Building a Garden Shed

Every home needs a garden shed whether or not it is rented or owned. There are things like lawnmowers and garden tools that have to be stored and the lounge or family room is not the place for them. Landlords also need to look past grabbing the rent every week and provide somewhere for their tenants to store ,not only a lawnmower should they mow the lawns of the property but some where to store the Christmas decorations for next year. The items we use but not on a regular basis.

We have all seen the blocks of flats with not even a carport to keep the car. How simple to add a carport and a storage locker at the end for this purpose. Of course, it costs landlords but if the lack of storage affects how long properties are empty it could be a good move to rectify it and achieve a better return on investment.

The ordinary garden shed in some form is necessary have for ordinary property owners.
Simple sheds are easy to make and get to work in the back yard. Buying them from the local hardware shop is easy. You will find a wide range of sizes and styles to suit your needs from a tiny one to something that is large enough for many uses but still requires no building permits or consents from the local council. It does pay to check as all councils or local authorities tend to have different regulations.

There are plastic sheds large enough to go over a frame that you can park a car in, use it for parties, even! You need to define what the predominant use of your shed will be. Whether it requires building to a standard that you could use as a sleep out, or just the plastic shed style that is open both ends, but keeps the weather off your car.
Is it to be used for gardening? The gardening shed is generally used for storage of all the tools but not for growing seedlings in. A dark shed is definitely not a good idea for that!

The cost of your shed is a personal one, Most people are aware that cheap is not going to last long in the scheme of things. How ever, it may fill a need for a particular purpose for a brief time. Flatters in particular, would use that option. The cheaper metal sheds from the hardware store do an admirable job and make great storage facilities that last a reasonable time.

The ability of the buyer to erect the handyman shed is called into question. Many people struggle to put a simple set of drawers together, so if erecting a garden shed is on your bucket list and you come under the helpless ‘do it yourself category’, get some help from neighbors or friends before starting the project. Plan to put the shed in the garden in a well thought out position in your property. These sheds are not easy to move once they are built.

Metal of these small sheds is tough and takes many knocks but over time will leak and possibly rust. Maintain them, and repairing as necessary will extend their life. The ones in my garden are twelve years old now.

Garden Shed Storage

Work your way to the top, says it all when you are building your sheds foundations. It is essential that your shed, what ever it’s planned size, be a level and stable structure. In the coming years it will ensure that, your shed will be protected from the elements.Several common foundations are frequently used, varying from timber skids to concrete pads.

The choice of foundation depends on the style of the shed and the site on which it is built. Consider your climate and its effect on the site. It is it going to be affected by freezing winters, very wet weather including runoff water from an adjoining site. Your local council would need to be consulted, as some of the foundations such as concrete would be considered as permanent structures, which may in some cases affected property values and taxes.

The simplest form of foundation is the wooden skids. They are likely to be two pieces or more of a treated timber on a gravel base. You may like to make angles at each end , making it easier to shift to another position.

Initially, prepare your site by digging or removing the topsoil to a depth of approximately 4 inches. You may like to make this site a little longer and wider than the plans for your shed. Fill this with gravel, level and flatten.Cut the skids, set them in place, and ensure that they are level both on the gravel and with each other.

Concrete blocks are another method and relatively easy and inexpensive. It is considered best to use solid Concrete blocks. Using a similar method to the skids, the area is dug out and prepared. At all, times whatever method is used, be sure your measurements are correct.

Concrete foundation piers are made from cardboard tubes, which are available from building or hardware suppliers. Again, site preparation is probably the most important aspect of your shed.

Finally, the concrete slab that is familiar to us all. You would definitely need to check with your local council building department in case they require specific building specifications, such as type of concrete.

For large projects, you would probably order ready mix concrete from one of the commercial companies. If you are unsure of the quantity that you will need to take the measurements of the width, length, and depth to the company and they will work it out for you.
Happy concreting!

The success of any shed hinges on choosing and constructing the proper foundation. It doesn’t matter how well you’ve planned, designed or built your shed if its foundation is poorly built.
The On-Grade shed foundations… are by far the simplest to build, plus you can make easy adjustments as you lay it out. Most sheds under 200 sq. ft. are designed for these types of foundations.

