A shed kit eliminates the need to search through shed plans or even drawing them up on your own. And, the good news is that there are hundreds of models and styles to choose from that are made by a number of reputable manufacturers.

When choosing a wooden shed kit, make sure you choose one that is large enough to fit your needs. And, just as important, be sure that you have enough space to fit your new wooden shed. You should try to locate a convenient place for your shed depending on how you intend to use it. For example, locate it near the garden if you plan on using it to store your garden tools, pots and fertilizer.

Some prefab sheds come as a kit with all the pieces cut to length. All you have to do is put it together by following the included instructions. Kits are easier and faster to build than if you decided to build a shed from scratch.

The overall price of a prefab shed varies greatly. Of course, the size of the shed is a big factor of the cost, as well as the quality of the materials and the design. Some designs will have more pieces and decorative trimming.

If built correctly, a wooden shed made from a kit should last for many, many years and provide you with versatile storage space. You’ll realize very quickly just how much your investment is really worth.

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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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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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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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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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First, you have to take down any existing shelving. This will give you not only the room to work, but it also makes the project go a lot quicker. You will be taking this down temporarily so don’t throw anything away that you think you will be able to use again. In between any two studs, you will attach lengths of what are called shelf standards. These are strips of rolled metal, usually available in zinc, brass or metal coated with different colored epoxy. They have horizontal slots cut out every half inch to accept clips that hold the shelves.

For a cleaner look, route out grooves for the tracks if you wish to have them flush with the surface of the studs. Otherwise, surface mount them by simply screwing them into studs. Install two separate tracks up the sides of each stud. Put them in about three to three and a half inches apart for added stability. To make sure your shelves will be level, the slots on each side should be the same distance from the floor.

Insert support clips (four for each shelf) into the slots in the tracks at the desired height for the shelf. Now, measure from one stud to the other the distance between the tracks. Taking a piece of 1×4, cut to length for the shelves using the measurement you made between the studs. Because the 1×4 is the same width as the 3×4 stud, there’s no need to rip down any of the shelves.

You can now reattach the existing shelves back to their original locations. Add as many small shelves as you want. They are the perfect place for all your small items you have laying around the shed.

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Using wood over other materials (like metal or plastic) has many advantages. They blend into the environment better and have a very natural and comfortable feeling to them. They also provide better insulation which, in the winter months, protects you and the items you store in it.

Size is one of the first things you should think about when you are considering a wooden shed. Knowing what you are going to put in it will help you make this determination. Leave a little extra room to grow for some more items you may not even be thinking about right now. Just don’t use the extra room to store a bunch of junk you will probably never use in the future. That’s what the garage is for – just kidding.

When you are planning your shed, think about the height you will need as well. You may want to add shelves higher up or put items in the rafters for less frequently used items. See Organizing Your Wooden Shed.

Some garden sheds come with more than one room, which is perfect for use as a retreat, pool cabana or playhouse for the kids. However, its not necessary to have a multiple room wooden shed if you plan to only use it for storage.

Next, another important consideration is the type of floor your shed is going to sit on. Many garden shed kits have an optional wood floor that you build on a frame. The frame or “skid” allows the shed to be moved quite easily to other locations by simply sliding it.

Just like a house, you can pour a concrete slab for your shed. This is a much more permanent option, of course. Once you are finished with your shed, you have the option of staining the concrete, covering it with a flooring product such as carpet, painting it or leaving it bare.

There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of design options available to you today on the internet. And, the best part, they come in a wide variety of sizes. But if you really want a custom shed then you’ll have to start with a good set of garden shed plans and at least one solid weekend of time. It won’t be long until you have a new shed building in your own backyard.

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The best part is, wooden sheds can be converted fairly easily from one use to another. If done correctly, a garden shed can be used for a couple of purposes at the same time. For example, a pool cabana is not only used to change into a swimsuit, but is also a great place to store the pool supplies and any chemicals that should be stored away from the main house.

So, why build one, anyway? Besides their versatility and storage capabilities, wooden sheds are fun to build and they can be a great starter project if you aren’t that handy with tools. And, it should only require a weekend’s worth of time to complete.

You know what you want a shed for, but WHY a wooden shed? Once you have built a wooden shed, you’ll notice right away the long-term value you have over a plastic or even a metal shed. They may cost more up front, but they are more pleasing to the eye and if you build from a set of good shed plans, you have way more options.

Plastic and metal sheds are actually harder to modify or add additional space to than wooden sheds. And, as far as repairs go, they are much quicker, easier and cost less for wooden sheds. If you have ever tried to fix a plastic shed, you know what I mean.

The best wood to use for sheds is cedar. Cedar contains oil that occurs naturally. This oil is what gives the wood its distinct aroma and also protects it from insects and rot.

Another option you have is to buy a wooden shed kit that comes already cut to size. And, depending on the manufacturer, a lot of the assembly is already done. This makes for a fast and easy way to get a shed put up in your backyard.

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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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