The Versatility of Tool Sheds

A wooden shed is usually branded by the style of roof is has, some of the different categories are gambrel, salt box and lean-to to name a few. Wooden sheds can also be categorised by what they are used for, it doesn’t really matter what style of roofing they have, here are some of the more popular uses for a wooden shed.

For General Storage

Probably the most common use for a shed is general storage, these type of sheds are basic no frills for example they don’t need a window or an electric feed. I concrete floor is recommended for a storage shed due to wear and tear also they should be always kept tidy especially if you are storing a lot of items and need access to them of a regular basis.

For Garden implements

Garden sheds are useful for lots of reason, garden tools tend to come in different shapes and sizes and some are awkward to store in conventional means. A garden shed is ideal for storing these items, especially if your garden is not near your house (like an allotment for example). Also a garden shed is great for keeping these potentially dangerous items away from young children and pets.

For Tools

Over a period of time you can really amass a large collect of tools, due to safety reasons, their untidy nature and generally not fitting in with the home a DIY tool needs to be stored in a permanent location and a tool shed is ideal for this. Tool sheds can be used not only for storage but also for working in as well, larger tool sheds have work

For Extra Room

A shed conversion is very popular for people who work from home and still want to feeling of going to work, using a shed as an office is very common, you can convert a shed to be a recording studio, a chill out zone or even an extra bedroom.

For Children

Like a shed conversion a shed designed as a playhouse is ideal for a child’s own personal space. Every child loves a place to retreat to and play out of the way of parents, they can invite their friends around and as it is in your back garden they are not far from view but have the added bonus of giving you some much needed piece when needed.

The Joys of Garden Sheds

No matter how big your home we always have issues with space. You can move from a one bedroom flat to a 3 bedroom house and within a few months it will be cluttered. If you have a garage you may store items in there however what if you have a car and you want to protect it from the elements, garage storage is not perfect if this is the case. Obviously if there is nowhere else to put your stuff then looking at a garden shed may be the answer.

Garden sheds are the perfect answer for storage issues. They accommodate practically everything, especially larger items like mountain bikes or snowboards etc. Having these long term storage items locked away in the garden shed will save on space, make for a much better living environment and keep your house clean and tidy.

Building a garden shed may be beyond you so don’t worry there are many companies which you can purchase a garden shed from who will deliver it pre built, all you need to do is tell the delivery man were you want it and hey presto. Garden sheds come in different sizes and colors so they can complement the garden and the house as well. Visiting a shed yard is a good idea so you can get an idea of scale and envisage how it will look in your garden. Also it is important as you can see the quality of the shed you are thinking of buying up close.

If you are not afraid to build your own shed then they also come on kit form, you can make a lot of savings on price with a kit shed and the building material quality can be excellent. Kit sheds usually come with full instructions and all the parts you need to build one, be aware though that you may need to purchase extra tools to build your shed so make sure you have everything you need prior to starting the build of your garden shed.

Building your own shed can be a very satisfying job, knowing that you have a structure in your garden that you built is a special feeling however you will require some skill in carpentry or basic building skills. If you are not a DIY enthusiast but still want to build your own garden shed then maybe draft some help from friends or family members who have a bit of knowledge, it isn’t particularly difficult building your own shed but a bit of knowledge will help you along the way.

Designing versus Prefab Sheds

If you are feeling ambitious and don’t like the look of prefab sheds you might want to consider designing your own shed. Adding a custom design shed is a great way of enhancing your home and also for keeping tools and garden utensils safe and tidy. As sheds have many uses it is probably a good idea before designing your shed to list all of the uses your shed will undertake. If it is for garden use think about how to store your items for ease of access, if it is as an office think about functionality like electricity, internet access for example. Once you have an idea what you want out of your shed you are ready to design it.

The next thing to consider is the size of the shed. Ideally you want the biggest shed that the space can handle however be careful of a couple of things. Ease of access is important, you may want a big shed but are you willing to compromise other areas of the garden or blocking sunlight to the house? Also if you decide on a large shed think about planning permission. You may have to apply for a permit and extra taxes may be added to your property also. Check with the local council and get acceptable dimensions as you may increase your hassle factor by ten if you don’t.

The third thing to do is choosing the right materials. Personally the one thing I wouldn’t compromise on is the quality of the material. You could cut corners and save some money of cheaper material but you will regret it in the long run. As you are building something that you want to last give it the best chance by getting the best materials you can. There are many things to consider, the type of shed you want, is it going to be metal, plastic or wood? Think about the roofing, do you want it to be plastic, tarred, tiled or even thatched. The beauty of designing your own shed is that you can mix and match, there are no set rules.

