Backyard Sheds
So you’re thinking about building a shed in your backyard? That’s great! You’ll find building your own shed to be a worthwhile project that will provide many hours of enjoyment, outdoor work, and in the end, satisfaction of a job well done. Not only that, but you’ll also have a building that can be used for years.
So have you thought about what kind of backyard shed you want to build? What about the uses for which the shed is needed? Here are a few ideas to stir up your imagination:
- Storage for tools, mowers, bicycles, seasonal items
- Firewood storage
- Gardening shed for potting and maintaining tools
- Shaded comfort (could be screened in as well)
- Greenhouse shed
- Hobby house
- Man cave
- Pool shed or cabana
- Barn
Once you have an idea for the purpose of your shed, it becomes easier to make decisions about other factors regarding building a shed.
Location
Given the purpose of your shed, where do you want to put it. Most sheds are placed in the backyard, but you don’t have to be restricted by that kind of thinking. A level area would make the building of a shed easier, but again, don’t restrict yourself to choosing only flat ground. Building on a slope could enhance the usefulness of your property while at the same time improving the beauty of your backyard.
Keep in mind any covenants or easements that may affect your choice of locations. Underground or overhead utilities may interfere with your choice as well.
Building Materials
How do you want your shed to look? Do you want a natural look using stone or cedar? Or do you prefer a utilitarian structure using sheet metal? Will the structure be used year-round? Will insulation be necessary? What about the foundation? Do you want a permanent foundation or will sitting the structure on pressure-treated skids work?
One consideration in the choice of building materials is in the proximity of other structures (say your home, for example). If the backyard shed is close to other buildings, it may make sense to use similar materials and colors as those other structures.
Don’t forget about the details. What type of door do you want? The purpose of the shed will dictate the size and type of door in most cases. Do you want windows? Windows will help with visibility inside the shed during daylight hours. Perhaps a skylight could accomplish the same purpose. You’ll also want to consider ventilation. Sheds, like homes, need to have proper ventilation in order to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Will you accomplish that with windows, vents, or fans?
Choosing a Plan
Once you have finalized the issues mentioned above, choosing a shed plan should be relatively easy. There are many suppliers of shed plans available through the Internet or in bookstores. The key is to choose a plan that is as detailed as possible. A good plan should list a complete list of wood sizes, hardware, and related items that are needed to build that plan. In that way, you can run a quick estimate between different plans on the cost of the shed. Unless you’ve built a number of projects before, you’ll probably want to make sure you have detailed instructions on how to build the shed of your choice. A good plan will have that.
Now you have everything in place to get started. Take your time, measure twice and cut once, and build that backyard shed!
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