Replaying 'wendy house' with shed

ChilliBob

Hey guys,

We have a small wendy house type thingy that's seen better days and needs to go. We're keen to replace it with something that looks natural, like it does, so wood as opposed to plastic or metal. I just had some questions really. It's pretty small - 190 wide and 125 deep, with a possibility of going to 208 wide and 140 deep. 

1. Is there something better (but still wood) than a 'normal shed' from the likes of B&Q which ends up getting damp and full of spiders/bugs etc!  (it's small!)
2. If we end up with 'normal shed' type thing what steps can be taken to make it better? - For example I wondered if tight fitting marine ply and sealing with silicone/CT1 to the inside would make it better? ct1 around the roof felt joins?
3. The old shed/playhouse thingy is on a proper concrete base, I guess it's just take down, rebuild -the new construction doesn't need to be anchored to  the base in some way does it?

Spent a lot of time in sheds but never built one!

Keep_pedalling

Spiders and bugs get in through the smallest of gaps and no shed is going to be spider proof. 

Albermarle

. Is there something better (but still wood) than a 'normal shed' from the likes of B&Q which ends up getting damp and full of spiders/bugs etc!  (it's small!)

Shed retailers offer different levels of quality, so there is no normal.

Cheapest are usually wood overlap, with OSB ( a sort of MDF ) floor and roof.

More expensive are tongue and groove cladding, also for floor and roof. More expensive still if the wood is pressure treated with preservative rather than just dipped.

ChilliBob

Keep_pedalling said:

Spiders and bugs get in through the smallest of gaps and no shed is going to be spider proof. 

Yep, for sure - we have a brick built building and some get in, but far fewer for sure! - I mean anything will be an improvement on the current one - I could get my fingers through the window as the wood is rotten. Final straw was when I told my wife there were lots of mouse droppings in there - on some children's toys  

ChilliBob

Albermarle said:

. Is there something better (but still wood) than a 'normal shed' from the likes of B&Q which ends up getting damp and full of spiders/bugs etc!  (it's small!)

Shed retailers offer different levels of quality, so there is no normal.

Cheapest are usually wood overlap, with OSB ( a sort of MDF ) floor and roof.

More expensive are tongue and groove cladding, also for floor and roof. More expensive still if the wood is pressure treated with preservative rather than just dipped.

I did see something last night which suggested different thicknesses of wood, but I guess the construction is quite similar. Guess I'll just have to have a look around

gwynlas

Lots of 6ft x 4ft sheds out there at different budgets. You could insulate and board it if you wished and treat regularly with preservative. Raising floor on sleepers and installing guttering would also help. Spiders are probably inevitable as are rodents if there are food sources around.

Eldi_Dos

As you already have a solid base can you not just buy materials and build four walls and a roof sized to fit the base.
Never understood why putting a wooden floor (usually flimsy) is a option many people choose in cases like this.

ChilliBob

Eldi_Dos said:

As you already have a solid base can you not just buy materials and build four walls and a roof sized to fit the base.
Never understood why putting a wooden floor (usually flimsy) is a option many people choose in cases like this.

Eldi_Dos said:

As you already have a solid base can you not just buy materials and build four walls and a roof sized to fit the base.
Never understood why putting a wooden floor (usually flimsy) is a option many people choose in cases like this.

I considered this, fleetingly, I suspect my construction skills would let me down a bit!

Eldi_Dos

ChilliBob said:

Eldi_Dos said:

As you already have a solid base can you not just buy materials and build four walls and a roof sized to fit the base.
Never understood why putting a wooden floor (usually flimsy) is a option many people choose in cases like this.

Eldi_Dos said:

As you already have a solid base can you not just buy materials and build four walls and a roof sized to fit the base.
Never understood why putting a wooden floor (usually flimsy) is a option many people choose in cases like this.

I considered this, fleetingly, I suspect my construction skills would let me down a bit!

Consider it on the job training.

If you have a Workmate and a few joinery tools there will be plenty of people on here with the experience and skills to guide you.

Nobbie1967

Eldi_Dos said:

As you already have a solid base can you not just buy materials and build four walls and a roof sized to fit the base.
Never understood why putting a wooden floor (usually flimsy) is an option many people choose in cases like this.

Because the existing concrete base will be damp and this can transfer to anything you store on the floor.

ChilliBob

Well, I went into this thinking we'd spend about £500 or so on a suitable shed, however, both my wife and I stumbled upon this (separately!) and sort of fell in love with it. Eek: https://www.forestgarden.co.uk/product/redwood-lap-forest-retreat-6x4-shed-moss-green/

Need to try and see it in the flesh somewhere to make sure it's worth the (large!) asking price!