The final thing to do is assess the cost. Check on prices of prefab sheds and see what you can get versus what it is going to cost to build. You may find you can get a better quality shed in kit form for what you are planning to build it for. Also factor in your own time and labour costs. You may need to draft in help and is this going to cost you, even if it is mates and they don’t mind being paid in beer and pizzas it is still going to come out of your pocket so keep that in mind.

Building your own shed can be fun and fulfilling at the same time, however if it looks like there are going to be other factors that are going to prevent you having the shed you want then maybe look at kit sheds instead.

Tips on Building Cheap Sheds

Cheap sheds do not mean bad quality sheds; you can plan and build a great quality shed without spending a fortune in the process. Sheds are a great way to solve the issue of storage space, as you live in a home you collected more and more contents as time goes by, especially if you have started a family. A shed in the garden or yard is a great way of freeing up some space in the home. By applying yourself to getting the right materials and putting in the time and effort you can have a shed that does not cost the earth.

Prefab Sheds

Prefab shed kits are a good cheap option; they are easy to transport and to assemble however you have to be wary of what you buy as some cheap shed kits are as the name suggests, cheap. These types of budget prefab sheds are made from flimsy materials and will not stand the test of time. However they can prove to be a bit of a bargain if you are capable of strengthening them up and adding extra materials to them.

It is best to go for named brands if you are looking for a good quality kit shed, online websites that sell sheds should have feedback sections which will let you view customer reviews. Having fellow shoppers experience of having a product you are thinking of buying is probably the best endorsement you can have.

Using Shed Plans

Shed blueprints are a very cost effective way of building a cheap shed. You can either buy them for a pittance or in some cases download them for free from the internet. It is recommended that you also get building instructions as well as the plans if possible; this will certainly take some of the guess work out of the building process. Good quality plans should guide you step by step through each stage from prep, building and then the finishing touches, they should also give you a list of the required tools and materials needed.

You can keep the cost low with adopting this process by getting your material cheap, see if there is a timber yard close by, these places usually sell reclaimed wood at knock down prices and bargains can be had. If you are not too bothered by it, exploring skips is another option, you will be surprised what people throw away, better still you get it for free. Also check the classifieds, Craiglist or Gumtree, there is usually someone giving away a piece of furniture or better still an old shed, these are great resources for cheap or even free materials.

Once you have your materials think through how best to follow your plan, you may need to adjust certain aspects to fit in with the timber you have got. It could mean changing the dimensions of the shed; if you think it is not going to be able to be adjusted then maybe acquiring more timber will be your only option.

It is important to inspect the timber you have got, especially if it is second hand. Check for splits in the wood and also for rot, take out any old nails or screws as well. You may need to strip back wood that has previously been painted or varnished, do not use it until you can see the wood as it could be concealing wood worm. It may be necessary to treat the wood chemically before using it. Once you have built your shed be sure to treat the wood with either paint or wood stain, whatever suits you.

Tips on How to Keep Your Cedar Shed Looking Good

Cedar Sheds have a great wood color look to them and even though they can look good when they age naturally some of you may want to keep that lovely brand new color for years to come. There are different methods you can use to maintain its finish this article will give you some of the options available.

The loss of color does not happen just because of age, there are other factors that can cause discolouration just as much. The main reason for losing color is dirt, if you want to keep the new look color as long as possible simply washing the shed will deal with it. No need to add detergents or washing up liquid just using water will do. Using a high pressure hose is recommended, it will be easier to get rid of ground in dirt, also is saves on elbow grease.

Applying protection to the shed will also help, this will keep the look newer for longer, here are some options to look at using and how long you can expect them to last.

Oil that is water repellent will protect the shed for up to 2 years.
Toner or semi-transparent stain can protect up to 3 years
Solid Color Acrylic stain can add up to 5 years protection
Acrylic paint formula is best adding up to 10 years protection

Obviously these are not accurate figures, other things need to be considered for example climate, however it is good for a rough guide.

It should not take more than 2 gallons for an average sized shed, I would recommend buying more than is needed so you can top up the finish when required, also if you are using the same brand of finish protector it means you maintain the shade throughout the exterior of the shed. Usually you do not need to worry about finishing the roof.

Picking the right protection will ensure your cedar shed is keeping its natural look for a long time, it is best to apply a finish a couple of weeks after erecting your shed, this was the wood has had time to adjust to its new environment before you seal it. When buying your finish be sure to look for one that gives good ultraviolet shielding and mildewcide properties, this is important for keep the new look for longer.

Why are Prefab Sheds so Popular?

