‘garden buildings’ Tagged Posts

Buying a Home Log Cabin – What you need to know

The actual price that you pay for having log cabins built will not only depend on its size, but also the logs used to build it. Some cabins will be ...

 

The actual price that you pay for having log cabins built will not only depend on its size, but also the logs used to build it. Some cabins will be constructed using handcrafted logs and can prove to be extremely expensive. Whilst if you are looking for a cheaper alternative then select one that is made using hand milled logs instead.

It is important therefore before you actually decide on getting such a cabin built you know the difference between milled and handcrafted logs. Generally, those that are milled have been prepared using either a sawmill, a lathe or a planer. This then ensures that each log will be cut to a specific profile or shape. As you will soon discover milled logs have a far more uniformed shape and size to them compared to handcrafted ones.

In addition, what you will often find that milled log cabins are ones where the wood has been either air or kiln dried. This enables the right amount of moisture to be extracted from the wood before they are used to build a home with.

As for the surface of these logs, they are generally smooth and flat and could even have been coped as well. Also in a large number of cases, they will have tongue and groove joints along the sides where they are to join. This not only makes the construction process easier but helps to provide a much stronger and stable outer shell to the cabin. But if you want, the outer side of the log can remain rough to provide a much more rustic look to your cabin.

Generally, the wood that is used for milled log cabins comes from trees such as cedars, pines or spruces as well as firs. The least expensive type of milled log cabin is one that has been made using either pine or spruce. Whereas if you are willing to pay more then the option is to go for one made from cedar.

As for handcrafted logs, these will have been prepared by being hand peeled using either a drawknife or through the use of water. The actual logs themselves when being prepared are green and will only have been cut and hauled a few days or weeks before. Unlike milled logs these are allowed to air dry only as kiln drying is a very expensive process, as these need to be dried whilst they are still their full lengths after cutting.

As well as pine and spruce being favorite trees for making handcrafted log cabins from other trees that are used are the Douglas fir, Oak, Juniper, Cyprus and Alpine Fir. The last tree mentioned is also known as a True Fir.

As mentioned the cost you pay for buying and having log cabins constructed will not only depend on the way in which the logs have been prepared. You also need to take into consideration the size of the cabin you are having built. The bigger the cabin then the more labour intensive and the more logs will be needed in order to build it. If you want to save money but would like a large cabin then you are better off going for milled rather than handcrafted logs.

As one of the largest manufacturers of wood garden buildings in the UK, Waltons supply a large range of garden sheds, log cabins, playhouses and summerhouses, as well as a selection of quality greenhouses made from different materials such as polycarb, aluminium and wood.

Basic Ideas and Plans for Building a Storage Shed

 

Getting plans for building a storage shed is only part of the job when preparing to build. You will also need to make some choices on the type of shed that you need, where it will be located, and whether or not you need help building it.

Depending on the use of your shed, you may want something that can hold tools, a workbench, and electrical outlets for your equipment. Or, you may want a shed that will hold garden tools and equipment and kids bikes. The shed styles that will accommodate these two uses are very different. Deciding on the uses for your shed will help in making the best decision on the style of shed that you ultimately build.

If you find out your shed will need to be more than 200 square feet, contact your local government office. In some areas a person needs a building permit for any structure that is 200 square feet in size. This may not seem very important when you are thinking about building the shed, but the resale value of your home can be significantly impacted if you have structures on your property that were not built using a required permit.

Before looking at different locations for your shed, call the utility company. You are going to want to build your shed in a part of your yard that does not have any cables, lines, or pipes under it. By having those areas marked prior to deciding on your location, you will not be creating any future difficulties.

Locating the shed in the highest part of your yard will keep water from running into the floor of the shed. You will also want to make sure that you angle away from heavy wind and rain.

Deciding on the flooring for your shed will also be an important consideration. The flooring of sheds is normally made from a concrete slab or by using skids. Skids are 4″x4″x8′ lumber that is placed on solid concrete blocks. When using skids it is important that the blocks are level and the lumber is also level and evenly spaced across the floor of your shed.

