Shed Concrete Slabs Done Right

All sheds built to last have one thing in common - a strong foundation. Good shed building starts with a solid concrete slab, designed and constructed to withstand the weight of the shed above it and whatever function it's serving. The slab is essential for stability and longevity. It has to be designed and poured properly.

The concrete slabs we lay for our sheds are something we’ve refined over the years here at Stockman. Before we get into what sets them apart, have a look at this video of our boys laying a slab for a shed in Morayfield, Brisbane. Check it out:

What Sets Stockman Slabs Apart

A concrete slab is just a lump of concrete, right? Surely they lay themselves? Wrong. The slab has to be right for the soil, the surroundings and the shed going to be built on it. It’s easy to get wrong, and when it goes wrong you end up with a slab that fails that won’t go the distance. 

To avoid that, there are a few things we do with every slab to make sure we get it right. 

Use 32MPa Concrete

Most shed companies out there use 20-25MPa concrete for their slabs. MPa stands for Mega Pascal and is a unit of measurement to determine the pressure of a substance. 

At Stockman, we get far better results using 32MPa concrete, to the extent we’ve made this a standard on all our sheds. This is extremely high-strength concrete, usually found in bridges and roads, and it goes a long way to forming the toughest foundation possible for your shed. It also ensures a much better finish as there is more cement in the mix.

Rebated Edges

A rebate edge is a slightly lower step around the perimeter of your concrete slab. The shed walls sit on this step, meaning they sit below the shed floor. There are a few benefits to this, the main one being the snug fit doesn’t allow for gaps that vermin such as rats or roaches can get through. Secondly, It also stops weeds or grass from entering your shed around the perimeter through the cladding. It’s an effective way of pest-proofing a shed. A rebated edge is a simple addition to your slab, one most shed companies overlook but the benefits of pest management and weed management are huge in the long term.

Piers Under Every Column

Piers are holes excavated beneath the foundation of a building, which are then filled with concrete. They’re designed to improve the strength and stability of structures like sheds, and we can attest that they definitely do! At Stockman we do piers as per our engineering specifications under every column, if there’s fill we go the extra distance and take them into natural ground to ensure stability of your slab.. This really takes the foundation to the next level of strength. 

Edge Beams

Edge beams are something that most shed companies overlook. At Stockman we always do an edge beam around the perimeter to help support the walls and prevent cracking. This helps stop rodents from burrowing underneath the slab and causing soft spots and it also provides extra thickness underneath your roller door rebates. It helps spread the weight evenly and makes the slab more durable. It’s like giving the edges extra muscles to handle stress better. Burnt Finish

A burnt finish is when there is a distinctive polished and glossy finish to the slab. This takes a bit longer and a bit more skill to achieve, but it looks better and offers improved sealing to the broomed finish most shed builders go for. This is were the 32MPa comes into play, more cement in the mix means a nicer burnt finish at the end.

Hit Us With Your Concrete Slab Questions!

If you have any queries about the importance of a good concrete slab, or want to know more about the techniques we use, I’m always happy to answer them. You can give me a call on 0493 791 972 or get a quote here. Until next time, stay well!

Ryan