| Most homeowners realize they need a storage | | | | |
| shed after they have the house completed. | | | | When you choose the size and type of storage |
| There are some things, such as garden tools, | | | | shed, you have a choice in buying a shed kit |
| a lawn mower and bicycles, that are best | | | | that comes with all the lumber and materials |
| stored outside the home. Most of them also | | | | you need. This would be a good route to take |
| want to tackle the building of the shed on | | | | if you are not sure how to read plans and |
| their own as a do-it-yourself project. | | | | determine how much lumber you need. You can |
| Storage sheds come in all shapes and sizes, | | | | also take the plans to a lumberyard and have |
| which is why there are many different kinds | | | | the staff there help you determine what and |
| of plans available for DIY storage sheds. You | | | | how much you need to buy. Buying unseasoned |
| should look through all the plans available | | | | wood could mean costly repairs down the road |
| to find one that will compliment the exterior | | | | because this tends to shrink as it dries. |
| of your home. You don't want one that looks | | | | Therefore, it is best to purchase kiln-dried |
| too small next to the house, not do you want | | | | wood for your storage shed. |
| one that is so large that it overpowers the | | | | |
| house. | | | | Check out all the lumber by laying it on its |
| | | | edge and eyeing it down the edge to see if |
| First you have to choose the right location | | | | any of the pieces are cupped. Look for gaps |
| for the shed. If you live in a city or town | | | | or crooked areas because this will have an |
| where there are building codes in place, then | | | | effect on this finished product and perhaps |
| you should check with the proper department | | | | make it difficult to have straight walls. |
| to find out of there are any regulations and | | | | Check the grade of the lumber as well. Lumber |
| how to go about obtaining a permit. The | | | | comes in four grades with number 1 being the |
| regulations cover the size and height of the | | | | best quality and most expensive and number 4 |
| shed, so these are things you have to keep in | | | | being the poorest quality and the cheapest. |
| mind when searching for the plans. Once you | | | | Number 2 lumber is the kind most often used. |
| have all this in place, then you need to | | | | For areas close to the ground, always use |
| carefully choose the location and measure the | | | | pressure treated lumber. |
| area. Some of the factors you need to keep in | | | | |
| mind when choosing the location include the | | | | To get the best prices, you should get quotes |
| amount of sunlight that this area receives so | | | | from several dealers and then choose the one |
| that you will know where the best places for | | | | that best meets your budget. You also have to |
| windows will be. You also need to consider | | | | factor in delivery charges, but if you have a |
| the access to the shed from the house and | | | | truck, you can save on this by picking up the |
| whether or not you want to see the shed from | | | | lumber yourself. |
| the house or the street. | | | | |