If you are building your shed in an area where there is run-off, then you will want to set your blocks or timbers in 2-4 inches of gravel. Pressure treated wood is very important when building your shed. It will be in the elements and you need to protect the wood from insects and rot.

Getting plans that include the use of low maintenance materials when building a storage shed will cut down on the amount of work you need to do to maintain the shed on a yearly basis. PVC timber instead of painted cedar for trim on the shed will eliminate the need to repaint the cedar each year.

Discover how to build an incredible outdoor structure with these easy to followstorage shed plans complete with step by step instructions and woodworking tips from a master of woodworking and design. This excellent guide is available for a limited time by visiting Shed Building Plans today.

Buying Guide for Greenhouses

 

When it comes to greenhouses you will find that there are a wide variety of sizes and styles to select from. Generally however most homeowners who wish to install one opt for the small rectangular kinds as not only are they easy to erect but generally they take up very little space.

If you are thinking about getting a greenhouse for the garden the first thing you must decide is whether you choose one that is free standing or which you can place up against a wall of your home. The big advantage of going for the second type is that they take up far less space and also cost less to purchase, however, they won’t offer the same amount of space for working inside them easily.

As for the freestanding (stand alone) models these you can site anywhere in the garden so it means that they can be situated in a position where they cannot be viewed from the house. But it is important that you select a position in the garden where a good amount of sunlight can fall on to it.

But when it comes to the position of the stand alone style of greenhouses available there are other factors that need to be taken into consideration. You need to make sure that it is provided with some form of shading especially if you live in a very hot climate. If this is not possible then you will need to install some sort of shading system to protect the plants inside from the extreme heat of the sun during the hottest part of the day.

The next thing you need to decide is how the plants kept in the greenhouse will be protected from the cold during the winter months. If you are locating your greenhouse near to your house or garage you could install an electrically powered heating system in yours. But these systems are quite expensive so it is often better to use a portable greenhouse heater instead. But make sure that the fuel which is used to power them is easily to obtain where you live.

Greenhouses can be erected directly on to soil as long as it is flat and even. However if you don’t want pests to get access including moles into yours then it is worth laying some foundations beforehand. Either go for concrete or some paving slabs as the foundations and this will ensure that the surface on to which it is erected is level and protect it from pests. It will also offer protection from the cold that can come up through the soil.

As you can see there are a few important things to think about if you are thinking of ordering greenhouses online. There are a huge selection to choose including the extremely popular polycarbonate greenhouses which are more eco-friendly and can be more efficient that traditional style greenhouses.

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Buying Guide for Garden Sheds

 

Today when it comes to purchasing a shed for the garden you need to determine which of the basic constructions you want. There are several different ways in which sheds can be constructed but the most popular seem to be the overlap or tongue and groove style. Below we look at some of the reasons why you should consider selecting tongue and groove garden sheds over the overlap varieties.

The main problem with overlap garden sheds although they are inexpensive to purchase they will often be made from cheap materials. Along with the material from which they are made and which normally resemble garden fence style panels being poor quality these tend to not be very strong.

Another thing with the affordable overlap garden sheds is that the roof and base will again be constructed from relatively cheap materials such as waferboard, sterling board (similar to chipboard) or OSB (oriented strand board). All these have some water proof properties but not enough to ensure that the shed lasts for years to come. In fact these tend to deteriorate quite quickly and in most cases you should only expect an overlap garden shed to last for 2 to 3 years and then it will need replacing.

If you are looking for a garden shed that is far more durable and is robustly constructed then you should seriously be looking at purchasing ones made using tongue and groove construction. However, these types of sheds tend to cost more but this is because they are constructed from better quality materials which is the reason why they tend to last a lot longer. What you will find is in many cases these types of sheds won’t need to be replaced within 2 to 3 years of them being constructed.

