The Joys of Garden Sheds

Garden ShedsNo 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.

Tips on Building Cheap Sheds

Building a Cheap ShedCheap 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.

Why are Prefab Sheds so Popular?

Prefab ShedsWith 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.