Inherited an old shed

moneypenny2k

Hi there, I'm hoping for some advice from those who know far more than me about sheds.

I've just moved into a bungalow that has been empty for a couple of years and have inherited a small shed  and I'm wondering whether it's worth repairing or to be honest 'bodging up' to get a few more years out of it and until I can afford to replace it.  The roof is basically ok but the walls are gappy in places. See below

I was considering using something like this https://www.diy.com/departments/high-performance-wigofol-housewrap-windproof-breather-membrane-for-timber-and-steel-frame-buildings-1-5x5m/7865944592003_BQ.prd?&&&&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21001176634&gbraid=0AAAAADt-XHnww9SAnBgdFukslo3oFWqYV&gclid=Cj0KCQjw58PGBhCkARIsADbDilxTBnf_BmzylW3ACWaRL8Rz-5sXsEDh9_eUR3pz7d-rZbxrzdBJg64aAiZCEALw_wcB  by stapling it inside the shed to deal with the gaps.  What do you guys and gals think?

womble12345

That looks good to me, I wouldnt do anything to it, just use it. Sheds are never supposed to be air tight anyway.

Albermarle

The walls are just overlap cladding ( it is the cheapest type). They should be waterproof but are definitely not meant to be airtight. So what you see is just normal.
Usually the issue is that the roof leaks and the OSB board you can see gets all soggy, but that does not seem to be the case.
If you just want to use it as a garden shed, I  would just leave it as it, especially as it seems to be watertight.
If you have greater ambitions for it, then probably easier just to knock it down and buy a better one.

I think if you wrap that membrane around it, then it will look strange.

WIAWSNB

As t'Womble says, sheds are best when they are draughty - it keeps them dry inside

Treat the outside against rot, and that shed looks good to last a fair few years - no obvious signs of deterioration I can see. The planks have just shrunk and moved a bit, as it typical. 

If you must line the inside, then the stuff you pointed should be fine as it is 'breathable'. If you instead lined the inside with, say, polythene sheet, then you could expect damp and rot to begin behind it pdq. 

twopenny

I've made one like this last for over a decade and still ok when I left.
Where it rotted I just treated and nailed more overlap on the outside and used a coloured wood preserver all over.
You can get more roofing felt in half rolls if small, use the right felt tacks and it's dead easy.

Otherwise I'd leave it until you have the house and garden sorted to your liking and then see what you want.
I'd advise caution against the plastic ones which although they look nice my neighbour always has to open the door in hot weather so I'm guessing the ventilation isn't great.

moneypenny2k

Thanks everyone, I've got some items in storage in the shed so I've been concerned long term that the gaps in the overlap were in some cases an inch or so.  Thanks for the advice, I'll get some rot treatment slapped on.

WIAWSNB

moneypenny2k said:

Thanks everyone, I've got some items in storage in the shed so I've been concerned long term that the gaps in the overlap were in some cases an inch or so.  Thanks for the advice, I'll get some rot treatment slapped on.

As long as rain doesn't get in, then seriously do not worry about it being draughty - that's all good.

Albermarle

moneypenny2k said:

Thanks everyone, I've got some items in storage in the shed so I've been concerned long term that the gaps in the overlap were in some cases an inch or so.  Thanks for the advice, I'll get some rot treatment slapped on.

Where the gaps are bigger it is possible for a small amount of rain to get in if it is coming in at an angle blown by a strong wind. But normally should be fine. 

Murmansk

Sheds often rot because they sometimes sit in a pool of water so if you maybe raise it up on bricks or something else suitable that can help - but might be a bit tricky if it's full of stuff. Also best to keep any nearby shrubs/trees/plants from brushing against it in my experience.