When purchasing these kinds of sheds look for ones that are constructed from thick pieces of wood. The tongue and groove planks for the sides should be no less than 16mm thick, whilst the framework should measure 50mm x 25mm. Also it is important to avoid purchasing ones that use OSB in them. Although this does have some water proof properties they are not enough to ensure that the shed remains intact for several years to come.

Although a tongue and groove garden shed constructed from the thickness of wood mentioned above is good going for ones constructed that are much thicker and heavier is an option as well. What you need to remember the thicker and heavier the wood the longer the shed will actually last.

Tongue and groove garden sheds as well as being durable and robust there are many other reasons why people are choosing to build one of these in their garden instead of the overlap variety. These sheds look far neater because of the way the wood from which they are constructed joins together. It is because of the way the wood joins it offers these sheds more stability so that no matter how often they are used there is little or no movement taking place.

But with any garden shed including tongue and groove garden sheds to ensure that they remain in the same condition as when they were constructed they need to be taken care of properly. Therefore you should spend time each year inspecting yours and carrying out any necessary maintenance to it. Plus it is also a good idea to spend time regularly applying a coating to the exterior of your shed to protect it from the elements.

So as you can imagine there are a number of points you need to think about when looking to buy garden sheds online. There are a number of online stores where you can buy sheds such as Walton Garden Buildings who are one of the largest manufacturers of wooden garden buildings in the United Kingdom.

Plenty of Storage In Your Garden Tool Shed

 

By planning correctly, your garden tool shed can be well organized and have all of your tools located for your convenience.

The following tips can help you to organize a messy garden tool shed.

Think about the tools which you really need stored in your garden tool shed. Sometimes garden tool sheds become catch alls for everything. We keep our tools such as weed eaters in the shed. Then we store our paints and chemicals there. In a very short time the tool shed becomes a jungle of tools and chemicals that is inconvenient and dangerous. It almost has to be emptied out to find anything.

Garden tool sheds are the ideal place to store such large bulky items as lawn mowers and rototillers. With these large items, you do not want to have to move them every time you need something from the shed. If there are items you use often, they should be stored near the entrance to the shed so that you can easily find and retrieve them. Easy access is a key to an efficient tool shed.

Make different zones in the shed for the different items that you plan to store there. Build partitions in the shed if necessary so that you can keep the kids toys separate from the supplies for gardening. Shelves, bins and hooks can also come in handy for storage and can keep everything from being jumbled. These can be purchased or even improvised using materials you already have on hand.

Since safety is a concern, then you should be sure that you keep your tool shed locked. Many lawn and garden chemicals are toxic and tools can be dangerous. If you cannot keep the shed locked, then install locking cupboards to keep those items safely locked away.

Garden tool sheds need to be cleaned and organized regularly. Choose a date you can remember as a goal for cleaning the shed. Open the shed and if you find gadgets that are never used, give them away. If there are household items that are broken, either repair them or throw them away. Things that take unnecessary space make it difficult to find the tools that you do need.

Shovels and rakes need to be stored up off the floor. Standing them in a corner takes more room but hanging them on hooks makes more floor space that is often needed. Check for hooks to store these tools at your local hardware store.

If your garden tool shed is organized, you will be able to find any tool that you need when they are needed.

Find out today how to build an amazing outdoor wooden storage shed with these complete step by step instructions, blueprints, guidelines and woodworking tips from a master of woodworking and design. This excellent guide is available for a limited by visiting shed building plans today.

Plenty of Storage In Your Garden Tool Shed

 

Planning correctly will allow you to have a garden tool shed which is organized and arranged in such a manner that you can easily retrieve the tools that you need.

By following these tips, you can convert a formerly messy garden tool shed into an efficient one.

Think about the tools which you really need stored in your garden tool shed. Sometimes garden tool sheds become catch alls for everything. We keep our tools such as weed eaters in the shed. Then we store our paints and chemicals there. In a very short time the tool shed becomes a jungle of tools and chemicals that is inconvenient and dangerous. It almost has to be emptied out to find anything.

