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JUSTBASES

JustBases advice journal

Which base is best for your project?

A shed, a sauna and a shipping container ask different things of their foundations. Find your project below for a practical comparison of the options, their upsides and their compromises.

We favour ground screws where the ground and structure suit them. These guides also explain when concrete, paving or another approach makes more sense.

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Garden & residential

10 guides
Hexagonal timber BBQ hut in a garden with a neat base

What Is the Best Base for a BBQ Hut or Grillkota? A Practical Comparison

Compare concrete, paving and ground-screw foundations for BBQ huts, with advice on shaped footprints, grill support, ventilation and access.

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Decorative timber garden pagoda on a paved base

What Is the Best Base for a Garden Pagoda? A Guide to Shapes and Supports

Compare ground screws, concrete, paving and framed bases for garden pagodas, with advice on unusual footprints, roof loads and comfortable seating areas.

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Open timber gazebo on a neat paved foundation in a British garden

What Is the Best Base for a Gazebo? Foundations and Floors Compared

Compare gazebo ground screws, concrete footings, slabs, paving and decks, and understand why a comfortable floor and secure anchorage are separate jobs.

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Greenhouse on a professionally prepared slab base

What Is the Best Base for a Greenhouse? Foundations, Floors and Growing Space

Compare greenhouse paving, concrete, perimeter foundations and ground screws, with advice on soil beds, anchoring, thresholds, watering and supplier base kits.

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Garden log cabin on a neat level base beside a lawn

What Is the Best Base for a Log Cabin? Comparing the Practical Options

A conversational guide to log cabin foundations, comparing ground screws, slabs, paving and timber frames around floor support, moisture and real use.

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Timber children's playhouse on a tidy base in a family garden

What Is the Best Base for a Playhouse? A Parent's Practical Guide

Compare ground screws, concrete, paving and timber foundations for ground-level and raised playhouses, including access, drainage and surrounding play space.

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Timber summerhouse standing level in a typical British garden

What Is the Best Base for a Summerhouse? An Honest Comparison

Compare ground screws, concrete, paving slabs and timber frames for a summerhouse, with practical advice on levels, drainage, access and cost.

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Modern pergola securely mounted beside a garden patio

What Is the Best Foundation for a Pergola? Concrete, Screws and Patio Fixings

Choose a pergola foundation around its posts, roof and garden, comparing ground screws, concrete pads, slabs, paving and structural decking.

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Timber treehouse with independent support posts among mature garden trees

What Is the Best Foundation for a Treehouse? Posts, Screws and Tree Support

Compare treehouse ground screws, concrete footings and specialist tree supports, with practical advice on roots, movement, access and foundation design.

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Completed shed base installed by JustBases

What Type of Base Is Best for a Shed? An Honest Guide to the Options

Compare shed ground screws, concrete, paving, timber frames and plastic grids, with practical advice on storage loads, damp, access and value.

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Work & modular buildings

6 guides
Timber carport beside a home on a clean hardstanding

What Is the Best Base for a Carport? Posts and Parking Surfaces Explained

Compare carport ground screws, concrete footings, slabs and vehicle-rated paving, with advice on drainage, clearances, existing drives and charging cables.

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Garden room concrete foundation installed by JustBases

What Is the Best Base for a Garden Room, Office or Studio?

Compare garden room ground screws, concrete slabs, pads and timber frames, including floor insulation, service routes, access and whole-project cost.

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Large timber garden workshop standing on a level foundation

What Is the Best Base for a Workshop? Choose Around the Work You Do

Compare workshop concrete slabs, ground screws, timber frames and paving, with advice on machinery loads, vibration, damp, thresholds and future use.

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Modern modular site office on a prepared foundation

What Is the Best Foundation for a Site Office? A Practical Modular Guide

Compare ground screws, concrete pads, slabs and reusable supports for site offices, including module positions, access, services and reinstatement costs.

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Small modern steel industrial workshop building on a concrete foundation

What Is the Best Foundation for a Small Industrial Unit? A Practical Comparison

Compare concrete pads, slabs, rafts and engineered screw foundations for small industrial units, including column loads, operational floors and design coordination.

