So, please, take a look around and be sure to come back as we are always adding and growing this site with more information, tips and products.

Simple, attractive modern style gives this shed a one-of-a-kind look.

You can choose to build one from scratch yourself with one of the many plans available online or you can purchase a pre-cut shed kit. And, if a DIY project is not for you, you could always hire a professional contractor to do the work for you. In most cases, a combination of the two is the best option. You may have the skills to put the structure together but pouring the foundation may require professional help. Only you can decide what is best for your project. Sure, hiring a professional may be easier and less time consuming but the money you save and the satisfaction of building a shed yourself should not be taken lightly. Either way, building a wooden shed for your back yard is sure to be worth the investment.

While the main focus of this web site are wooden sheds, its important to mention that there are other building material options out there. The most common materials are plastic (polyethylene), vinyl (PVC), metal (galvanized steel), wood (plywood or pressed board) and cedar, which is the best type of wood to use for wooden sheds not only because of its beauty and familiar aroma, but also because of its natural resistance to rot and insects. Be sure to thoroughly research all your options before making your final selection.

One other thing, going the cheapest route may actually cost you more in the long run. Plastic storage sheds may be nice when you first get them but heat can warp them beyond repair, which leaves you to spending more money on a shed you should have built in the first place. Thin metal sheds look great when they are first built, but if you accidentally bang something into it too many times it becomes an eyesore. A wooden shed offers the best value for its cost, durability and overall beauty.

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Size

You should start by accessing your storage needs. A small wooden shed isn’t going to work well for you if you fill it completely full just so you can make room for the car to fit into the garage. Try to buy a wooden shed kit that will be large enough to grow into. The amount of space your shed will take up out of your property is also an important consideration.

Location

If your shed kit is strictly for storage, as opposed to a work shed, pool cabana, playhouse, etc., then you should probably locate your shed in a place that isn’t too visible from your porch or deck. Usually, storage sheds aren’t overly attractive as they are made for the specific purpose of storing items in and keeping unwanted intruders out. For the most part, they don’t have any windows or fancy trim.

On the other hand, if your wooden shed is to be used for another purpose, such as a garden shed, then you won’t want to hide it off to the side of your house. It should be located near the garden and have an attractive appearance.

Base

Another consideration will be what type of base your shed will sit on. Typically, this would be a wooden frame that you can purchase separately from the main shed kit or build yourself from scratch. The advantages of a wooden frame base are the ease of building, cost and flexibility. Wooden bases can be used as a skid to make relocation of your shed possible without having to tear it down.

The other alternative is to pour a concrete slab for the base of your wooden shed. This is a great option if you know the location of your shed is permanent.

If you have a few basic construction skills, about one weekend of time and the desire to have an attractive wooden shed in your own backyard, then a wooden shed kit is the perfect solution for you.

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Start by assessing how you will want (or need) to use your shed. A couple of possibilities include storage or even your own mini retreat in your backyard. The size of your wooden shed is also an important consideration that you should keep in mind. It’s a lot easier to determine your shed’s size once you know its purpose.

Now is a good time to start your online research, and a great place to start is by searching for images of wooden sheds. There are hundreds of photos online that will give you a good idea of what other people have built. Once you have a few of your favorite shed photos selected, you can now search for downloadable shed plans. Some you can find free of charge but most will cost you $5.00US (which really isn’t that much).

For a really inexpensive option for wood, used wooden pallets work great. Some very creative shed enthusiasts have actually built complete wooden sheds just from the boards of old pallets. Look for companies that throw them away on a regular basis. If you ask, they will probably let you have them free (if you don’t go overboard). If you don’t feel comfortable asking or you just can’t find a company that is throwing them away, you can always purchase them. The cost runs around four US dollars per pallet.

You will have to be a little creative yourself if you build a shed from pallet boards since there are no existing plans available. It is very possible that the only items you may have to purchase are the hardware and materials for the roof.

It can really pay off to be resourceful. A “new” wooden shed is just a weekend away.