With lifestyle culture being the way it is today, everything has to be instant; people seem to be far too busy to be able to take their time with anything it seems. If you are someone who fits into this category but still likes to build things and you are looking for better storage you can benefit from having a prefab shed.

With a prefab shed you can save time designing and building a shed from scratch, also you can save money having to hire someone to erect it for you. Prefab sheds are available in the same type of material as traditional shed they are wood, plastic and metal. A lot of people like wood sheds simply because of their look and they do fit in with the surroundings better, however they do need the most maintenance with varnishing and also if you choose to paint it. Also replacing broken wood is a consideration.

Metal prefab sheds are probably the most cost effective, they last a long time, quite inexpensive and the quality ones are made from galvanised steel meaning they are less likely to rust. Metal sheds are very popular as garages of workshops, as they require hardly any maintenance they are very appealing in today’s lifestyle culture.

Plastic prefabricated sheds are more popular as technology has caught up and made designs more appealing. Plastic sheds do not require the same level of maintenance as wooden sheds and will not rust like some cheap metal sheds and are more aesthetically pleasing. They are relatively easy to assemble as well which makes them very popular with most people.

It is important that you choose the right material for your shed; some things to consider are the climate you live in. For example if you live in a hot environment a metal shed may not be suitable as they do heat up quickly. Living in wet conditions is not good for wooden sheds and the wood rotting can be a concern. Being in a cold climate may not be the best for plastic sheds, having a heater in a plastic shed can be an accident waiting to happen.

When choosing your prefab shed consider how much you are willing buying a cheap shed may last a couple of years but adverse weather conditions and poor build quality can be an issue, I would recommend that you spend a bit extra of your prefab shed as you will have a building that will last longer and not cost as much to upkeep.

Advice When Buying Second Hand Sheds

If you are thinking about buying a shed have you considered looking at second hand sheds? The main advantage of purchasing a second hand shed is the cost. It is considerably cheaper buying a used shed than a new one obviously. Sheds are used for a multitude of things, there may be a need to buy a new shed however if you are looking at using it for storage then a second hand shed will probably do just as good a job.

There are a few things to consider when picking up a second hand shed, mainly is its condition. Depending on what it is made from this may be not a problem. The likes of plastic sheds will not rust or have rotting issues so this type of shed is probably the most popular. However a wooden shed is more aesthetically appealing to the eye and if you are a dab hand at carpentry you can pick up a bargain if you go for a wood shed that is in need of some tender love and care. Metal sheds are probably the least desirable in my opinion, even though they are study and strong they are prone to rusting and also much more difficult to transport.

If you are looking for a wooden shed then choose something that has been made from cedar wood. Sheds made from this material are very low maintenance. Also know your brands, some makes of sheds are better quality than others, I would recommend searching by brand first, this way you know what quality you will be buying.

The next thing to consider is size; this is something that amazingly is overlooked by a lot of buyers. Make sure you know the dimensions of the shed in advance, then measure it up once you get to see it so you can confirm its size. You don’t want to be buying a shed that is too big for your garden area or buy one that is too small so it won’t be able to store your tools.

The standard precautions should be observed if you plan to buy a shed online. Places like eBay and Amazon are the most popular places to look. The good thing about these sites is that you can buy with a degree of confidence as you can view the seller’s feedback history and their ratings. Also you can get a good detailed description of what you will be purchasing. A tip would be to look for a seller that is near you so you can save some money on delivery costs and also be able to see the shed first hand.

Corner Sheds are a Space Saver

If you have a small garden or a limited space to put a shed in your outside area a corner shed may just be the item you are looking for. Corner sheds not only will save space but are also very stylish looking, some would say even more so than a traditional looking shed. With the right positioning and some skilful landscaping a corner shed can become the focal point of a garden.

Probably the one thing you need to consider when choosing a corner shed is the size, too large it defeats its purpose, too small and it is not functional. There many different sizes available to buy, the most popular sizes range from 6×6 to 8×8. Think about how much equipment you will put in the shed and also future proof yourself, if you buy one that can just about handle what gear you have then you will not be able to put in more items later.

Another great advantage of a corner shed is that it usually costs a lot less than a traditional style shed, even if you do not plan to construct it yourself and buy ready-made it will be considerably cheaper than a normal shed. If you like to get stuck in and build it yourself you can find you will make noticeable savings on the purchase price.

Obviously as corner sheds are smaller in size they have disadvantages also. With a larger shed you can utilise it in many ways, storage being the main one but also as an office or a hideaway for children (or from children in some cases he he). You are pretty much limited in terms of usage with a corner shed however, do not let that put you off, if you have a small garden and want a shed it is the ideal solution and just needs to be used in a sensible way.

Buy Cheap Sheds