My first shed - any tips?

janem2

Should I go for a metal one that looks like wood? A wooden one? Gonna get a concrete base put in so not sure I need to buy a wooden floor? I want to use the shed for storage and get some electricity piped up there. Won't be using it as a "hideaway".

The first tip I got was to buy one with a double door opening but would like all your views - plus any ideas of where I can buy the shed or get the concrete base put in at a reduced cost (won't be doing it myself!)

Thanks

J

(first post on this board - normally hang out in Discount vouchers..(

ukdickie31

Simple things like knowing which side you want the door and windows help to start with.



I don't know about the metal ones.

Also, the size depends on what you want to store in it.

If you do get a wooden one, think about a base for the shed. It's best not to have the shed direct on the floor - damp and then the base rots. Best to have it raised so get some wooden 'runners' across the base (wooden fence posts ect). This gets the air circulating underneath and keeps mositure down. Personally, I'd get a tongue and Groove shed as they last longer than overlap wood, although they are a bit more expensive. Once it's in place, consider getting some wood preservative on it - again, a good qualiity one. Cuprinol, ducks back etc etc.



You should have many years out of the shed if you look after it

Have fun !

lilyann1

We just got ours put onto a concrete base and its been fine for years.Definitely get one with a double door.Depending on how big you can have it get one that is big enough to walk into and have one with shelving inside too.

bones61

don't scrimp on quality or size where possible. it's nice to have plenty of room to move around and there are always occasions when you need a bit more storage space.
good preparation before and during assembly and then routine maintenance and your shed will last for decades.

Poppycat

I prefer wooden ones, as they not only look better I think but you can easily knock up some shelves for storage which is easier to attach to wood than metal

alanobrien

Get a wooden one, metal ones can have severe condensation problems and you have more difficulty in hanging tools etc from them. If you do go for a wooden one, look for a tongue and groove shed rather than shiplap.
They look better and are better at keeping out the weather, unwanted plants (ivy etc) and beasties.

madmum33

We've been looking for a new shed and thought about getting this one

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=101543&ts=02679&id=92712

Since we don't have a garage all the family bikes are kept in the shed, and after years of battling to get them in and out of a single door we're having double doors this time! We've found a local supplier who will supply one like this and also put it up and apply the first coat of wood preservative for around £300.

I wouldn't want a metal shed - imagine how hot it would get!

barrymung

Just bought a shed from B&Q!

If you are in the market for a small shed they are doing 6'x4' T&G sheds for the reduced price of £129 (Was £139).

It's part of their "Modular" shed range. You can buy extension packs to make the shed bigger, should you wish.

Fits in the back of a large estate, too!

barrymung

Just to clarify, "Shiplap" is the machined T&G stuff, that slots together nicely.

It's featheredge that's the rough sawn, cheap and nasty stuff. (Featheredge is sometimes called "Overlap")

http://www.leisurebuildings.com/titan/info/cladding/

HugoSP

Great Moneysaving tip!

A lot of DIY stores will have problems with damaged sheds, especially at the moment when they're turning over loads of stock.

Phone up the store manager of your local stores and ask them if they have any shop soiled or damaged shed packs that they would like to sell off cheaply. Explain that you would be willing to buy a number of 6 x4s and make good ones from the whole batch.

I needed 2 sheds and I approached Wickes. They sold me a job lot of 4 damaged/incomplete 6x4 packs and one 8x6 pack in similar condition. I paid around £80 for the lot!

The 6x4s normally retailed for around £99 each and the 8x6 was normally around 200 (shiplap model).

I subsequently managed to make 3 good 6x4 shed kits out of the 4 that I had, and all of the 8x6 kit was there but there were a couple of damaged panels.

I assembled 2 of the 6x4 sheds for my own use (one as a chicken coup and the other as a shed for a let property. The third complete 6x4 was sold for £50 in the freeads paper and the 8x6 was sold for the same amount.

So I got 2 sheds for £0.00!

Errata

Look in local yellow pages for local shed suppliers, they usually sell their demo sheds at a good discount. Whichever size you decide on, it won't be big enough !