A backyard shed can be an appealing spring option
Whether building or buying, a little time invested in planning and research can pay off in getting the shed you need and want while enhancing the value and beauty of your property.
As we look at the lawn mowers, leaf and snow blowers, fertilizer spreaders, and numerous other tools taking up space in the garage, a backyard storage shed can become an appealing option. They also can dress up a property while creating space for actually parking a car in shelter. But before buying such a shed, there are several considerations that must be taken into account.
A shed should be sited on level, well-drained ground in an accessible yet independent location. Considerations should be made for what will be stored in the shed. Will a riding mower require ramp access? Will the walls be used to hang tools and equipment? Are there fences or other obstructions to delivery of a ready-built shed?
It also is important to check with local permit requirements and size limitations. Many areas restrict the total land area that can be covered by structures, and some may not require permits for sheds under a certain square footage in size. You also will need to consider whether your shed will be supplied with electricity and how much power will be required before drafting a wiring plan.
Should one buy a premade storage building or take on building from scratch? While there are advantages to each plan of action, there also are factors that can make both unappealing. Building your own shed as a DIY project allows for choosing a plan that exactly suits your needs.
If you are capable of creating your own drawings, this can be a quite specific answer to your own requirements. Be aware building even a small structure requires some knowledge of construction techniques, materials needed, and the ability to read and follow blueprints. A scratch-built shed, depending on the design and materials, can often be created at a slightly lower cost than one delivered by a manufacturer.
The out-of-pocket savings will be more than offset by the amount of time invested in the project, however. Whether a homeowner is capable and willing to invest many hours of labor, hand blisters and smashed thumbs in unpredictable weather is an individual choice. One also must be prepared to see the project through to completion, as a half-finished building project will not only eat yard space without benefit, but also become a constant reminder of failure.
A manufactured, delivered shed limits design choices and requires care in ensuring the use of quality materials.
Whether building or buying, construction materials will play a key role in the durability and longevity of any shed, and choosing high-quality materials can make a large difference. Metal sheds perched from a big box supplier can be quite inexpensive but tend to rust over time and are generally quite small. Aluminum sheds defeat the problem of rust, but metal sheds in general tend to be aesthetically unappealing and lack interior features allowing for greater storage options.
Sheds made with floors and walls of oriented strand board may be cheaper to purchase initially but will often succumb to moisture exposure rather quickly, creating unsightly warping, especially at corners and seams. Pressure treated plywood, while pricier, tends to be a better, more long-lasting choice. Such plywood also can offer resistance to insect damage.
Inside, solidly built walls of 2-by-4 lumber spaced at 16-inch intervals and covered by pressure treated plywood will offer a lifetime of use. Unless your shed will see very light duty and reliably mild weather, you may wish to avoid walls of 2-by-3 studs and OSB walls, often seen in bargain-priced sheds.
Roof rafters and sheathing should carry through with the same specifications as floors, walls and exterior sheathing with 2-by-4 lumber and pressure treated plywood. The same goes for any interior shelving or storage supports. Roof shingles should be of the same quality one would employ on the roof of a house, offering many years of protection. Many of us have seen backyard sheds with warped, cupping shingles, indicating a damp interior and poor protection for anything stored within.
In all these instances, there are opportunities to save money initially with lower grade construction but a high cost in future seasons as shelving buckles and fails, moisture wreaks havoc on stored tools, and equipment and mold inevitably set in.
In addition to specifying high-quality materials, reputable manufacturers will provide a shed you can be sure has been constructed properly. They also can advise on site selection and preparation.
Also important are aesthetics. Sheds can be built or purchased with elaborate windows and shutters, flower boxes, porches, and lighting. They also can closely match the design of the main house.
Whether building or buying, a little time invested in planning and research can pay off in getting the shed you need and want while enhancing the value and beauty of your property.