Shed plans are a great outdoor storage solution. There always comes a point when you have run out of storage room. The garage is too full, you have expensive gardening equipment you need to keep securely or your yard has become a cluttered mess. What is the answer to all this? A garden shed is the key to your outdoor storage solution. A garden storage shed will allow you to keep your garden clear of clutter, you can safely store any expensive garden equipment inside where it is safe and secure or out of the harsh outdoor elements. An garden shed can add character to your home as it compliments your garden and if you ever sell it can also add some value.
A number of options exist with respect to your garden shed. A choice must be made about what type of material you will be using for your shed. The standard choices are metal, wood or plastic. Each of these has pluses and minuses with respect to their use. Another consideration is the location of where you will be putting your shed. Once these decisions have been finalized, the next important question is will you build your shed from shed plans yourself? Among other things to think about are the benefits from a prefabricated kit, and also the different choices of foundations will be discussed later in this article.
Building your own shed from shed plans is a great idea. A few points to consider before deciding. Establish how much time you have to dedicate to the building of the shed. And decide before hand how much of the shed building are you willing to do – all of it or just a little. If you have some good carpentry skills and want some fun then go for it. You will end up saving lots of money and forever the garden shed will show off your handy work. You will also have ultimate flexibility to change and alter the plans to suit your exact needs.
One option often discussed with shed is the choice of a prefabricated kit. If this is your choice it means that you will not be required to buy any extra materials and there is a large decrease in planning as most everything is already given to you. This can be an excellent option for those short on time and in need of a shed quick smart. It will cut away the decisions of material and foundation type, wall structure and roof as these are usually predetermined. The freedom of choosing material will also be lost as the kits come with generic material already included. The price can cost a little but the payoff is that your carpentry skills don’t need to be red hot.
Another choice that will arise with your shed plans is the choice of foundation. Usually there are three types of foundations. The most simple type will be nailed floor joints to a skid foundation that is on top of a small bed of gravel. This is probably the most common way. Another method is the use of a concrete pad, which can be great for larger sheds that may potentially use heavy loads on the floors. If you have a slope or soil that could be subject to movement you will want the option of a concrete pier that supports an elevated wooden floor.
The above points should serve as a good starting place to start your shed plans building and in no time you will be on your way to having a great outdoor shed.
For more hints and tips on garden storage , visit author Hamish Murphy’s website which is packed with shed plans and other garden storage options.