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Strength and Reliability

Although they are both durable and reliable, plastic and metal sheds do have their weaknesses. In warmer climates, metal sheds can get blistering hot. And, plastic (or vinyl) can be damaged over time if exposed to extreme heat. If wood is treated, wooden sheds can last for years even if overexposed to heat and sunlight. A real plus for all three types of materials is that they can all be painted to add protection.

Imagine how unsightly your shed would look with a few good sized dents in it. This is exactly what can happen to your shed if it is made from metal. Wooden sheds, on the other hand, are pretty easy to repair if they are nicked by filling in the hole with wood filler and simply painting or staining over it. Wooden sheds can also handle extreme weather conditions quite nicely since they are framed very much the same way that houses are.

Wood Gives You Options

It can definitely be overwhelming when you start to shop for sheds simply because there are so many choices. All of these shed types – whether they are metal, plastic or wood, come in many different styles and sizes. Perhaps the biggest advantage of using wood over the other two materials is that you are able to construct a custom shed from scratch.

There are hundreds of shed plans online that you can purchase and download for minimal cost. This is a great starting point for those who have some basic carpentry skills. You can even alter your plans to fit your particular needs. For instance, if you need to fit a riding mower and a snow mobile in your shed and you need to add extra room to accommodate both of them, simply add on the extra space while your building.

Appearance

The overall appearance of a wooden shed can’t be touched in comparison to plastic or metal. Take advantage of the wood’s natural beauty (especially cedar) by simply sealing the wood with a high quality water sealant or stain. Place your garden shed in a place where you can easily see it from your house. Metal and plastic sheds are better placed farther from view are even off to the side of the house.

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You probably prefer to build from scratch if you have not only the carpentry skills, but also the tools and time it takes (though relatively small) to build a wooden shed. The time it takes involves the planning and the execution of the project. An important first step is finding a good set of shed plans. Since you can find so many wooden shed plans online, you should be careful in making your selection. The shed plans you select should include plenty of illustrations or photos and clearly written instructions. A materials list is important as well since you will need this when going to the supply store to purchase all the materials.

With a good set of plans in your hands, the proper tools, and basic carpentry skills, you should be able to easily build a shed in a matter of only a couple of days. If you decide you want to build your wooden shed on a concrete foundation instead of a wooden “skid”, you should allow extra time and labor. You may even wish to hire a professional do this part of the job.

Not confident in your carpentry skills? Then a wooden shed kit has a lot of advantages over building from scratch. For most shed kits, all the pieces are already cut so the only thing you have to do is the assembly. Some kits even come with the walls already framed so assembly is easy and quick. So really, waiting for the kit to arrive is likely to be the most time you will spend on this project.

Since you may not have to buy or rent all the tools you need for building a wooden shed kit, you can also save some money.

As you can tell, either building from scratch or from a kit has its advantages and disadvantages. But, once its built, you will soon realize the potential this structure has.

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If you decide you aren’t ready to build a wooden shed from scratch, then you should consider purchasing a wooden shed kit. They take a lot less time to build (once its delivered) and they require less carpentry skills which makes this the perfect way to go as a first-time woodworking project.

Wooden sheds are best placed in plain view from your windows because you will want to take advantage of their natural beauty. The foundation should be flat but slightly sloped back towards the rear of the shed for proper water drainage.

Once you’ve found the best location for your shed and properly prepped the site, simply stake out where the four corners of the shed will go and tie strings between the stakes. Make sure to use a level along the strings. For this, you can purchase a very inexpensive level that has a hooked wire that you attach to the strings.

The best permanent solution for a foundation is to pour a concrete slab. But, if you decide to build your shed on a wood foundation or “skid” you’ll have the advantage of being able to move your wooden shed since its not permanently set in one place. The boards act similar to the way the rails of a sled slide across snow.

The best material to build your wooden shed is arguably cedar. Cedar is a hardwood that has natural rot resistant and insect repellent characteristics.