The following is a basic overview of the most common
On-Grade Foundations:

1. Solid-Concrete Block Foundation…
The most economic approach to producing a strong shed foundation. Simply put, it is laying and spacing a series of solid-concrete blocks in a straight row. The blocks come 4-in. and 2-in. thick and measure 8 in. wide by 16 in. long. It’s a good idea to clear the ground cover under each block and add about 2 in. to 3 in. of gravel, for extra drainage, plus it helps to prevent the soil from settling. Compact the gravel with a hand tamper or use the end of a 4 x 4 in. post. Always begin with 1 or more 4 in. blocks on the bottom, use the 2 in. block for the top layer. The number of blocks needed, will be determined by your shed size and the specs supplied in your plans. Your plans direct and illustrate the squaring, leveling and shimming process.

NOTE: Never substitute a solid-concrete block with a hollow wall block… It Will NOT LAST… it will break down over time, from the sheds weight!

2. Pier Block Foundation…
Very similar to a solid block foundation, the pier blocks are arranged in 3 straight rows which will support each of your 2x floor joists. Check your local building supply to see the available pier block styles. Although this style block was designed for deck building, they work extremely will as a shed foundation. The blocks measure 8 in. high by 11 in. square. Again the number of blocks needed, will be determined by your shed size and the specs supplied in your plans.

3. Skid Foundations…
One of the most popular and easiest on site foundations to construct. It’s no more then taking 2 or more solid straight 4 x 4s, 4 x 6s, 6 x 6s or 8 x 8s Pressure-Treated lumber and placing them in a row and building your shed floor frame upon them. This technique is best suited for a building site that’s as level as possible. If you find the building site to be slightly off level, simply dig the high end deeper or raise the low end with either solid blocks or an additional skid partially buried. You also have the option of laying your skids on a complete bed of leveled gravel.

Always use “Ground Contact” Pressure-Treated Lumber for any wood style foundation.

4. Wood-Frame Foundation…
Is as simple as constructing the footprint of your shed on a bed of gravel. The ground supports the shed. There are 2 ways to build your frame: A. Half-lap joint construction or B. Stacked corner construction. You can use 4 x 4s, 4 x 6s, or 6 x 6s fastened with screws, landscape spikes. The stacked corner foundation allows you more creativity with your flooring. You can use brick or other pavers to achieve a hard surface floor, slate or crushed stone, your options are endless, it’s your preference. If you’ll be storing gas powered equipment I suggest using a concrete floor. Keep in mind you want at least 4 in. of concrete level to the top of your frame. You’ll want as least a 2 to 3 in. or more gravel base below your 4 in. concrete floor, so plan your frame accordingly. You will be constructing your walls directly on the top layer of this foundation, keep it as clean as possible.

Frost-Proof foundations… are generally used for sheds over 200 sq. ft. to prevent the freeze and thaw cycles from disrupting the buildings integrity in cold-weather regions. Check your local building code for specific requirements and options.

Please NOTE: Before starting any building project, always check your local building code.

Gary is a contributing author to shedplananswers.com and has been an avid Woodworker, DIY/Handyman, for over 30 years, We want to make sure your shed building experience is successful and stress free… visit us at http://www.shedplananswers.com for more tips, resources and our Top Recommendations to help you build a shed, quickly and easily.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?4-Shed-Foundations-To-Ensure-Your-Building-Success&id=5984811] 4 Shed Foundations To Ensure Your Building Success

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tim_Sousa]Tim Sousa

So, you’ve found the perfect shed plans, and you’ve built a storage shed to hold your lawnmower, rakes, shovels, and other gardening tools. There is only one problem, it sticks out like a sore thumb, and it detracts from the landscaping. Instead of just letting the garden shed draw attention to itself, there are several things that you can do to help it to blend in to the landscape.

First of all, you can paint your shed. If you have a wooden garden shed, it will be easy to paint. Take a look at the lawn and garden around the shed. Look at the flowers and the foliage. What are the predominant colors? If you have a lot of blue and purple flowers in your garden, you can choose a nice shade of blue to paint the shed. A nice green color may help the shed to blend in with the lawn and the leaves of any plants or shrubs in your garden. You probably won’t want to choose a color that exactly matches the surrounding lawn or garden, but something that will complement the garden, and help the shed to look like part of the garden. If you want, you can choose a contrasting color for the trim to help it to stand out. Take a couple of scrap pieces of lumber, and paint them in the colors that you are considering for the shed. Prop them up next to the shed, and take note of how the colors work in your garden. If they work, then use those colors for your shed. If they don’t, then experiment, and find a color or combination of colors that work.

The outside walls of the shed are probably pretty bare. If you go to your local home and garden store, take a look at the garden art that they have. Many times you’ll find wall art, meant to be hung on the outside wall of the house, or on a fence. If you have a theme in your garden, chances are you’ll find something to hang on the walls of your shed that will complement the other art in your garden. You can also browse local garage sales, flea markets, and antique stores for old gardening tools and equipment. Hung on the walls, or just propped up against an outer wall of your garden shed, these pieces can add their own unique charm. Anything hung on the walls or propped up against the outside of the shed can go a long way in breaking up the lines of a bare wall, and adding interest to your garden.

