Free Garden Shed Plans – What to Expect From Them
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Choosing Location and Lumber for DIY Storage Sheds
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Most homeowners realize they need a storage shed after they have the house completed. There are some things, such as garden tools, a lawn mower and bicycles, that are best stored outside the home. Most of them also want to tackle the building of the shed on their own as a do-it-yourself project. Storage sheds come in all shapes and sizes, which is why there are many different kinds of plans available for DIY storage sheds. You should look through all the plans available to find one that will compliment the exterior of your home. You don’t want one that looks too small next to the house, not do you want one that is so large that it overpowers the house.
First you have to choose the right location for the shed. If you live in a city or town where there are building codes in place, then you should check with the proper department to find out of there are any regulations and how to go about obtaining a permit. The regulations cover the size and height of the shed, so these are things you have to keep in mind when searching for the plans. Once you have all this in place, then you need to carefully choose the location and measure the area. Some of the factors you need to keep in mind when choosing the location include the amount of sunlight that this area receives so that you will know where the best places for windows will be. You also need to consider the access to the shed from the house and whether or not you want to see the shed from the house or the street.
When you choose the size and type of storage shed, you have a choice in buying a shed kit that comes with all the lumber and materials you need. This would be a good route to take if you are not sure how to read plans and determine how much lumber you need. You can also take the plans to a lumberyard and have the staff there help you determine what and how much you need to buy. Buying unseasoned wood could mean costly repairs down the road because this tends to shrink as it dries. Therefore, it is best to purchase kiln-dried wood for your storage shed.
Check out all the lumber by laying it on its edge and eyeing it down the edge to see if any of the pieces are cupped. Look for gaps or crooked areas because this will have an effect on this finished product and perhaps make it difficult to have straight walls. Check the grade of the lumber as well. Lumber comes in four grades with number 1 being the best quality and most expensive and number 4 being the poorest quality and the cheapest. Number 2 lumber is the kind most often used. For areas close to the ground, always use pressure treated lumber.
To get the best prices, you should get quotes from several dealers and then choose the one that best meets your budget. You also have to factor in delivery charges, but if you have a truck, you can save on this by picking up the lumber yourself.
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Outdoor Storage Sheds – Options To Consider Before You Buy
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Finding a place to store your gardening tools, patio furniture, outdoor grill or bikes can be a problem many homeowners face. You can use your garage, but eventually it will become cluttered. Having a storage shed for such items can be the solution.
When buying or building a storage shed, you will have many choices. You will need to to determine the proper size, design, and material. Having a good understanding of the choices available, you are sure to get a shed that will meet your needs.
Buying a prefabricated storage shed kit can be a simple way to build a shed. These types of prefabricated shed kits will probably be the easiest and fastest to set up. Most of these sheds will come complete with foundation, windows, and doors. Everything will be precut and ready for assembly with common household tools. You can find these kits in many sizes and styles. The most common materials to choose from will be metal, vinyl and wood. Each will have its advantages, depending on your budget and needs, you can choose the best one that will meet your requirements.
Another option to consider is buying lumber and building your own shed. By building your own shed you will be able to customize it to match your house or blend in with your landscape. This type of shed will take longer to set up, and require more work. Start off by looking at storage shed plans, they are available on the Internet. Many sites will have plans for free, you can also buy plans in many styles and sizes. Determine if you will have the time, skills and tools for this project. With some good detailed step by step illustrated plans, you should have no problem accomplishing this project.
Knowing what you will use the shed for will help you determine the right shed for you. What will you be putting inside or how will you be using this space? Will it be mainly for storage or a workspace? Or perhaps a combination of both. Always make sure you will have enough space.
It is always a good idea to know what you will be putting inside your storage shed. By doing so, you can get an idea of the size of shed you will need to buy or build. Measure everything you plan to store inside, such as lawn or patio furniture that you don’t want to leave out during the winter. Or maybe your lawnmower, gardening tools, or outdoor grill. By storing such items you will protect and prolong the lifespan of such items. If you will be using your shed as a workspace, or as a combination of workspace and storage, make sure you will have enough room to move around comfortably. It is always a good idea to buy or build a little bigger.
