In today's digital age there is no shortage of shed plans online ( see here ). Many blueprints are available completely free while others are available at a very nominal price. Woodworking magazines and home improvement books usually carry shed plans. You can also buy some building plans at your local hobby shop.
In case you are an experienced craftsman you can even draw up the blueprints on your own ( find more information ). If you end up creating your own shed blueprints take care not to draw them too complicated or fancy. It may become a nightmare to actually make it. Choosing to build a complex shed design with little experience is an invitation to trouble and loses both in money and efforts. Rather than trying to construct that amazing two storey shed which looked so beautiful in the magazine, it is better to make a simple design which is within your capacity.
The types of timber available near your area will vary. In general it is better to use pressure treated wood compared to using regular lumber. There is no point in picking a high quality timber with a fine grain if you are just going to cover it with paint, so in such a case you can go for a lesser quality wood. If you will be using a transparent emulsion on the shed then you should definitely go for lumber with a good grain.
Have a talk with your local lumberyard and discuss the pros and cons of the various types of timber available in your area and settle for one which is within your budget and is also durable. To keep costs low, you could choose to only use the best brand of timber for the crucial load bearing parts of the shed like the posts and beams. Then use a bit lesser quality lumber for the less crucial parts and sections which will be less exposed to weather. Using this strategy you will be able to keep expenses low while still maintain the durability of the shed.
Best Wood For Shed Construction
The durability of your shed is determined by the quality of the wood used for building it. Certain types of timber are better for shed construction compared to others. If you want the shed to last a lifetime then you cannot go cheap when selecting the lumber. Get in touch with local timber mills and find out the different types of lumber available before you finalize on the lumber you will be using for construction. When constructing outdoor structures like sheds it is critical to use a weather resistant and rot resistant type of wood.
Such types of timber will reduce the need for frequent maintenance work on the shed. One of the most usually used woods for shed constructing is cedar. Redwood is another such rot resistant variety of wood and so is pine. But quality doesn’t come cheap. Such types of lumber will cost you more. Depending upon where you live, there may be other types of timber which are easily available in your region like walnut, oak and chestnut.
The location of your shed is a very important factor to consider ( salt backyard shed designing plans ). Boulders, leaves and plants must be cleared out from the planned construction site. Prior to starting construction clean out the ground and ensure that it is perfectly level. Tall trees can have rotten branches which could fall onto the shed and damage it seriously, so make the shed as far away from trees as possible. There should be enough free area around the shed to allow for air to move about freely. The ground should not be water logged, the soil must be dry. Flatten the ground to make it as level as possible before you start construction to prevent difficulties later on.