It may be shocking to hear that you don’t have to settle for a poured concrete base. Just because the contractor or manufacturer says you should pour one doesn’t mean you have to.

You even have the opportunity to install a DIY foundation option that costs less time, energy, and money.

Besides, concrete slabs don’t have drainage and can splash on your wooden or metal shed, causing long-term rusting and rotting. And you’re well aware that concrete pads require specialists that charge a pretty penny.

We’re convinced you can construct a shed base that’s just as strong as concrete using alternatives to concrete foundations for less. And you can even make it look good and save the planet at the same time.

What are the Alternatives to a Concrete Shed Base?

Alternatives to a concrete shed base may not carry the same durability. In that sense, they’re not true substitutes. However, they can be excellent foundations if you’re not supporting a massive, overhauled building.

Most families only need enough strength to support their small sheds and riding mowers.

We recommend speaking with a backyard specialist to assess what your shed needs are and to calculate the foundation size. Then, they can help you choose the perfect alternatives to concrete foundations for the property.

Eco-friendly Concrete Replacements

Concrete foundations are notorious for attracting the sun’s heat, contributing to the worldwide pandemic of heat islands. You can be a part of the change and save money on pouring the base by choosing a different foundation.

Hempcrete

Hemp + lime = Hempcrete. It’s a modern shed floor alternative that home builders have even tried for constructing walls. The easiest way to utilize this eco-friendly building material is to purchase HempBlocks and lay your shed on top.

Ashcrete

You can recycle fly ash disposal and reduce CO2 from cement creation by using ashcrete for the shed base. The Romans constructed ancient aqueducts from volcanic ash, which is a similar concept to ashcrete.

As a stronger material than concrete cement, it also carries greater load-bearing capacities and is less prone to cracking.

Reliable Concrete Replacements

Tried-and-true shed bases are the concrete replacements we’d recommend if you’re looking for the most durability. Major organizations and kingdoms have used them for centuries as foundations for buildings and backyard projects.

Brick

The Chinese first heated up homemade bricks in 4400 BC as housing flooring for their families. We believe the same material can support your family’s backyard equipment and toys to enjoy life together.

You also have the option of buying decorative bricks to spruce up the overall appearance of the shed. Thankfully, bricks and brick pavers allow for removing one or more individual bricks in case one cracks, unlike concrete foundations.

Geocell

Riding across these plastic grids with tanks and other heavy equipment, Vietnam War soldiers relied on geocell p as temporary access roads.

This same sturdy HDPE panel system can be used under any size shed to keep it standing straight. It even has perforation (holes) throughout the product to allow for drainage rather than building a french drain underneath your concrete base.

Aesthetic Concrete Replacements

Making the foundation look good may be a top priority, especially since dull gray concrete pads aren’t very attractive. Rather than pay to make your shed ugly, we recommend building your shed with aesthetic alternatives to concrete foundations.

Concrete Pavers

Save hours of time hiring specialists pouring a pad when you can buy the paver versions. Build your own DIY shed base with concrete material that’s already finished and ready for installation.

You’ll need to exercise caution since it runs into the same problems as regular concrete, such as a lack of drainage and cracking under extreme temperatures. Thankfully, a brand new paver can always replaced a broken one as it is with bricks.

Washed Gravel Floor

The Italian tradition is to create a “stone-washed” aesthetic by mixing and pouring Gravelmix onto a crushed stone shed base. Then, level the structure and allow it to dry for a tougher gravel finish that resists heavy shed weights like concrete.

Achieve dazzling architectural foundations for your shed that most finish for malls, public squares, and other artistic public spaces for a fraction of the cost.

Mastic Asphalt

By pouring 2 deep layers of mastic asphalt ontop of a substrate (brick, gravel, etc.), you can increase its durability and avoid concrete altogether. It has a beautiful black finish if you do it right and has waterproof to withstand rainy regions.

The great news is that mastic asphalt not only works well as the base itself but also as a material to repair cracks or potholes along the way. We’ve even seen clients use the material for home improvement on their garage floor.

Considering Frost-proof Shed Foundations when Choosing a Concrete Substitute

Understanding you live in a frigid state, a contractor or manufacturer may have suggested concrete bases that are lower than the frost line. Concrete piers are an example that prevent you from worrying about cracking due to extreme temperatures.

Local building codes are a keen indicator for whether you have to abide by a specific foundation material. Experts in your county or state can check specific regulations to see if they prevent you from using a certain base.

Our team can help walk you through this process and find concrete floor alternatives no matter the conditions, such as geocell.

Choose Geocell as Alternatives to Concrete Foundations

With geocell, you can construct a reliable, green, and beautiful shed base all in one. Choose an aggregate that looks good and infill each cell with the material, staking the panels in from each side.

Soon, you’ll have a shed base that’s durable compared to concrete for much less. There’s no need to hire specialists and you can finish the job within 1 day. Geocell also makes a fantastic foundation for driveways, carports, and more.

Your family shouldn’t have to worry about pressure-treated lumber giving out in the next few years or concrete blocks giving way.

We’d love to answer your questions about how to install geocell and how it can help you build a stronger and longer-lasting shed base. Our team trusts it as the best shed base for being quick and easy, unlike traditional concrete.

Give us a call today at (888)-897-224 to see how you don’t have to settle for expensive shed bases.