We all love being out in nature, spending time in our gardens, growing plants and vegetables, and getting together with family and friends. Such moments give us a sense of joy and satisfaction. However, as any gardener would tell you, a garden takes a lot of work and commitment and in order to simplify the care and maintenance of it, you need the help of machines and equipment such as lawnmowers, vertical cutters, hedge trimmers, lawn trimmers and the like.
A garden shed serves as a dedicated place to store all these garden tools and also a place to keep the seeds, soil, hoses, portable sprinklers you have safe. The garden shed is a big feature of your garden, so it’s essential that you make the right decision to achieve the right overall appearance. Brands like Cedarshed can provide a variety of options that can fit your needs. Before taking on such a project, you must have these considerations in mind:
Permit and Budget Plan
You certainly want to avoid running into problems later on by not obtaining a building permit for your shed and therefore, the first advice is to check whether you need one. Don’t forget to ask your local planning and zoning department if there are rules as to where you can place a shed on your property.
Those who are handy and like DIY projects might pull off building their own garden shed, however, before kick-starting such a project, you must first do your research, take a look at the installation instructions, and see whether you think this is something that matches your ability. In the grand scheme of things, the price to build a garden shed is not that costly. There are experts that can guide you through each phase of your shed building project such as reviewing the materials needed for building your shed foundation, floor, walls, doors, roof, siding, etc.
Foundation
Preparing the foundation is crucial to ensuring the longevity of your garden shed and quality should always be the main focus. Poorly constructed sheds will quickly succumb to the elements, leaving you with little more than a collapsed pile of debris whereas exposed flooring can absorb moisture, creating mold and other issues that might damage the structural integrity of the building. Therefore, one of the most important aspects when wanting to ensure a solid foundation is for the site to be a level surface so the shed is stable and the doors function properly.
Sheds can be built on the following type of foundations: concrete floor, concrete piers, compacted gravel and wood. The basic materials required for a shed foundation are determined by the size and weight of the structure, the location in the yard and the climate, but the best materials that are mainly recommended for any shed’s strong foundation are a combination of concrete piers and lumber.
Choosing the right material
One of the key points for consideration when building a garden shed is the material that you select to use for your garden sheds.
The absolute majority of the garden sheds are wooden. Wood has a unique character that one does not tend to find in any other material and it gives a traditional and rustic vibe while adding value to your home and garden. The most important advantages of wooden sheds are that they are durable, strong, and versatile. The disadvantages are that they might require more maintenance to prevent moisture which can cause the shed to warp and twist.
Plastic sheds have also grown popular these days. They require little to no maintenance and are less expensive. As for every material, there are also some disadvantages of plastic sheds. Although they are great for the rain as they are waterproof, they aren’t windproof and are more likely to get damaged in wind storms.
Metal sheds tend to last the longest as they don’t get affected by the weather changes as easily and require little maintenance. The issue that may arise is that they are prone to rust which doesn’t look great.
Location of the shed
Even though construction tips, costs, and building permit rules are important factors for your shed, what probably matters the most is the location where you place it. Many factors play a role when choosing the location for your shed, so don’t rush into a decision. Remember that it is expensive and troublesome to move a shed, so be sure to plan and analyze the situation carefully in advance.
Since it is a garden shed, you will want it near your garden and within a reasonable distance of a water source. If it will mostly be used for storage so you will likely want the shed placed in a location that’s accessible from the front yard. Think about its purpose before you determine the most convenient location.
Having an attractive shed can increase the value of your home, so don’t be afraid to show it off! Many homeowners want their outdoor building to blend into the surroundings and there are many ideas out there for getting the ultimate oasis.
Insulation
One of the great benefits of having a garden shed is storage. You can store everything from furniture and moving boxes to tools and paint cans. But tools that run on electricity need to be stored safely and at a proper temperature, and you also do not want the paint in the paint cans to freeze during the winter.
In order to prevent mold or rot from occurring, it is of great importance that the insulation is carried out correctly. How you proceed depends on the material used to build the shed. If, for instance, wood is used, then mineral wool or stone wool is preferable. These are good materials that are not too dense but fit well with wooden constructions. In addition, knowledge of wind protection, air gap, diffusion plastic, etc. is needed for the object to function optimally.
Parting thoughts
We can easily say that having a garden shed is an inseparable part of gardening. It prevents hazardous situations from happening by having your yard tools and equipment well-organized, stored, and protected. For the most part, garden sheds are either prefabricated or custom-built and both choices have their own set of pros and cons.
Either way, whatever you end up choosing for yourself, the best advice is to do your research, weigh up your options before starting to build and be sure to make the best use of the available resources. The above-mentioned suggestions are a valuable insight into what you may want to consider before building the quality garden shed of your dreams.