You’ll want your shed to last a lifetime – and it should! Make sure you use quality materials and keep them protected from the elements with a good water sealant. With proper care and upkeep, your shed will bring you years of enjoyment.

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Roof made from attractive cedar shingles.

Durability and Stability
This hardwood is well known for its strength and durability and, because of this, it has been used for centuries by Native Americans to build roofs, canoes, and a wide variety of other uses. Today, its commonly used for outdoor furniture, exterior siding, decks, doors, beams, etc. Cedar is arguably the best all-weather wood available and is the perfect building material for garden sheds. In fact, cedar is used in many of the world’s saunas that expose the wood to extreme heat and moisture. Cedar lasts in harsh environments for decades.

Pest and Rot Resistance
Cedar naturally contains oil that repels bugs and also protects against fungi that cause wood to decay. This natural resistance to rot and insects is one of the most appealing aspects to anyone looking to build a garden shed.

Beauty
The light reddish color of cedar makes it a preferred choice of outdoor building products. Unfinished cedar is richly textured with colors ranging from warm ambers to dark reds. It accepts a wide range of finishes that enhance its natural beauty even more. Because of its cellular makeup, cedar resists warping and deforming so your wooden garden shed will look great for many years.

Aroma
The unique aroma that cedar provides also acts to protect the wood from insects and decay. And the therapeutic property of cedar includes the stimulation of circulation and sedation of the nervous system.

Acoustic
Cedar wood actually absorbs sound to help provide a quieter atmosphere, making your garden shed a place for relaxation.

Ease
Even though cedar is a hardwood, it is also very lightweight which makes it easy to install. Its straight grain and uniform texture make it an ideal material for cutting and nailing. Cedar also allows for easy cleanup in case of any spills. Since cedar is very low in resins, it accepts many stains, oils and paints. This also makes stronger glue holds possible. Maintenance is also made easier by the fact that cedar holds tight to fasteners such as nails and screws.

So, there you have it. When it comes to wooden sheds, you can’t go wrong with cedar for its beauty, durability and preservative qualities.

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Once you have the site prepared, its time to stake out the footprint of the foundation. Start off with a small wooden stake and drive it just outside of where one of the corners will be. Then measure the distance of one of the sides and drive the second stake just outside the second corner. Now take a piece of string and tie it to the two stakes so the line is tight. Make the next side perpendicular to the first by using a large carpenter’s square or lay down a piece of plywood to use as a guide. Continue in this fashion for the remaining sides. To double check that its square, measure from one corner diagonally to the next. Then do the same for the other two corners. If it is square, the two measurements will be the same. If not, adjust accordingly. Once the foundation is staked out, you can lay down the patio stones according to the plans of your wooden shed. Be sure to use a level to position the stones correctly.



If your plan calls for a concrete slab foundation, here are the steps for pouring.

1. You will need to know how much concrete mix to use for your foundation. To find out how much you will need, measure the dimensions of your slab and use this handy concrete calculator.

2. Next, using the lines you have already staked out in the preparation step, build the forms by staking pieces of 2×4 lumber along the OUTSIDE of the string lines. Always be sure to nail the stakes on the outside of the lumber. The forms should also be checked to make sure they are level.

3. Now, dig at least a 4 inch deep by 6 inch wide trench around the inside perimeter of the forms. This will help to strengthen the concrete around the edges.

4. Lightly water down the foundation with a hose and you are ready to pour. Pour enough concrete to fill up about half the height of the form. Then place rows of rebar on top of the concrete for reinforcement.

5. Continue by filling in the rest of the mix on top of the reinforcement bars. Tap around the outside of the form to help release any trapped air bubbles and smooth out the top by running a 2×4 from one side to the opposite side in a back and forth sawing motion using the form to level the concrete.

6. Finish by using a trowel to smooth out the concrete.

7. Carefully remove the forms on the following day.

Congratulations! You should now have the foundation finished for your new wooden shed.

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