There are quite a few considerations to keep in mind if you are trying to decide between plastic, metal or wooden sheds. With the exception of cost, let’s look at three basic categories.

?Durability

Plastic and metal sheds are both durable products and last a long time. Exposure to heat can take its toll on plastic (vinyl) over time. Likewise, metal sheds can get blistering hot in warmer climates. Wooden sheds can be damaged if overexposed to sunlight and heat but if the wood is treated, this will help the shed last for years. All three types of materials can be painted which is a real plus.

One of the negative aspects of metal is that it can be dented pretty easily since the metal is thin. This doesn’t make for a pretty site if there are a few good sized dents in the walls of your shed. On the other hand, wooden sheds can be easily repaired if nicked or dented simply by filling in with wood filler and painting. Since wooden sheds are framed the same way that larger structures are, such as a house, they are quite sturdy and can handle extreme weather conditions.

Flexibility

It can definitely be overwhelming when you start to shop for sheds simply because there are so many choices. All of these shed types – whether they are metal, plastic or wood, come in many different styles and sizes. Perhaps the biggest advantage of using wood over the other two materials is that you are able to construct a custom shed from scratch.

You can purchase (for a minimal cost) and download shed plans online. There are literally hundreds of shed plans to choose from. If you have basic carpentry skills, this makes a great starting point. Building from plans gives you the extra freedom to alter it any way you need. So, if you need more space for your riding mower or quad, just add the extra to accommodate them.

Aesthetics

There really is no comparison when it comes to the appearance of wooden sheds. Particularly, if the shed is made from cedar, you can take advantage of its natural beauty by simply using a good quality stain or water sealer. You’ll want to place your shed in a spot where it is easily seen from your house as opposed to metal or plastic sheds that are better placed off to the side of the house or further away from view.

Timothy Corcoran has a long time interest in wooden sheds. You can find more info and resources at his web site devoted to these wonderful structures: BestWoodenSheds.com

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.

Definition of Man Cave – a reserved space or room specifically for males to be used as a sanctuary from daily distractions and housework.

OK, ideally this would be an entertainment room in the house. But if you already have a garden shed out back – why not? Sure, you may have to build another (smaller one) for some of your odds and ends that just won’t fit anymore but its well worth that sacrifice.

For our purposes here, we will create an atmosphere for solitude and relaxation. This will work best because sheds are usually pretty small and there isn’t a whole lot of room for, say, a pool table. If your shed isn’t wired for electricity, I recommend getting a licensed electrician to do so.

The best way to visualize your space is to plan it on paper. Drawing it to scale will save you some headaches when you actually start moving things in. Start by placing your flat screen TV in a good spot that doesn’t reflect direct sunlight. Placement of your viewing chair should be an easy next step. Even though they take up more room, recliners are my personal favorite.

Once you have it all down on paper (the necessities, at least), take everything out of the shed so you can start with a clean slate. Its still a shed so fold up work benches and shelving are perfectly acceptable. In order to save space, add shelving between studs for all your smaller items.

For me, a must have item is an area rug. Not only do they help dampen the sound, but they also add a more finished look to your shed that you might actually want to spend time in. Using the measurements of the floor, try to find a rug that leaves about a foot of space all the way around from the walls. Your space will look as if it had carpeting.

Lighting should not be overlooked. I try to keep as many items off the floor as possible so I hang lights from the rafters.

You shouldn’t go overboard with decorations since function is so important in small spaces. Once you have you’re flat screen up and your recliner and space saving refrigerator put in, there might not be room for much else.

Now you can enjoy that game (I mean, shed). So sit back, relax and enjoy some solitude.

The corner of your garage is not a good place to store all your important “stuff”, like tools. But, you can’t just get rid of it. A better solution is to build a wooden shed in your backyard. And the best part – it can be easily done in a matter of only two day (assuming you already have all the materials purchased from the local supply store.) Here’s how:

Day 1 – A Solid Foundation and Framework

First things first – preparing the site. The site should be fairly level. However it is best to have a slight pitch downward towards the back for optimum water runoff. Next, get rid of any large rocks or debris. You want the foundation to be as smooth as possible. And, since this is only a 2-day project, you will have to make your shed with a wood floor, preferably skids, instead of a concrete floor. If you do want a concrete foundation, allow a few extra days to your plan to allow for drying. The advantages of building a wooden floor are its faster, cheaper, easier and more portable. Now use patio (or cinder) blocks for which to rest the frame of the floor. Make sure they are level.

Next, start working on the actual building. You need to cut the floor joists at equal lengths by using the first on as a template for the rest. For added strength, use deck screws instead of nails. Using a power drill makes construction go very quickly and is actually easier than hammering. Once you are finished framing the floor, check for square by measuring opposite diagonal corners. If square, the measurements will be the same. If they are off, push on one of the corners with the longer measurement towards the opposite corner until the measurements are equal. Now you can nail the plywood subfloor to the frame making sure to stagger them (similar to a brick pattern). This will prevent you from having four corners of four different pieces of plywood meeting in the middle of your floor causing a weak spot.

Building the walls is pretty much the same process as building the skid for the floor. If you want any windows on the shed, frame them accordingly. To cover the sides, use T1-11 plywood. T1-11 has vertical grooves cut into it to give the appearance of tongue and groove siding but since it comes in sheets, the amount of time to put on the siding is cut way down. Take one of the wall frames and place the T1-11 on top (outside facing down). Use the same method to make the walls square that you used for the floor. Now nail the siding to the frame. If possible, buy, borrow or rent a router to use to trim the siding to the studs all the way around the walls. Once you have the walls put together, you can now attach them to the floor. Use temporary braces to hold the walls up until you have them screwed together. Make sure you use a level to plumb the walls (they should be perfectly vertical). This is a good place to stop for the day.

Day 2 – Roof, Door and Trim

Building the trusses is the first item for today. Using your plans, cut and assemble the pieces of your first truss but don’t nail it together just yet. Once you have all the pieces fitting together correctly, use each piece as a template for the remaining pieces of the trusses. Now screw (or nail) all the trusses together. Attach the trusses to the top plate of the shed walls. The trusses are now ready for the plywood sheeting that makes the roof. Installation of asphalt shingles is exactly the same as installing them on a house by first putting down roofing felt (tar paper). Be sure to start at the bottom and overlap each row as you go up. The top ridge is made from a couple of layers to add strength. When applying the shingles the seams should be offset. Just like the tar paper, work your way up from the bottom. Cut down a length of shingle into single shingles to make ridge cap. Shingles usually come in a line of three per sheet. Nail these down overlapping one another.

A prefabricated door should be used on your shed to save on time. Attach it to the shed with hinges. And now finish the door and window with trim.

As you can tell, there are a few details that have been omitted from this short article but the intent is to show you how possible it is to have a wooden shed built in only a couple of days.

Before you start, be sure to visit Donald Rickerby’s website for more wooden shed information on how to pick materials, prep your site, and build your own backyard wooden shed.