A Guide To Building Your Garden Shed

A shed can be a married man's haven, his fortress of solitude, a place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, but to most it's just somewhere you put the lawnmower. If you're going to build one you can buy one pre-built but where's the fun in that? Besides if you can't build one then you don't deserve it in the first place!

Firstly you will need to decide where it will go, its best not to stuff it up against the hedge but don't be stupid and put it in the middle of your garden. Mark out an area on the ground a little larger than base of the shed. Although you won't need to build foundations, a hard standing is essential to keep the shed sturdy. Begin by stripping the topsoil of your marked area and pour a couple of inches of sand which will compress over time. Then place a series of paving slabs onto the area, hammer them down with a rubber mallet and use a spirit level to make sure they are level.

You can design one yourself as long as you know what you're doing, it can be as big or as small as you want but remember that larger structures need more support. Build each panel with a diagonal support beam for strength and to avoid twisting and warping.

Your base can be made up of flat planks but to protect it from dampness you should apply an additional coat of wood preservative. Position the base centrally on the hard standing and consider the location of the door.

You might need a hand erecting the first wall, unless you can find something to balance it against, then nail the bottom of the wall to the floor and position the adjacent wall and securely join the corners.

When you design your roof remember that it will drain water so do not position the lowest point above the door unless you want a nice shower when you enter. You will need to waterproof your roof which is usually achieved by using felt; this can be securely fastened to the roof of the shed but will need replacing every few years.

Treat all the woods so it will cope with weather and moisture and if you like, paint it, many paints come with treatments already mixed in. Finally, watertight your shed with silicone paste around all the internal joints.

The finishing touch is a sturdy door that won't be blown open with the wind and is secure. If you are feeling flush you may want to include windows on your shed but these aren't vital. Now just enjoy it, use it to escape life and all its troubles or, like most people, just put the lawnmower in there.

You can get your materials for a shed from any decent hardwood suppliers and there is a variety of hardwood and softwood timber you can use.

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