grids and gravel

[pike]

While I was looking around finding out about workshop foundations someone suggested to me that using an ecobase would mean i didn't need any concrete. Even for a 20x10 shed.

I imagine the reality is it'd be ok if you weren't putting anything heavy in it.

I don't think I'll be using them but I'm curious what they are suitable for.

Has anyone any experience of this grids and gravel approach?

http://www.ecobase.biz/

 

[BigMac]

I couldn't find anything much about them when I've looked in the past.

In terms of durability HawkLok (a similar product) have done crush tests which seem fairly impressive:

http://www.hawklok.co.uk/news1.htm

I suppose on the optimistic side they must be selling them and the web isn't covered in horror stories about how useless they are.

I do feel there is a tendency to over engineer sheds / workshops etc. amongst those who think about things too much.

 

[MikeG.]

I do feel there is a tendency to over engineer sheds / workshops etc. amongst those who think about things too much.

I guess that depends on whether you are building a temporary shed or a workshop for a lifetime or more.

Mike

 

[pike]

Yeah there's no doubt about the benefits of a concrete raft and retaining walls etc but if you just want a heavy duty shed not a garden building which will out live you, then there are simpler less resilient but entirely usable options.

Both hawklok and ecobase talk about it being suitable for any standard garden building. The crush tests look very good but I'd have thought if you don't go below the frost depth then the structure would be moving around a few inches over the seasons which wouldn't be much fun.