Take a good look at where you think the new shed or garage should go. Taking into consideration local building codes, lay of the land, access, and what you want to do with the new building. Once the base has been laid, it is very costly to change locations.

It’s important to note that what often appears level to the eye is often not level. A line or laser level is often the best means for measuring if a site is level or not. In most instances the site will require grading.

Types of Foundations

There are three main types of foundations, each equally suitable. The choice is really cost versus looks, more than a structural one. It is my experience that most of my buildings are placed on a crushed gravel foundation. Crushed gravel is inexpensive, easy for home owners to apply and provides excellent drainage for your building. In my experience ¾” crushed rock works best for shed bases.

1. Crushed Gravel Foundation

If your building measures 10 x 16 your gravel foundation pad should measure 12 x 18. While not required, I would secure the perimeter frame to hold the gravel in place.

Options for the perimeter frame include

· pressure treated lumber secured in place with 3’ rebar

· wet or dry block

· granite

· brick

· pavers

A number of my clients have great success using the Keystone Retaining Wall garden blocks, single level  or multi level for greater depth. Once again verify with the local building department for maximum height without needing a permit.

The purpose of the frame is to hold the ¾” gravel in place. If you are on a slope you may only need to contain on 3 sides. The frame also makes for a more finished landscape appearance.

The ¾” gravel should be 3-4” deep, or flush with the top of the perimeter frame. Rake and tamp the gravel down with a piece of 4 x 4 or metal tamper until it is evenly distributed and the site is level and flat or place a level on top of a 2×4 and squeegee off excess gravel. Crushed gravel provides ideal drainage for rain or snow melt around the perimeter of the frame. Water that splashes directly on the ground will eventually create a muddy area that will splash up onto the walls.

2. Concrete Pillars

Cement pillars, with or without tie-downs, may be required by some municipalities. I am not a big fan of this style. By leaving a gap under the shed, you invite the local animals and critters to make a home under the shed. Chances are a skunk will enjoy the space.

3. Concrete Slab

Installation of a 4-6” concrete slab would require professional installation for most people. Some local building departments may require a footing on the perimeter in addition to the slab. So this is clearly the most expensive method of the three.

The choice is yours, a good base is critical to the success of your new building.

Your comments or questions are welcome.

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This was a low budget program. The goal was to maximize usable space without needing a building permit. With the limitations of the community (maximum of 120 sq. ft. foot-print and no taller than 9 feet), the choice was a 10×12, 8×15 or 6×20 building. The 6×20 was too long, so at first glance the ideal choice seemed to be the 10×12 building — that is, until I asked about the size of the stored items.

Large boxes and containers would suggest larger, open space in the center of the storage area, versus smaller individual items; I equate it to storing snow blowers and large gardening equipment versus copy paper boxes and smaller containers.

In this case the 8×15 size with multiple levels of deep shelving along each side of the 15-foot wall was an ideal solution, thus minimizing the loss of usable storage space found in a wider, more open storage unit.

Planning what and how you are going to store items is key to choosing the right size new storage shed. Questions and comments are welcome.

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Space:  

With the tightening of the belt of most businesses and homeowners, space is at a premium. Upsizing or leasing of more space is no longer a simple option. You are no longer hearing talk of upgrading homes and offices to the palatial palaces just for more space. What I am hearing about is the down-sizing of homes and office space — compacting and compressing of usable space.

Homeowners and businesses are both looking in their own backyards to create more usable storage space.  

Space for:

• A lifetime of treasures,
• Papers & documents,
• Binders and books,
• Pictures of family, friends & associates,
• Historical items and heirlooms,
• Or simple common items from the stockroom, spare room or garage.

They are turning to quality sheds and small garages, like Tuff Sheds, installed in backyards or back lots. Most install 120 square foot or small units. In most communities no building permits are required for sheds this size or smaller, basic units with no electricity or plumbing.

Check with your local community building department before installing any new storage structures or buildings.

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When planning and building in areas that get snowfall, it is critical that the building be engineered for that location. Even if you think that you normally just get light snow, there are other factors to be concerned about. Combine wind, moisture content, duration and temperature, and your roof can get heavy faster than you think.

