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Thinking of Building a Garden Shed?

Every backyard can be improved by a simple garden shed – whether it is for storage, for use as a hothouse, or even for entertainment when the weather is less than ideal. Here is what you need to know about building a garden shed.

Considerations when Building a Garden Shed

When building a shed, the first thing that you will need to consider is the site itself. Choose a spot that will be relatively inconspicuous but still has easy access – both for the building stage and for everyday usage. There is no point putting a shed somewhere where it will only frustrate you on a regular basis. Ensure that you are placing the shed somewhere where it will not break your local council’s building offset regulations. Check with your local council before you even start building the shed to see if there are any building regulations that you need to adhere to, or if you will require a building permit.

Also consider what you are using the shed for. If it is for storage, ensure that there is plenty of room for garden tools, the lawn mower, fertilisers, toys, bikes, and whatever else may need to fit. Systems for shelves will help you to keep everything organised and more readily available. If you are planning on using the shed as a hothouse – to germinate seeds or grow fussy plants – you will need to ensure that the shed has plenty of natural light and is capable of holding humidity. This will also affect the materials that you use. For entertainment – such as a pool table or table tennis, or even just as a place for the kids to hang out, you will need a larger shed, capable of holding the entertainment equipment as well as the chairs. You will also likely need wiring for lighting, and to run refrigerators, stereos and the like.

Types of Garden Sheds

When buying a garden shed to erect at home, you will usually be buying one in kit form. This means getting the shed home. Some garden shed companies will supply the walls and the roof panels already pre-assembled, so all you have to do is screw them all together. These companies will deliver all of the components to your home, and will put the shed together if required. If you are opting to buy a kit from a hardware store, these are likely to come in a set of boxes. This makes it a lot easier to get the shed home, but it also means that there will be more parts to put together, thus making the building process longer.

However, some garden sheds are more complicated than the simple kit form shed. These will require you measuring and buying all of the related components and then building the shed from scratch. If you are prepared to undertake this yourself, then it is imperative that you work to a shed plan that comes with detailed instructions. The internet or local hardware store is a great place to pick up a plan that is right for you. The other option is to get builders out to build the shed for you. This is likely to be quicker, and you know that the shed will be put together properly, but it will involve additional expense.

The Garden Shed Floor

If you have opted for a shed in kit form, the time it takes to erect the shed will depend on the size of the shed, its specific design, and the actual site itself. All sheds will need flooring. For longevity and general convenience, the best option is a concrete slab. If you are not confident about pouring one yourself, you should get a concreter in to do it for you. Other floor options include paving, brick/concrete piers with a bearer and joist framework, or even a simple gravel floor, depending on what you intend to use the shed for.

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