Whether you will be buying a prefabricated storage shed kit, or buying lumber to build a shed, it is always a good idea to start off by calling your building department for any permits and regulations that might be required.
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Garden Buildings a Brief Overview
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Garden buildings have been popular for centuries and were associated with luxury gardens during the Renaissance. The concept of garden buildings then spread north of the Alps and into the United Kingdom, and they are now very much part of the traditional English landscape.
Garden buildings remain popular in today’s garden, such as: garden sheds, summerhouses, or log cabins. They come in variety of shapes of sizes to fit any household need. The size of garden building you opt for isn’t necessarily related to cost, but to how much available space you have in your garden. Ideally you should have a clear space of least 18” wide on all sides of the building to ensure easy access for installation and future maintenance.
Garden buildings are usually made from wood, but metal or heavy moulded plastic is also an option. Wooden garden buildings can blend into the garden or stand out as an attractive addition. The wood will need protecting from the elements, termites, mould and damp, and therefore a good wood finisher needs to be applied once a year to protect the garden building. Plastic garden buildings are durable, will not degrade and hardly need any maintenance. Metal garden buildings often do not come with a floor. Consequently it is advisable to mount metal sheds on foundations to reduce rust problems, insects and ground water seeping into the building.
Small garden buildings, such as sheds, are often used for storage: garden tools, work tools, bicycles, and anything else that can’t find a home in the house. Sheds and men have often been associated together, but the traditional viewpoint has to change: women have recently discovered the joy of ‘shed time’ and subsequently the sale of sheds have increased.
Larger garden buildings, for example: sheds or log cabins, are extremely versatile. No longer are they regarded as just somewhere to store the gardening equipment. A popular option for a larger garden building is a home office. The smallest size for an office is generally 8’ x 10’ and the most popular sizes are 12’ x 8’ and 12’ X 10’. There are companies that specialise in garden buildings for offices and they can advise on such matters as: planning permission, location, foundations, and utilities. Large garden buildings can also be used as a workshop, to house a whirlpool or as children’s playroom/playhouse. There are purpose built garden buildings for children, and manufacturers have let their imagination run riot. There are castle playhouses, mini-home playhouses with four windows at the front, a door in the middle and an upstairs! There are playhouses on top of climbing frames, jungle huts, and playhouses in the shape of a rocket – how fantastic is that! They will keep the children amused for hours.
Garden buildings are ideal for entertaining friends, colleagues or family at home, when space is lacking in the house. Summerhouses make an ideal option, and they are also great to relax in on a warm day while the pesky insects buzz around outside. Summerhouses are attractive and can be tucked away in the corner of the garden if space is limited, or act as focal point for the larger garden. They start from a small and simple design, through to a large, hexagonal summerhouse containing a built in stove, vent and chimney; therefore you could barbeque any time of the day, whatever the weather – and you’ll have the most popular garden in the street!
It is hard to find a garden without a garden building because they are useful, practical and versatile. Furthermore, some garden buildings can increase the value of a property – another reason why a garden shouldn’t be without a garden building.
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Garden Sheds Everything you Ever Wanted to Know
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Sheds are often thought of as the non-residential building at the bottom of the garden or the allotment. They can contain a variety of items that can’t find a place in the home, such as: empty flower pots, old tins of paint, bicycles and garden tools. General sheds, or garden sheds are usually small and made out of wood. They come in a variety of sizes as DIY kits, or for the adventurous, there are shed plans if the shed is to be built from scratch. Small sheds can either be; a corner shed, for example: 3’ high x 3’ wide x 2’ deep, a vertical shed, for example: 5’ high x 3’ wide x 4’ deep, or a horizontal shed, for example 3’ high x 5’ wide x 4’ deep.
Larger sheds are available to hold bigger pieces of equipment: ride-on lawn mowers, quad bikes, and motorbikes. A larger shed tends to come with more options, such as: windows and electrical outlets, porches, verandas and sliding doors, as well as decorative additions, for example: window shutters and flower boxes. Larger sheds can be ideal if space is short in the home; they can be converted into an office, a playroom or a hobby room, etc.
