Equipment and Construction News

You know those tools you seldom use but you can’t bare to get rid of? Wooden sheds are a great place for storing them, but they can be used for SO MUCH MORE than just storage. They can also be made (or adapted) for several different purposes.

Using a shed for the garden is perhaps the most popular reason to have a shed. Its quite a convenient place for storing your garden tools and supplies so the natural location for a shed is right next to the garden. Plus, potting your plants is a snap with a proper workbench in your shed. Many of the garden sheds built today connect us to a simpler past just with their charm and character.

Sheds also serve other purposes as well. Locate your shed next to a pool and it serves the purpose of a pool cabana. These are particularly handy for storing pool chemicals that should be stored away from the main house anyway. Some cabanas are stocked with towels, pool toys and with snacks stored in a refrigerator. This helps to keep the kids from running into the house all wet.

Sheds are perfect for artists’ studios and for kids playhouses because of their size. And, with the addition of a few pieces of furniture and other accessories, a wooden shed makes a great little sanctuary.

If you are seriously considering building your own shed, there are a couple of alternatives for the kind of material you can build it with. If your shed is going to be in a highly visible place, I strongly recommend building it from wood for aesthetic reasons, if nothing else.

Other options include plastic (or vinyl) and metal (usually rolled aluminum). Plastic is virtually maintenance free and is going to be your least expensive option. While metal is durable, it can get really hot inside – especially in warmer climate zones.

Now, if you have decided upon a wooden shed, you need to figure out if you are going to build it yourself or hire someone else to build it. If you are fairly handy with tools (please be honest with yourself), then there are a LOT of shed kits out there for you to choose from. Wooden shed kits are much easier and faster to build than making one from scratch.

So, its important to step back from your project before you get too deep and evaluate what its purpose will be. The rest will fall right into place.

Terry Shaw enjoys everything about garden sheds. For more info, construction tips, and resources, visit his web site: BestWoodenSheds.com.

If you are about to spend your hard earned money on a wooden shed kit, there are a few important considerations to be aware of that can help you determine what kit would be best suited for your needs. Shed kits are a great way to have the extra storage space you are looking for without breaking your bank account.

Appropriate Size

Accessing your storage needs is a great starting point. If you are looking to make room in the garage so your car can fit, then a small wooden shed won’t work well for you if you just fill it so full that you can barely open the door. You should buy a wooden shed kit with extra room to grow. Another consideration is how much of a footprint your shed will take up on your property. You don’t want a large shed to fill up a small area.

Placement

If you don’t intend on using your wooden shed as a work shed, playhouse, pool cabana, etc., then you should locate your shed in a less visible location since it is probably going to be used strictly for storage. Storage sheds aren’t as attractive because they don’t usually have any windows or fancy details. You don’t want to make it easy for someone to break into.

But, let’s say your wooden shed will be used for another reason like a small guest house or retreat, then its definitely best to put an attractive shed in a spot that you’ll want to show it off to visitors. You’ll want to put it in plain view.

Foundation

The base or floor that you build your shed on is another consideration. You can build a floor that you frame from studs or just purchase this separately from the shed kit. Building a wooden frame for your base has several advantages. One of the best advantages is that you can build your foundation frame like a skid to make relocation of your shed easy (and possible).

Pouring a concrete slab as your foundation is another alternative for your wooden shed. This is the best option only if you know the location you picked out for your shed will be permanent.

So, with about two days of time, a strong desire, and some simple construction skills, you’ll find that a wooden shed kit is a great storage solution that won’t break your bank account.

Before deciding on wooden shed kits, make sure you visit www.BestWoodenSheds.com for more tips, information and products. A wooden shed should be attainable for everyone who wants to increase their storage or workshop needs.

If you are contemplating building a wooden shed for your backyard there are a few things you should consider. Wooden sheds can make a great and practical centerpiece or focal point that you will naturally be drawn to. Here are some tips to help you in the process of becoming a happy shed owner:

1. Choose a Purpose

Whether its going to be a nice place for you to relax, enjoy a favorite hobby, or simply store your pool equipment or chemicals, knowing how you will use your shed is an important starting point. Once you know this, all the rest will fall into place.

2. Its All About The Location

Do you want your shed to be able to move (just in case) or do you want it to be in a permanent spot? Determining this will affect how it is to be made. Keep in mind that tree branches over the shed will be messy with debris and bird droppings.

3. Prepare the Site

Take the time to make sure the site is properly prepared. It should be free of large debris, rocks and plants. Its best for the ground to be flat with a slight downward slope going towards the back for proper water drainage.

4. Choosing Shed Plans

Good plans provide photos of what the actual shed looks like when its completed. They also should have a materials list which helps when you go to purchase all your materials.

