Can I Put a Shed on a Decking Area? Pros, Cons & Tips

Are you looking for a fun way to refresh your garden this spring? If so, garden sheds are a great way to add beauty and intrigue to the space.

But can you put a shed on a decking area? This is the million-dollar question that has many homeowners scratching their heads.

While it’s possible to place a garden shed on a decking area, there are many things to consider and benefits and limitations to weigh to decide if it’s the right choice for you. Today, Atlas Sheds will guide you through each one so you can feel confident in your decision.

Why not browse our stunning range of wooden garden sheds while you’re here? There’s something to tickle every fancy.

Quick summary

A shed can be placed on a decking area as long as it’s reinforced to support the weight of your shed.
Adding a shed to decking can provide a more modern and appealing look for your garden.
Try to avoid sheds over 8x6 ft to prevent damage to your decking.
Always use pressure-treated timber bearers, concrete slabs or blocks, or a plastic grid as a base for your shed.
Always leave enough space underneath for sufficient circulation.

Can you place a shed on decking?

So, is it actually possible to place a shed on a decking area without it falling apart?

The answer is yes, but it’s not as straightforward as building a simple deck and plonking your shed on top of it. When it’s built properly– with strong joists and pressure-treated timber– a decking area can support a small garden shed.

But this depends entirely on how well your decking is built and what you’re planning to use your shed for. Using it for tool storage or a cosy summerhouse? Sure, that could work. But turning it into a mini gym? You’re asking for trouble.

The benefits

With careful planning and a few tweaks, you can place a garden shed on your decking area for a stylish patio. Plenty of people do it, especially when they don’t want the hassle of pouring concrete or digging up slabs.

Of course, only if your decking is structurally sound to do so. Here’s why it’s a good option:

No need to dig

Does a quick and easy job sound good to you? By placing your shed on a decking area, you can forget about adding cement, digging, or hauling heavy bags of gravel.

However, this only applies if the ground and surface are already level and straight (if not, get to work).

Easy access

Patio areas are typically built closer to your house in the garden, perfect for summer days outside with family and friends.

By placing your shed on your decking area, you can enjoy easy access to your tools, stored garden furniture, or outdoor dining area. This is especially beneficial for large gardens, as you won’t have to walk far to get what you need.

Elevated = dryer

One of the most common concerns when installing a shed is how exposed it is to water damage. Keeping your shed off soggy grass and placing it on your decking will help keep it dry and away from dirt.

Rainwater drains away more easily from decking than it does from soil, which means you won’t have to worry about damp creeping up into the floor of your shed.

Cleaner all round

With no mud and weeds, decking areas will keep your shed free from dirt buildup and damage from pests.

Plus, you won’t have to deal with vines and bushes growing up and around your shed, ruining its appeal. This creates a more polished and contemporary look, perfect for those who don’t want something too high-maintenance.

What’s the risk?

If you’ve already added decking to your garden, chances are it won’t be strong enough to support the weight of your shed.

Over time, the boards may move, or the joists beneath may begin to bow. Even worse, dampness might become a serious problem if proper ventilation isn’t added. Therefore, you’re creating a recipe for rot.

Plastic sheds tend to be heavier than wooden sheds, so it’s best to opt for the latter if you’re determined to use your decking patio as a base. Anchoring to decking can be fiddly, so you’ll need the right fixings so you don’t split the boards or mess with the joists underneath.

You’ll have to accept that your shed options are limited, in terms of size and weight, when adding it to a deck patio. Plus, you’ll have to work to stay on top of rot and sagging on both your decking boards and shed.

Factors to consider before installing a shed on decking

Before you make the jump, let’s go through everything you need to know before installing a garden shed on a decking patio area.

This bit is not about scaring you off— it’s about getting it right the first time so you don’t end up knee-deep in regrets.

Is your decking strong enough?

Most decking areas aren’t designed to handle heavy structures like garden sheds. A few deck chairs and garden plants? Sure! But not a large garden structure.

For this reason, you’ll most likely have to reinforce your decking with extra cross beams underneath. Repair any weak or widely spaced joists so they don’t sag over time. If your floor creaks when you walk on it, then there’s a lot of work to be done to ensure it’s up to the task.

