Sheds
Outdoor storage buildings and sheds are available in a variety of sizes, materials, and in ready to assemble, or prefabricated, and pre-built styles. Determining which shed will be best for you will require you to not only understand the purpose of your shed but the various outdoor storage shed features and options as well.
When you set out to build a shed, it is important to not only be aware of your current needs but have also spent some time considering what other uses the shed might serve and assist with in terms of storage and extra space. Many people find themselves in need of a storage shed to accommodate outdoor items such as a lawn mower, patio furniture, and pool supplies. However, sheds can also serve as a very functional and stylish workshop or a combination of both storage and workshop.
A tractor or riding mower can be well protected from environmental elements with an outdoor shed designed to house your landscaping equipment. The addition of optional heavy-duty flooring and ramps will help to properly support tractors, boats and other vehicles. An avid gardener will appreciate a backyard shed that offers enough storage space for supplies and provides an area in which they can begin to start planting bulbs or repot their plants. An optional workbench allows for easy access to garden supplies and a more comfortable potting and transplanting area.
A professional artist or avid hobby enthusiast may find an outdoor storage shed can provide a great space for use as small studio where they can focus on their work. Optional shelving will help to organize and store art supplies. Whatever reason you find yourself in need of an outdoor shed, it is important to know that you can build it yourself with a ready to assemble model with only standard tools and a few handy friends that can help you build your shed.
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Selecting the proper location for your shed is just as important as choosing a shed and will in part be determined by the amount of property you have to build upon and the size of the shed you have selected. Where you intend to place the shed should be decided before you build the shed and should be placed where it will be complimentary to the existing surroundings. The shed should also be placed where it will be convenient for you to access.
In addition to selecting a ground area that is flat and not prone to flooding, you should try to avoid placing your shed in the middle of a high-traffic area or in a place where children might play. You will also want to allow enough room around the shed to load and unload any equipment you will be storing inside. If you are using your storage shed to house a riding mower, it is essential to remember that you will need enough room to maneuver and park the mower. You may need ramps to facilitate the entry and exit of a motorized or moving vehicle such as a mower or tractor, so be sure to consider storage space for the ramps in the shed, as well as adequate room outside the shed to lay out the ramps and move forward without obstruction.
Pre-fabricated or ready to assemble outdoor sheds are available in many attractive styles that enable you to build your shed to match your house. Between proper ground placement and coordinating shed construction materials, your shed should subtly blend into the existing landscape.
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Determining the appropriate size shed for your needs will require you to know the current purpose of your shed and any potentially useful future needs. If the primary purpose for your shed is storage of outdoor items such as barbeque grills, mowers, tractors, outdoor toys or patio furniture, knowing the sizes of these items and the amount of space needed to house the items will give you a good guideline as to the size you might require. You will have to keep in mind that you will need extra space to maneuver about, remove or rearrange the items as needed.
The avid gardener that will be using the shed to pot bulbs or plants will need to build a shed with enough room for you to move around comfortably and plenty of storage space for plants and garden supplies.
To use the shed as a workshop or studio, you will want to make sure that the ceiling height allows you to stand up straight inside and that work surfaces are of an appropriate working height. Most people find additional uses for their shed once it's installed. Try to be certain to consider all your storage needs-both now and in the future. Your shed should provide the space you need now, and be large enough that you won't find yourself wishing your building were larger a few years from now.
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To build a shed that matches your house and blends well with the existing environment, you need not be a professional shed builder. Ready to assemble outdoor sheds are available in your choice of materials and finishes so that you will not only construct a shed that will be functional and useful, but you will also be the builder of an attractive and complimentary addition to the landscape.
A barn style shed in complimentary or accent colors will blend well on a larger piece of a property with the main house design being that of a renovated farm house, cottage or a traditional colonial style home.
The most popular shed construction materials include vinyl, wood and metal and each of these materials will provide shelter, though some may be better suited for a particular environment. For example, vinyl siding provides for a high quality fade resistant finish that will not be adversely affected by the chipping and rusting associated with metal in a more humid or damp climate.
The style should also be suitable for the purpose of the shed. For example, if you are storing taller items or you will need ample of headroom, choose a shed with tall side walls or a barn-style roof. For lots of flat storage space, you might want to have your new building installed with a loft. Complimentary siding, roofing and shutters can help your shed to look like a portion of your yard, as opposed to an obstacle placed in your yard.
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The roof of your shed is a direct reflection of your style and the functionality of the shed. Personal style is reflected through the color and texture of the shingles and the functionality will be determined by the type of roofing material.
