Foundation tips - Biohort
A prerequisite for the successful installation of our products is a level foundation. The product is securely anchored to this foundation using the fixing materials included in the delivery, ensuring it is stormproof.
Useful information about the foundation
A prerequisite for the successful installation of our products is a level foundation. The garden shed is securely anchored to this foundation (or together with the optionally available floor frame) using the fixing materials included in the delivery, ensuring it is stormproof.
Ground conditions
Ideally, the base should be solid. When using the SmartbasePLUS, a natural, compact, and well-compacted ground is necessary.
Foundation alignment and size
The foundation must be absolutely level to ensure the garden shed can be properly installed. If the product is placed on a slope, this can restrict its functionality (for example, the doors may not be properly adjusted) or the screw holes may not align (the hole pattern does not match). The foundation dimensions must be strictly adhered to – please refer to the foundation plans for this.
Vapour barrier
Plastic sheeting with a minimum thickness of 150 μm = 0.15 mm
It is recommended to incorporate a sheet into the foundation. This is to prevent moisture from the ground rising into the interior of the shed. Please ensure that the sheet is not laid larger than the base area of the garden shed. The reason for this is that rainwater should be able to drain away laterally into the ground.
Sealing joint
The contact area between the foundation and the aluminium floor frame should be sealed to prevent rainwater from entering the garden shed. Sealing is especially recommended when using the aluminium floor frame.
A sealant (suitable for outdoor use and for metal) is used for sealing. For the best possible seal, the sealing joint should be applied underneath the floor frame. Please note that due to the nature of the ground (open-pored paving slabs, joints, etc.), a completely watertight seal is not possible.
Use of existing foundations
Existing surfaces can also be used as a base for Biohort products. If the existing surface is not ideal, the following solutions can be applied:
The existing surface is not level
Solution 1: Installation of the SmartBase
Using the SmartBase as a base allows you to compensate for slight slopes. It includes adjustable feet, which allow for levelling of up to 4 cm.
Solution 2: Installation of the aluminium floor frame
Whether the surface is concrete or paved, you can level the floor frame by placing spacers underneath. However, these spacers create a gap under the frame, which can allow water to enter and make sealing the garden shed more difficult. The spacers should be made of plastic or non-rusting metal – such as stainless steel.
No vapour barrier was installed
Solution: Retrofitting the vapour barrier using the aluminium floor frame
You can retrofit the vapour barrier by laying a plastic sheet on the existing foundation inside the shed. The ends of the sheet are pulled up along the inside of the floor frame and folded inwards by at least 10 cm; the folded part should also be additionally glued. For a walkable interior floor, our aluminium floor panel (supported with XPS boards) or any other floor can be laid inside the shed.
Stones used are too small / too light
Solution: Adding weight to the floor fixing brackets of the floor frame
For a paving slab foundation, the internal floor fixing brackets (Z-brackets) attached when using the floor frame can be weighted down with additional weight. This increases storm resistance.
Note: These foundation tips are non-binding suggestions. The customer is responsible for ensuring an appropriate foundation design. Biohort cannot accept liability for damage caused by inadequately secured products.