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Single-storey modular classroom building on a prepared site

What Is the Best Foundation for a Temporary Classroom? Comparing the Options

Compare classroom ground screws, concrete pads, slabs and reusable foundations, with practical advice on linked modules, access, services and school programmes.

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Garages & storage

2 guides
Open-fronted oak cart shed on a level hardstanding

What Is the Best Foundation for a Cart Shed or Oak Cart Lodge?

Compare concrete, ground screws and separate vehicle surfaces for cart sheds and oak lodges, including post shoes, plinths, roof loads and drainage.

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Concrete garage foundation installed by JustBases

What Type of Base Is Best for a Garage? Concrete and Alternatives Compared

Compare garage slabs, strips, pads and engineered ground screws around the building type, vehicle floor, drainage, door threshold and future workshop use.

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Leisure & wellness

7 guides
Concrete hot tub foundation installed by JustBases

What Is the Best Base for a Hot Tub? Concrete, Decking and Ground Screws

Compare hot tub concrete slabs, paving, engineered decks and ground screws, with practical advice on filled loads, continuous support, drainage and service access.

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Long outdoor swim spa on a level garden foundation

What type of base is best for a swim spa?

Compare concrete, paving and framed foundations for a swim spa, including filled weight, service access, drainage and where ground screws can fit the project.

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Outdoor cold plunge ice bath on a tidy paved foundation

What type of base is best for an ice bath or cold plunge?

Compare paving, concrete, timber decks and ground-screw platforms for an ice bath, with practical advice on filled loads, chiller space and wet-foot access.

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Covered garden bar on a neat level patio base

What type of base is best for an outdoor garden bar?

Compare ground screws, concrete, paving and timber frames for a garden bar, with practical advice for serving huts, enclosed bars and permanent outdoor counters.

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Outdoor garden kitchen built on a neat paved terrace

What type of base is best for an outdoor kitchen?

Compare concrete, paving and ground-screw platforms for outdoor kitchens, from freestanding cabinets to masonry islands, with advice on loads and service routes.

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Masonry outdoor pizza oven on a robust garden base

What type of base is best for an outdoor pizza oven?

Find the right foundation for a pizza oven: compare concrete, paving and raised platforms, and understand the difference between an oven stand and its ground support.

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Timber outdoor sauna cabin on a neat garden base

What type of base is best for an outdoor sauna?

A conversational guide to sauna bases: compare ground screws, timber frames, concrete and paving for barrel saunas, cabins and outdoor infrared rooms.

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Energy & equipment

12 guides
Domestic heating oil tank on a level non-combustible base

What is the best base for a heating oil tank?

Compare concrete and properly constructed paved oil-tank bases, with advice on continuous support, replacement access and avoiding unsuitable frames.

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Air source heat pump outdoor unit standing on a neat ground-level base

What is the best base for an air source heat pump?

Compare concrete, paving and approved ground-screw frames for heat pumps, with practical advice on vibration, airflow, defrost water and installation.

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Air conditioning condenser mounted on a tidy outdoor equipment base

What is the best base for an outdoor air conditioning unit?

Compare concrete pads, prepared slabs, brackets and approved screw-supported frames for air conditioning condensers, including noise and access.

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Weatherproof outdoor battery storage cabinet on a level concrete pad

What is the best base for outdoor solar battery storage?

Compare concrete plinths, existing floors, wall mounting and approved framed bases for outdoor battery storage, with practical installation advice.

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Package pumping station chamber being prepared within a safe excavation

What is the best foundation for a pumping station?

Compare pumping-station chamber bedding, concrete bases, ballast and surface equipment pads, with advice on groundwater, levels and maintenance access.

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Large rainwater storage tank supported on a level base beside a building

What is the best foundation for a rainwater harvesting tank?

Compare above-ground concrete and granular tank bases with underground bedding, backfill and restraint, including access and groundwater considerations.

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Prepared excavation for a domestic wastewater tank installation

What is the best foundation for a septic tank?

Compare septic-tank bedding, concrete bases and surrounds, with practical advice on groundwater, covers, access and choosing the correct system detail.