To build your shed so that it matches your particular house or neighborhood, selecting a storage shed with a peaked or gabled roof will help it to blend well in most neighborhoods. Matching the color of the shingles to those on your existing home is usually the best way to build a complimentary shed, while the color of the siding and trim can be matching or contrasting. Many people find that they are most pleased with a shed that matches the exterior of their existing home including the base color and trim.
Shingles will protect the shed construction and are available with different warranties. A 20 year or more warranty will ensure that the roof of your shed will withstand years of environmental protection and beautiful durability. In addition to color coordinated shingles, a gambrel, or barn-style, roof provides extra headroom and ample storage space for tall items. This style will also typically permit for installation of a loft for additional storage space. Some prefabricated sheds also have optionally available decorative kits that add personality and style to your roof such as reverse gables or cupolas.
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Before you begin to build your shed, you should check the building and zoning laws in your area. Some areas require that you obtain a permit before the construction of any type of structure begins in your yard, even a shed. The municipalities' laws may govern the placement of the shed or the type of materials used to build your shed.
A smooth level surface provides a good area in which to build and place a new shed. You can place the shed directly onto grass or dirt, but this can make your shed susceptible to insects and rot. A good foundation will help to ensure that the floor and the shed itself require little to no future maintenance and will provide a neater visual appearance. Some of the various materials you can use to build the foundation for your shed include concrete, patio stones, gravel, cinder blocks or wood.
A wood foundation needs to be constructed of pressure treated wood to extend the life and durability of the foundation. There are also floor frame accessory kits or foundation kits available for some wooden prefabricated shed models that feature self squaring and make the job of constructing your shed foundation even easier.
Gravel, patio blocks and cinder blocks will all help to alleviate any drainage concerns and also provide for a good foundation for your shed.
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When you are selecting your shed and its various features, be sure to consider the part windows will or will not play in the construction of your shed. Should you decide that you need or want windows to be a part of the shed you build, you want to be sure to balance visual appeal with the intended function of your building. Windows add aesthetic interest and make your building more attractive, especially if you add flower boxes or shutters.
Windows increase the flow of natural light and ventilation, which are important features if you will be doing gardening work or participating in a variety of other creative endeavors. An adequate amount of natural light eliminates the need for additional electrical lighting during daylight hours. Natural light has also often been thought of as the best light source for many artistic undertakings. When positioning your shed, try to place the structure so that the window is towards the sun most of the day to get the most hours of exposure to natural light.
Flower boxes are not difficult to add to your shed window and can make a beautiful and dramatic difference in the appearance of your shed. Flower boxes are available in a variety of sizes and materials. Some have the elegant look of cast iron but are created of a cast aluminum or poly resin material making the lightweight, durable and attractive. Flower boxes can accommodate plants and flowers that are already potted as well as those that are planted in soil that is placed directly in to the window box.
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Although a typical storage shed might not house the most important items you own, chances are you do not want any of your belongings removed without your permission. Similar to locking your home at night to ensure the safety and security of the occupants and your belongings, your shed should also serve as a structure that keeps the contents secure and safe and out of the wrong hands.
A variety of lock options are available to secure your shed. A relatively inexpensive padlock will typically provide enough security for your shed. These are available as combination locks or with a key to provide entry. Locking your shed will help to ensure that valuable lawn and garden equipment that is stored inside the shed and out of the sight of mischievous minds will remain that way. Storing fertilizer, oil, tools, power equipment and similar items inside your shed keeps them safely away from children and pets.
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Making your shed uniquely yours is easy with various options, accessories and kits. Some of the options available may increase the level of functionality; others may simply enhance the visual appeal of your shed. To fully compliment the purpose of your shed, you might want to consider additional shelving or a loft for more storage space and to aid in organization. A loft provides a second level of storage for thinner, lighter weight items that may not be used frequently but that you would like to keep within reach. Shelving kits and tool hanging racks are available to help keep your belongings in order. Additional shelving can be a wonderful addition and will accommodate any items you might need to access frequently and would like to keep organized.
Some decorative touches you may want to add to your shed include skylights, flower boxes and shutters. Shutters can quickly add visual appeal to your shed, especially when they match the color of the shutters on your home. Flowers add beauty wherever they might be, and flower boxes are an inexpensive way to add a personalized and decorative touch to your storage shed. A skylight is a little more of a construction undertaking than a flower box, but is well worth it for the amount of natural light that will flow through to the inside of your shed.
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