ARTICLES: Sheds

Planning to Buy a Shed?

Shed Nostalgia
Sheds have existed since man began to require additional storage for wood or coal for heating, various outdoor tools, furniture and soil enhancers like fertilizer and lime. The old wood shed has developed a time-honored patina. Prior to central heating systems, who can forget the fun of watching coal being dumped into the shute in the coal shed?

Sheds Are A Necessity
Sheds are virtually a necessity for lawn mowers, rakes, wheelbarrows and other items that are best stored in special housing. Sheds come in a variety of materials: steel, aluminum, wood and corrugated wood materials. When purchasing a shed, several things should be considered such as size, best material, ease of installation and durability. Sheds are sold either pre-fabricated and installed for you or sheds can be shipped in sections to be installed by the buyer. If you intend to install a shed yourself, you will need certain small type tools to perform the installation.

Which Shed is Best?
The most important factor to consider when purchasing a shed is the availibility of space for a free standing structure. Most sheds are an average of 10 feet by 10 feet. Once the space problem is solved, you can determine more easily the size of shed that is most suitable. Some sheds, known as a "lean to" can be installed against the exterior wall of your home which serves as the back wall of the shed itself.

Sheds Require a Foundation
To have maximum stability, any type shed should have a concrete base, particularly in the case of those of metal composition. The concrete base protects the items stored in the shed from mold and mildew caused by damp soil. The walls of the shed are secured into the concrete with large screws. This prevents blow down in strong wind.

Shed Prices Vary
Most sheds are priced based upon size, material and installation. Most large box stores that sell home and garden products generally have a wide selection of sheds. The pre-fabricated types installed by the seller can be pricey if they are custom made. It's up to the buyer to determine whether or not they want to take on the project of installation. Do-it-yourself saves money but not necessarily time and doesn't always guarantee satisfactory installations without proper experience.