PSA: poured concrete slab vs gravel pad for a shed - which one actually lasts?

I built a 10x12 shed in my backyard in Columbus two years ago. I went with a gravel pad because it was cheaper and I figured drainage would be fine. Now the whole thing is shifting and the doors won't close right. My neighbor built his on a concrete slab and his is solid as a rock. So which foundation method actually wins out long term? Any of you deal with this headache before?

2 comments

2 Comments

angelafisher2d ago

Yeah my buddy did a gravel pad for his shed and six months later he was out there with a level and a sledgehammer trying to fix it lol. Concrete is the way to go unless you like fixing doors every spring.

jamiegreen2d ago

Gravel pads are tricky because they really depend on the soil underneath and how well you compact everything... a lot of people skip that part. I've seen gravel pads work perfectly for years in drier climates, but in places with wet winters and freeze-thaw cycles they tend to shift no matter what. Concrete slab is the safer bet for long term stability but gravel can still work if you put in the extra prep work.