Best Wooden Sheds

Welcome – You’ve Come To The Right Place…

Don R. — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:02:27 +0000

Our goal at Best Wooden Sheds is two-fold. First, if you don’t already have your own garden shed, we want to help by providing you with all the information needed as well as offering the best products from wooden shed kits to top-quality shed plans. Second, if you do have your own shed, we want to make sure you are using it to its fullest potential. Organization is the key and we provide plenty of information to help you out.

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.

Is A Prefab Wooden Shed Right For You?

Timothy M. — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:27:17 +0000

Just what is a prefab wooden shed, anyway? You’ve probably seen one and didn’t even realize it. Prefab is short for prefabricated. These sheds are just like any other with the exception of the amount of labor it takes to build one. And, they can be used for anything from storage to workshops to playhouses for kids.

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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Time To Get Your Wooden Shed Organized

Timothy M. — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:19:47 +0000

The other day I went looking for a particular gardening tool. I knew where it was – sort of. It was out in my wooden shed somewhere. Over the past year or so I’ve been slowly stacking and storing way too much for my shed to hold. And then it dawned on me, its time to reorganize.

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.

Now the fun part, waking up at the crack of dawn, I started pulling everything out. And I mean everything. I even took out some of the old shelves. Since I’m taking the time to do this, I may as well do it right. The night before I went and purchase some pegboards and a couple of cabinets to hang up.

Once I had all the items taken out, I could easily sort through things I didn’t need anymore. It ended up being quite a bit. The rest I put into piles of like items, such as gardening tools in one, woodworking tools in another, and so on.

Take all of our small items and put them into containers and mark the outside (both top and one side) so you can find them easier when you are looking for them.

Before putting everything back in the wooden shed, I cleaned it up really thoroughly and hung the pegboard a couple more shelves and cabinets.

Now I’m ready to put what’s left back inside. Put items that you don’t use that much (such as seasonal items) up higher and more out of the way. You can even put them in the rafters if your shed has them.

Take your piles of like items and put them back that way. So all the gardening tools will be in the same area, for instance. Try to have as many items labeled as you can. Anything you can do to make it easier on yourself later is a good thing.

Before I knew it, not only is my wooden shed more organized, but it’s a lot cleaner and I have much more space than I anticipated. Now, if I can just keep it that way.

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What You Should Know About Wooden Sheds

Don R. — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:25:49 +0000

When you think of wooden sheds, typically what comes to mind is a small structure used for storing tools or for a small workshop out in the back yard near the garden. But, there are a lot of different types of sheds used in a wide variety of ways. Sheds can be plumbed for sinks and toilets and, if large enough, can even be used as miniature guesthouses. Some other types of sheds include, pool houses, cabins, artist studios, playhouses, and spa enclosures. A typical garden shed ranges in size from approximately 6 to 8 feet and can be as large as 16 to 20 feet or more. The size of your shed is usually determined by the amount of overall space available and the intended use of the structure.

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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Wooden Shed Basics

Shelley W. — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:09:45 +0000

Wooden sheds(also known as garden sheds) come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and are used for as many different purposes as there people who have them. With this in mind, let’s explore in more detail what wooden sheds are all about and how they are made.

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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Wooden Shed Construction Materials and Considerations

Timothy M. — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:00:02 +0000

In constructing wooden sheds, there are many options for the kinds of materials to build it with. Lets start from the ground up and talk about the foundation. Every structure needs a foundation from which to build upon. The floor of your shed can be a concrete slab or a wood floor. The simplest way to support a wood floor is with patio stones or cinder blocks. Both of these materials are easily attainable from your local building supplier.

Once the foundation is ready, you are ready to start framing. You will either be following a set of plans and cutting the framework yourself or if you purchased a pre-cut wooden shed kit, you will use the provided instructions and start laying out the pieces.

Now that the framework has been completed, you will have to cover the outside walls with some type of siding. You could use a wood such as cedar, which has a natural resistance to bugs and decay. Another option is plywood siding also known as T1-11. T1-11 is a plywood with vertical grooves cut into it to give the appearance of individual boards. Like cinder blocks, T1-11 is readily available from your local building supplier. You could also choose to cover your wooden shed with a siding made from compressed wood fiber. Two such products are called Duratemp and Smartside. Most contractors prefer these products over T1-11 because of its longevity. These are purchased with pre-applied paint that makes them virtually maintenance free. Be sure to paint any cut edges to protect the exposed material from the elements.

As with the siding, there are also a few options for roofing materials. The most common is asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive, fast and easy to install, durable and come in a wide variety of colors. Cedar shingles offer a great look to your shed as well as being a durable roofing product. Cedar also handles wind and hail quite nicely and has been a time-tested product. A third option for your shed’s roof is metal. A metal roof is a more expensive route initially, but is worth the price for its longevity. Metal roofs can last 50-60 years or more. They also come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Some shed owners have also used corrugated sheet metal to top off their wooden sheds.

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Choosing The Right Wooden Shed Kit

Don R. — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:41:03 +0000

If you are about to spend your hard earned money on a wooden shed kit, there are a few important considerations to be aware of that can help you determine what kit would be best suited for your needs. Shed kits are a great way to have the extra storage space you are looking for without breaking your bank account.

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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Is A Limited Budget Keeping You From Owning Wooden Sheds?

Don R. — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:03:15 +0000

OK, you are concerned about the cost of building a wooden shed in your backyard and quite frankly, who isn’t? But there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to build one yourself at a relatively low cost. Building wooden sheds is simple and definitely worth the effort you put into it. With a little bit of carpentry skills, a garden shed is well within your grasp.

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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Accessories For Your Garden Shed Can Make All The Difference

Shelley W. — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:21:57 +0000

When it comes to plain old wooden sheds, there aren’t many bells and whistles that come standard in any of the available kits. Of course, if you are building from scratch, it’s easy to add windows or even skylights when you are constructing it. Here are a few more ideas that you can add to your own wooden shed.

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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Making the Best Out Of The Small Spaces In Your Wooden Shed

Shelley W. — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:50:40 +0000

For your backyard storage wooden shed, here’s a simple and very inexpensive storage solution. Use shelves to fill in all those small spaces between the studs. Of course, most people put shelving up in their sheds, but they attach them to the fronts of the studs which leaves a gap between the exterior siding and the back edge of the shelf. Here’s a quick look at how to make the shelving (and the best part, its adjustable):

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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