caldding against conifers

[bolst3r]

Building a garden office, three side of the building are accessible however the back will be right up against the neighbors conifers and it leaves me with a problem of how to fix the exterior cladding on this side... I could build the office 400mm from boundary to give me enough room to squeeze in between but it will leave a wasted space and room for things to live like foxes which we have a problem with and I also don't want to waste space as we're tight for room.

Based on past experience can anyone suggest a way round this? I guess leaving the exterior cladding off this side will save me money but what could I attach instead as it will need something over it? I was thinking I could attached it from inside however i'll have a sheet of breathable membrane between the inner and the exterior finish...

 

[bolst3r]

guess i'm answering my own question here but figure the only way of doing this properly is to leave a 2' gap for future maintenance or build the back panel frame first, remove it then add all the necessary layers and once complete move it back into place and fix it to the floor plate and supporting until the other sides and roof plate are up...

 

[big-all]

assuming the growth is still happening in the area the wall is going you need to cut it back or it will grow into any gaps in your planks and split them

 

[bolst3r]

so perhaps it's best to leave a gap on all sides so I can get the hedge trimmer in once a year and make sure nothing gets to the boards? Didn't really want to waste space but no point causing unnecessary problems. I need this office to be sound for many years to come...

 

[HERTS P&D]

Do you have planning for this office? normally it would have to be 1m away from the boundary line, or brick built.

Andy

 

[danhx]

If you cut the trees back to your boundary and then build against them they shouldn't grow on that side as there will be very little light. You could build the back panel then erect it.

You don't need planning if its <15sqm or <30sqm and built from substantially none combustible materials. I contacted my local BC regarding my wooden garage build and I have to put cement sheets on the side that border the boundary to protect the structural timbers, not a biggie really.

 

[bolst3r]

it's under 15m2 so can be right on the boundry and as it's a glorified shed can be whatever materials are best for the job. Did figure if the hedge was cut and I built up to it then the lack of light would prevent it from growing however it's a conifer at a later date. Only problem with building the panel first is the weight as this wall is almost 5x2.4m. Think i'll stuggle so might have to built it away from the hedge slightly

 

[pred]

Thing with conifers, if you cut off the lower branches, I've found they don't grow back.

 

[big-all]

you could build it in 2 halves
or if you can get timber long enough[4.8m or 5.1m]
build the opposit parallel wall and the other end wall
diagonaly brace those walls

assemble the wall frame flat on the floor

raise up and temporary fix to the the assembled wall diagonally between the 2 walls already up
raise the base off the floor slightly more than the cladding will overlap the base leaving enough room to attach the cladding

when you have finished get a couple off mates round to help you move it onto position

 

[^woody^]

Cut the branches.

Make the back panel.

Clad with a no maintenance material (you won't see it, it will not matter what it is).

Fix the back panel first.

Build the rest of the shell.

 

[bolst3r]

@pred

I must admit now I think about it conifers tend to go brown and die when cut back and subsequently starved of light... so cheers for the reminder

@big-all

thanks for the suggestion

@woody

Could just clad with another couple of sheets of WPB, perhaps 12mm? The main inner panels will be doing all the work so it will be:

stud>>WPB(12mm)>>membrane>>baton>>WPB(12mm)

If I make the walls out of 4x2" then I should be able to lift this (gulp), if not a couple of mates and it will be up and it shouldn't flex and twist with all the layers on it

 

[^woody^]

I'd use plastic shiplap.

Ply will delaminate if not maintained

These wall panels are not heavy

 

[bolst3r]

@ woody

yup, makes total sense and a panel clad in plastic will be so light me 4 year old will be able to lift it

 

[munchingB]

if you cut back the conifer to its old wood-anything older than last years growth it wont produce any new shoots there and it shouldnt turn brown or die but it wont do anything new either.

 

[pred]

@ woody

yup, makes total sense and a panel clad in plastic will be so light me 4 year old will be able to lift it

Only drawback being so light it may end up in a neighbours garden..