Sheds are first and foremost, used as storage for excess stuff that we’ve accumulated over the years. These days, however, sheds are also used for other things such as workshops, a meditation room, a rumpus room and as an in-home office space. With so many uses for the shed and it being affordable, no wonder people are considering buying one instead of adding rooms to their homes.
Buying a garden shed is never as simple as choosing the one that looks pretty and that’s it. As with any major purchase you need to make for your home, you need to look and check for certain things that will tell you it is going to be worth your time and money. You will also need to look for sheds that will fit seamlessly with your home décor and sheds that will be sturdy enough to last many years.
There are some important components that you must not overlook when purchasing your timber garden sheds and they are as follows:
Framework of the Shed
The first thing you need to do is measure the space you intend to put your shed in as this will also determine the size of the timbers needed. A reasonably-sized storage shed will measure at least 50x38mm and a maximum of 600mm and remember as well that the timber needs to be a certain size so that the timber cladding can be fixed securely to it. Also, know that the manufacturer will prefabricate it up to a price point so for example, if he intends to make a shed worth approximately $1500 and have a profit margin, then he will simply reduce the number of timbers to be used until the price is met. Take note, though, that the smaller the number of timbers, the lower the quality.
Types of Cladding
Timber cladding comes in three types – weather board, ship lap and tongue and groove. The least inexpensive option is the weather board because it is just roughly-sawn timber and does not interlock. Ship lap timber on the other hand will be a little more neatly sawn so it will be more weather-tight. Tongue and groove cladding is the best option since the adjoining boards interlock to create a really solid wall of timber.
Thickness of Boards
Ideally, garden sheds should be constructed with boards at least 16mm thick to increase the shed’s durability. It will also make the shed sturdier as the nails are driven into the material deeper.
Don’t Forget the Bracing
The robustness of the frame will be dictated by the amount of bracing a shed has. These are placed diagonally against the shed wall to keep it from rocking because it helps the shed stand up against strong winds. It is not always enough just to have a certain amount of timber, you also need to make sure you have good quality bracing.
Roofs, Floors and Windows
More and more shed floors and roofs these days are being constructed from OSB or oriented strand boards. They keep the water out and even if a certain amount of moisture seeps in, it will not get water-damaged easily. About 12mm should be used on the roof while about 18mm is good for the floors.
Doors on the other hand, should be the ledged and braced type. You should opt for a fully-framed door is you want something sturdy or make sure the door has braces because it will quickly sag over time. The windows can be either fixed or simply opening and consider safety glass for the panes as the standard 3mm used is quite fragile and can easily shatter if hit with a heavy object.
Once you have these factors down, you will be able to expertly tell the difference between a poorly-made garden shed and a well-made one. Whether you opt to build your own sheds or shop online for prefabricated sheds, the basis for finding the best ones are the same and never compromise on quality no matter how dirt-cheap it gets sold.