Page 1 of How do you build a Garden Shed?

Having seen some of the ridiculous prices asked for even the smallest of sheds, i`ve been looking for plans or instructions to build one. about 8x4 should do me. I work in a builder`s yard, but as we don`t stock them, my staff discount doesn`t make a much of a dent in the £100+ price tag.

However, as we DO stock plenty of featheredge and treated timber, i thoght I`d have a crack myself. It`s just that I can`t seem to spot any `online blueprints` as it were.

Any pointers? (my wife is shaking her head in despair as I type...)

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I ate what?


My Collection

I built a quadrant shaped shed a couple of years back, as it had to fit into a corner on my decking, I wanted it to be different so I had a quarter of a circle and divided it into 8 x 1` sides and two long sides. I built it in sections, 1 "wall" at a time using treated timber 25mm x 50mm and cladded it with feather edge obtained from local sawmill. I actually cut it into 1` lenghts myself! (health and safety????). Walls at the front were lower than those at back to create the roof slope. Cladded roof with feather edge also.

Assembled each wall panel with screws and fixed to the decking, so didn`t need a base.

If you want a simple rectangular shed, then best bet is to go to the DIY store or garden centre and look at the construction. I don`t think that you will be able to buy all the wood/screws/felt, etc and make a shed for less than you pay in the shops. Unless you get all your materials from work cheap ;)

Certainly do. Cost price plus 5%

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I ate what?


My Collection

It might be cheaper in the long run to get a kit from Focus or B&Q. I went into the logistics of doing a bespoke shed a few years back when we built the writing shed. We ended up getting a summerhouse kit from Focus because the timber for a shed needs to be a higher quality than fence panels. Once you factor in roofing felt, the construction of the floor and roof (can`t buy them off the shelf), windows, doors etc. It gets kind of messy and even then we had to get extra tannelised timber for the floor joists because they skimped on the kit.

J Mark Oates

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The twins keep us on Alpha Centaurian time
-- a 37-hour day. Give it a few months --
you`ll get used to it. Or you`ll have a
psychotic episode.

Been there, done that, got the teeshirt

This item was edited on Tuesday, 22nd February 2005, 01:25

nope. I`ve checked. Plus I can get my hand on some scrap timber for free which I could put to some very good use. so I`m guessing the whole shed will end up costing me about £30-40, including screws and slaters felt

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I ate what?


My Collection

Draw yourself a blueprint, measure twice, cut once ;)

J Mark Oates

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The twins keep us on Alpha Centaurian time
-- a 37-hour day. Give it a few months --
you`ll get used to it. Or you`ll have a
psychotic episode.

Been there, done that, got the teeshirt

I built me own shed, and simply copied the design of a friend`s which was the style i was after. In fact, i modified it slightly with regard to the position of the doors and windows which made it more suited to my location than anything off the shelf, plus as you say it was a LOT cheaper.

Basically just make a frame out of 50x50 timber, then clad it in featheredge or shiplap. Make sure you make it in `panels` that should be no bigger that about 6` x 6` . I would HIGHLY recommend using clear plastic for the windows (if you want any) as when the mower sends a stone up through the glass it can be a right pain :/

The design can be as simple or as complicated as you want - just have a go. 8)

Oh - don`t forget to put down a decent concrete base, as this will extend the life of the shed immeasurably.



...look into my eyes

This item was edited on Tuesday, 22nd February 2005, 08:45

Stantz if u work in a builders yard then u must be able to get hold of a chippie who can do this for u. Again, after the price of materials and his costs it might be easier to just get it fron a DIY store.

Pete

If you`ve got the skills and resources to make your own, which it sounds is so, then avoid getting one from a DIY store, they are made quick and cheap to sell at to many eyes low prices. The reality is to expect a lifetime of only about 10 years if lucky.

By making your own you can build to YOUR design, it`s harder work but much more rewarding.

A decent base is essential, at least 6 inches deep of either concrete or paving slaps on a sharp sand & hardcore base - well compacted, deeper if on clay soil.

If you want a hard standing entrance so that you dont drag mud in, then include this when doing your foundation as it will be easier then than adding it later.

Unlike the DIY sheds whose timber has been dip treated, buy pressure treated wood instead and give them a good soaking with a decent clear wood preserver - that aint never gonna rot!

Pay particular attention to the floor bearers, these will be the point of contact with the ground so will be exposed to water and damp more than any other part, and you can never get at them again unless you disassemble the whole shed, so treat them with the aforementioned clear preserver and paint them with a quality water and rot resistant paint.

Also pay attention to any cut ends, make sure these are also well treated.

After that it`s all a matter of measuring twice and cutting. Shiplap gives a neater and stronger finish as each section is "locked" into the other which also eliminates draughts and rain being forced by wind into the inside of your shed, which can happen with featheredge.

Floor and roof bearers should be no more than 16 inches apart.

You could also consider finishing the roof with a bitumen mastic (the cold type can be applied from tin with trowel) onto which you lay a good quality GRP felt.

I built my "shed" (7m x 4m) about 12 years ago now and not a single sign of rot anywhere.

And don`t forget to cost in removing the waste soil, there will be a surprising amount of it.

Good luck

If it ain`t broke hit it harder
Damn Nicotine

I put 5 shelves up straight and was boasting for months and showing them off to everyone...you shed builders have really p1ssed on my chips ;)

Nick