An Information Guide on Garden Sheds
If you’re interested in learning about garden sheds, then keep on reading because this informative guide will teach you all that you need to know about them. In fact, this is more than just a guide. It is a tool that you can use to make your garden shed goals come true.
Please Note: This information guide is meant to provide general information about garden sheds. The results that you experience from applying this information to your own situation might vary, according to the circumstances that are present. This includes the complexity as well as the size of the shed. If you choose to follow the advice stated in this guide, then you agree to accept all the risks associated with it. In addition, you acknowledge that the manufacturer’s warranty of your garden shed might be deemed invalid if you follow this guide’s advice. For this reason, you should always consult with the manufacturer prior to starting.
What exactly is a shed?
Some homes have a small one-story structure in their backyard that is called a shed. These structures come in all different sizes, shapes, designs, and styles. Some sheds are constructed out of metal while others are constructed out of wood. You may even find shingled roofs on the wooden ones too. People build sheds to accommodate their lifestyle and/or their beautiful garden. The three common materials used to build garden sheds are plastic, metal, and wood.
Sheds can be used for all sorts of purposes. For instance, most people that want to build a garden shed will think about constructing a wooden shed. Nowadays, there is more popularity surrounding plastic sheds and metal sheds for gardens instead.
A Rundown of Each Garden Shed Type
Metal Sheds – There is no better shed material than metal. Thanks to its galvanized steel, it is an extremely durable material. People like to use metal sheds for storage purposes because of this material’s superior strength. Of course, it is one of the least attractive looking sheds in comparison to wooden sheds. But if you want a shed that is fire resistant and rot resistant, then only metal sheds will give you this ability. On top of all this, metal sheds weigh less than wooden sheds. This makes them easier to move around or relocate.
Plastic Sheds – If you care about affordability the most, then you will want a plastic shed. Not only will you save money on the purchase price, but you won’t need to do much maintenance either. Plastic sheds are both lightweight and durable too. If you need to move your shed to a different position in your garden, it will be easy to do that with this shed. Also, look for the kind of plastic shed that offers protection from the sun’s UV rays. Otherwise, the sun could fade the plastic if it doesn’t have UV resistance. Overall, a plastic shed makes a great storage unit for your personal items or gardening items.
Wooden Sheds – If you care about adding style and beauty to your garden, there is no better choice than a wooden shed. However, wooden sheds require a lot of treatment because their wooden material is susceptible to mildew, rot, and rust. There are wood preservatives or treatments that you can apply to the wood of your shed after you set it up. On the upside, it is easy to customize a wooden shed and paint it whatever color that you want.
The Purpose of Garden Sheds
You can use garden sheds in more ways than one. Traditionally, they are used to store tools, equipment and other items that are associated with gardening. If you regularly work on your garden, you will appreciate have a shed nearby which houses all your gardening equipment and tools. After you build the shed, you can install plastic boxes and shelves in it to make your storage space more organized. Furthermore, it will clear up the clutter in your house because you won’t need to store your gardening items there anymore.
If you have any type of outdoor furniture that you need to protect during bad weather, a garden shed is a great storage unit for this very purpose. When you hear news about a storm approaching, there is not much time to act. A lot of people panic about what they’re going to do with their garden furniture, especially its vulnerable cushions. With a garden shed nearby, it won’t take you long to safely store these cushions away from the danger that is approaching.
You don’t need to restrict yourself by only storing gardening items in your garden shed. Here are some other ways you can use them:
Storing Bikes – Do you have a lot of bikes? Your garden shed can be used to store and shelter them. You can build a small wooden shed to store your garden bikes. This will still leave a lot of space available in your garden. Meanwhile, your bikes will be protected from bad weather or theft.
You can choose to have windows in your garden shed so that you can easily check on your bikes to make sure they are still there. If you prefer windowless, that is available as well. Depending on the number of bikes you’ll want to store, you can choose a shed size that can accommodate all of them.
Garden Home Gym – If you’re looking for a truly alternative way to use your shed, then turn it into your own home gym. This is a great way to work out at home so that you don’t need to drive to a gym and waste money on membership fees and gas.
