A garden typically consists of nice things that you like to have around and useful things that you need to have around. A healthy balance of the two is what helps ensure your garden stays in tip top shape, and the items you use to keep it that way do too. Whether you want to store gardening implements, tools and hardware, or just expand your storage space, a wooden shed might be just what you’re looking for.
A wooden shed in your garden is a great place to store items that you need to protect from the elements, but don’t have the space for in your home. A properly installed and maintained shed made from high quality materials will keep your stuff dry, pest-free, and easily accessible.
If you’re here, you probably decided that a wooden shed is a good investment. Shed design has stepped up a notch in the last few decades and we’re here to help you choose the right fit for you. You want a wooden shed that is well engineered, built with durable and strong materials, appropriately ventilated and insulated, and in an optimal location.
Wooden shed ideas for your garden
When you think of a garden shed, you probably picture a little wooden shack with a door, a little window, and an upside down V roof. The classic wooden shed design has suited us for generations to house our garden tools and furniture to keep them protected from the harsh elements. These days, we’re getting a little more creative with our garden shed ideas for an aesthetic and purpose that suits our specific needs.
Outpost kitset sheds come in an array of different designs, shapes, sizes and forms. Whether you’re looking for the all classic tool shed design or the elaborate tiny house in the garden, all you need to do is decide what you’re going to use your shed for, how big you want it to be and how you’d like it to look.
The right choice for your perfect garden shed can be any of the following depending on your needs:
Small backyard shed - Our classic backyard shed is built to last and has loads of space for all your outdoor apparatus.
Greenhouse garden shed - Perfect for nurturing all your fruits and vegetables with a strong relocatable design.
Large pump shed - Great option for a durable garden shed with quality Zincalume corrugated steel cladding.
Large settler shed - Perfect design for storage or a workshop with 2 sets of double doors and a centre dividing wall if you choose to add one.
Wood and tool shed combos - perfect for storing firewood from the elements and housing tools you need for everyday use.
Settler summer house - A luxurious summer house option to lounge away those warm bright evenings.
What is the best wood for a garden shed?
The wood you decide to use for your shed could have a huge influence on the final aesthetics, how it performs and the longevity of your construction. You’ll want to use strong and treated quality lumber for your shed for protection from the elements and optimal durability. These are the three most common types of wood people consider for their sheds:
- Pressure treated lumber - special factory treated timber reduces the chance of wood rot and is great for all aspects of your shed.
- Oriented strand boards (OSBs) - a cheap option for sheathing your shed walls and roof, but you may need to treat it yourself or replace it regularly.
- Exterior grade plywood - a robust and durable option for sheathing walls and your shed roof, but you’ll need treated wood for the floors.
Our wooden sheds are designed with New Zealand treated timber framing and quality Zincalume or Colorsteel roofing.
What is the easiest shed to put up?
The thought of putting a shed in the garden is an appealing idea but you should probably consider how difficult it would be to build your own shed versus how expensive it will be to purchase a ready-made one that will be delivered right to your door. The good news is you can build your own shed without the need to be a master carpenter or designer, but you also don’t need to break the bank with a prefabricated installation.
Outpost buildings offer you the best of both worlds. Our kitset sheds save you time, money, energy and power tools. We have a large variety of options for every occasion and application. Here is our range of Outpost kitset sheds. By purchasing a kitset shed, you’re investing in a foolproof strategy of providing all the components you need to build your shed, but with the gratification of putting it together yourself in the span of a weekend; plus, it’s going to be strong enough that it’ll last you a lifetime.
What sheds last the longest?
Just like any structure, not all sheds are created equal. So how do you decide between the myriad options available on the market today? When you invest your hard-earned money in a shed, you’re going to want it to stand the test of time. Sheds that pass that test and offer the best durability tend to be:
- Well engineered
- Built with durable and strong materials
- Adequately and appropriately ventilated and insulated
- In a good location
- Well cared for
Take your time and do your research when deciding on your shed options. If you keep your shed in tip top condition, it will last you for decades if not longer.
How do I keep my shed floor from rotting?
Any structure made of wood can begin to rot or decay if it stays wet for prolonged periods. The excess moisture allows mould and bacteria to cause the wood to weaken and decompose. By elevating the shed floor on pressure treated skids, this creates an air space underneath the floor. This allows air flow under your shed which helps to keep the floor drier and less exposed to conditions that can cause rot, such as dampness or standing water.
The other advantage of skid mounted garden sheds is that they are relocatable, meaning if you decide to rearrange your garden, you’re in luck! We use skid mounted floors in Outpost sheds so you don’t have to worry about floor rot or changing your mind about the best location for your garden shed.
Check out our blog here about Garden shed flooring options to help you make the most informed decision about your shed floor.
How long does a garden shed last?
A well engineered and skillfully built wooden garden shed that is well ventilated from underneath and outside can last for decades. To make sure that it lasts and stays in good repair, paint or stain the exterior every 5 years or so. With the benefits of minor upkeep and repairs, your shed can last into the next century.
Do I need to treat the inside of a shed?
Depending on what your shed will be used for, the inside can be left untreated. However, if you wish to paint or otherwise treat the inside of a shed you can use paint, stains or additional wall surfaces such as pegboard. Insulation for the floor, walls and roof could be considered as well to help stabilise the temperature. Any areas that will be covered by an interior wall should be ventilated to prevent moisture build up.
Do I need treated wood for a shed?
With any shed, the portion of the shed that may be in contact with the bare ground, gravel base or paved/concrete surface should be treated to increase its ability to survive in those conditions. Wood that doesn’t come in contact with the ground or wet surfaces does not have to be pressure treated with preservatives, but it will last longer if the outside surfaces are painted or covered.
What size wood should I use for a shed base?
Ideally, the base of a shed will keep the floor from being in contact with the ground and allow airflow under the shed floor. To this end, 4” x 4” or 6” x 6” treated lumber beams are best for skid based sheds. This will allow the shed to be placed on any level surface that has good drainage and still have an air gap for both drainage and drying. Those same treated timbers will serve as a strong support for the flooring to support whatever is being stored in the shed and a ready means of moving the shed to another location should you decide to.
An Outpost garden shed is an ideal addition to your outside space. Our easy to assemble kitsets will have your shed up and running in no time and are built to last to ensure your shed stands the test of time.
For any additional questions, feel free to contact one of the team here at Outpost Buildings.