With multiple storms plus the change in day- and night-time temperatures you could also have a build up of ice on the roof. Changing the angle of the roof and/or the type of roofing material used, like metal, can help decrease snow load hazards.

It is best to first check with your local building department for design criteria before starting

your project. The side of the hill you are on can even be a factor. Plus these criteria can

change from year to year.

So what do you ask the building department?

You ask for the design criteria for your location, plus any special requirements for snow conditions. Some call it snow loads, live loads, or even ground loads. Keep the question generic so they tell you the correct phrase to use.

If you see a website or others trying to sell plans for a shed or building, most will not work for you. They are a waste of time and money. It is best to work with a certified engineer for your area and a builder knowledgeable of the local conditions. I go through each of these same steps when working a project in an area that gets snow.

Note: These same areas sometimes have additional design criteria due to the fear of fire.

Please comment or send me your questions.

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Space to work on your prized car, truck, ski boat, fishing boat or motorcycle? A wood or metal shop, or art studio?

A place to entertain with a wet bar, poker table, big screens, killer sound system, your collectibles and trophies, foosball, pool table, air hockey, arcade games, or even slot machines.

But the wife will not give up any of the current living space.

So, Let’s Talk Sheds

The concept of a shed being used as a man cave has been around at least as long as the chant, “babes, beer & BBQ.” Let’s face it — it’s a mini house, waterproof, warm and — all yours.  To start just add a little drywall, paint, a fridge and a TV.  Oh, and don’t forget the leather recliner. Then add your own taste and style.

The shed can be as small as to fit you, your dog and your favorite chair or as large as Jay Leno’s mega garage. Most are in between.  Just think if you could fit a 2-car garage in your backyard or even better, a 4-car garage.  Use part for entertaining and the other part for your toys. Having a full bathroom with a shower would be a great added benefit.

Invite all your friends over for the big game or a night of fun and games.  It all starts with four walls and a roof.  Be it a shed or an over-sized garage, it’s up to you and your dream of having a space of your own. Comments are welcome.

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Do you dream about having an automated, hands off and self-aligning telescope connected to your laptop in your backyard?

Plus a shed to house the equipment so you don’t have to pack it up every night?

As you see in the pictures this is a simple reality, and it has a sliding roof.

You would be able to walk in your own backyard:

• Slide the roof back on rails,
• Close the door;
• Plug in your laptop,
• Sit back for hours of gazing fun.

It would help if you can set the shed away from lights, electrical and thermal sources of interferences.

Other Links:

Kenyon Astrophysical Observatory

Stoney Hills Observatory

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Thinking about a playhouse for the kids? Don’t get suckered into the countless, high-cost custom wood playhouses on the market. After a few years they are no longer used by the kids and are too small for use by you. Here’s the perfect solution:

Create a place where your kids can go play in the safety of their own backyard, a place where their imagination can go free in a playhouse of their own — by converting a new or old shed into a playhouse for the kids!

The best part is, once they are done with the playhouse, you can use it again as a gardening or storage shed. The key is to start with a quality shed that’s going to last. Then let your imagination go and dream of the playhouse you wanted when you were their age. With a little paint and added accessories, you can create a kid’s playhouse without breaking the bank:

• Paint a wall with chalkboard paint
• Set up a small table and chairs for the imaginary tea party
• Add cabinets & shelves
• Add safety windows and sky lights for natural light
• Add plenty of vents for good airflow
• Add a toy box or storage for their outdoor toys
• Add a small cut-away dollhouse
• Add a parking garage for tricycles and bikes

You’re done, and the kids have a great place to play. And you have a front seat to watch their imaginations come to life!

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Almost every day the question is asked “Can we move a wood shed?” The next question that follows is, “Can we disassemble the building and reassemble it?”  Nuts, bolts or screws are intended to be removed. Sheds that are nailed together are not intended to be disassembled.

For moving within the yard, think about how the pyramids were made. How those huge blocks were moved from the quarry to the site of the pyramids. They used multiple logs as rollers, moving over flat and inclined surfaces.

