Posts Tagged ‘garden buildings’

Solar Shed Lighting and Beyond

December 24th, 2009

There are all manner of intriguing new possibilities waiting to surprise and amuse anyone who might be toying with the idea of adding solar power to their garden shed. Not so long ago the humble wooden shed was seen as really no more than a handy store for garden furniture, toys and garden machinery and tools. But not any more.

No longer is the shed merely a garden store room for mowers and assorted other garden accessories; with extra space increasingly hard to find you would be mad to ignore the 100 or more square feet that even a modest 10 x 10 garden shed can give you. With that kind of additional space you could install a home office, setup a personal den, or even kit out a small gym.

It goes without saying however that none of this is going to amount to anything without electric power (for lighting and operating assorted devices). Your options are twofold: run out a power line or mount some solar panels on the roof.

The first option means you need to somehow run (and protect) a power line from an isolator switch added to the household mains supply. Far and away the easiest means of mitigating many of the problems inherent in doing this is to first convert the mains supply to low voltage, typically using a 12v transformer. Gardens in general and wooden sheds in particular don’t mix well with high voltage electricity.

The second route, involves little more than affixing one or more solar panels to the roof of the shed and attaching them to a storage battery. The number and size of the panels and batteries depends on how much power you want and the amount of time you want it. You then wire up low energy lights (typically LED lighting) to the batteries and there you have it: solar shed lights.

For those who would like the ultimate in ease of installation there are many all inclusive kits that provide all the bits and pieces and can be deployed with the greatest of ease. If you look at many brand new sheds these days you will often find that suppliers offer them with a solar lighting kit pre-fitted to cater for their growing popularity.

But why stop at solar lighting out in your shed? Solar powered CCTV can offer protection to parts of your property that would otherwise be difficult to cover. Solar CCTV systems consume little power and use wireless connectivity to transmit images to a number of possible destinations: web space, local hard drive, email and phone.

Being wireless means that by the time an intruder has clocked the a solar CCTV camera’s presence, it has clocked theirs and already sent the pictures, so they would be well advised at this point to back away and depart your property.

If you are interested in finding out more then this great article looks at portable solar panels for sheds in much greater detail.

Advice on Buying a Home Log Cabin

December 11th, 2009

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.

Therefore, before you actually go ahead and get a cabin built from logs it is crucial that you actually know what the difference is between milled and handcrafted logs. Those that have been milled will have been placed through a sawmill, lathe or planer. This will ensure that they all come out in the same uniform size, shape and have the same profile.

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.

The actual surface of these kinds of logs will be flat on the top and bottom of each one and they may also have been coped. In some cases, a tongue and groove joint will also have been inserted so that actually assembling the cabin together is a lot easier. Plus it helps to make a much more rigid and strong. These logs can be left with a rougher side to offer a more rustic look but can also be sanded smooth.

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.

Just like with milled log cabins those who make handcrafted ones like to use pine and spruce trees. However, there are some log cabin manufacturers who prefer to use either Douglas fir, Oak, Juniper, Cyprus or Alpine Fir (True Firs) instead.

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 builders 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 constructed from different materials such as polycarb, aluminium and wood.

categories: log cabins,log cabin kits,summerhouses,summer houses,garden buildings,garden sheds,gardening,landscaping,gardens,home,recreation

Plans for Building a Storage Shed in Your Backyard

November 30th, 2009

Selecting plans for building a storage shed can be very challenging. There are many plans available in stores, books, and on websites. Selecting the best plans for your needs will take some planning and preparation before committing. By making the proper preparations, you will also know if you need to enlist assistance for the build.

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.

Building a shed that is 200 square feet requires a building permit in some areas. Checking with your local building department will save you time and money. By getting the proper permits, you will not have to worry that your property values will be reduced when you sell your home. In some areas people are required to tear down any structures they build without a permit. This is also expensive and time consuming.

An important step before choosing where to put your shed is to call the utility and cable companies. Having lines, cables, and pipe locations identified before you start your shed will save time. You do not want to build your shed over any objects that may have to be dug up at a later day. Even “light” sheds are difficult to move so taking this precaution will be very cost effective and will ultimately save time.

