There are many different types of garden shed designs out there to choose from and for the beginner this variety can be a little bit overwhelming. Wooden garden sheds are a popular choice with many individuals because they look good and add that perfect little bit of aesthetic touch to a garden or outdoor area. However even if you have really good plans and some experienced friends to help you out, there are a few specific things you will want to consider before jumping into any do it yourself wooden garden shed project.
Choose your wood carefully
Choosing the wood is not just about aesthetics (although different types of timber can vary greatly from one another) but also about what will hold up in the environment. For example, pine will often be one of the most inexpensive choices, but pine is also a weaker wood that is not known for holding up very well to the elements or major use. Cedar can work well as long as it is not set in the ground. Oak is a classic choice, but it’s not the only one that can work. Make sure to do your research so you don’t build a great shed with inferior products.
Build with termites in mind
Too often people don’t think about termites until it’s too late. One of the most common ways that termite infection occurs is because the wood is set in the ground, making it easy for the insects to find and burrow into the wood without any resistance. A second preventive step is to make sure any wood pile or mulch pile is not stored near the shed. To eliminate moisture, many people will remove the grass at the foundation and lay concrete or even remove the grass for gravel, which is not as encouraging an environment. Finally, if you’re investing a lot into building the perfect wood garden shed then consider getting professional treatment upon completion as an extra little bit of insurance.
Think about the finish
There are several reasons to think about how you’re going to deal with a finish. Is the wood fine as is? Are you going to add stain at the end, or a finish which is going to change the overall appearance of the wood by making it darker? These are important questions to ask since they will affect the final product. Most people in normal climates will want to finish the wood shed with at least one coat of water seal of some type. Paint is also another option in some circumstances, but once again this comes down to personal preference and maybe even the materials used.
Plan the space
This sounds like a pretty basic step, but you might be surprised how often it is overlooked. Many first time or even experienced do it yourself handymen make the mistake of finding excellent plans but then they make the mistake of building the shed without thinking about whether or not the plan calls for enough space for their specific needs. For some people a shed that measures 6 x 6 x 8 feet might be more than enough space, while for someone in the country with a huge number of items needing storage might want something quite a bit bigger. Not having an estimate of the space you want or need ahead of time is a major rookie mistake.
Planning for a wood garden shed, in conclusion
These four considerations shouldn’t be considered an all inclusive list of what needs to be done before building a garden shed, but by focusing on these issues early on you definitely increase your chances of being very happy with the final product.
