If you’re confident enough to build your own shed, you’ll want to feel sure that the shed you build will last for years to come.

It’s important to get all the right information before you spend the time and money to build a shed that’s right for your needs.

No matter what kind of shed you build, you’ll want to make sure that the shed is raised off the ground to allow air to circulate and to prevent the base from rotting.

How High Should A Shed Be Off The Ground?

While the measurements vary slightly for exactly how high off the ground a shed should be, it is recommended to build your shed at least 4 inches off the ground to allow for air to circulate underneath it.

Reasons To Build Your Shed Off The Ground

A garden shed sitting on a foundation

Before we get into the details of exactly how high you should build your shed off the ground, it’s important to know why you are doing it in the first place.

Here are a few key reasons why raising your shed off the ground is important to ensure your shed will last long into the future.

Related Article: Can I Build A Shed Next To My Neighbor’s Fence?

Preventing Rot And Moisture

When a shed is built directly on the ground many problems will naturally arise over time, however, the main problems you will face are excessive moisture and rotting materials.

The ground holds a lot of moisture, especially when it rains.

If your shed is directly on the ground, the moisture will have nowhere to go besides into your shed materials.

Over time, the more that the moisture seeps into the materials, the more prone your shed will be to rot.

Once your shed begins to rot, there is no turning back.

It is the base of the shed that will primarily be affected and removing and replacing it will not only be a hassle, but it also won’t stop this problem from occurring again.

The best way to prevent this situation is by raising the shed off the ground.

Air Circulation

Air circulation is good for both the shed and the ground underneath it.

It helps to prevent an abundance of moisture from building up and damaging the base of the shed.

During the cold winter season, the ground will naturally become more wet than usual so your shed must be able to stay dry on the bottom.

When you build your shed a few inches above the ground, it allows air to circulate underneath to dry any materials that may become wet and cause damage.

How High Should My Shed Be Off The Ground?

Now that you know the importance of building a shed off the ground, it won’t be difficult to find a height that works best for your situation.

While it is recommended to build a shed at least 4 inches off the ground, there are some factors that may contribute to you wanting to build it higher.

4 Inches is the basic rule for building a shed and a good starting point if you’re building on a flat, solid foundation, however, you’ll also want to consider the location of where you’re building the shed as well.

If you live in an area that has soft soil, you may want to consider building your shed a few inches higher in case the shed sinks a bit over time.

Another cause for wanting to build your shed higher than 4 inches above the ground is water.

If you live in an environment that is prone to a lot of rainfall every year, it may be a good idea to raise the shed higher to prevent it from being damaged by flooding.

It is important to note that you don’t want the shed to be too much higher than 4 inches off the ground to protect the stability of the structure.

The best thing to do is assess your individual situation and plan your shed build accordingly.

You usually won’t have to adjust your shed’s height off the ground by too much.

Do I Need A Foundation For My Shed?

If the shed you’re planning to build is on the smaller size of up to 8×6 you usually won’t need to lay a concrete foundation.

You can rest it on crushed stones if you have treated your shed’s wooden base.

If you haven’t treated the wooden base of your shed, you can place it on concrete foundation blocks to lift it at least 4 inches off the ground.

Larger sheds will need to be built on a level concrete slab or another type of strong foundation.

Final Thoughts

Raising your shed off the ground is important to ensure your shed will last.

As long as you raise it at least 4 inches off the ground, your shed should be safe from excessive moisture and rot.

This will help to keep your structure in good condition and prevent the need for any repairs in the near future.