If you don’t have any flowers or shrubs around your wooden garden shed, you should consider planting them. You can plant flowers and shrubs around the edges of the shed to add a touch of color. A trellis attached to the side of the shed would be ideal for growing ivy, honeysuckle, clematis, or other climbing plants. If your garden shed has exposed eaves, you could hang planters or flower baskets, or you could attach planters to the outside of the shed. Just take note of how much sun each side of the shed receives each day, and plant accordingly. Even just a few containers of colorful plants sitting next to the garden shed can make a huge difference.

Okay, so you’ve painted the shed, you’ve planted flowers and shrubs in appropriate locations, and you’ve placed a few pieces of garden art on the walls. Now the shed looks like it is a part of the garden, and not just a storage shed. Now the shed is a part of the decor. Just use your imagination, and your shed can become a focal point of the garden, rather than an eyesore.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Make-Your-Wooden-Garden-Shed-Blend-in-to-the-Landscape&id=4118726] How to Make Your Wooden Garden Shed Blend in to the Landscape

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Florin_Ciobanu]Florin Ciobanu

Dealing with a growing number of disorganized gardening tools can be stressful and a time wasting experience. Trying to dig through a pile of tools to find the right tool for the right job takes time and energy that could be better spent in your garden. Setting up a garden shed could be just the solution you are looking for.

Garden sheds range widely in size, style, materials and cost. As a general observation, garden sheds tend to be smaller in size that storage or utility sheds. Some can fit simple tools and possibly a push lawn mower while others are large enough to hold wheel barrows and riding lawn mowers. The size that you choose will depend on the variety of items that you choose to store in your garden shed.

The styles available for garden buildings vary almost as much as do the styles of homes you can build or buy. This helps you choose a style that complements your house and property buildings. Garden sheds are not only viable storage options, but they can also aid in backyard landscaping appearance.

The style and appeal of your garden storage can be enhanced by the materials and colors used in construction. Wood constructed sheds can be a perfect addition to a rustic backyard landscape theme. Cottage style sheds are also a wonderful way to disguise your storage area and make it into a decorative structure.

Setting up your garden storage shed adjacent to your garage, and in the same materials and colors, can help it blend in and remain virtually unnoticed. You will almost inevitably be able to find something that suits your taste regardless of the preferences you have for your garden shed style, location and colors.

Keep in mind your budget for your garden building when shopping around. Know how much you are willing to spend before choosing the style and materials you like. This will help prevent overspending. You are much more likely to enjoy the benefits of your garden shed if you don’t have to break the bank in order to buy it.

Creating an organized shed requires shelving and possibly a workstation, if you have a large enough area. Shelving can help keep tools together and easy to find. Always put your tools back in their proper place after using them to insure that you will be able to find them again quickly when you need them again. Re-potting plants or cleaning up after working in your garden can easily be done in your garden shed if you have enough room for a small workshop table or bench. Outdoor faucets and sinks can be installed without any serious plumbing, which can create an even more useful and convenient location to clean up after your regular garden maintenance.

Garden sheds can be used for storing many different gardening items for many different gardening purposes, such as flower gardening, vegetable gardening or even hydroponic gardening. Find a garden building that fits your needs and your style.

See some great examples of [http://www.outdoorsstoragesheds.com/arrow-storage-sheds.html]Arrow storage sheds, perfect for organizing garden tools.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Garden-Sheds—Great-for-Organizing-Your-Garden-Tools&id=5971352] Garden Sheds – Great for Organizing Your Garden Tools

Building outdoor sheds has become popular with DIY enthusiasts for obvious reasons. Outdoor sheds are extremely useful to store garden tools and equipment such as mowers, to keep them in a place that is not only safe and tidy, but also away from harsh outdoor weather conditions. Sheds are also ideal to store an overflow of household effects, and in some cases, you may even opt to build a ‘combination’ shed to store both tools and household storage items.
Whatever your storage needs, if you’re going to build a shed, there are some basic rules you should take into consideration before starting:
The first step to building outdoor sheds is to decide what the purpose of the shed is going to be, and to determine the floor size. For example, you may decide to use the shed for storing household items, or as a garden shed or, even as a kids’ dollhouse or playroom. Each of these uses may require a different square footage.

