The first step in my endeavour was to make sure I gave myself plenty of time to take everything out, organize it and put it all back. I figured I could do it in one day as long as I wake up early enough. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time if you are planning to do the same with your wooden shed.

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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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Purpose

We’ll start with why having a wooden shed is important. Sheds are an excellent way to store the overflow of items that won’t fit in your garage or is keeping you from being able to park your car where it should be.

Beyond simply storage, wooden sheds can be made for a wide variety of purposes. If you have a pool in your back yard, a shed can be made for the purpose of being a pool cabana. Pool cabanas can be used for storing pool equipment, pool toys, snack, drinks, etc. It can also be used to store away your pool chemicals that are otherwise dangerous to keep near your main house.

Wooden sheds are also commonly used as garden sheds for use near or in the garden area. No more going back to the garage to grab your gardening tools.

Some other common purposes for sheds are playhouses for the kids, retreat or small guesthouse, woodworking shop and artist studio. You are only limited by your own imagination.

Construction

Now let’s discuss how wooden sheds are made. Perhaps the easiest method is to build one from a kit. There are several companies that offer many different styles of shed. Some of these kits come with the walls and roof components already made so all you have to do is bolt them together. Others come with all the pieces cut to size so you’ll have some more assembly to do for yourself.

Another option is to build from scratch. The best starting point is to look online for a good set of shed plans. Once you find the set of plans that fit your requirements, you’ll need to take the materials list to the supply store and purchase all the pieces for your wooden shed.

You can build your shed on a concrete slab or build a wooden frame for your foundation. Wooden frames have the advantage of being able to move the location of your shed easily. They also come as an option that you can purchase from the wooden shed kit manufacturer.

These are just some of the basics to get you started. You’ll find there are a lot of advantages to having your own wooden shed and hopefully this article has inspired you enough to start researching more options.

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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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Ramp

A simple wooden ramp is probably the best accessory you can buy or make for the money. A ramp can be placed as a permanent part of the shed or made to take out and put in only when you really need it. Ramps are very helpful and almost a necessity for wheeling large objects into your shed. And just think how much pressure your back is exposed to if you try to lift large items instead of wheeling them up a ramp.

Organizer Kits

Most organizers for sheds tend to be a workbench that is on steroids. They include not only the bench, but also plenty of storage space and a pegboard to hang tools from. Kits can also contain any number of shelves to help get your organizing off the ground (so to speak).

Water Barrel

For those of us who like to conserve our natural resources, a water barrel is a perfect fit for a shed. Even though most shed roofs don’t have much area, they can still produce a fair amount of water if caught correctly.

Solar Lighting

Solar lighting is a good option for those who don’t want to run electricity out to your shed just to light it. And, even if you do have electricity already, solar is becoming more affordable for conservative-minded people.

Alarm

Chances are, your shed already has a lock on the door. But, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a simple battery-powered alarm added as well.

These are just some of the many options you have for accessorizing your wooden shed. There are many more (especially products used for organizing) available that can help you get the most out of your shed.

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1. For Storage – Storage Sheds

Storage sheds are, by far, the most basic type of shed. To keep out potential thieves, they usually don’t have any windows – just four walls, floor, roof and door. These sheds can have either a floor made from wood that is built on a frame or a floor made from poured concrete. Its really important to have a well organized shed since there isn’t much space in a small shed to begin with.

2. For The Garden – Garden Sheds

Garden sheds are one of the most convenient items you could have for your garden – especially if your garden is a healthy distance from your main house. It becomes crucial to have a place to store your gardening tools so you can easily find them when you need them most. Garden sheds are also a great place to keep a potting bench and all your extra gardening supplies.

3. For All Your Tools – Tool Shed

Are all your tools piling up in the corner of your garage – and your wife tired of looking at the mess? Tool sheds are a place where you can keep all your tools in one spot. And, just like a storage shed, they should be as secure as possible. All you have to do is add some pegboards, shelving, some cabinets and a workbench and you’ll be all set. So now the only complaining you will hear is maybe, “are you out there in the tool shed again?”

