It's pretty easy to find cheap garden sheds. Some manufacturers have mass produced garden shed kits and as a result these products are very inexpensive. You can find these kits at your local garden supply store, your local hardware store or from a number of dealers online.
Beware, the cheapest garden sheds are not very durable and will end up needing to be replaced in a few years. All of a sudden those sheds do not seem like a great deal anymore. Check online for reviews of garden shed kits to get an idea of what you are buying. Also, if packaged, remove the pieces and inspect everything before you buy. However, a good quality (albeit cheap) garden shed should last you at least ten years or more.
For the most part these inexpensive garden sheds are made out of metal or press board. Sheds constructed with vinyl clad materials tend to be more expensive. There are drawback with both metal sheds and sheds made from press board or plywood. However, with certain precautions these sheds will work perfectly well.
When constructing your metal shed make sure that you do not bend, crease or make a kink in any of the panels. Any sort of crease in the panels will result in a weak spot in the protective coating and will be the first spots prone to rust. If you do put a slight kink in the panel don't worry too much. However, you must monitor this spot on your shed. If you see that the protective coating is beginning to wear simply apply a clear coat of varnish over the area to provide some back up protection.
When constructing a press board or plywood shed you must also think about sealing it. The easiest way to seal these sheds to paint them. Select a good quality exterior paint and give the shed at least three coats. Make sure that you prime the wood before apply the paint. Ask at your local hardware store for a paint recommendation.
Another excellent way to get a cheap garden shed is to keep your eyes open for second hand sheds. Look through online classified ads for used garden sheds. You will find a few posted at the start of every summer. People are wanted to redesign their backyards and no longer need their sheds. Other people want to upgrade or up size their garden sheds. I have personally seen a number of garden sheds that were posted for free on Craigslist. Faced with the opportunity of a free garden shed you will often to take the shed apart and transport the pieces to your home. Even so, the effort is worth it.
You do not need to spend a lot of money to get a garden shed. There are plenty of inexpensive or, if you are lucky, even free garden sheds on the market these days. If you do your homework and shop around it is pretty easy to find a cheap garden shed.
Wooden Garden Shed
A wooden garden shed is a wonderful addition to your back yard. This type of garden shed runs the gamut of styles and costs. The most common type of garden shed is the model that looks like a little barn. It is generally 5 by 7 or 6 by 8 feet and generally has a single swinging door. There are a number of variations on this theme, however, the general style remains the same. In this post I intend to discuss the less common models along with elements of the more common models.
The first thing to consider before building any type of garden shed is the intended purpose fo the shed. Make a list of everything who want your shed to be. Be creative! Later you can cross some items off your wish list. It's possible that your garden shed will have very little to do with store garden tools and bags of grass seed. These days garden sheds are used for diverse purposes. A good looking wooden garden shed can be used for many non conventional purposes including:
1. A childrens play house. A garden shed can be transformed into a perfect and safe play area for children. With the additional of commonly available child size furniture and tables the play house is complete. It is a great way for children to play outside during the rain. It can provide a quiet and shaded spot for kids to read or do crafts. Make believe games are so much more fun when you have your own personal play house. Your child will mature as he or she takes responsibility for tidying and cleaning their own play house.
2. A hobby area for adults. A wooden garden shed can make the perfect place for a hobby room. Whatever your hobby, having a distinct area that doesn't have to be shared with other activities is a real plus. Do you work with stain glass? A garden shed is the perfect place to store and cut the glass. It is also the perfect place to lay out your patterns without having to worry about them being in the way or getting moved by others. The same general idea apply to most hobbies. Perhaps your hobby is gardening. If so, a potting table can be added and designated drawers can be added to store seeds.
3. Private getaway. Garden sheds can be set up as an inexpensive detached addition to your house. With the addition of some comfortable furniture, you can transform a wooden garden shed into a personal oasis. It can be a perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of your family. Whether it is for relaxation ie. to read a book or listen to music, or for a place to concentrate, ie. a home office, a garden shed might perfectly suit your needs
The appropriate size of the garden shed is the next thing to consider. As the size of the shed increases so does the cost of the shed. However, in most cases bigger is always better. No one is disappointed if the shed is 1 foot too big but many are dissapointed if their shed is 1 foot too small.
