Advice for building a garden shed

A garden shed, regardless of whether it is in wood, PVC or metal, is a place that can be used to serve several purposes. It will serve as a shelter for plants during the winter season. It will also house garden furniture or tools. In addition, we can build a barbecue nearby to gather the family in the garden during summer. All you need is to follow a few rules, and have quality materials to build and maintain it.

When it comes to building a garden shed, every step is important. It is therefore necessary to properly apply the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid having your shelter collapse.

Administrative formalities

You are determined to build a shelter in your garden. Do not start work without first obtaining a building permit. Indeed, administrative formalities should be the first order of business and depend on the surface of the shelter you want to build. Thus, if the surface of the future shelter is more than 20 square meters, you will need to obtain, after submitting your application, a building permit from the competent authorities. By cons, if the surface is less than 20 square meters, you will simply need to notify the city hall of your place of residence. To be sure, check this with local authorities, as regulations are subject to change. Once this is complete, make sure that the location where the garden shed will be built consists of dry and flat land. This prevents flooding and allows the shelter to be stabilized.

The choice of building materials

The materials typically used to build a garden shed are wood, PVC or metal. PVC and metal are easy to install and require little maintenance. They are resistant to moisture and weathering. They are inexpensive and are sold in specialized garden stores, which even provide garden sheds ready for assembly. However, it is easy to see that a PVC or galvanized metal shed does not blend well in a garden’s setting. Nonetheless, they can be useful for storing tools, garden equipment, bikes, a lawn mower, or even plants in the winter. A wooden shed, which resembles a chalet, is a better fit for a garden. Several species of wood are used for building garden sheds. While some recommend marine wood, others prefer wood from the family of conifers (larch, cedar, juniper, cypress, etc.). which are widely used as timber and in carpentry. Sheds built with Norway spruce, a dense and moisture-resistant wood, can be treated, varnished or painted. Spruce, pine and cedar are among the species used for building garden sheds. Often found sculpturally pruned in gardens, these resinous woods are suitable for building garden sheds.

How to build a garden shed?

Prior to the building phase, make a list of some essential equipment that is required: a stool to mount the roof, a rope, a hammer, a screwdriver, a drill, a spade, a shovel, a meter, a saw, a bubble level, screws and a screwdriver. Concerning safety, get help from another person to lift the panels and other elements needed to build the roof. Get a helmet, gloves and goggles to protect yourself in case an accident occurs. Know that the surface of you garden shed should be square or rectangular. If your shed has an area greater than 24 yd² (20 m²), opt for a concrete foundation. Otherwise, concrete blocks placed at the corners should be sufficient to give it stability. If you are not handy, you can seek help from a mason. Regarding the frame, link the posts together by the beams and secure them with screws. Make sure the posts are upright. As for the roof, attach it to the rafters with screws. Placed 20 inches (50 cm) apart, rafters ensure the shed’s rigidity. Using the spirit level, check the plumb of the posts. As for the doors, insert them in the frame’s split hinges.

How to maintain it?

Maintain the wood’s outside surface with a woodstain. Also, plane the outer surface of the framing to give it an aesthetic appearance. To protect the wood, use layers of micro porous paint mixed with regular paint. The same will apply for cleaning the roof and foundations. Metal sheds must be protected against rust and corrosion if they are not electro-galvanized steel. This can be done by covering them with zinc. It is this type of maintenance that guarantees practical and safe solutions to ensure the stability and longevity of your shed.

Published in Garden sheds by Alexander on 03 Aug 2011

Building a garden shed