Shed-Building Tips

Shed design ideas often come in unexpected forms. However, to design a shed, there are so many steps that it may seem easier to just shell out the money for already crafted sheds or garages. It doesn't have to be like that with these tips.

Tip 1 : Materials

Be weary of what material you use for building your shed. Metal may last longer, but if the shed will be near the house, noise from rain, snow, and sleet will drive you crazy. This material also rusts, which is a problem in an extremely rainy area. Wood has less noise in extreme weather, but heavy rains will cause rotting to accelerate. Dry wood is a fire hazard in drought conditions.

Tip 2 : Measurements

If you don't trust your own hands to measure the area, get a friend to help. The old saying "cut once, measure twice" applies well to building a shed. When designing the shed, and especially building the shed, making sure each cut is where it should be will keep the project on budget. Keeping the measurements exact will also allow every piece of material that is bought to be used as it was intended to be used.

Tip 3 : Rivets, Screws, or Something Else?

Take a good look at what you're using to build the shed. If metal is the prime material, rivets or screws will be more up to the task of holding everything together. With wood, screws or nails would be much better to hold it all together. Keep in mind, however, that if you're using screws, that you should prime a hole. Special tools can be bought or borrowed to do this.

Nails are universally the easiest thing to use if you have good aim. If not, screws would be better and less time-consuming. Rivets are specifically for metal, so if you're using metal, rivets are the best way to go.

Tip 4: Cost

Before even beginning the designing of the shed, take a look through your local hardware shop. What kind of tools do they carry? Do they carry wood that would be appropriate if you're using wood? Do they carry metal?

As you browse, look at the prices and keep a tally of how much a foot, yard, meter, etc. of metal and wood costs. This will be helpful when you take measurements: you can take the measurement and multiply it by the price. This gives a rough estimate of how much the building materials will cost at bare minimum.

Tip 5: Get Help

If you're unsure of something, there are plenty of resources to fix that. The internet offers multiple forums for answers. A local hardware store might be more immediate help, and can offer examples right then and there. If pressed for time, call up a friend who does DIY work or who builds for a living.

The best resource, however, will be the local hardware store or a hardware site. These two places are built to answer questions from first time project doers to the more seasoned person who still has questions. Use them wisely.