Is it intended to be simply a storage building? What items do you intend to store? Often people find that their sheds once built are not large enough to store everything they intended to store. Will the shed be called upon to store garden stools, a lawnmower, patio furniture, and 3 bicycles? If so, then you would be well suited to gather those items to together to get an idea of what size would be appropriate. Things can always be hung on hooks and placed on shelves but make sure you get the minimum floor space right.
Another thing to consider when building a garden shed is the type of floor that will best suit your needs. Generally speaking garden sheds have 3 floor options. There can be a wooden floor, a poured cement floor or a dirt floor. Each different type of floor has distinct advantages and disadvantages. The most durable but most expensive is the poured cement floor. In areas that are subject to freezing weather extra care must be taken when pouring a cement floor. In addition, the post upon which the entire shed sits must be made deeper to withstand the heaves of the ground freezing and thawing.
Also think about the outward appearance of your garden shed. Some people are fine with a shed that looks like 100 other sheds in their neighborhood. However, a wooden garden shed can reflect the character of the owner. There are square garden sheds, whimsical garden sheds, and crooked garden sheds. Search the internet or go to your local book store to peruse different garden shed designs. Adding your own unique characteristics does not add very much expense but can really add to your final satisfaction with your shed.
Once you have determined the purpose, size and flooring of your wooden garden shed, you can start to think about garden shed features. With a little bit of creativity you can make your garden shed perfect. The following are some examples of features that could be included in your garden shed design.
1. A Ramp. A set of good quality ramps are helpful for moving wheeled power equipment into or out of your shed. Any type of heavy item whether it's a fridge or an armchair will be easy to move into the shed if there is a ramp option.
2. Natural lighting with windows or skylights. Natural light increases visibility and makes the space more inviting. This feature is very important if the garden shed is intended to be used in a non-conventional manner. You can add window boxes to the windows which will further enhance the aesthetics of your wooden garden shed.
3. A Loft. Lofts vastly increase the usable space in your garden shed. A loft can be designed to allow good storage or a reading nook underneath while providing a storage area overhead. The incorporation of a loft into your garden shed is a very effective way to utilize available space.
4. Shelving and Hooks. With well thought out shelving and hooks you can organize your tools and materials. Tip: try to determine what you will be using the shelves and hooks for before installing them.
5. Work benches. If you plan to use the garden shed as a gardening or hobby shop, a good sturdy workbench is mandatory. Various items can be secured directly on to the work bench like a vice or clamps.
A properly thought out and carefully designed garden shed can give you years of satisfaction. Garden shed plans are easy to find or you can design your own. These sheds can serve many different purposes or functions. With a little thought and planning you can make a perfect wooden garden shed.
The first thing to consider before building any type of garden shed is the intended purpose fo the shed. Make a list of everything who want your shed to be. Be creative! Later you can cross some items off your wish list. It's possible that your garden shed will have very little to do with store garden tools and bags of grass seed. These days garden sheds are used for diverse purposes. A good looking wooden garden shed can be used for many non conventional purposes including:
1. A childrens play house. A garden shed can be transformed into a perfect and safe play area for children. With the additional of commonly available child size furniture and tables the play house is complete. It is a great way for children to play outside during the rain. It can provide a quiet and shaded spot for kids to read or do crafts. Make believe games are so much more fun when you have your own personal play house. Your child will mature as he or she takes responsibility for tidying and cleaning their own play house.
2. A hobby area for adults. A wooden garden shed can make the perfect place for a hobby room. Whatever your hobby, having a distinct area that doesn't have to be shared with other activities is a real plus. Do you work with stain glass? A garden shed is the perfect place to store and cut the glass. It is also the perfect place to lay out your patterns without having to worry about them being in the way or getting moved by others. The same general idea apply to most hobbies. Perhaps your hobby is gardening. If so, a potting table can be added and designated drawers can be added to store seeds.
3. Private getaway. Garden sheds can be set up as an inexpensive detached addition to your house. With the addition of some comfortable furniture, you can transform a wooden garden shed into a personal oasis. It can be a perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of your family. Whether it is for relaxation ie. to read a book or listen to music, or for a place to concentrate, ie. a home office, a garden shed might perfectly suit your needs
The appropriate size of the garden shed is the next thing to consider. As the size of the shed increases so does the cost of the shed. However, in most cases bigger is always better. No one is disappointed if the shed is 1 foot too big but many are dissapointed if their shed is 1 foot too small.