Before even beginning construction, you will need to obtain planning permission from your local authority. Most local authorities permit outdoor sheds without the need to submit plans, as long as they do not exceed a certain square footage. Find out what the requirements are in your area, and whether you need to obtain special permission or a permit before proceeding. (If you contravene local building regulations, you may be ordered to take the shed down).

Your next step when building outdoor sheds is to decide what base, or floor, your shed is going to have. You can opt either for a concrete floor, or a wooden floor. Both of these methods have advantages and disadvantages. Putting down a concrete slab can be a messy affair and needs a fair amount of skill to make sure the concrete slab is level and has a smooth surface.

The advantage here is that a concrete slab is more durable than a wooden floor and not prone to rot or attacks from termites or other insects. Concrete will also yield better insulation against cold and wet weather conditions. Once the floor is laid, it needs no further maintenance.

However, building a wooden floor/base is quick and lightweight and needs very little skill – even the untrained DIY enthusiast can accomplish this with relative ease. The disadvantages of a wooden floor as opposed to concrete, is that it will require constant maintenance in the future (as with all wooden materials) and may be prone to rot and wood invading insects. An important factor to remember is to use treated timber for the floor to prevent the invasion of insects. (Tip: A useful timber to use is treated lumber plywood).

Want to learn more about building outdoor sheds? Visit my website at http://www.shedplanconstruction.com for more information and tips on DIY shed plans and woodworking projects.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Gail

Owning your own home,yard and garden can bring you much pleasure and satisfaction. Part of that pleasure comes from the maintenance and care required to keep your place beautiful and tidy, as well as productive. To perform the many different kinds of jobs you need a variety of tools and equipment including garden tools, lawn mower, wheelbarrow and perhaps, even a snow blower. These require a storage shed and therefore, allow room for the car in the garage.

To build a garden shed yourself may seem like a difficult task, but with a good set of detailed plans and instructions, and helpful advice from building suppliers, you should be able to do a first rate job; One that you can be proud off. In fact, planning the garden shed can be almost as much fun as building it. Imagine the compliments you could get from friends and neighbors.

These five things should be considered while you are making your garden shed plans.

1. The location: You want the shed to be conveniently located to get equipment or tools in and out. In cities or towns there may be building codes, such as distance from streets, sidewalks and neighbor’s property lines. In the country, these restrictions may not apply.

2. The size: The shed should be large enough to neatly house the tools and equipment you have, as well as items you plan to store in the future. You also need to check building codes in your city to see if you require a building permit. Some cities require a permit only if it is larger than nine square meters. Be aware of penalties if you violate their regulations.

3. The type and shape: You want the shed designed so it will be easy to get equipment in and out, as well as, blend in with other buildings on your property or neighbors’ buildings nearby. In order to maintain friendly relations with neighbors, you may wish to discuss your plans with them. They may be able to give you a few helpful ideas. Furthermore, the people at the building supply stores are usually eager to show you pictures and brochures of different designs and building plans. Even shape and size of your yard, as well as the number of trees can also affect your decision.

4. Materials and colors: There are a wide variety materials available; steel, wood, plastics and asphalt (for shingles). You should be able to choose the materials to make a durable structure that will last a long time with little maintenance, particularly in areas where there is a wide range of climate conditions such as, hot sun, heavy rainfall, high winds and snowfall. You may want the colors on the shed to blend in or contrast with those of nearby buildings and the general landscape.

5. The cost: Factors, such as how large or how fancy you wish to build the shed and how harsh the weather conditions are in your area, can greatly affect the cost. Windows, skylights or electrical wiring from the house are quite convenient, but add to the cost. Another variation in cost can be the kind of foundation, such as treated wood on gravel, cement block or poured concrete. Therefore, the size of your budget can to a large extend affect your building plans.

While considering these five conditions, you should visit various building suppliers in your area. Browse through the lumber areas and discuss your plans with them. Most places have “how to” books, brochures and pamphlets; Some for free. You can also find valuable information on the internet. After all your reading, organizing and planning, you should be able to build a garden shed with confidence and satisfaction; A structure you can be proud off.

Deciding to build your own garden storage shed instead of having someone else build it for you may seem like a difficult task, particularly, if you have little building experience. The following five things can help to give you the confidence needed and the desire to proceed with the planning and construction of the garden shed.

1. Need for more storage space; As more garden tools and equipment are purchased, the need for additional storage space becomes necessary. Besides storage, a garden shed can also provide workshop space for making small projects and therefore, keep dust and paint odors out of the house. Furthermore, the car will then have room in the garage.

