Successful Shed Construction-5 Factors to Consider Before You Even Break Ground!
Posted on 28 August 2010
Have you made the decision to construct your own shed rather than purchasing one of the expensive prebuilt ones in the shops? Good idea! You’ll save a ton of money and just envisage how you’ll appreciate having more room to put things in You’ll probably have guessed that there’s several things you’re going to have to take into account before you even lift a hammer.
Here are my top 5 things for brilliant shed construction:
Position of your shed
1. There are a few considerations here like location of a utility line, the direction of sunlight, what angle the roof is at and what design of shed will suit the position you have selected. What sort of climate do you live in? If it gets really boiling you’re going to have to get vents in the roof as heat can harm what’s inside. Cold, snowy weather needs a stronger shed with a roof that slopes. How many doors and windows would you like?
Foundation
2. You will have to have a foundation so that your shed lasts for more than a season or two. A rock-based foundation with concrete poured over it will last for many many years but a good foundation can also just be levelled blocks or a base of gravel too. The ground where the shed is going to be built must be level before laying the foundations.
Shed of your shed
3. What do you need your shed for? Do you want to store your leafblower, edger and lawnmower inside? Be sure that you build a slightly bigger shed than you need to because if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably end up putting more than you thought in it. Measure the area precisely.
Ask permission
4.Check with your local building department to make sure that you have permission to construct on your property. You may need a building permit if you have permanant foundations or your shed is over a certain size. Often neighbourhoods have a set of rules and regulations that you have to obey and there may be certain restrictions on your shed design, color or placement. Ensure that you obey these rules, annoying as though they may be.
5. Buy a Good Set of Shed Construction Plans
The web offers an astonishing selection of shed construction plans you can download for not much money at all. Getting a plan designed by a professional who has planned a structure that is both sound and functional and is engineered to meet local building codes will save you so much time and money in the long run. You’ll get a materials list that you can take along to suppliers to get the best value and buy everything you need there and then. Together with step by step instructions and understandable diagrams, you also get a chart on how to cut your wood and the dimensions of every piece . Ever heard the phrase “measure twice, cut once”? How good will you feel when all the measuring ‘s been done for you?! No worries there!
No responses yet. You could be the first!