Is it intended to be simply a storage building? What items do you intend to store? Often people find that their sheds once built are not large enough to store everything they intended to store. Will the shed be called upon to store garden stools, a lawnmower, patio furniture, and 3 bicycles? If so, then you would be well suited to gather those items to together to get an idea of what size would be appropriate. Things can always be hung on hooks and placed on shelves but make sure you get the minimum floor space right.
Another thing to consider when building a garden shed is the type of floor that will best suit your needs. Generally speaking garden sheds have 3 floor options. There can be a wooden floor, a poured cement floor or a dirt floor. Each different type of floor has distinct advantages and disadvantages. The most durable but most expensive is the poured cement floor. In areas that are subject to freezing weather extra care must be taken when pouring a cement floor. In addition, the post upon which the entire shed sits must be made deeper to withstand the heaves of the ground freezing and thawing.
Also think about the outward appearance of your garden shed. Some people are fine with a shed that looks like 100 other sheds in their neighborhood. However, a wooden garden shed can reflect the character of the owner. There are square garden sheds, whimsical garden sheds, and crooked garden sheds. Search the internet or go to your local book store to peruse different garden shed designs. Adding your own unique characteristics does not add very much expense but can really add to your final satisfaction with your shed.
Once you have determined the purpose, size and flooring of your wooden garden shed, you can start to think about garden shed features. With a little bit of creativity you can make your garden shed perfect. The following are some examples of features that could be included in your garden shed design.
1. A Ramp. A set of good quality ramps are helpful for moving wheeled power equipment into or out of your shed. Any type of heavy item whether it's a fridge or an armchair will be easy to move into the shed if there is a ramp option.
2. Natural lighting with windows or skylights. Natural light increases visibility and makes the space more inviting. This feature is very important if the garden shed is intended to be used in a non-conventional manner. You can add window boxes to the windows which will further enhance the aesthetics of your wooden garden shed.
3. A Loft. Lofts vastly increase the usable space in your garden shed. A loft can be designed to allow good storage or a reading nook underneath while providing a storage area overhead. The incorporation of a loft into your garden shed is a very effective way to utilize available space.
4. Shelving and Hooks. With well thought out shelving and hooks you can organize your tools and materials. Tip: try to determine what you will be using the shelves and hooks for before installing them.
5. Work benches. If you plan to use the garden shed as a gardening or hobby shop, a good sturdy workbench is mandatory. Various items can be secured directly on to the work bench like a vice or clamps.
A properly thought out and carefully designed garden shed can give you years of satisfaction. Garden shed plans are easy to find or you can design your own. These sheds can serve many different purposes or functions. With a little thought and planning you can make a perfect wooden garden shed.
Metal Garden Sheds
Metal garden sheds were undoubtedly the most popular type of garden shed in the 1970s and the early 1980s. Most of these garden sheds were sold as kits from the local hardware or gardening shop. The sheds were also uniform in design and were far from attractive.
Metal garden sheds kits were very popular for a number of reasons. The kits were reasonably priced, they were light weight and could be transported in the back of a car and they were easy to assemble. The purpose was entirely utilitarian. They were not meant to look good. They were simply meant to shelter your lawn mower and hid the hose. Thankfully times have changed and the days of ugly metal garden sheds are long gone.
Immediately after metal garden sheds faded from popularity, the wooden garden shed began to make an appearance in backyards all over North America. A wooden garden shed has a more natural look. They also looked more substantial and frankly less cheap than the metal sheds. The drawbacks to the then wooden garden shed was price. This new type of shed was drastically more expensive to the older cheap metal garden sheds.
As the old saying goes, nothing is more certain than change. These days metal garden sheds have become much more attractive and the wooden garden shed has been reduced in price.
Metal garden sheds are a few distinct advantages over other types of garden sheds. The most obvious advantages are listed below.
1. Metal is very durable. Is is not vulnerable to rot, termites, or carpenter ants.
2. Metal is very light weight and therefore metal garden sheds kits can be transported from the store to your house in the back of your car.
3. The lightness of metal sheds also lends itself to easy assembly.
4. Metal roofs if properly installed are water proof and can last a life time.
5. The metal can come in a variety of colours and textures. Certain metals mimic exactly the look of cedar or other woods. There is an enormous variety to choose from.
There are a lot of reasons to choose metal garden sheds.
