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Learn How To Build A Shed
A shed is very important in keeping a home organized. It may be called a garden shed, or a tool shed or a storage shed, but no matter what it is called, it helps keep the tools and seasonal items safely away from the main house. Not all properties already have a shed when purchased, so the task of building a shed comes down on the new owners. On the other hand, perhaps a family had realized the need for a shed after living without one for years.
Whether a family is a new homeowner or long-time occupant, building a shed, when outsourced to contractors could cost an arm and a leg. That is all fine and dandy, if they have money to burn. However, those who would rather save and would find a building project to be a good experience, building one's own shed might not be such a bad idea.
As a matter of fact, building a shed without the help of professionals is a popular move among homeowners. It is not a complicated process, as long as the step-by-step procedures are strictly followed.
Why A Storage Shed is Important to a Household
As a family grows, so do their need for space, for renovating, for building materials and for many other things. Then there are older belongings that are outgrown by family members. In order to keep the house from bursting at the seams, a storage shed is needed to keep occasionally used items safe and organized, thus saving the main house from total chaos.
Building a garden shed takes effort, but it does not mean it is next to impossible. Here are a few things to remember when planning and building a shed.
Where to Build a Shed
It is important to find the most optimal place to build a shed. Avoid low-lying area that is at risk for erosion. Make sure that the site will not be touched by rainwater runoff. The moist will easily rot the woodwork and paneling of the shed, while constant water runoff will erode the ground on which the shed stands.
Choose a Plan for the Shed
A building plan for a shed is essential. There are countless plans to choose from that are available in books, magazines and online. However, deciding on the building plan relies on the owner's requirements. These may include the area or space to be taken up and the kinds of items to be stored in the shed. Once a building plan is selected, everything will go smoothly. But there are still other considerations to be made.
Purchase the Right Materials
The kind of materials used would make or break a storage shed. The most important thing to remember is to choose a wall frame that is resistant to weather. The shed will be exposed to the sun, wind and rains, so it is wise to find materials that would stand the stormiest of weathers. Low maintenance materials are also recommended. Keep in mind that low maintenance does not equate to low quality. There is no need for a shed to have fancy floors, walls and windows.
A shed is a must for every home. It will make storage and organization easier, not to mention finding things would not take a century. Investing some time in planning the shed before building it is wise. Doing it properly can save a family a lot of money and a lot of headaches. Building a garden shed, first and foremost, must adhere to a family's needs whether it will be used as a garden shed, a tool shed, a storage area or a combination of all three.
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Tools Needed To Build A Shed
Purchasing a pre-built shed or hiring someone to do it for you can be very costly. Constructing a shed of your very own however is relatively easy as long as you have the right tools. The purpose of your new shed will determine exactly what you need. In many cases, you may already own much of what is required and you may also be able to lease more sophisticated equipment.
The foundation
No matter what type of structure you are building, a strong foundation is the first step. If you don't have a solid base, everything built afterwards will be inferior. Sheds typically do not bare a lot of weight from above so you do not need to have a concrete foundation. If this is something you desire, the tools needed to build a shed foundation will be more sophisticated. To lay a concrete slab as the foundation you will need landscaping tools such as a shovel and sod splitter to clear a space where the cement will be laid. A wheel burrow is also essential for mixing concrete. After the concrete has been poured, a trowel is used to smooth the surface. Another tool to make sure the edges of your slab are true and straight are some 2 by 4 inch boards cut to the lengths and widths you want your slab to be.
Walls
Now that you have a solid foundation laid, you will begin constructing the walls of your shed. The method by which your walls are constructed may require different tools. For instance if you are using 2 by 4 inch boards to frame your walls, you will need a hammer. A specialized tool that allows you to affix wood to concrete is known as an impact hammer. This tool is powerful enough to drive fasteners or nails through wood into hard surfaces like cement. You can either rent one of these from a tool rental company or you can pick up consumer models that take 22 caliber cartridges and are used with a traditional hammer, sort of like a gun. A level, a circular saw, a jig saw and a corded or cordless drill will also be required to cut boards to length, drill pilot holes and to make sure your framed walls are true.
The roof
Many of the same tools you used to construct your shed walls will also be used to make the roof of your structure. The type of roofing you choose to cover your shed may require other tools. For example if you use some type of lightweight shingle, you may need a staple gun or staple hammer to affix sheathing underneath the shingles. These same tools may also be used to attach fascia coverings to the outside shed walls.
Extras
If you are building a simple structure that will only serve to store some yard equipment, the tools above should be all you need. However if you want things like power running to your shed, finish work such as painting and sealing, windows, or shelving; you will need more tools. For running power to your shed you will need an ohm meter, wire cutters, crimpers, a flat head and Philips screw driver, drill bits, a pair of needle nose pliers, a crescent wrench and a small set of socket wrenches. For finish work you will want to have a punch, a caulk gun, paint brushes, a paint pan, a roller, a putty knife and towels. For installing windows and shelving, a laser level is indispensable. With all the tools listed above, you should be able to build yourself an excellent shed. Depending on exactly what features you want your building to have you may end up needing more or less of these devices.