Your house may be running out space to store your tools or perhaps you garage just can’t cut it anymore when it comes to the miniature work you do. Perhaps you are looking into the possibility of adding a shed in your back yard to offer more space to house your garden tools or maybe you just need more space to do that carpentry you like to do or those mini projects you are working on. Whatever the case, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a new shed to add to your back yard that will help you decide what type of shed is best for you.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when shopping for a shed
Purpose
Is your shed purely for minimal garden work or is it a proper workman’s shed? There are two general types of sheds: garden sheds and working sheds. The former is purely for gardening while the latter is used for purposes such as light carpentry or any other handiwork.
If you’re looking for a work shed then you may want to look for a wider (or equivalently larger) shed with additional features such as shelves and skylights (or windows to let in light) to help you achieve the ideal workspace you need. A garden shed may be a smaller but this is also dependent on how many gardening tools you are likely to use.
There are a few things to keep in mind when shed shopping:
Base Preparation
A shed is just like any other building structure and thus requires a suitable base to support it. A flimsy base may lead to damage in your shed’s structure integrity or even worse might actually lead to collapse of the shed (in the case of putting up the smaller variants of sheds).
The worst material you could use for your shed is the natural ground. There are a couple of reasons why this might be disastrous for your shed. Firstly, this type of ground may be quite unreliable in the case of rain. As the soil soaks up the water it forms mud which is structurally easily pliable. This means that your shed (which will obviously contain a few tools here and there and maybe even a lawn mower) will begin to sink into the ground. In the cases of an uneven surface or differing soil structure around your shed, this may mean that your shed may loop to one side or the other. This uneven level in your shed’s base will shift its centre of gravity from the shed’s structural centres and move them slightly to one side, applying more weight on one side of your shed’s structure. This obviously compromises your shed’s structural integrity and will obviously lead to damage (maybe even permanent) in your shed’s structural components.
The best material for your base would be a thick layer of concrete. The concrete has to be layered in a manner that ensures that your shed is upright and centred well. Concrete suffers little damage from rainwater.
Roofing
There are generally 3 types of roofs when it comes to sheds: flat roofgs, gable roofs and skillion roofs. Choosing the type of roofing depends on a mix of circumstance and aesthetic appeal. Flat roofs are just that: flat; these roofs are for the minimalist. Gable roofs are the typical roofs we see; they form a triangle from a longitudinal cross – section of the roof. They are therefore best suited for people looking for functionality over aesthetic appeal. Skillion roofs are highly inclined roofs which are purposed for easy drainage of rainwater. For those people living in places with rain this will probably be what they are looking for. They have a slightly ‘aggressive’ look and add a visually appealing look to your shed. So for those looking for a shed that will just pop out then this might be it.
Doors
Doors may be looked at from two angles: number of doors and hinging. From the former, there are double doors and single doors. The decision in which to pick is really just as question on which type of work you’ll be doing. For those looking for a work shed, double doors may be more relevant since they offer you more room to manoeuvre and offer more flexibility for moving things in and out of the shed. For garden sheds a single door will probably be enough for you. The choice between sliding and hinging is just a matter of choice. None offers a significant additional functional benefit of the other.
There are multiple shed providers on the net in the current digital age. The trick is finding the right one. Be sure to find providers who will cater for the above specifications at a reasonable price.
Read Also:
Father’s Day Project: Install A Garden Shed!
Turn Your Garden Shed Into A Home Office with These Tricks