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Enclosed standby generator secured on a concrete equipment pad

What is the best foundation for a standby generator?

A practical comparison of generator pads, existing slabs, concrete piers and isolated foundations, including vibration, fuel, access and quotations.

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Street-side telecommunications cabinet secured to a concrete plinth

What is the best foundation for a telecom cabinet?

Compare concrete, precast and approved framed telecom-cabinet foundations, with practical guidance on ducts, anchoring, access and future replacement.

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Automatic weather station mast secured on a small concrete foundation

What is the best foundation for a weather station?

Compare tripod anchors, concrete pads and approved screw foundations for weather stations, with advice on siting, sensor stability and maintenance.

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Freestanding electric vehicle charging pedestal on a concrete plinth

What is the best foundation for an EV charging pedestal?

Compare concrete, precast and engineered screw foundations for EV charger posts, with advice on cable ducts, positioning, access and future upgrades.

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Above-ground domestic LPG tank on a secure concrete foundation

What is the best foundation for an LPG tank?

Understand LPG tank concrete bases, supplier-approved supports and underground arrangements, including access, drainage and replacement planning.

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Animal & agricultural

11 guides
Insulated garden bird room connected to an outdoor aviary

What type of base is best for a bird room?

Ground screws, concrete and paving compared for bird rooms, with advice on dry floors, cage loads, cleaning, insulation and connected flights.

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Secure outdoor cattery units on a clean level foundation

What type of base is best for a cattery or cat run?

A practical comparison of concrete, paving and raised ground-screw foundations for private cat enclosures and boarding catteries.

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Timber hen house and secure run on a clean garden base

What type of base is best for a chicken coop?

Compare raised ground-screw bases, concrete, paving and natural run surfaces for chicken coops, with practical cleaning and access advice.

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Open-fronted timber field shelter on a firm drained base

What type of base is best for a field shelter?

Compare concrete, ground screws, ground anchors and prepared standing surfaces for static and mobile field shelters.

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Timber stable block on a clean concrete base with open yard

What type of base is best for a horse stable?

Concrete, ground screws, pads and prepared surfaces compared for stable foundations, with practical advice on hoof traffic, mats and drainage.

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Secure outdoor dog kennel building on a clean concrete base

What type of base is best for a kennel or dog run?

Compare concrete, paving, raised timber and ground screws for kennels, with practical advice on cleaning, drainage, comfort and secure runs.

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Small agricultural feed store on a clean concrete yard base

What type of base is best for a livestock feed store?

Compare concrete, ground screws and framed foundations for feed stores, including bagged feed, pallet loads, pest inspection and dry access.

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Timber racing pigeon loft on a clean raised foundation

What type of base is best for a pigeon loft?

Compare ground screws, concrete, pads and timber frames for pigeon lofts, including floor ventilation, long layouts and cleaning access.

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Spacious timber rabbit house and secure run on a dry level base

What type of base is best for a rabbitry or rabbit enclosure?

Compare concrete, paving and raised ground-screw bases for rabbit housing, including digging, floor comfort, cleaning and connected runs.

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Secure timber tack room beside stables on a dry level base

What type of base is best for a tack room?

Compare ground screws, concrete and framed bases for tack rooms, with advice on damp, security, yard thresholds and practical storage.

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Large outdoor bird aviary securely fixed to a clean concrete base

What type of base is best for an outdoor aviary?

Compare concrete, paving, natural ground and ground-screw platforms for aviaries, including drainage, cleaning and secure perimeter details.

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Commercial & community

8 guides
Timber bin store and wheelie bins on a clean paved base

What type of base is best for a bin store?

Compare paving, concrete and alternative foundations for domestic bin stores and commercial refuse areas, including wheels, gates and drainage.

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Secure glazed cycle hub fixed to a level concrete foundation

What type of base is best for a cycle hub or bike shelter?

Compare concrete, paving and ground-screw foundations for cycle hubs, with practical advice on racks, security anchors and easy wheel access.

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Secure mobility scooter storage shed on a level accessible base

What type of base is best for a mobility scooter store?

