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Types of Wood Sheds: Which One Is Right for You | Backyard Escape Studios

October 27, 2023

Learn about the various options for wooden sheds for your needs.

If you've been thinking about adding more storage space or a quiet workstation, it's easy to find yourself asking, which type of wood shed is right for me?

While the thought of a garden shed is thrilling, selecting the appropriate one may be daunting. We're here to help you through this process. This post compiles the wooden shed varieties, their benefits, and how to choose the best one to complement your outdoor environment.

So, Find the appropriate wooden shed that will suit your practical demands and bring a rustic touch to your yard.

How to Find the Perfect Shed?

Before rushing out and buying a wooden shed, you should be well informed about your options and needs. The wooden garden provides many options, each customized to fit a specific function. These sheds come in various shapes, sizes, and design styles, all intended to meet the unique needs of garden lovers.

To make it clear, the following aspects must be considered:

1. Shed Size

Choosing the right shed size ensures it satisfies your requirements and is manageable. Shed sizes might be confusing, so do your homework and understand your space requirements before choosing.

Backyard Escape offers a broad choice of shed sizes, from modest mower storage shelters to larger 14' by 8' constructions. Your planned purpose and available garden area determine the optimal size for you.

Arrange everything you want to store on a level surface in the shed to determine the proper shed size. Arrange them so they can be moved and estimate how much room they occupy. This will give you an idea of your desired space.

The second option is to Consider how many people will use your shed if it is mainly used for storage.

For bigger families with many bikes and garden equipment, a medium to large shed, such as an 8' x 6', is a nice place to start. However, if your shed is intended for a single person's use or to store only a few items, various smaller solutions are available.

2. Material Quality

You might be surprised to see almost identical models at differing price points when looking at wooden sheds. The cost difference can be credited to timber thickness and cladding type differences, which impact the shed's strength and weather resistance.

Do you know why two wooden shelters of the same size and look have different price tags?

The difference lies in material quality. The expensive one has a thick, mineral-felt roof covering. On the other hand, the less expensive type has 8mm thick overlap-covered walls, a 10mm thick floor, and a sand-felt roof covering. Both versions are dependable and solid wooden buildings, but the more expensive shed has better weather resistance and a more robust frame.

3. Types of Cladding

The Cladding of a wooden shed is another aspect that greatly influences its strength and weather resistance. Let’s analyze them.

1. Overlap Cladding

The most common style is overlap cladding, characterized by horizontal timbers overlapping each other.

This structure is weather-resistant. It's affordable if you need dependable security for your garden supplies.

2. Tongue and Groove Cladding

The panels interlock instead of overlapping to provide a tighter, more rigid, and weather-resistant surface. This construction offers increased strength and durability, making it suitable for people who place a premium on the lifetime of their shed.

3. Shiplap Tongue and Groove Cladding

It is ideal if you want maximum weather protection. Interlocked panels, similar to tongue and groove cladding, are also used in this style of Cladding. It goes above and above by including a tiny lip between each panel, an additional barrier against rainfall intrusion.

While this option is more expensive, it gives the best protection against the weather.

Your unique demands and budget should determine the type of Cladding you choose. Talking of wooden shed varieties, Let’s discuss the significance of other factors that contribute to the overall shed durability.

4. Roof and Door Styles

The roof and door style are two key features of a wooden shed that impact its usefulness and attractiveness. These factors define the available space within the shed and the convenience of entrance. Let's look at the three primary types of roofs.

Firstly, The apex roof design is one of the most prevalent and timeless forms. It has an inverted V form with the tallest point in the middle. Access to the shed is usually gained by a single or double door at one end of the shed. This style has a classic appearance and is popular due to its simplicity and efficacy in shedding rainfall.

Next, The pent-roof design features a slanting roof with one side taller than the other. The entrance to the shed is usually the front, where the roof reaches its highest point. Furthermore, windows are frequently located on the same side as the front entrance, enabling enough natural light to enter the shed. This design provides a modern and space-saving solution, making it ideal if you have limited yard space.

Dutch barn (semi-octagonal in shape), a version of the apex style, is readily identifiable as reminiscent of historic Dutch barns. This pattern gives a sense of aura to your landscape, making it stand out from the crowd. This is the style if you want to make a statement with your shed.

Whether you appreciate heritage, modern aesthetics, or a touch of individuality, there is a design that fits your concept at Backyard Escape. The style of your garden shed's roof and doors should suit its overall appearance and utility.

Making a Good Foundation For Your Shed

A reasonable basis is essential for ensuring that your wooden shed survives the test of time, remaining dry and rot-free. A solid foundation protects your shed and gives it the required solidity.

· Start by tracing a circle somewhat larger than the shed's footprint. Remove the topsoil or the top 8cm of turf from this area.

· Combine one part cement with eight parts building soil to get a mixture. This combination will serve as a sturdy foundation for your shed.

· Evenly distribute the cement and soil mixture over the prepared area to a depth of about 2 inches.

· To check that the ground is flat and level, use a spirit level. This phase is critical for your shed's stability.

A slab base, which involves hardcore, sand, and concrete to provide a strong base, may be required for large shelters.

If you are new to this procedure, it is best to obtain expert assistance to ensure that it is carried out appropriately.

A portabase helps make the installation of your wooden shed easier. It is made of a strong palette with a wooden spike at each corner that can be securely secured in the ground.

A portabase eliminates the need to go through the time-consuming procedure of creating your base with paving stones or a solid slab. It streamlines the shed installation procedure, making it easier and more efficient.

Portabases provide flexibility for different wooden shed varieties. All you need to do is ensure the area where you want to put the shed is level and flat.

How To Install Your Wooden Shed?

Let’s focus on the most exciting aspect of shed ownership: personalization.

The assembling procedure is simple, and an instruction booklet is always given to take you through it. If you prefer DIY projects and enjoy working with your hands, putting your shed together may be a joyful and fulfilling experience.

When it comes to getting your wooden shed ready for use, whether you're a DIY enthusiast or someone who values convenience, you have a choice. Once your shed is in place, you can make it yours by adding your touch.

Is a Planning permit required for my Backyard Shed?

"Do I need a permit?" is a common question when constructing a backyard shed.

 Regulations might differ. Therefore, it's critical to understand your local needs. Ontario's construction permit standards for backyard buildings have changed in recent years.

The Ontario Building Code increased the permitted 'non-permit' size for backyard sheds from 108 to 160 square feet in the summer of 2022.

What does this have to do with you? If your backyard shed, garden shed, or storage shed is less than 160 square feet (or 15 square meters), you can build it without a building permit. This move makes it easier for anyone who wants to add a smaller shed to their property.

However, you will need a permit if your shed surpasses 160 square feet.

Understanding the local rules and regulations allows you to make the best wooden shed varieties for your outside space.

Start Your Shed Journey with Backyard Escape

Backyard Escape is more than simply a garden shed supplier; we're the beginning point for your backyard ideas.

 We aim to bring your outside area to life with efficient and beautiful wooden shelters tailored to your needs and tastes.

Why Backyard Escape?

Creating the ideal shed takes careful preparation, which is why we're only a phone call or email away.

 To help you better picture the finished construction, we provide the crucial service of developing a bespoke 3D drawing for your chosen project. This way, you can double-check that every element meets your vision.

So, with Backyard Escape on your side, have your ideal wooden shed sooner than you think. What are you waiting for?

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