Yet another shed project!

[leem2837]

Hi everyone,

Pretty new here, but I've been doing a fair bit of research on this so plans are taking shape, but I still need some guidance on lots of areas.

I've looked at the pre-fab sheds, and been pretty horrified at how flimsy yet expensive they seem to be. Don't seem good value at all. Also, I need a shed for now, but was also planning a home office/summerhouse later on in another part of the garden.

So I'm now thinking I could have a crack at building the shed myself, and use what I learn to see if building the summerhouse might be a DIY task too.

Two things I'm thinking about at the moment are the foundations, and the cladding.

In terms of the foundations, do I really need to build a solid concrete foundation, or could I use an alternative such as concrete blocks or similar at key points to provide similar support but also improve ventilation at the same time?

For the cladding, I really like the look of batten and board cladding rather than the T&G type. I'm not sure exactly what timber I should buy for this though. Any advice on that would be gratefully received. I have a good value timber yard nearby, but they're not AT ALL helpful to DIYers such as myself (in fact they're pretty rude to everyone as far as I can tell), so it's not a place to ask questions.

Sorry for the length of this post, but just wanted to give a bit of context to the seemingly daft questions.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I have a good value timber yard nearby, but they're not AT ALL helpful to DIYers such as myself (in fact they're pretty rude to everyone as far as I can tell), so it's not a place to ask questions.

Amen to that brother!

 

[big-all]

you will get a better shed making it yourself if done propperly

but your talking 50-100% more in cost

 

[leem2837]

That's what I'm hoping.

Any thoughts on what timber I could use for board and batten walls? Have you tried this yourself?

 

[munchingB]

if you are absolutely against using concrete consider building a timber frame on top of wooden piles or foundation blocks. little bit of concrete wouldnt go a miss under foundation blocks even if it comes in the form of a premixed post crete.

 

[leem2837]

Sorry, realised I didn't fully explain why I don't want to use a concrete base.

I have a position for the shed now, but it may well need to be moved if / when we build a house extension next year. So don't really want to go to the effort of a concrete base when the whole thing may need to be shifted 10-20 feet in a year's time.

Thanks @munchingB - foundation blocks plus timber sounds a good way to go. Some strategically poured concrete under those wouldn't be such an issue if I had to move the shed.

 

[big-all]

my shed
http://s21.photobucket.com/user/bigall2005/slideshow/

 

[arkie]

I would pick a spot where it can stay forever it will likely be a lot heavier than any cheap, fence panel type shed you get most places.

 

[scbk]

Any thoughts on what timber I could use for board and batten walls? Have you tried this yourself?

It's usually 6" boards with a 3" cover strip I think, but it will depend what is available locally. Wider boards will mean less work but they might work out more expensive.