Metal garden sheds kits were very popular for a number of reasons. The kits were reasonably priced, they were light weight and could be transported in the back of a car and they were easy to assemble. The purpose was entirely utilitarian. They were not meant to look good. They were simply meant to shelter your lawn mower and hid the hose. Thankfully times have changed and the days of ugly metal garden sheds are long gone.
Immediately after metal garden sheds faded from popularity, the wooden garden shed began to make an appearance in backyards all over North America. A wooden garden shed has a more natural look. They also looked more substantial and frankly less cheap than the metal sheds. The drawbacks to the then wooden garden shed was price. This new type of shed was drastically more expensive to the older cheap metal garden sheds.
As the old saying goes, nothing is more certain than change. These days metal garden sheds have become much more attractive and the wooden garden shed has been reduced in price.
Metal garden sheds are a few distinct advantages over other types of garden sheds. The most obvious advantages are listed below.
1. Metal is very durable. Is is not vulnerable to rot, termites, or carpenter ants.
2. Metal is very light weight and therefore metal garden sheds kits can be transported from the store to your house in the back of your car.
3. The lightness of metal sheds also lends itself to easy assembly.
4. Metal roofs if properly installed are water proof and can last a life time.
5. The metal can come in a variety of colours and textures. Certain metals mimic exactly the look of cedar or other woods. There is an enormous variety to choose from.
There are a lot of reasons to choose metal garden sheds.
Garden Sheds
Written by: June A. Moore
Stodgy garden sheds are a thing of the past. Today's garden sheds have style and are way more that a receptacle to store your shovel and lawn mover or bicycles. Today's garden sheds are more of a living space albeit a living space shared with the odd shovel and petunia pot.
The garden sheds of today are all about utility and style. The sheds themselves are better organized and are large enough that it is easy to spend time in them. The addition of a work bench or a potting table are commonly seen features. The shed roofs tend to be higher which gives the shed a roomier feel.
The shed can be as interesting of plain as you want it to be. Some people like to use their shed as a hobby room. Included would be a comfortable sitting area, enough table top as demanded by the hobby or activity. Also the shed could be decorated to reflect the personality of the hobbyist. If the hobby is pressing flowers then perhaps add some flower stencils on the beams. If the hobby is building model aircraft then perhaps a few completed designs can be hung from the shed rafters.
I am a gardener and I need a gardening shed more than anything. I have a potting table on the outside wall at the back of the shed. This is the dirty area and I want to keep it hidden. I have a water connection and a sink and a large 36 inch tall table top. Beneath the table I have stainless steel shelves that that hold bags of potting soil and bone meal. This is the utilitarian part of my gardening shed. The interior of the shed is cleaner. I use the large counter tips to hold mini-green houses and other specimens that I am trying to propagate. Anything that is new or fragile spends a week or two in front of the window of the garden shed basking in the sunlight but protected from the wind and other elements.
I have a variety of different shelving systems and storage containers in my garden shed. Gardening can be a bit of a dirty business so I find that I'm drawn to plastic storage systems. These are easy to clean with a damp cloth. I have a very small bank of drawers that store my seeds. I believe this storage unit was originally designed to store screws or nails but is perfect for storing seeds. In fact, I likely saved money by buying a system designed for a work shop. Items that are specially designed for gardeners tend to be pricey.
I also have a comfy chair where I can sit and read my new gardening magazines (my favorite is organic gardening magazine) and a radio to keep me company. I love my gardeners garden shed and spend as much time as possible putzing around in it.
The outside of my shed is a board and batten shed design with an off set roof. The entire look is very whimsical. I wanted my shed to look like it could be found in a fairy dell and inhabited my a garden gnome family. I have two large multi-paned windows that play host to overflowing window boxes. I change the flowers in the window boxes every year from some seeds I have started in the spring. I find nasturtiums work really well as do impatients.
Although I am partial to garden shed devoted to gardening I can appreciate other types of sheds. There are perfectly good metal garden sheds that serve very well as a small machine shop. Wooden garden sheds look good and blend in wonderfully in a more forested or treed setting.
Some sheds are used to store motorcycles or ATVs in the winter months. These sheds can be used to store extra oil and lubricants and manuals on the motors etc.These sheds also provide some shelter when giving your machine a spring tune up.
There are great metal garden shed kits available at your local hardware store or available online. Of all of the sheds these are likely the easiest to assemble. They may also be acheap garden shed for those on a budget. The metal shed kits include every thing you will need as well as detailed instructions on how to build a shed.