Prior to moving the shed, remove all contents, to lighten the load and prevent possible damage. The fun part is  prying the shed off the surface it’s sitting on. Leverage, is key to getting the unit off the surface. A long bar, with a strong fine edge, is needed to create the gap between the base and the surface, like a Pinch bar with a heel. If more leverage is needed simply add more length to the bar.

In place of the logs used in the ancient times, galvanized pipe or inexpensive peeler logs, found in the garden center, will work. Take your time and finesse the building across the surface into its new location. For added strength and safety the use of straps and ratcheted pulley system is recommended. You don’t want a run away shed on your hands.

Moving outside of the yard, if there is direct access, a flat bed trailer  or tow truck is the answer to mobility. Check with the Transportation Department for permits if your shed is over 8 feet wide. A crane may also be needed to get over or a round obstacles like homes and walls.

In tight residential areas relocation of sheds between properties is not an easy task. There are normally a number of obstacles in the way, be it at the current or new site or along the route. Look for wires, trees and street lights which would prevent the relocation of the shed.

Most of my clients leave the old shed behind and have a new one installed at the new location.

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“Drugs & weapons found at mini storage facility”

“Suspicious 2-alarm fire damages self storage units”

“Rodents, Rats and Mice— Oh My!”

These are not the headlines you want to see.  You see the ads every day about cleaning out your garage and closets to make room.  But do you know the risks involved with these places?

When you gather a large group of people and their worldly possessions all in one facility or warehouse, their problems and friends become yours.  You share the space with families & businesses fighting over the items in storage.  Some are hiding things that may or may not even belong to them.  Some are simply storing wine.  Others are storing highly corrosive and explosive chemicals.  Criminals can easily rent a space, just to gain access to your property.  You just don’t know who or what may be sharing the space in the next locker over.

There is another option that you may have over looked.  That is having your own storage place in your or a friend’s backyard.  Having a quality wood storage shed installed greatly reduces the threat of loss or damage by others.  You have greater security and control, versus shared space or self storage facilities.  Plus you have unlimited access at any time to your stuff.  Additionally this can save you money in the long run.

What about the cost?  If you keep your stuff at a storage facility for 18 to 20 months, you could have paid for a new storage shed.  The storage facility industry knows that if you don’t move out within the first 6 months, you will be paying them for years and years.  That’s money that you could be using more wisely.

Plus the storage shed can be customized for your individual needs and add value to the property it’s installed on.  A shed may start off as bulk storage.  But over time it will be used for: out of town guests, the cool play house for the kids or grand kids, game room, craft room, art studio, home office or even that potting shed you have dreamed about.  Families and businesses are always looking for more space to live and grow.  Don’t you think a new shed may be a better answer?

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A large number of storage sheds and garden storage sheds are used for a small hobby or micro business space.  Inventory, stocks, supplies and even office space are frequently created within sheds, instead of renting or taking up more space in the house.

As with the Bee Guy, he started with one shed for bulk supplies, boxes and frames for future hives.  To keep cost down, he maximized the size he could buy without needing a building permit.  Once the business continued to grow he purchased additional shed space, still keeping within the guideline set by the local community.  Organization within the sheds is critical for the business.  Most of this space sees high activity or turn over, unlike some home usage, which can contain seldom use’d items.  Access to the materials stored within is essential. Greater usage of racks along the exterior walls, plus interior free standing units, helps with access and organization.  Some even set up bar coding systems for greater organization and inventory control.

Some communities limit the overall sidewall height on sheds.  The barn style sheds increase capacity through height.  With the increased roof angles the barns are able to capture the added space.  Capturing this space again with lofts or taller racks gives you an enormous advantage over the ranch style sheds.

The two sheds so far have worked out great for this award-winning beekeeper and honey processor.  So if your next venture needs more space than your house can give, take a look at your existing garden shed or add a quality wood shed to give you the space you need to get started.  Many inventors and businesses have started out in a shed or small garage, like Ford and HP as examples.

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