When you know which areas in your yard are clear for the size of the shed, you will want to find the highest point in the yard to build the shed. By staying away from low spots in your yard, you will not have to worry about water run-off getting in your shed during heavy storms or floods.

Most people use either skids or a concrete slab for their flooring. When skids are used, they are placed on solid concrete blocks. The 4″x4″x8′ lumber must be evenly spaced on the blocks. You will also want to make sure that both the skids and the blocks are level before you start your flooring.

If you live in a wet climate or an area where there is run-off and are going to use skids, you will want to take an extra safety step. Putting 2-4″ of gravel in the area where you are putting your blocks and skids will keep the water from causing damage to your shed. Using pressure treated wood will also help with keeping insects and water damage from occurring.

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 amazing garden shed 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

October 23rd, 2009

The immediate thing you will notice when it comes to greenhouses is just how many different styles and sizes of these there are. But most homeowners who decide to install a greenhouse in their garden they choose to erect a rectangular one as they are easy to erect and don’t need too much space.

If you are thinking about getting a greenhouse for your garden the first thing you need to decide is whether you want one that is stand alone or one that abuts to your home. The main advantage to having the second type is that they do take up far less space and cost a little less to purchase than the stand alone types. However, they don’t offer the kind of space inside to allow you to easily work in them.

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.

However there are a number of other factors that you need to take into consideration when deciding where your freestanding greenhouse is to be situated in your garden. It is vital that along with it getting lots of sunlight that shade is provided to protect the plants inside when the weather is very hot. If you cannot provide natural shade then you will have to install some shading system inside to provide the plants with the protection they need from the 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 key things to think about if you are thinking of ordering greenhouses online. There are a wide range to choose including the extremely popular polycarbonate greenhouses which are more eco-friendly and can be more efficient that traditional style greenhouses.

How To Plan A Garden Tool Shed

October 17th, 2009

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

These tips that follow can help you to get on top of a messy tool shed so that it is well organized.

What do you really need in your garden tool shed? It seems as if we end up storing almost everything in the shed. It may be mechanical devices such as weed eaters or workshop tools. We store paints and chemicals. In very short order, we can have a real mess. By making a list of the things that actually belong in the tool shed, you can find a configuration that is most convenient for you.

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.

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.

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.

Discover how to build your own garden tool shed with these easy to follow, step-by-step plans for building a storage shed. Easily download a free set of plans for building a storage shed and start building that garden tool shed this weekend.

Buying Guide for Garden Sheds

October 15th, 2009

Before you purchase a shed for your garden you need to look at the basic construction of it beforehand. As you will soon discover there are a number of different constructions to choose from. There is the overlap or tongue and groove style one to select from. Below we look at why you should be considering purchasing tongue and groove garden sheds over the overlap style ones.

Overlap garden sheds are affordable but the big problem you have with these is that they are usually made from inexpensive materials. In many cases they are made from poor quality material and look similar to fence panels and so won’t be very strong.

Often with overlap garden sheds the base and roof is constructed from inexpensive materials such as OSB (oriented strand board), waferboard or sterling board a material similar to chipboard. Although these do offer some water proof properties they are not enough to offer the shed protection for many years to come. In fact it isn’t uncommon to find a homeowner having to replace such sheds 2 to 3 years after construction because they have begun to deteriorate.

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.

Most gardeners are happy with the thickness of the tongue and groove panels and framework we mentioned above but some prefer to go for ones that are heavier and thicker. Not only are these type more durable but they also extend how long the shed will last after construction has been completed.

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.

However for tongue and groove garden sheds to remain in the condition they were in when constructed they need to be well maintained. Therefore you should make sure that each year you inspect yours thoroughly and carry out any necessary maintenance to the shed. Plus it is also advisable to regularly apply a new protective coating to the external parts of your shed.

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

How To Organize A Garden Tool Shed

October 9th, 2009

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

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

What should really be stored in your garden tool shed? Sometimes it seems that everything goes in there. We put mechanical devices such as weed eaters or other workshop tools. We use the shed for chemicals and paints. In a very short time, the shed can become a real mess. Take time to make a list of everything that should be in your tool shed. Then you can plan so that every item has its own place for storage.

