February 5, 2012

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Wooden Skid Foundation

Posted by Storage Shed Plans

Wooden Skid Foundation

A Wooden Skid Foundation is very simple. It’s two or more treated wood beams or landscape timbers  set on a bed of gravel. The gravel provides a flat, stable surface that has good drainage which helps to keep the timbers dry. Once the skids are set, the floor frame is built on top of them and is nailed to the skids to keep everything in place.

Building a skid foundation is just a matter of firstly preparing the gravel base, then cutting, setting, and leveling the timbers. The timbers you use must be rated for ground contact.

To add a decorative touch, you can make angled cuts on the ends of the Skids which  make it easier move the shed to a new location, if need be.

Because a Wooden Skid Foundation sits on the ground, it is subject to slight shifting due to frost in cold-weather climates. Often a shed that has risen out of level will correct itself in spring when everything starts to thaw, but if it doesn’t, you can lift the shed with jacks on the low side and add gravel beneath the skids to level it.

Best,

Brad Smith

PS. After reading this, you may feel inspired to check out some shed plans, so you can start organizing to build your next shed. These are some of the best storage shed plans I have seen at such a reasonable price.  So check them out now. Click here to purchase these quality shed plans now!

 

Filed Under: Garden Shed Plans, Outdoor Storage Shed, Playhouse Plans, Pole Barn Plans, Storage Shed Plans Tagged With:

Storage Shed Foundation

Posted by Storage Shed Plans

Storage Shed Foundation

Your Storage Shed Foundation provides a level, stable structure to build upon and protects the building from moisture and erosion. So when considering which storage shed plans you are going to use to build your shed, the first thing to consider is the foundation.

In following posts we will be looking at how to build five of the most common types of shed foundations. All but the concrete pier foundation are built on top of the ground and can lower and rise a few inches during seasonal freezing and thawing of the soil underneath. A storage shed is quite a small free standing structure which isn’t attached to any buildings, so this really isn’t a problem. However, it can affect some interior finishes (wallboard, as an example).

When you choose a Storage Shed Foundation type for your storage shed, consider the specific site and the performance qualities of all systems in various climates; then check with the local building department to learn what’s allowed in your area. Some foundations, for example concrete slabs, may classify sheds as permanent structures, which can affect property taxes, among other things.

Depending on your area and your climate, you may need to install special tie-downs or ground anchors according to local laws. If your building department requires a “frost-proof” foundation (so the building won’t move with the freezing ground), you should be able to pass inspection by building your shed on concrete pier foundations.

Photo Credit: BenLucier

Best,

Brad Smith

PS. After reading this, you may feel inspired to check out some shed plans, so you can start organizing to build your next shed. These are some of the best storage shed plans I have seen at such a reasonable price.  So check them out now. Click here to purchase these quality shed plans now!

Filed Under: Garden Shed Plans, Outdoor Storage Shed, Playhouse Plans, Pole Barn Plans, Storage Shed Plans Tagged With: ,

Shed Building Materials

Posted by Storage Shed Plans

Shed Building MaterialsThe Shed Building Materials used for outdoor buildings is most commonly lumber or wood. The type of wood used is pine or related softwoods or cedar. These are naturally rot resistant and are generally less expensive than most other rot resistant woods. For pine to be rot resistant, it must be pressure treated, with a chemical mixture called Chromated Copper Arsenate. Pressure treated lumber is cheaper than cedar, but it’s not as good looking, so you may want to use it only in areas

where appearance is unimportant. Exterior grade plywood is made with layers of cedar or treated wood and a special glue that makes it weather-resistant. Even though this is the case, it’s always a clever idea to cover exposed wood edges to prevent water possibly leaking in.

Framing lumber such as pine or pressure treated pine come in a few different grades: Select Structural, Construction or Standard, and Utility. For most peoples needs, Construction Grade No.2 offers the best balance between quality and price. Utility grade is a lower-cost wood suitable for blocking and similar uses but should not be used for structural members, such as studs and rafters.

Always remember when selecting wood for your shed make sure all nails, screws, bolts, hinges, and anchors that will be exposed to weather or rest on concrete or that come in contact with treated lumber must be corrosion resistant.

The best all around choice for nails and screws is hot-dipped galvanized steel, recognizable by its rough, dull-silver coating. Hot-dipped fasteners generally hold up better than the smoother, electroplated types, and they’re the recommended choice for pressure-treated lumber. Aluminum and stainless steel are other materials suitable for outdoor exposure, however, aluminum can corrode some types of treated lumber.

Expensive stainless steel is the best guarantee against staining from fasteners on cedar and redwood.

Lastly, applying a finish to your shed will help protect the wood from rot, fading and discoloration, and insects. Pine or similar untreated lumber must have a protective finish if it’s exposed to the elements, but even cedar is can  rot over time and will turn gray if left bare and is not treated. If you paint the wood, always apply a primer first, which helps the paint stick and makes it last longer. If you want to preserve the natural wood grain, use a stain or clear finish.

Best,

Brad Smith

PS. After reading this, you may feel inspired to check out some shed plans, so you can start organizing to build your next shed. These are some of the best storage shed plans I have seen at such a reasonable price.  So check them out now. Click here to purchase these quality shed plans now!