Compare concrete, paving and ground-screw platforms for mobility scooter storage, with practical advice on ramps, security and charging access.

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Open-sided workplace smoking shelter securely fixed to a concrete base

What type of base is best for a smoking shelter?

Compare concrete slabs, post pockets, existing paving and approved screw systems for smoking shelters, including access and wind anchorage.

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Tall flagpole mounted on a neat concrete foundation in landscaped grounds

What type of foundation is best for a flagpole?

Compare concrete sockets, hinged base plates and approved ground-screw foundations for flagpoles, including wind, siting and maintenance.

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Retail trolley bay shelter securely fixed within a car park

What type of foundation is best for a retail trolley bay?

Compare concrete pads, slabs and existing hardstanding for trolley bays, with advice on shelter anchorage, small wheels and car-park access.

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Steel shipping container standing level on prepared support pads

What type of foundation is best for a shipping container?

Compare ground screws, concrete pads, slabs and prepared hardstanding for storage and converted shipping containers.

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Freestanding digital signage totem fixed to a concrete foundation

What type of foundation is best for digital signage or a totem?

Compare engineered concrete, ground screws and existing foundations for digital signs, with advice on root cages, ducts and public access.

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Leisure accommodation

5 guides
Concrete base for a mobile home

What Is the Best Base for a Park Home, Static Caravan or Lodge?

Compare concrete rafts, strips, engineered ground screws and chassis supports for park homes, static caravans and lodges, including siting, services and warranties.

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Towable touring caravan with a visible hitch and jockey wheel on a gravel hardstanding

What type of base is best for a caravan hardstanding?

Compare gravel, reinforced grids, concrete and vehicle-rated paving for a touring caravan pitch, including jockey-wheel support, manoeuvring and drainage.

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Traditional timber shepherd hut with a curved roof and iron wheels in a garden

What type of base is best for a shepherd hut?

Compare ground screws, concrete pads, paving and hardstandings for shepherd huts, with clear advice on wheels, chassis supports, slopes and practical access.

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Motorhome parked on a neat permeable driveway hardstanding

What type of base is best for parking a motorhome?

Compare concrete, vehicle-rated paving, gravel and reinforced grids for motorhome parking, including axle loads, turning, rear overhang and drainage.

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Timber glamping pod on a level raised foundation in a rural setting

What type of foundation is best for a glamping pod?

Compare ground screws, concrete pads, slabs and timber frames for glamping pods, with advice on fitted loads, services, sloping sites and guest access.

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Specialist foundations

7 guides
Small roll-off-roof astronomy observatory in a garden at dusk

What is the best base for a garden observatory?

Compare ground screws, timber floors and concrete observatory bases, with advice on isolated telescope piers, roof tracks, drainage and cable routes.

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Metalworking lathe accurately mounted on a concrete machine foundation

What is the best foundation for a lathe or milling machine?

Compare existing workshop slabs, dedicated concrete pads and isolated foundations for lathes and mills, including alignment, anchors and delivery planning.

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Simple stone memorial standing level on a discreet foundation in a cemetery

What is the best foundation for a memorial or headstone?

Understand memorial foundation slabs, ground anchors and monolith systems, with respectful advice on cemetery approval, stability and long-term care.

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Steel telescope pier mounted on an isolated concrete foundation inside an observatory

What is the best foundation for a telescope pier?

Compare isolated concrete pier foundations, existing slabs and alternative supports, with advice on vibration, mount height, anchors and future upgrades.

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Garden amateur radio mast secured to a concrete base

What is the best foundation for an amateur radio mast?

Compare concrete mast bases, guy anchors and engineered helical systems, with practical advice on wind loads, tilt-over access and installation planning.

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Industrial machine mounted on a reinforced concrete inertia base

What is the best foundation for heavy machinery?

Compare industrial slabs, concrete pads and isolated inertia foundations, with advice on dynamic loads, vibration, anchors, installation and quotations.

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Contemporary outdoor sculpture securely mounted on a concrete plinth

What is the best foundation for public art or a garden sculpture?

Compare concrete, engineered piles and removable sculpture supports, with advice on wind, anchors, public access, drainage and future relocation.

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