Large bulky items are ideally stored in a garden shed. That includes lawn mowers and rototillers. However, it becomes very inconvenient to have to move these tools every time you need something from the back of the shed. Frequently used items need to have a storage place near the door. You may want to consider adding a second door for easier access from both ends of the shed.

Divide your shed into storage zones. Build partitions if necessary to separate the kids toys from your tools. Add bins, shelves and hooks to give homes to everything. Many times you will have adequate supplies at home to improvise this organization, but if not, purchase these items at you home improvement store.

Toxic chemicals and dangerous equipment should be locked in the shed for safe storage. If it is impossible to lock the shed install locking cupboards that will provide safe storage for dangerous items. Remember that solvents may need ventilation to be stored safely.

One key to keeping a garden tool shed organized is regularly cleaning and throwing out items that are not needed. If you have tools that you do not use, offer to give them away. If broken household items have migrated to the tool shed, either fix them and return to the house or throw them away. Items that do not belong in the tool shed need to find another home.

Store shovels and rakes on hooks rather than stacked in a corner. This will make more floor space for tools that must be stored on the floor. You will find appropriate hooks at your hardware or home improvement store.

If you keep your garden tool shed organized, you will be able to find every tool that you need to keep your garden looking great at exactly the time you need them.

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Learn How to Build a Wooden Garden Shed This Weekend

 

For many do it yourselfers, it is easy to construct a wooden garden shed, which can be used as a garden workplace for potting plants or storing gardening supplies and tools. The task is made all the easier with a good set of design and building plans which are readily available from a variety of good websites on the internet. A wooden garden shed is one of the simplest buildings to construct and can be used for a number of different storage needs, such as for storing garden supplies or for basic storage for outdoor furniture or power tools. In rural areas, a larger wooden garden shed can even be used to provide shelter for horses or other livestock.

Even a novice can compete with the skills and experience of a seasoned woodworker provided he has a good set of design and building plans for that outdoor wooden garden shed. All it really takes is basic knowledge and some ability to use a hammer, electric saw and tape measure. To build a wooden garden shed requires more patience and determination than experience and skill, once you have gotten your hands on a good set of step by step building plans.

If you are you determined enough to learn how to build an outdoor wooden garden shed from plans, and can follow basic instructions and drawings, you can easily build that outdoor structure you have been longing for to store all your possessions and free up valuable garage space. Instead of looking at a pile of garden tools, lawn mowers, ladders, outdoor furniture and more, why not build an attractive wood storage shed that can even blend in with your home?s design. You can do it in a weekend with step by step shed building instructions which you can download online and be hammering away before the end of the day.

Almost anyone can build a simple wooden garden shed, as simple as four walls and a roof. Detailed, easy to follow plans for building a storage shed make building a simple structure quite, well, simple. It does not take much experience or a high level of skill to move on to more complicate designs such as adding windows, doors or floors.

Before starting any project, especially when erecting a new structure on your property, it is wise to check with your municipality or local building department to determine whether or not a permit is required. You don?t want to have to remove the structure because you forgot the permit.

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Buying Guide for Overlap Garden Sheds

 

There are several reasons why people choose to install a shed in their gardens these days. For some people they will use theirs to free up space in their garage. Whilst others will use their overlap garden sheds as an area to work in, whether it be on the garden or as a home office. But whatever their reason is for installing a shed in their garden they need to take a number of things into consideration. Below are some of the things that you should be taking into consideration before you build your own overlap garden shed.

Consideration 1 ” Why Do You Want To Build A Shed?

By deciding on what you will be using your shed for you can then choose the size and style of shed to be built along with where in the garden it will be placed. If for example the overlap garden shed is to be used as a home office you need one that will easily provide space for you and your equipment and also has enough windows in it to allow plenty of natural light into the room.

Consideration 2 ” How Much Space Have You Available?