5. Purchase a Shed Kit

If you feel that you don’t have the time or skills to build a kit from scratch, order a shed kit online. They come in a wide variety of styles, they go together quickly and pretty precisely, and they don’t require too much skill to put together.

6. Cedar

Cedar is resistant to rot and insects which make it a great material to use for wooden sheds. And the overall appearance will make your shed a major focal point of your yard.

7. A Second Person Will Save the Day

Even if you CAN put a shed together by yourself, that doesn’t mean you SHOULD do it alone. An extra hand will make the easier and faster.

8. Plan Ahead

When you are building your shed, now is the time to prepare for electricity or plumbing that you may want to add in the future. Planning ahead makes things go a lot easier later on.

9. It’s the Little Things That Make the Difference

Don’t skimp on items such as hinges and door closures. It might be tempting to go with a less expensive hinge but you’ll be much happier with a higher quality one from the start.

10. Use the Small Spaces Wisely

By making shelves out of 2x4s, you will be able to place them between the studs. This makes for great places to hold small objects.

Before you start building your own backyard shed, visit Robert Iverson’s site: Best Wooden Sheds for more tips on planning, constructing and enjoying backyard sheds.

Aside from the obvious that you can store just about any small to medium size object in a wooden shed out in your backyard, they really can be much more than a just storage building. The word “shed” can be used to describe a playhouse, a studio, workshop, guesthouse, cabana, etc.

The best part is, they can be converted fairly easily from one use to another. If done correctly, a wooden shed can be used for a couple of purposes at the same time. For example, a pool cabana is not only used to change into a swimsuit, but is also a great place to store the pool supplies and any chemicals that should be stored away from the main house.

You might be wondering why you should build one for yourself. Not only are wooden sheds fun to build, but for someone wanting to learn more about woodworking and building, they make a great starter project. And, usually it only requires one weekend of time from start to finish.

You know what you want a shed for, but WHY a wooden shed? Once you have built a wooden shed, you’ll notice right away the long-term value you have over a plastic or even a metal shed. They may cost more up front, but they are more pleasing to the eye and if you build from a set of good shed plans, you have way more options.

Plastic and metal sheds are actually harder to modify or add additional space to than wooden sheds. And, as far as repairs go, they are much quicker, easier and cost less for wooden sheds. If you have ever tried to fix a plastic shed, you know what I mean.

Cedar is, by far, the best type of wood to use for building sheds. Cedar has the benefit of being naturally resistant to rot (mold) and insects because of an oil in the wood.

Another option you have is to buy a wooden shed kit that comes already cut to size. And, depending on the manufacturer, a lot of the assembly is already done. This makes for a fast and easy way to get a shed put up in your backyard.

You’ll find more information and tips on construction and how to use garden sheds to their fullest potential at: BestWoodenSheds.com. Also included are shed plans, wooden shed kits, and more!

Besides hiring a pro to build you a wooden shed, the two best options you have are to build it yourself from scratch or purchase a kit. Each of these options has its pros and cons so whichever route you take depends entirely on you. Let’s take a closer look at building wooden sheds.

You probably prefer to build from scratch if you have not only the carpentry skills, but also the tools and time it takes (though relatively small) to build a wooden shed. The time it takes involves the planning and the execution of the project. An important first step is finding a good set of shed plans. Since you can find so many wooden shed plans online, you should be careful in making your selection. The shed plans you select should include plenty of illustrations or photos and clearly written instructions. A materials list is important as well since you will need this when going to the supply store to purchase all the materials.

You should easily be able to put your shed together in only a couple of days if you have a good set of plans, the skills and the proper tools on hand. Allow for extra labor and time if you want to build your wooden shed on a concrete slab instead of a wood frame. It might be best to hire someone with experience for this part of the project.

Not confident in your carpentry skills? Then a wooden shed kit has a lot of advantages over building from scratch. For most shed kits, all the pieces are already cut so the only thing you have to do is the assembly. Some kits even come with the walls already framed so assembly is easy and quick. So really, waiting for the kit to arrive is likely to be the most time you will spend on this project.

You can save a little money building a wooden shed kit since you may not need to buy or rent all the tools you’d need to build from scratch.

As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both options. However, when you are finished, you will see the potential and recognize all the benefits a wooden shed has.

Find out more on wooden sheds and shed plans by visiting BestWoodenSheds.com. You can also download a free eBook: Getting the Most Out of Your Shed. It contains over 100 tips to help you maximize your shed’s potential.

With so many shed plans available on the internet today, how do you choose the one that will be right for you? It doesn’t matter if you have never picked up a hammer before or if you are a seasoned handyman. A good set of plans for wooden sheds will have some basic characteristics.

The best plans are ones that are easy to follow. Step-by-step instructions should be very clear and help guide you through the process. Believe it or not, there are plans out there that simply have elevation views with measurements and that’s about it. They leave it up to the individual to know how to put it together. This may be fine for experienced carpenters but probably not for your average Do-It-Yourself person.

