Argos summerhouse... easy to erect?

socks_uk

I'm not too bad at easy DIY, I built my own 4 m x 2.4 m decking last year, but need some advice about erecting a summerhouse.

I wondered how easy the Argos summerhouses are to put together. I'm guessing they'd have the step-by-step, flat pack instructions just like putting a wardrobe together. My problem is, I guess, is that I'd be doing most of it on my own as my husband is definately 'an observer' when it comes to hard work.

Would it be best to get someone, such as a garden landscaper, to put it up for me or do as much as I can and get the help just to fit the roof?

I'm sure I can sort out the foundations and base, when I know what needs doing.

Any advice is appreciated.

Jill

Lorian

Got a link to picture of it? I've never seen Argos ones, but built one from a timber merchant recently for someone. It was quite big, I guess around 12 x 14. It's just like building a shed.

It took me a morning to level and lay slabs for the base, and cut the sleepers to length (they are typically not supplied, I used 4x4 fence posts). Then all afternoon to build the summerhouse, not inlcuding the tedious glazing.

The general construction techniques are to lay the shed base on the sleepers, then join two walls at a corner and coach-bolt or screw together as directed, then add 3rd wall, then 4th. Then add the roof and layer the felt and tack. Ive seen people make a right mess of the felt if they've never done it before.

Its time consuming at heavy work at times. you really need two people when joining the walls and putting the roof on.

You need good stable steps to stand on. Also you'll be knackered if you try to do all this with just a screwdriver and hammer, a battery operated drill/screwdriver (better two) is a must.

My main tips are :

more than half the work should go into preparing a stable solid base beforehand.

When joining the walls over the floor make sure they are pushed together tight before screwing/bolting and make sure they are centred and snug on the floor.

If you've never built a shed, find someone who has to help!

socks_uk

The summerhouse code in Argos is 705/4341 but I'm going to try to put the link in below.

Link here if I do it right

I guess that as long as you've got the base right and follow the instructions it's pretty straight forward. I didn't realise I'd need sleepers. It doesn't give you much info on the website.

Jill

Lorian

Jill,

Honestly this is a two person job.

Some of those panels will be very heavy to hold, align, join and bolt/screw all at the same time. It'd be much easier/quicker actually with 3 people.

Also lifting the roof panels on will take two people.

I'd bank on a morning or afternoon for two to get it basically together. Any handyman sort should be able to do this.

Well worth having tuff boots on too, as these panels hurt lots if dropped on toes.

Try not to do it on a windy day.

It's a lot of money's worth to spoil at the consturction stage. Have you looked at your local timber building suppliers to see if they have also have suitable to your needs? Sometimes its nice to see the things in real life before buying. Especially to gauge the internal space.

Some people wouldn't lay it on sleepers, but if you don't the floor will rot over time as it can't get air under it to stay dry. the sleepers have to run spaced about 18 inches apart at right angles to the floor members.

Also, more random observations about the model.

Styrene windows are possible safe than glass but not quite as nice looking.

I don't know much about "scandanvia whitewood". The one I built was a redwood, maybe cedar.

Make sure you get the one with the correct orientation (ref riekko model)

Shingle roofs look nice, but take a little longer to fix than felt rolls.

I'd recommed sikkens two-part sealer/paint, to be put on as soon as constructed to make water tight. Has a lovely finish too (quite glossy).

Some properties on new housing estates would require consent from building co(check deeds) to construct this.

Kerbside delivery could mean a lot of lugging when it arrives. Two-man job.

herbal

Have you bought it yet? You get a far better price going to a timber yard who just makes summer houses. (this is where argos get them from and add a little for them)

Now this is a 2/3 people job what it looks like there are no bolts to fix it like a shed but the interlock and slot toether.

ktsummerfun

This is one of the best places for summerhouses.

Hope this helps you out.

:T

Dead_Eye_Jones

I built a shed over summer, found it hard to get it up, but with the help of my missus I was eventually most satisfied with my erection.

(hey the thread title asked for it;))