Before purchasing any garden sheds including the overlap types look how much space you have in your garden for it. Why purchase large overlap garden sheds with double doors or a front porch if you only have a small garden. To determine the size of the shed that is suitable factor in that you need to have space clear around all sides of it so that they can easily be accessed for maintenance to be carried out on them.

Consideration 3 ” Where Should You Situate It?

Once you know how much space you have available and decided which garden shed is right for you now have to decide where you want to put it. If you will be using yours as a place to store garden equipment in and also for doing work for the garden when the weather is bad make sure that you locate it in a position that allows you easy access to the garden. However, if you are going to use yours as a home office then it is far better if you build it in a position where you can then run the necessary utilities (power etc) to it.

Consideration 4 ” Do You Want To Build It Yourself?

You can build overlap garden sheds yourself but it could take you some time even though you will find that there are instructions contained within the kit explaining the steps to construct it. But should you have never undertaken a project like this before you may not build it properly and could fall apart relatively quickly. So although it does cost more sometimes it is worthwhile actually employing a professional to build the shed for you instead. Not only will they have the necessary skills but also the tools to construct your shed for you in a lot less time and ensure that it will last for many years to come.

Consideration 5 ” How Much Can You Afford To Spend?

There are many different styles of garden sheds one can purchase today, however the main reason for people going for overlap garden sheds is the cost. These tend to be made from relatively inexpensive materials which helps to keep the costs down and are manufactured in such a way that building one is very simple indeed. Generally what you find that the walls of each side of the shed is attached to part of the frame and to build it you just need to join each part of the wall, roof and floors to the others as explained in the instructions provided.

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Building Plans For Storage Sheds for the Novice or Experienced Woodworker

 

When it comes time to building that outdoor garden shed or backyard tool shed, isn’t it good to know that you can find a good set of building plans for storage sheds that will guide you step by step through every aspect of construction? Finding a good set of plans for building almost any kind of outdoor structure, from tool and garden sheds to garage and barn-sized structures is not that difficult, provided you know how to look. There are a number of good websites which provide fairly detailed and comprehensive building plans for storage sheds that can show you step by step how to build almost any type of outdoor garden structure.

When it comes time to build your outdoor shed, whether it be a garden shed, bicycle shed or tools shed, you can easily complete professional construction by following a good set of plans. Plans for building a storage shed can be downloaded from the internet. With step by step, easy to follow instructions, even a novice will building in no time.

The internet has become the very first place people turn to whenever they are looking to make a purchase, need an answer to a question or require any kind of information. We live in an information age where answers are available in an instant. When it comes to building plans for storage sheds, the internet is the very first place I turn to for finding a good set of plans. The problem is there are literally hundreds of results, hundreds of websites and so many plans that it is difficult to know which is best. Well, let me share with you what I have found in all of my online research, to be the best plans for building a storage shed. With step by step instructions you can be building your outdoor structure this weekend.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned woodworker; whether you are building your first shed or your tenth; even if you have no DIY skills, knowledge or understanding of woodworking and construction, you can learn how to build a simple wood shed with this comprehensive guide. Most of these building plans for storage sheds have several different size options that you may choose from, different designs and sizes and will walk you step by step through all aspects of construction. Highlighted by dozens of tried and tested tips and advice, as well as detailed photos, drawings and diagrams, these professional plans are an excellent way to get that wood shed built in a weekend.

For those who are hesitant about building their own outdoor storage shed, there are always pre-fabricated, ready to assemble outdoor shed kits, available from the local home improvement store or online. These kits are often very expensive and still require a weekend or more of construction and assembly turning that inexpensive do it yourself project into a cost and construction nightmare. Build it yourself.

If you can follow directions, a good set of easy to follow shed building plans will make the construction much easier than the time when you had to assemble your daughter’s first bicycle and ended up with leftover parts. A set of basic tools and a little hard work and concentration and presto – a beautiful outdoor wooden storage project is completed.

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