Filed Under: Garden Shed Plans, Outdoor Storage Shed, Playhouse Plans, Pole Barn Plans, Storage Shed Plans Tagged With: , ,

Pole Barn Construction

Posted by Storage Shed Plans

Pole Barn ConstructionPole barns are one of the most popular sheds to build. The materials used to construct the shed are pretty cheap and these sheds are quite simple to build. They are also great because they are built to last, and you can basically dress it up or down to your liking.

Looking at pole barn construction, it’s a structure that is supported by poles which are set in the ground and anchored in by concrete. The poles support the roof, and depending on what you are using the pole barn for, walls can be optional and finished floors are also optional.

The framing of the pole barn shed are horizontal to the posts and are made of wood. If you are constructing sides they can be made out of wood or metal. Roofs are usually made from galvanized steel so they don’t rust. If you prefer, you can use shingles.

If you are using pole barn construction plans to build your shed, just remember that they can be built with whatever extra features one desires, such as skylights, windows and lofts.

Also consider the type of pole barn roof you would like as this determines style of the shed. For example one can choose a gambrel style all the way to a barn style, it just depends on the look and feel you are after.

Best,

Brad Smith

PS. While you were reading this post, I was checking out some great pole barn plans and roof designs at My Shed Plans Elite. Check them out now!

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Pole Barn Roof

Posted by Storage Shed Plans

A pole barn roof can be in any style you choose, seeing as though a pole barn uses conventional framing.

There are 4 main room styles used for pole barns and these include, gable, hip, shed, and gambrel. Let’s explore each option.

Gambrel RoofGAMBREL ROOF
A gambrel roof  is also known as a barn style roof and it provides more head room and more storage space on the top floor. They are more challenging to build, but the benefits are the space they provide and the beautiful appearance.

Shed RoofSHED ROOF
The shed roof is a single straight pitched roof , which is used for smaller pole barn sheds. It’s a very simple roof as it requires the front wall to be higher than the back wall to provide a slight slope for water to run off. Snow can be an issue as it wont just readily run down and off the roof and can put pressure on the roof causing it to bend.

Hip RoofHIP ROOF
A hip roof is one where all sides slope downwards to the walls, usually with a fairly gentle slope. It has no gables or other vertical sides to the roof and is shaped like a pyramid.

The benefits of this roof is that their shape makes them less susceptible to wind damage.

A hip roof  is simple to build and usually used for single story pole barns. The hip roof eliminates the need for eaves and gable end walls for a simple build.

Gable RoofGABLE ROOF
A gable roof has two equally pitched sides and is very easy to build. It’s a great option for sheding snow as it is steeply pitched.

Ventilation and insulating are also very easy to do with a gable roof.

When considering building a pole barn from storage shed plans , take into consideration the best roof option for your pole barn.

Best,

Brad Smith

PS. While you were reading this post, I was checking out some great pole barn plans and roof designs at My Shed Plans Elite. Check them out now!

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Pole Shed Plans

Posted by Storage Shed Plans

Pole Shed PlansIf you are looking for a quick, easy and affordable shed to build, then you can’t go past a pole shed.

They are easier to build than other sheds and this is because pole sheds don’t have a properly poured cement floor. The foundation of the shed is the ground itself, and the poles that form the structure of the shed are pushed deep into the ground and then set into concrete. The walls of the shed and the roof are then built around these poles and the framework.

Some things that might be a drawback of a pole shed is that the floor is the ground, and if it rains a lot, it can get pretty muddy. Also the moisture that gets into the shed from the ground can damage any items stored in the shed, so some people lay down tarps or another form of plastic flooring.

poleshed

Besides the drawbacks, a great benefit of a pole shed is that you can configure the inside space to suit your needs. You can have a large section of the shed open for you to work on different projects, while having another section enclosed to lock up your tools.

If you are cost conscious then this is the shed for you, you can save heaps of money and still have a way of creating an enclosed space to store things. Farmers build pole sheds all the time, as they are easy, convenient and cheaper to build.

If you don’t feel confident in building a more complicated shed with a cement floor, then get some good quality pole shed plans,which should include a cutting list so that you can take this to your local timber supplier and have them supply the lumber for you.

Brad Smith

PS. While you were reading this post, I was checking out a few pole shed plans at My Shed Plans Elite. Check them out now!

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Barn Shed Plans

Posted by Storage Shed Plans

Barn Shed PlansA barn shed is the same as a gambrel shed, in that the roof is in a barn style.

The benefit of this type of shed is that the gambrel roof offers a large amount of storage space. So if you want a shed with lots of storage space, and you want the challenge of building this yourself, then get your hands on some detailed barn shed plans.

The roofline of this style of shed is aesthetically pleasing as well as adding character to your backyard, and it’s for this reason a lot of people choose to build a gambrel shed.

Because of the extra space in the roof, a barn style sheds can be used for storing extra tools and building supplies, as a playhouse for the kids or even be used as a guest house.

If you can build one big enough, you can even build a loft, so your shed has 2 levels, the top level for smaller items, and the bottom level for bigger items. You can also add a window on the top level allowing for good ventilation.

It’s important when attempting to build outdoor Barn style storage sheds, that you have some detailed shed plans, as the roof design is fairly complicated and can be hard to build.

Best,

Brad Smith

PS. While you were reading this post, I was checking out some great barn shed plans at StorageShed-Plans.com. Check them out now!

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