Consider These Points in Wood Garden Sheds

It's interesting. When we talk about wood garden sheds compared to other materials, we often note that they require a lot of maintenance, might be prone to leaking, rotting, termites, etc. However, people used to build barns out of wood that didn't leak, rot or get eaten, so clearly it's not always about material. Sometimes it really does come down to craftsmanship.

We had a little wood garden shed on our farm, and several wood outbuildings too for that matter, all of which lasted decades - some of which pre-dated the 1848 farmhouse - with no maintenance. They had achieved that rustic, weathered look that's actually come back in style, and it suited our property well.

Weather or Not

Whether you're planning to treat the wood garden shed you build with stain, paint, varnish, sealant or even oil, you are likely doing so with a specific aesthetic in mind. However, here's a few tips on how to make sure your shed outlasts your lawnmower.

Make sure you pay attention to the floor. Build a solid foundation that will keep the shed from sitting in moisture, provides adequate drainage and ventilation, and is constructed level. Of all of the cheap garden shed options that are available out there, the most important thing to not get skimpy on is the floor.

The roof. Really, these two things seem logical, but probably need to be stressed. You need a good floor and you need a good roof. Preferably one that doesn't leak, won't blow off, won't rust and will help contribute to temperature control. A proper shingle roof is likely best, but a tin or metal roof is also likely to be good if fixed on properly and sealed around the edges and joining pieces.

To Build or To Buy

Sometimes you get what you pay for. Therefore, when you buy kits or pre-made wood garden sheds, make sure to check warranties, customer reviews, ask around, look it up online properly. There are some beautiful kits out there, but if you get one that's shoddily made, you're just going to end up with leaks, misalignments and construction pains.

Building your own garden shed on the other hand can be extremely time consuming, so it's likely that if you're even considering it, you have some grasp of the amount of work it's going to take. Measure twice, cut once. Think about sealing it with something to weather-proof the wood. Consider using cedar, which is naturally resistant to bugs (including spiders!), mildew and rot. It's highly resilient wood, beautiful to build with, and has a gorgeous smell. There's a reason all of the houses on the west coast are made with cedar - durable, beautiful and resilient.

Cost Saving Tips

If you're considering building your own wood garden shed from plans, think about rescuing recycled boards either from an old garden shed, an old barn, or a friends construction project. Recycled materials are obviously more sustainable, better for the Earth, and also usually more affordable. Plus, refurbished sheds and wood items have a un-replicable charm that is very chic right now.

Another thing to consider is recycled windows, doors and roofing materials.

Craigslist and similar sites usually have a bounty of construction items, including mis-sized windows, often very high quality, which are perfect for a DIY project like this, or even a sit-by-and-watch-someone-else-do-it project.





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