A solar shed differs from a common or garden shed in much the same way that power walking to a power lunch wearing a power suit differs from walking to lunch dressed in regular suit. The operative word is power; solar power to be precise.

An obvious problem with garden sheds though is that other little word “garden”. A shed that sits, as the name suggests, in the garden is not easy to supply electricity to. The solution has in the past always involved laying out a power supply cable from the main house to the shed.

This then entails digging up vast tracts of garden for a trench in which to safely bury and protect said cable from the next oaf with a shovel. And even if you get that far it’s all a terrible fire risk anyway – sheds being wooden buildings and all.

At this point you might want to ask yourself what it was you thought you needed 110 volts (or a more meaty 220v in Europe) for exactly? The answer to this question varies, of course, in direct proportion to the number of people asked.

Some folk simply want a basic workshop or a place to pot up plants and store tender specimens in cold weather. Others seek a peaceful respite from the world where they may shelter from whatever the weather brings and quietly enjoy a book or the newspaper. Then there are those who can spot an opportunity to easily and cheaply kit out a serviceable study or office in which to work.

But whatever you want to use your shed for (other than as an auxiliary storage depot), there are some basic things you will need. Lighting is clearly top of the list – if you can’t see anything then you can’t do anything. Then you need to consider whether you want to power any particular tools or appliances, and finally you might give some thought to heating or cooling depending on your plans and where you live.

This brings us back to where we started – trying to get some power; however one thing that all sheds have in common is copious, otherwise unused, surface area (i.e. the roof) which is just perfect for mounting any number of small solar panels.

Solar panels these days are highly efficient and can turn even indirect sunlight on a cloudy day into electricity. All that you need to do is provide a storage system to hold your endless supply of free electricity until such time as you want to use it. Fortunately the great Italian scientist Count Volta thought of this a long time ago and came up with his voltaic pile, which we now call a battery.

An interesting and useful aspect of most modern solar panels is that their output is 12 volts (Count Volta again) direct current, which most modern low voltage equipment, lighting and power packs accept as input. This neatly ensures that all such appliances can be kept on permanent trickle charge during daylight hours with surplus electricity stored using a deep cycle battery (one capable of being regularly fully discharged) for later use.

Of course this pattern of collecting, storing and using solar generated electricity repeats more or less endlessly without ever costing anything to maintain or harming the environment. So whether you harbour ambitions to kit out a home office, pen a best seller, or simply have a den to lounge about in peace and comfort, a solar shed could be just the thing.

If you found this short article interesting then you’ll almost definitely want to read this more in-depth article about solar shed lights.

categories: solar panels,solar lighting,solar power,solar shed,garden shed,shed,low energy,free power,green technology,home,garden,family,environment

Wooden sheds are SO MUCH MORE than a storage area for all those tools you barely use but can’t seem to get rid of. In fact, they can actually take on a life all there own. And they can be made for one of several different purposes.

Probably the most popular reason for having a shed is for the garden. Gardens tend to be a natural location for sheds and being right in or just next to the garden sure makes it a convenient place to store your garden tools. And, with a proper workbench, potting all your plants is a breeze. Many of today’s garden sheds have the charm and character of much older styles of sheds that connects us to man’s simpler days.

You can use sheds for other reasons also. For instance, a shed next to a pool actually serves the purpose of a pool cabana. Pool chemicals that really should be stored away from the house are better placed in the cabana. You can also use the cabana for housing a refrigerator for cold snacks, towels, pool toys, and other supplies. Storing towels and dry clothes also helps keep the kids from running into the house all wet.

Sheds make great kids playhouses as well as artists’ studios since they are so small. And they make a great little sanctuary by accommodating a couple of pieces of furniture and other accessories.

You have a few options when it comes to the types of building materials you want your shed to be made of. Personally, I like the look of wood (particularly cedar). This is especially important if your shed will be located in a highly visible area.

Your other alternatives are metal and plastic. Metal is strong but they can get really hot, especially in warmer climates. Plastic is going to be your least expensive option and they are virtually maintenance free.

Once you have made the decision to add a wooden shed to you backyard, you will need to decide if you want to build it yourself or if you will be hiring a professional to build it. Shed kits are a great way to go if you are fairly handy with basic carpentry tools. And, there is a wide variety of wooden shed kits to choose from. They are a lot easier and faster to build than making a shed from scratch.

So, its important to step back from your project before you get too deep and evaluate what its purpose will be. The rest will fall right into place.

Terry Shaw enjoys everything about wooden garden sheds. For more info, construction tips, and resources, visit his web site: BestWoodenSheds.com.

If you’re a homeowner who happens to live in an area where it gets cold during the winter months, you still deserve to use your backyard, patio or pool area. You’ve upgraded your pool or misting system, or maybe you’ve invested thousands of dollars on landscaping and exterior design. You work hard to make your outdoor areas comfortable for entertaining your family, friends and neighbors. Your home is your castle. But what do you do when the fall sets in, and it’s just not practical to have dinner or a party outside? You think about installing patio heaters.

There are a great deal of things to consider before you start shopping: fuel source, what brand to buy, how much heat is needed, and of course, your budget. Here are some details that can help you make an informed choice.

PICK YOUR BUDGET:

Try to pick a price range and stick to it. This way you don’t end up spending way too much money and it will force you to shop around and get some comparable pricing on similar heaters. Try to consider the reputation of the brand name as well as the company selling the heaters.

PICK YOUR HEATING SOURCE:

There are a number of heating sources for patio heaters, including natural gas, propane and electricity. Which one is right for you?

Natural Gas:

This fuel source is clean burning and puts out no unpleasant odors. It’s non-toxic and is safe to use around your family or friends. If you don’t have a natural gas source, you can get one from your local gas company. Call them for an estimate before you choose this option.