How big is your shed?

A small bike shed or potting shed is one thing. A full-blown man cave, she shed, or garden workshop is another.

The bigger and heavier your shed is, the more likely your decking is going to crumble underneath. It’s best to measure your shed’s dimensions and calculate its weight before you think about using decking as a shed base.

Once you hit the 8x6 ft mark or bigger, you’re putting too much strain on the decking boards— add the contents of the shed on top of that. Plus, flat roofs are typically heavier than sloped ones, so keep that in mind.

Is there enough of a gap underneath for air to circulate?

If you don’t leave enough space between the shed and the decking area, you’re asking for trapped moisture to damage your shed.

A shed base kit, treated timber bearers, or even a few strategically placed concrete blocks can keep mould, damp, and rot at bay.

How will you secure it?

Every shed needs to be properly secured, no matter what base you’ve decided on. With harsh weather conditions in the UK, your shed will be susceptible to strong winds, UV rays, and lots of rain.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to anchor your shed, including fixing brackets for timber decking, extra support beams, and screws.

Practical tips for installing a shed on decking

Once you’ve measured your shed and decking area and chosen a shed that matches the weight capacity of your decking boards, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

1. Check the state of your pre-installed deck

If you’re adding a shed to a pre-installed decking area, take a proper look before you lay it down. Walk along it, bounce on the boards, and inspect the quality to make sure nothing is missed.

Are there any soft spots or signs of rot?
Is there any water pooling?
Can you see any gaps between the boards?
Are there any loose fixings or screws?

If so, now is the time to repair it before you move forward. Use a spirit level to make sure the decking is straight and uniform before going forward. If not, you may have to add paving stones or level it out with concrete and gravel.

2. Mark out the space

Since you’ve already gotten the dimensions of your shed, grab a chalk line or string to mark out the area where your shed will sit.

You’ll want space to paint or treat the timber in future, so leave a good amount of room around the shed to open doors and windows (at least 30–50cm of breathing space on each side).

3. Raise the shed up

You may be thinking, “My decking’s already raised off the ground; surely that’s enough?” While yes, that’s true, making sure the shed is slightly raised rather than sitting flat on your deck is essential.

Raising it by just a few centimetres will prevent trapped moisture, condensation, and rain splashback.

Pressure-treated timber bearers: These wooden battens sit underneath your shed to keep it away from direct contact with the ground. You can screw these directly into your joists and boards to create a firm, raised platform. Plus, it holds up against rot.
Concrete blocks or slabs: These are perfect for a DIY job, especially for heavier sheds. Space them out evenly underneath your shed to distribute the weight and create a strong foundation.
Plastic shed base grids: Lightweight, weatherproof, and easy to slot together, plastic grids provide excellent drainage and work well with decking. You can fill these with gravel for more stability if need be.

If it still seems to collect water underneath, consider installing a french drain or adding a gravel tray underneath.

4. Secure it properly

Now is the time to secure your shed to the decking so that it doesn’t topple or crumble.

There are a few reliable methods for keeping your shed firmly in place, but it’s all about doing it properly and using the right fixings.

Anchor bolts and plates are ideal for fixing your shed to timber or plastic decking. Bolt these through the shed frame and screw into the decking using a screwdriver bit extension. You can also use heavy-duty timber screws that are galvanised to resist rust.

If you’re using L-shaped brackets or corner braces, aim for a thickness of around 100mm and evenly distributed holes for multiple wall studs. These are typically fixed inside each corner of your shed, connecting the shed base to the decking boards and the joists beneath.

Always pre-drill holes if you’re working close to the edge of boards to avoid splitting the timber. If you’ve fixed through the base, add weather strips or sealant around bolts to stop water from creeping in.

Upgrade your decking area with a beautiful garden shed

Now that spring has rolled in and summer is just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the look and feel of your garden.

Is something missing? Adding a small garden shed to your decking area is the perfect way to shake things up. We’ve got a wide selection of high-quality wooden sheds to suit every style, space and setup— delivered and installed for free.

Browse our full range here and find the perfect fit for your decking.