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.

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.

If there is equipment or toxic chemicals in the garden tool shed, keep the shed locked, especially if there are children in your home. If locking is not an option, install cupboards that can be locked to store the dangerous chemicals.

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.

Tools such as shovels or rakes need to be stored off the floor to save that valuable space for items that require floor storage. Hooks can be purchased at home improvement stores or at hardware stores. It is less expensive to buy hooks than to build a larger shed.

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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Building a Wooden Garden Shed Is Easy

October 6th, 2009

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.

You do not have to have a great deal of skill or experience to be able to build a simple wooden garden shed. If you start with a good set of plans, it will be easy to design and construct your outdoor wooden storage shed. Basic tools are all that are needed to build a basic shed. A hammer, electric saw and tape measure, mixed together with a little patience, a little know-how and a good deal of determination, and followed by a good set of step by step plans are all you need for that wooden garden shed.

It is possible to easily build an outdoor wooden garden shed this weekend once you have gotten your hands on a good set of step by step plans. Soon after you download your plans from the internet, you will be building your first outdoor structure. No longer will you have to share your garage with all your worldly possessions. Once that beautiful new wooden garden shed rises in your backyard, that pile of tools, outdoor furniture, weed trimmers and ladders will be neatly tucked away in a new home. Finally, your garage can go back to a place for parking your car.

The internet has become the first place to look for almost any product or answer to any question. The same is true for wooden garden shed building plans. Any weekend warrior, whether experienced or not can build not only a simple outdoor structure, but even the more complicated and intricate designs. Starting out with a simple structure, it is easy to add windows and doors and get as fancy as you imagine. All it takes is the right set of plans.

Remember to always check with your local government officials to verify laws and building codes regarding permits and other issues that will pertain to building that outdoor structure on your property. The last thing you want to worry about is getting your shed up and finished only to take it right back down again.

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Building Plans For Storage Sheds for the Novice or Experienced Woodworker

October 1st, 2009

If you are thinking about building a garden shed or a backyard tool shed, or perhaps even a larger outdoor structure, you can easily download easy to follow, comprehensive building plans for storage sheds which will have you building that backyard garden structure in no time flat. Finding a good set of plans that contain all of the instructions and guidelines you will need, including step by step photographs and detailed illustrations, is not that difficult, provided you know how and where to look. With a little bit of internet research saavy, you can find building plans for nearly every kind of storage shed you can think of.

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.

What are the alternatives to building your own outdoor wooden storage shed? For some people who feel that even with these amazing plans for building a storage shed they may not be comfortable building their own, the alternative is to purchase a pre-assembled kit from the local home improvement depot. For some, a decent alternative. But for others, this may prove to not only be too expensive but not provide the shed design they were looking for.

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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Overlap Garden Sheds

October 1st, 2009

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 determining why you want a shed constructed in your garden will then help you decide just how big it needs to be and where it will be situated. Also this allows you to decide what style of shed it is going to be. If you intend to use it for as an office space then you need to ensure that it situates close to power supplies and has plenty of windows in it to allow as much natural light into it as possible.

Consideration 2 ” How Much Space Have You Available?

This is another very important thing to be taken into consideration when deciding on what sort of overlap garden shed to purchase. For those where space is limited then you should be thinking about going for those types of sheds that have a set of double doors on them or a porch at the front. When determining how much space is available remember to factor in leaving space around the shed for you to work on it when any maintenance needs to be carried out.

Consideration 3 ” Where Should You Situate It?

After you know how much space you have available in the garden for your shed you now need to decide where it is actually going to be located. If you are simply using yours as a place to store tools for the garden and to carry out tasks when the weather is inclement then make sure that you situate it close to your garden. But if you are intending to use yours as a home office then you should situate close to where you can easily run utility supplies from your home or garage 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?

The main reason why so many people are choosing overlap garden sheds to build in their garden is the cost. These ones tend to be relatively inexpensive to purchase and you will often find that the way in which they are made makes them very easy to build. In many cases the frame and the exterior walls are joined to each other and so you just need to attach the side and front and back walls to each other.

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