2. Adequate time available; If you have sufficient time evenings and weekends to plan and build, you should be able to complete the job in reasonable time. In fact detailed planning might take more time than actually building the shed.

3. Budget requirements; A limited amount of cash available may make it necessary to do the job yourself, rather than paying someone else to build it. Building the shed yourself may also free up some money to add additional items like windows, etc.

4. Planning the project; Every detail of your project should be thoroughly planned before you put a shovel into the ground. Considerable time should be spend browsing through building supply stores to collect pamphlets and brochures of building plans and “how to” information. Also look at various building materials such as lumber, sheeting, shingles, hardware, etc. to get ideas for making your shed plans and discuss your plans with the people at the service desk. They would be very eager to answer your questions and help you plan.

5. Skills and experience acquired; A great variety of skills can be learned while planning and building the shed that can be useful in other areas of home improvement. Skills such as planning, building a foundation, framing, roofing and using a wide variety of tools and equipment can be very helpful for most future building projects.

Limited experience should not stop you from building the shed yourself. Make sure you study and plan every minute detail such as measuring, cutting, joining and nailing. Remember, thorough planning can give you the confidence needed to do a first rate job of building that garden shed. Imagine the enjoyment and pride you can experience with a job well done.

Planning to build a garden shed yourself may seem a bit challenging if you have little building experience, but with adequate research and planning you should handle every task with confidence. One of the first major decisions will be whether to purchase a set of plans to build the shed from scratch or to purchase a shed kit with plans, all materials and instructions included. Each method has its merits. These five tips may help you decide which method to choose.

1. If you choose a shed kit, most or all of the materials are included so there is little choice over the kinds of materials to use. To build from scratch you can choose from a wide variety of different kinds lumber, sheeting, roofing and fasteners that meet your requirements. However, if you have limited building experence, the kit method with all the instructions and materials included could be the easiest plan to build.

2. Building a shed from scratch using your own plans or plans you purchased can make it easier to make changes. If cost is a problem, you could design it so that windows, vinyl siding or electrical wiring from the house can be added later.

3. The cost of building the shed from scratch could be somewhat lower because you have more control over the kinds of material you purchase. Sometimes good quality materials can be purchased at sale or surplus prices. In fact, you could also consider buying good used materials if they are available in your area.

4. Garden sheds built from kits are often displayed outside at building supply stores. Some of these sheds have been outside for several years in adverse weather conditions.. Examine these sheds to see how they stood up to heavy rainfall, snow or hot sun. Sometimes the particle type sheeting on the roof is too thin and sags between rafters over time. With your own plans, waterproof plywood and a size thicker would be a better choice.

5. The foundation and floor of the shed is usually not included in the shed kit and therefore, you will need to choose the kind of foundation that is best suited for its location. In wet areas or where high winds are a problem you may want to consider a concrete or a cement block foundation, but in a drier level area treated lumber on a gravel base may be quite satisfactory.

To help you make an informed decision, these five tips along with plenty of research should help you choose between building the garden shed from scratch or from a shed kit. Remember, the time spend looking at different sheds and gathering all the plans and ideas necessary to make wise choices can give you the confidence to build a structure you will be proud off.

My wife and I recently moved house and fortunately there was not a lot of redecoration required as the previous owner, an elderly lady, had been very house-proud. The garden was rather neglected with a rickety outdoor garden shed that needed coming down before it fell of its own accord. It didn’t take me long to empty the shed and demolish it but it became obvious that it would need replacing as the old lady had left us all of her late husband’s gardening tools plus flowerpots, bags of compost and so on and there was no room in the garage.

I had some experience in building a garden shed so the first item on my list was to get a good set of outdoor garden shed plans.

There are quite a few things to take into consideration when planning your shed and I’ll list just a few here:-

– Is your area liable to suffer from heavy snowfalls in the winter if so you made need to a stronger roof or a flat roof may not be ideal at all.

– Strong winds would require you to use better fixings, tie downs etc.

– Security, is your area prone to burglary, sheds attract petty thieves looking for stuff to unload at flea markets? If so a good solid door and heavy padlock would be the ideal.

– Does it get really hot during the summer months; this may require venting the roof so as not to damage your contents. Also you will need to consider what roofing felt or sealant will be needed.

– Avoid using cheap timber and buy good sealants and paints.

A good set of garden shed plans should cover all the above scenarios and more. Some will include other projects that you might like to try.

Here’s a tip that you probably won’t find in your set of plans: I would seriously recommend that having decided on the size of your new shed that you select the next size up, if you only choose one with enough storage area for your present needs next year could see you without space for new acquisitions.