4. From One Use To Another – Converted Sheds

Since sheds are so easy to convert from one purpose to another, this type of shed is my personal favorite. To convert your storage shed into a mini retreat, simply add some paint, a nice rug and some cozy furniture. You can also change it into an artist studio or a pool cabana, and so on.

5. For The Kids – Playhouses

You could either build a playhouse for this specific purpose or you can take an existing shed and make it into a playhouse as described in the above paragraph. Its just as easy to convert back once it has been outgrown by the kids.

This is a basic overview of the five most common purposes for sheds, but there are certainly many more. Hopefully, you will be inspired enough to go build your own wooden shed. You won’t be disappointed.

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Kids

Let’s start with the kids. You probably think that a wooden shed is simply used for storage. You’re right – they are commonly used for storage. But, with some imagination, a wooden shed can be converted into a playhouse. Just cut out some windows (doesn’t even need to be glassed in), apply some brightly colored paint. Maybe add some fancy trim and you’ve got a nice playhouse for the girls in your family. For the boys, build your shed up on some poles, add a ladder and it becomes a fort.

Woman Of The House

Women who like plants will benefit greatly from having a wooden shed added right next to the garden. Garden Sheds are commonly used for potting and storing your garden tools. Perhaps the biggest benefit is that it is located in such closet proximity to the garden so there is no need to lug your tools back and forth from the garage.

Wooden sheds also make wonderful mini retreats. They can be set up so they are secluded from the main house. Add in a relaxing chair to just sit and read a magazine. If you are into yoga, sheds are usually big enough to accommodate a couple of yoga mats.

Man Of The House

Most sheds are used to store lawn equipment, which makes perfect sense. But for men, a shed can be turned into a woodworking shop or, better yet, a man cave. A true man cave requires electricity for a refrigerator and flat screen TV, of course.

The Whole Family

Your entire family can benefit from sheds as well. One of the ways, is to build one next to the pool (if you have one). This comes in handy as a pool cabana where you can store pool toys and supplies.

So, there you have it. These are just a few of the many ways you and your family can enjoy wooden sheds.

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You will have to start with a clean slate. Once you have everything removed from your wooden shed, make sure all the corners are vacuumed and that there is no more debris left inside.

Most wooden sheds will have a lot of character with the exposed studs and you should use that to your advantage. If there is no apparent rot, you can add a light stain to the wood or simply add a water sealant that will bring out the wood’s natural beauty and give it a finished look.

You can always paint the walls as well. Try to keep with lighter colors since the space is so small. Be sure to use a primer first, otherwise, the paint will be soaked up by the wood.

Follow the steps as described above for a shed that is on a wooden floor or “skid”. But, if your shed is on a concrete slab, then you can either leave it the way it is or you can choose to stain it. You can really revitalize an old worn floor with stain and since wooden sheds are so small, it shouldn’t be a problem to handle the job yourself. However, it is best to use a professional for best results.

Its just as important to clean up and paint the outside of your wooden shed as well. Keep water from coming in by caulking around any spaces or cracks. This may be fine for storage purposes but since this will be a livable space, you don’t want any moisture to come inside.

Now that you have completed the shell, the fun part really begins. Add your own personal touches to the space depending on what you intend to use it for. A great starting point is to add the more permanent items like shelves and pegboards.

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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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Strength And Durability

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.

One of the negative aspects of metal is that it can be dented pretty easily since the metal is thin. This doesn’t make for a pretty site if there are a few good sized dents in the walls of your shed. On the other hand, wooden sheds can be easily repaired if nicked or dented simply by filling in with wood filler and painting. Since wooden sheds are framed the same way that larger structures are, such as a house, they are quite sturdy and can handle extreme weather conditions.

Wood Gives You Options

With so many styles to choose from, shopping for a shed can be pretty overwhelming. And, though they all come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, their cost can vary greatly as well. The main advantage of constructing a wooden shed is that you can start from scratch and build a completely custom shed.

You can purchase (for a minimal cost) and download shed plans online. There are literally hundreds of shed plans to choose from. If you have basic carpentry skills, this makes a great starting point. Building from plans gives you the extra freedom to alter it any way you need. So, if you need more space for your riding mower or quad, just add the extra to accommodate them.

How Your Shed Looks

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 wooden 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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