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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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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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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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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