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WHEN planning for a shed, it is important to have a clear and detailed discussion with your building provider.
Brad Smith, manager of Horsham Steel Constructions, which specialises in rural sheds, said sheds were tailored to the particular needs of the clients.
“We custom the sheds to cater for exactly what every person needs,” Mr Smith said.
Whatever you want from your new shed, it’s best to do some planning well before the shed goes up.
You want to choose the best shed for your garden or allotment.
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1. Wooden, metal or plastic shed? Wooden sheds are made from softwoods – usually pine. There are other options, especially if your allotment has a building overlay as to what type of shed you are allowed to construct.
Metal sheds won’t rot or burn down, but they aren’t exactly pretty and can be tricky to assemble.
Plastic sheds are relatively maintenance-free, and usually fit together easily. Taking them apart when moving house should also be straightforward.
2. Shed size. If you have space, a 4.3m x 1.75m shed has room for a work bench along one side. If the shed is to go in a very confined space, make sure you know its precise dimensions. The size quoted by the supplier may not include the roof overhang.
3. Sturdiness. With time, a flimsy shed is likely to develop a sagging roof, distorted sides and a door that won’t shut properly. Check for sturdiness by standing inside it, jumping in the centre of the floor and pushing against the centre of the side and roof panels. You should feel firm resistance rather than flexing.
Check that the wooden timbers supporting the roof have no large, dark-edged knots, as these are prone to fall out.
4. Keeping the rain out of a shed. Wooden sheds often leak and rot because of rain running down the walls. To minimise such problems, the roof should overhang the sides by at least 5cm, and the front and back by at least 7.5cm.
Measure from the inside edge of the roof, not the outside.
Rain is less likely to run inside the top and bottom of a door if it has a strip of wood (weather bar) over it to deflect the water. Windows are prone to rot at the bottom unless they have sloping sills with a drip groove. When standing in a closed shed, the only place you should see daylight is through the windows.
5. Shed access. You will need to ensure that those who will be using the shed can get in without tripping over the doorway threshold or banging their head. Check the doorway is wide enough.
If a shed you like has poor access, check whether higher eaves or a wider door (or double doors) are available as optional extras.
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