So, it’s important to look for plans that indicate they have detailed instructions. As well as clear elevation drawings (every plan should have this at minimum), three-dimensional or cutaway drawings will also help give you an understanding of how construction should be done.

Some shed plans will include exploded views of the more intricate areas that need special attention. Although not critical, another great aspect in the drawings is to have color or shading. This really helps to visualize how pieces are put together and which piece goes on top or under another piece.

Illustrations and/or photos that depict the wooden shed at different stages of being constructed or completed are also a great feature to have.

And, finally, you should look for a complete materials list in your shed plans. Its important to have a list for when you go to the supply store to purchase the materials. You don’t want to try and figure this out on your own when its not necessary.

Fortunately, there are some great wooden shed plans available online. The real trick is knowing exactly what to look for.

Before choosing a set of storage shed plans for wooden sheds, check out Donald Rickerby’s web site: BestWoodenSheds.com where you can download a free shed plan and a free eBook: Getting the Most Out of Your Shed. It contains over 100 tips to help you maximize your shed’s potential.

Do you already own a wooden shed? If so, you know just how important a well organized shed can be. Wooden sheds can fill up with unwanted items quite rapidly because they are relatively small. The best time to start organizing is now. And, you’re a lot better off if your shed is new with nothing in it yet.

But, most of us do have their wooden sheds full of stuff and, therefore, need to start removing EVERYTHING. Pick a nice day and start early in the morning. This may seem like a big undertaking but will be easier and less time-consuming in the long run.

You may be one of those people who finds it hard to throw anything away (I’m one of them). If the item has no sentimental value and you never use it, its best to throw it out, sell it (or better yet, donate it).

When you are finished removing all the items from your shed, take time to group like items into piles. Like, your bicycle gear in one group, your gardening supplies in another, etc.

Small items can now be placed in containers or bins that will go neatly on shelves. Make sure you label the outside of the containers to you can easily find what you are looking for later.

Now you can start putting all your grouped items back into the wooden shed. Items used more often should be placed closer to the front of the shed or on shelves at shoulder height.

Rakes and shovels (long-handled tools) should be organized on a tool rack that can be made or purchased for a reasonable price.

Workbenches are also a great item to have in your wooden shed. You don’t have to have the best one, just one that gets the job done. It should have sturdy legs so you can place heavy items on it and any hammering that you may need to do. There should also be storage room under the bench for easy access to tools.

To make it easier to wheel larger items in and out the shed, build yourself a simple ramp for the doorway. It doesn’t have to be permanent, but if you want it to be, make sure your build it from pressure-treated wood that won’t rot from moisture.

Before you know it, you’ll be wondering where all the extra space in your shed came from. Wooden sheds are ideal for storage, but it is so important to be as organized as possible or it will end up being essentially – a big garbage can.

Before you start organizing your wooden garden shed, check out Donald Rickerby’s free eBook: Getting the Most Out of Your Shed. It contains over 100 tips to help you maximize your shed’s potential. BestWoodenSheds.com also contains kits for wooden sheds, shed plans, and a lot more helpful information.

You can get better use out of an old wooden shed out back if its just holding a bunch of junk. Why not convert it into living space? Wooden sheds can be as versatile as your imagination – and practical, too. They can be converted into many different uses like a playhouse for your kids or into an artist studio.

Start off with a clean slate. When you have everything out of the shed, pick up any debris and vacuum in the corners. Since it is a wooden shed, there may be signs of rot or termites that have to be addressed.

Make the most of the exposed studs on the inside. This is one of the great features of wooden sheds. Spruce up the inside walls with a light stain or water sealant. This will bring out the natural beauty of the wood and give your shed a more comfortable feel.

You can always paint the walls as well. Try to keep with lighter colors since the space is so small. Be sure to use a primer first, otherwise, the paint will be soaked up by the wood.

If your shed is on a skid, or wooden floor, follow the same steps as described in the paragraph above. On the other hand, if you have a foundation made from concrete, either leave it or you can choose to stain it. Revitalizing old worn concrete surfaces by staining them is a great solution. The floor area in wooden sheds is small enough that you should be able to handle it but its best to use a professional.

Make sure you clean, prime and paint the outside of the wooden shed also. Fill in any spaces or cracks with caulk to keep water out. It may be fine to have some moisture come in for storage purposes but not for a space that is intended as livable.

Now you should be ready for the fun part now that the shell is complete. Depending on how you intend to use the space, start adding your own personal touches. Start by adding or installing the more permanent items like shelving and/or pegboards.

Before you start converting your wooden shed, check out Donald Rickerby’s free eBook: Getting the Most Out of Your Shed. It contains over 100 tips to help you maximize your shed’s potential. His web site also contains kits for wooden garden sheds, shed plans, and a lot more helpful information.