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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Wooden Shed Construction Materials and Considerations
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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