HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-10-18, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012.Sheds can be rewarding do-it-yourself projects
MS –Many people find that space
around a home is a precious com-
modity after years spent accumulat-
ing different things. The basement,
attic and garage are commonly used
to store items that won’t fit any-
where else. Though spring cleaning
is a great way to cut down on clutter,
a storage shed makes a great place to
put those items you can’t bear to dis-
card.
Sheds come in many shapes and
sizes. Ready-made sheds can be
erected on your property immediate-
ly, and some retailers will do so for
an additional fee. The cost of a shed
can vary greatly, from simple plastic
sheds that cost roughly $100 to more
customized sheds that cost $1,000 or
more.
After looking at many storage
sheds from builders or prefabricated
models, you may want to build one
yourself. This way you can be sure it
is customized to fit your yard and is
the right colour and style and
made of secure and durable materi-
als. While an adventurous project,
shed building is typically within
the skill set of the average home-
owner. Also, a shed can be built in a
weekend or two, depending on
how much time you can devote to
the project. Here’s how to get start-
ed.
• Consult with your town, city,
province or municipality to find out
the zoning laws regarding sheds. You
may need a building permit if the
shed will feature a permanent foun-
dation or is larger than a certain
size.
There also may be rules regarding
how far away the shed must be from
the property line or even the heightof the structure. It pays to know thisinformation in advance so you don’trun into legal trouble after the proj-ect has begun.• Find a style of shed that youwould like to emulate. Drive aroundto different shed retailers or homeimprovement stores and peruse thestock. Choose the features you like
and mark them down. Take photos of
the ones you really like.
• Research available plans. You
can purchase shed plans or have an
architect draw them up, but that may
be costly. There are also free
shed plans online, some of
which provide a list of necessary
supplies.
• Order your supplies and organize
everything. A building materials
centre or a home improvement store
may deliver all of your materials
right to your home, saving you the
hassle of going back and forth to getthings piece by piece. Once they aredelivered, sort through everythingand mark whether the material is forthe floor, walls or roof. If the shedwill not be rooted to the ground butkept on skids or blocks, you willlikely want to have some sort of base material, like rocks or gravel underneath to deter animals
from making a home under the
shed.
• Enlist the help of a friend and get
building. Once you get into a groove,
you may find that the shed building
comes easy to you. But the work will
go more quickly if you have a
friend available to help you hold
materials in place while you secure
them.
Building a shed can be a reward-
ing do-it-yourself project that saves
you money and frees up space in
your home.
Town of sheds
Whether buying a pre-made shed or building your own, a shed can make a big difference in
most homes in terms of storage and appearance of lawns and yards. (MS photo)
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