step-by-step process to create a robust concrete base using a specific type of concrete—C20/25 (ST4) available for delivery from Beatson’s Concrete.

Selecting concrete for your garden room base

C20/25 – ST4
C20/25 concrete, alternatively known as ST4, is a type of concrete that is versatile and widely used for various domestic and industrial constructions. “C20/25” indicates the characteristic cylinder and cube strength of the concrete, making it suitable for providing solid bases for structures such as garden rooms.

C20/25 Concrete Specifications
Adequate for lightly-structured buildings.
Ideal for pathways, foundations, and other domestic structures.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Concrete Base

Planning and Preparation

Legal Considerations
Ensure compliance with local building regulations and guidelines.

Marking the Area
Measure and mark the area where the garden room will reside.

Excavation

Digging Depth
Typically, excavate to a depth of approximately 150mm to 200mm.

Levelling
Make sure the excavated area is level to avoid any unstable base issues.

Setting Up Formwork

Timber Boards
Employ timber boards to create a perimeter around the area being concreted.

Support
Ensure the formwork is sturdy and supported to prevent the concrete from spilling out.

Laying Sub-Bases and Membranes

Materials
Use a layer of compacted hardcore, sand, or MOT type 1.

Damp-proof Membrane
Lay a damp-proof membrane to prevent moisture from seeping through the concrete.

Ordering / Preparing and Mixing the C20/25 Concrete

Ordering Concrete from Beatson’s Concrete
You can calculate the amount of concrete you need make an enquiry with our concrete calculator
Calculate your concrete here

Smooth Pour
Ensure an even pour throughout the formwork.

Ingredients
Typically composed of 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, and 4 parts coarse aggregate.

Consistency
Mix until achieving a uniform and workable consistency.

Pouring the Concrete

Smooth Pour
Ensure an even pour throughout the formwork.

Level Off
Using a trowel or timber, level off the concrete to ensure it’s flat and even.

Curing the Concrete

Prevent Rapid Drying
Cover the concrete with a plastic sheet or use a curing agent.

Time Frame
Allow the concrete to cure for at least 1 week for optimum strength.