A lot of people neglect their daily exercise because they are too tired to go to the gym after they get home from work. When you have a home gym, working out is a lot more convenient. All you need to do is go in your backyard and then you’re at the gym. As a result, you have more of an incentive to work out.
Home Office – Do you want a home office away from your actual home? Turning a garden shed in your backyard into a private home office can have many advantages. Mainly, it will give you the peace and serenity you need to study or get work done.
It is quite simple to create a workspace in your garden shed. There are only a few steps that you need to follow. Once you create the necessary space, just add all the items that a home office needs, such as a chair, computer desk, computer, and wi-fi internet connection.
Garden office sheds are perfect for people who work from home or love to take their work home with them. You can save a lot of money by working from home because it means you won’t need to waste gas money by driving somewhere else to work every day. The only expense you’ll need to worry about are the upfront costs associated with setting up this garden office shed.
Workshop – If you do a lot of hands-on work with tools and so forth, then a garden workshop shed might be more appropriate for you. This is a good alternative to a home office because a workshop will have a tool rack and workbench for you to work on various do-it-yourself projects. These can be projects associated with hobbies or home renovations.
If you have children in your home, a workshop in your garden shed is even more essential. The shed allows you to hide dangerous tools from your children. All you need to do is securely lock your shed to keep them from entering it.
Spa – Spas are a great way to relax after a hard day’s work. If you often have trouble relaxing for whatever reason, a garden home spa in your backyard will do the trick. You can easily construct a spa in your garden shed too. Add whatever else will make your spa shed more relaxing, such as music, houseplants, photographs, and so on.
Bar – A bar shed is a great asset to have when hosting a garden party in your backyard. Invite friends and family members over for a cocktail and/or to celebrate a special occasion. Show off your bartending skills in the process.
Since this is your own private bar, you can include all your favorite drinks and hang up your favorite memorabilia on the walls.
If you plan to serve alcohol at this bar, especially to other people, then you need to conduct research first. It is very possible that you’ll need to obtain a liquor license to do this.
Plant Storage – When wintertime comes, you may have certain plants that you’ll want to protect from the dreadful cold temperatures and snowy weather conditions. A garden shed makes a great storage unit for these plants during the winter. If you want to ensure your plants stay warm, include a lighting source or heater in the shed.
Maintenance Tips for Garden Sheds
If you decide to build a garden shed, you need to inspect it on a regular basis. Do not just leave it alone for long periods of time because it might deteriorate and form small holes in it. If rainwater were to get into your shed through these holes, it will cause the interior to become damp. Then you can expect mold and mildew to follow.
Cleaning the shed is a great incentive to inspect it too. While you’re cleaning, it will be easy to notice issues that are wrong with the shed. Try to clean your shed a minimum of one-time per year.
In addition, it is a good idea to insulate your shed. This will trap all the warm air inside and keep it comfortable for you and anyone else who is in there. There are a lot of options for installing the insulation. You can use materials like fiberglass, bubble wrap, or rockwool just to name a few. Each material has their own good and bad qualities to them.
Once you have selected the material to use for the insulation, you need to plan for the installation. For starters, apply an anti-fungal treatment to the walls if you have a wooden shed. This will help prevent mold problems inside. You must apply the treatment before installing the insulation.
Next, you’ll need to take measurements of the walls inside the shed. That way, you’ll know the size of the insulation that you need to cut for accommodating the walls. A panel can be used as a template to help you with the windows.
As for floor insulation, put a water-resistant membrane down first. Then take a rolled carpet and spread it out over the membrane. This will prevent up to 40% of the heat inside the shed from being lost through the floor. If you don’t use a membrane on the floor, then you will need to check the flooring underneath the carpet on a regular basis because there is an increased chance of wood rot and dampness.
Are These DIY Garden Sheds?
Yes, you can build these garden sheds yourself. There are plenty of video tutorials online that can walk you through the steps involved.
Some sheds are more complicated to build than others, depending on the size you’re going for and the materials involved. The available timber will be what you’ll need to locate first. Of course, you might want to use metal or plastic material instead. It all depends on what your purpose is for using the shed. Do you simply want a cheap shed for storing garden items or do you want a big shed for your own private workshop? Once you know the answer, you’ll be able to shop for the right garden shed.