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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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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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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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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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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