Sheds can also be bought for specific uses: a gardening shed can have skylights as well as windows, to increase natural illumination to benefit the plants, ventilation, and a work surface. A potting shed is ideal for the serious gardener as it has large windows; so the shed can double up as part-greenhouse. This feature is especially popular for gardeners who do not have room for a greenhouse and a shed in their garden.
A tool shed is generally very slim, and windowless to keep the tools hidden from sight. They contain shelves, racks and hooks to help keep the tools tidy.
Bicycle/bike sheds are often low constructions and are ideal for protecting bikes from the weather and burglars. Small bike sheds can be attached to a wall or concrete floor to stop the whole shed being lifted! Wide doors make it convient to maneuver bikes in and out of the shed.
Boat sheds is something not usually seen in the garden! But this is useful if there is a river at the bottom of the garden and a small boat and boating accessories need securing.
All sheds should be fitted with a good quality lock, and an effective way of securing windows is to fit an internal grill or bars. A security light near the shed can also increase the security of the shed.
There are different types of materials used to construct sheds. Wood is the most common material. Wooden sheds can blend into the garden or stand out as an attractive addition to the garden. To protect the wood from the elements, termites, mould and damp, a good wood finisher is needed to prolong the life of the shed.
Plastic sheds are made from heavy moulded plastics, such as: PVC and polyethylene, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are durable, will not degrade and hardly need any maintenance.
Metal sheds tend to be used when long-term strength is needed. Not only do the sheds come in different shapes and sizes, but there are different types of metal to chose from: such as, enamel coated steel, vinyl coated steel and plain steel. Metal sheds tend to only be used for storage rather then being converted into an office etc, because they’re very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer.
Whatever reason you need a shed – there will be a shed that will suit your needs.
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How to Choose the Right Shed, Step by Step
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Ok, so you’re thinking about building a new shed but you’re unsure which shed is the right one for you. Lets go through it by the numbers and determine what your needs are, what options are available and the type of structure that will best service your needs now and into the future.In this article we will step through all the determining factors to help you make the right choice the first time and save you both time and money.You will be able to use this article as a formula to analyse your requirements and based on a number of factors including what you want to use the shed for, how much room you have and how much want to spend, you should be able to determine what shed is the right one for you.1) The first thing you need to decide is why you need a shed, or if in fact you need a shed at all.A shed is going to use some of the space in your yard and it’s also going to cost you money to build, so if you are only after short term storage and you have a lot of thing to store, a storage facility may be the answer.However the greater your time-frame and the lesser your total storage area required or if you needs are not simply storage, the better chance that building a shed will be the most cost-effective solution.Here is a list of some of the reasons why you may want to build a new shed:
2) Now that you have determined why you need a new shed or shelter and what you’re going to put in it, you can work out what type and size structure you require. When it comes to size there are a number of factors to consider including:Required floor area – A quality shed will last you well over 10 years, so don’t just look at your immediate needs but look to the future. Is your family growing or might you take on a hobby that requires shed space, etc? I realise none of us has a crystal ball to look into the future, however if you believe you may need more floor area down the track, plan for it now. One shed in your back yard usually looks better than two or more small sheds scattered around the yard and it is almost always a cheaper option to build one larger shed too.Available yard space & position – Where possible your new shed should fit in with you existing garden and add to the aesthetic quality of the yard. Here is a simple formula to use as a general rule: small yard – smaller shed, large yard – larger shed. Garden sheds can be nestled into a garden, positioned up the side of your house or in a position not visible, however if you need vehicle access to your shed it will probably need to be built in a position that has access to your driveway.How big is your budget – When it comes right down to it, the shed you build can be determined greatly by what you can afford or how much you want to spend. Depending on the size, type, etc; the cost of your new shed could range between a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand.3) Type of structure – Finally you need to decide what type of shed or shelter will best suit you needs. If you’ve gone through the previous steps you should have a pretty good idea, but we’ll have a look at a few different options anyway.
Sheds are available in several different materials including wood, PVC, steel and even brick, however if you’re looking for a sturdy, durable, low maintenance & cost effective shed that will add value to your home I don’t think you can go past a Colorbond or Zincalume steel shed.
This article is part of a series of articles covering all facets of selecting, buying & building your new shed. Go to www.shedsrus.com.au to read the rest of the series.
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How To Build a Shed – Free Plans
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