Propane:

Propane is a popular source of fuel for outdoor heating of all types including pool areas, patios, restaurants and hotels. Propane is a clean burning, convenient, easy to use source of fuel which can be refilled conveniently. Propane is readily available, portable and can be found at gas stations, convenience stores, home supply chains and grocery stores.

Electricity:

Electricity as a fuel source allows you to heat indoor areas as well as outdoor areas. So if the area you’re looking to heat is an enclosed patio, this would be the option for you. Electricity is economical and doesn’t require much maintenance except for regular cleaning. Electric patio heaters don’t have burners, moving parts to repair, ignition components or valves. They’re silent, emit no odor, and are non-toxic.

CONSIDER THE SPACE YOU’RE GOING TO HEAT:

If you’ve got a huge patio, then you may have to invest in multiple heaters. Maybe space is a concern, so you might want to consider a wall or ceiling mount heater. Every patio heater has its own heating coverage and space requirements, so measure your area!

SPEND SOME TIME COMPARISON SHOPPING:

Once you’ve gotten all of the details, you’ll find yourself a more informed shopper. Now you can have some fun, get online, shop around and be able to make a more informed decision. Don’t forget to consider the reputation the brands you’re considering. Read reviews, shop different sources for price, look for reputability and reliability. Look for reviews or testimonials about the brand or supplier. Lastly, make sure the style or color matches your dcor scheme, and then you’re ready to buy!

Ryan Risk has been in the outdoor climate control industry since 1977. Want to find out more about patio heaters, then visit Ryan Risk’s site on how to choose the best propane patio heater for your specific needs.

categories: patio heaters, home improvement, home and garden, decor, exterior, family

When developing the public area, we need only keep in mind three fundamental landscape principles that concern this particular part of a property. They are: (1) soften the architectural lines of the building by placing plants where the strong vertical lines meet the ground; (2) frame the building with trees; and (3) maintain an open lawn area.

We could state the first principle even more simply by saying that the plants should be located at the corners of the building and at either side of the entrances.

Architectural Lines

Height of Plants

In nearly every case the plants to be used at the corners of the building should be of a type that will naturally grow larger than those to be used at either side of the doorway. Generally speaking, the ideal ultimate height of a plant at the corner of a one- or two-story building should be a little less than half the distance from the ground to the eaves.

In deciding what plants to use, we must find out what their ultimate height must be if they are to soften the lines of the house. First, sketch the front of the house to scale (or use a photograph and tracing paper).

Then, following the above method draw straight lines from points on each outside edge of the house slightly less than halfway to the eaves, to the center of the front door sill. Note also that the plants on either side of the door should eventually reach only about as high as the line is at that particular point.

Plants at the corners of the house are always taller than those next to the front door. The one exception to this rule occurs when the house has corner windows that wrap around both sides of the house. Many times you will see that although the plants immediately under the windows are lower than, or just about the same height as, those at the entrance, the original thought of having taller plants at the corners is carried out by the addition of small flowering trees or larger shrubs at a distance from the window. This gives the same effect, but does not sacrifice ventilation or light through the corner windows.

Pointed Plants

If possible, do not use plants which come to a sharp point at either doors or windows. But there is rare exception to this rule: Suppose that you have a house with very tall, narrow windows, or high-peaked gables or dormers; the natural surroundings include sharp-pointed evergreens and jagged mountain tops. In this case pointed plants like ficus alii at doors and windows would fit the environment.

Another exception might apply to the owner of a modern ranch home. He might use sharp-pointed plants to break long, straight roof lines.

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categories: landscape, garden, home improvement, plants

Planning correctly will allow you to have a garden tool shed which is organized and arranged in such a manner that you can easily retrieve the tools that you need.

These tips that follow can help you to get on top of a messy tool shed so that it is well organized.

What do you really need in your garden tool shed? It seems as if we end up storing almost everything in the shed. It may be mechanical devices such as weed eaters or workshop tools. We store paints and chemicals. In very short order, we can have a real mess. By making a list of the things that actually belong in the tool shed, you can find a configuration that is most convenient for you.

A garden shed is the ideal place to store bulky large pieces of equipment used in the garden and lawn, including lawn mowers. You do not want to constantly have to move those bulky pieces of machinery to get to the smaller items. Things that are used frequently need to be stored close to the entrance. Sheds that have both front and back doors give easier access to all the tools.

By dividing a tool shed into zones, you will be able to designate storage spots for every item that needs to be in the shed. If necessary, build partitions in the shed to keep items such as kids toys and tools separated. Use shelves, bins and hooks in order to provide homes for each and every item that needs to be in the tool shed. If you have items around the home that can improvise use them, otherwise, purchase them from the hardware store.

If there is equipment or toxic chemicals in the garden tool shed, keep the shed locked, especially if there are children in your home. If locking is not an option, install cupboards that can be locked to store the dangerous chemicals.

Garden tool sheds need to be cleaned and organized regularly. Choose a date you can remember as a goal for cleaning the shed. Open the shed and if you find gadgets that are never used, give them away. If there are household items that are broken, either repair them or throw them away. Things that take unnecessary space make it difficult to find the tools that you do need.

Shovels and rakes need to be stored up off the floor. Standing them in a corner takes more room but hanging them on hooks makes more floor space that is often needed. Check for hooks to store these tools at your local hardware store.

If your garden tool shed is organized, you will be able to find any tool that you need when they are needed.

Find out today how to build an amazing outdoor wooden storage shed with these complete step by step instructions, blueprints, guidelines and woodworking tips from a master of woodworking and design. This excellent guide is available for a limited by visiting shed building plans today.