Building a shed office (help!)

jussterr

For those who may interested, I've found a rather pleasant shed from Waltons that closely resembles the one Skinners offers (which in turn is based on the more 'luxurious' sheds sold by Garden Escape.) It is a fraction of the price. Take a look:

Waltons Helios Summerhouse.

With a bit of plasterboard and insulation it would be very well suited to a small shed office, I think. You could stick a wood stove in there, warm and cosy for the winter and you wouldn't have to brave the cold to make a cup of tea!

sunshinetours wrote: »

For something as small as 10 x 8 why not consider using used sleepers as a base. Can't get a lot greener than using something that has been around for years already.
Personally I would look to "cut" a section into the deck so that the base is below the existing deck and on solid ground. Any wooden building needs a solid secure and level base to avoid problems in the future

http://www.railwaysleeper.com/Jason%20Coomb%27s%20railway%20sleeper%20project.htm

Thank you, I'll check it out. Can't agree with you more, it's mega green.

diable

sunshinetours wrote: »

For something as small as 10 x 8 why not consider using used sleepers as a base. Can't get a lot greener than using something that has been around for years already.
Personally I would look to "cut" a section into the deck so that the base is below the existing deck and on solid ground. Any wooden building needs a solid secure and level base to avoid problems in the future

http://www.railwaysleeper.com/Jason%20Coomb%27s%20railway%20sleeper%20project.htm

Thanks for the link has given me some ideas for a project.

artichoke

hi all

We need a garden office at least 4.5 meters by 4.5metres. We want it to be divided into 2 rooms.

It will be used all year round as we both work from home so it needs to be very well insulated and we also would like a wood burning stove in one of the rooms.

We are undecided about getting someone to build it for us or getting a cheaper kit and adding insulation etc ourselves or getting a high spec kit with all the insulation already in there....

does anyone have any recommendations? ideas about which types of kits are best? I read the comment above about the overhang being good for shade in summer and letting in light in winter which i have taken on board...

i am thinking it will be below 2.5m tall and at least 1m away from boundary walls..

any more tips?

thanks

art

capeverde

Heres one I built for a client a couple of weeks ago, 4.8m x 3.6m. Full cedar shingle roof. 4 x 2 studding, 50mm insulation, fully lined internally with tongue and groove cladding. opening windows and double glazed. £6k fitted.

Edit, we also used a 7"x2" loglap which is a hell of a lot thicker than the 15mm rubbish a lot of these mass producers use. pm me if anyone wants further info.

artichoke

we are looking at three options
- get it built for us by someone to our requirements

- get a kit without insulation and insulate ourselves

- get a kit with insulation...

but there are so many kits out there now i have no idea what to look for...

so how much insulation should we have?

are lots of windows a good or bad thing re energy efficiency? the windows will be south facing and maybe some west facing - but we have a very high hill to the south which means the sun does often not come up over the hill in the winter (we live in the Peak District)

any advice appreciated..

thanks

art

capeverde

artichoke wrote: »

we are looking at three options
- get it built for us by someone to our requirements

- get a kit without insulation and insulate ourselves

- get a kit with insulation...

but there are so many kits out there now i have no idea what to look for...

so how much insulation should we have?

are lots of windows a good or bad thing re energy efficiency? the windows will be south facing and maybe some west facing - but we have a very high hill to the south which means the sun does often not come up over the hill in the winter (we live in the Peak District)

any advice appreciated..

thanks

art

Main things to consider; firstly if insulating you should really have insulation and an air gap. Most companies use a maximum 2" timber batten, so it doesnt leave you much room, we always use 4". You should also apply breatheable backing paper to the cladding to help stop condensation, this is difficult after installation. Double glazing is fine and there wont be any noticeable difference. With the roof, we only use cedar shingles. We install these over a close boarded roof (plywooded) on battens with under tile felt. A cedar shingle should last around 40 years with no maintenance and they look amazing. They do grey with age, but can always be oiled if required. Finally, keep timber off the floor. It should be installed on 'stilts' which in turn are set on galvanised post feet. We only make bespoke items to customers requirements.

capeverde

Heres one on decking for the OP. Point is, it will sit on stilts that in turn are built off concrete pads. The decking actually picture frames it. Excuse the picture, its not come out very large.

leveller2911

capeverde wrote: »

Heres one I built for a client a couple of weeks ago, 4.8m x 3.6m. Full cedar shingle roof. 4 x 2 studding, 50mm insulation, fully lined internally with tongue and groove cladding. opening windows and double glazed. £6k fitted.

Edit, we also used a 7"x2" loglap which is a hell of a lot thicker than the 15mm rubbish a lot of these mass producers use. We do modular also and can deliver nationwide. pm me if anyone wants further info.

Oh go on then might as well post a link ,contact number and price list....;)

leveller2911

capeverde wrote: »

I dont want to blatantly advertise, but as I said, we are knowledgeable and am more than happy to help with any questions. If anyone is interested they can pm me, but I wont publish the details on the forum as this is against the rules I believe.

I can tell you are very knowledgable but why post :"We do modular also and can deliver nationwide. pm me if anyone wants further info".

Thats pretty blatant TBH, many on here who are knowledgable give great advice without saying they deliver nationwide......

Call me a cynic.....:D

capeverde

leveller2911 wrote: »

I can tell you are very knowledgable but why post :"We do modular also and can deliver nationwide. pm me if anyone wants further info".

Thats pretty blatant TBH, many on here who are knowledgable give great advice without saying they deliver nationwide......

Call me a cynic.....:D

because we do! other people were asking for advice and posting links to other websites. Ive not done this and am more than happy to advise on any queries till the cows come home. However if somebody likes the look of what we do and it is a lot better quality and cheaper than the links, isn't this the point of the money saving forums? Ive asked that they may pm me rather than directly advertising as this isn't allowed. I dont understand why this is an issue and you are taking the thread off topic.