For those who don't want a shed kit there are detailed shed plans available at most building stores including Home Depot and Lowes. These are detailed blue prints and will include a list of every tool you will need and a material list. Building a shed with shed plans is perfect for the do it yourselfer that doesn't have an engineering background.
I have also seen a very inventive use of a shed as a children's play area. It allows the children to play outside in the rain. With the use of a gate it is also an excellent and safe place for children to play while you are mowing the lawn or doing other work that might pose a danger to them.
The types of garden sheds and the uses for them are too numerous to list here. Try to be creative. Make a shed that suits your personality and your needs. Remember a garden shed is an extension of your house. If you put a little extra effort into planning your garden shed you will get enjoyment from it for years.
Stodgy garden sheds are a thing of the past. Today's garden sheds have style and are way more that a receptacle to store your shovel and lawn mover or bicycles. Today's garden sheds are more of a living space albeit a living space shared with the odd shovel and petunia pot.
The garden sheds of today are all about utility and style. The sheds themselves are better organized and are large enough that it is easy to spend time in them. The addition of a work bench or a potting table are commonly seen features. The shed roofs tend to be higher which gives the shed a roomier feel.
The shed can be as interesting of plain as you want it to be. Some people like to use their shed as a hobby room. Included would be a comfortable sitting area, enough table top as demanded by the hobby or activity. Also the shed could be decorated to reflect the personality of the hobbyist. If the hobby is pressing flowers then perhaps add some flower stencils on the beams. If the hobby is building model aircraft then perhaps a few completed designs can be hung from the shed rafters.
I am a gardener and I need a gardening shed more than anything. I have a potting table on the outside wall at the back of the shed. This is the dirty area and I want to keep it hidden. I have a water connection and a sink and a large 36 inch tall table top. Beneath the table I have stainless steel shelves that that hold bags of potting soil and bone meal. This is the utilitarian part of my gardening shed. The interior of the shed is cleaner. I use the large counter tips to hold mini-green houses and other specimens that I am trying to propagate. Anything that is new or fragile spends a week or two in front of the window of the garden shed basking in the sunlight but protected from the wind and other elements.
I have a variety of different shelving systems and storage containers in my garden shed. Gardening can be a bit of a dirty business so I find that I'm drawn to plastic storage systems. These are easy to clean with a damp cloth. I have a very small bank of drawers that store my seeds. I believe this storage unit was originally designed to store screws or nails but is perfect for storing seeds. In fact, I likely saved money by buying a system designed for a work shop. Items that are specially designed for gardeners tend to be pricey.
I also have a comfy chair where I can sit and read my new gardening magazines (my favorite is organic gardening magazine) and a radio to keep me company. I love my gardeners garden shed and spend as much time as possible putzing around in it.
The outside of my shed is a board and batten shed design with an off set roof. The entire look is very whimsical. I wanted my shed to look like it could be found in a fairy dell and inhabited my a garden gnome family. I have two large multi-paned windows that play host to overflowing window boxes. I change the flowers in the window boxes every year from some seeds I have started in the spring. I find nasturtiums work really well as do impatients.
Although I am partial to garden shed devoted to gardening I can appreciate other types of sheds. There are perfectly good metal garden sheds that serve very well as a small machine shop. Wooden garden sheds look good and blend in wonderfully in a more forested or treed setting.
Some sheds are used to store motorcycles or ATVs in the winter months. These sheds can be used to store extra oil and lubricants and manuals on the motors etc.These sheds also provide some shelter when giving your machine a spring tune up.
There are great metal garden shed kits available at your local hardware store or available online. Of all of the sheds these are likely the easiest to assemble. They may also be acheap garden shed for those on a budget. The metal shed kits include every thing you will need as well as detailed instructions on how to build a shed.
For those who don't want a shed kit there are detailed shed plans available at most building stores including Home Depot and Lowes. These are detailed blue prints and will include a list of every tool you will need and a material list. Building a shed with shed plans is perfect for the do it yourselfer that doesn't have an engineering background.
I have also seen a very inventive use of a shed as a children's play area. It allows the children to play outside in the rain. With the use of a gate it is also an excellent and safe place for children to play while you are mowing the lawn or doing other work that might pose a danger to them.
The types of garden sheds and the uses for them are too numerous to list here. Try to be creative. Make a shed that suits your personality and your needs. Remember a garden shed is an extension of your house. If you put a little extra effort into planning your garden shed you will get enjoyment from it for years.