Building a shed-what size timbers???

[Emsman]

I have recently moved into a new, erm, old cottage, that had a huge shed at the bottom if the garden.
It's rotted away, and has been pulled down. Shame, as it was the size of a garage.
So............the new shed.
It's going to be a seperate office at one end, accessed via a seperate door, with the remainder of the shed as an L shape off the back if it.
What's the best timber/ type if construction for a long lasting building- without breaking the bank?
It's going to be insulated, with light/power etc, and apart from the office I need space for my hobby things, the rest will almost be a summerhouse.
How do I go about it?? Level base, chipboard floor or is there a better alternative?
What size timbers so use? It will have a felted sloping roof.
What's best for the external? Tongued and grooved or shiplap?

Any help greatly appreciated

[sparkythecat]

Have a look at this site. They build very good quality sheds.

http://www.oakencloughbuildings.co.uk/

[King Herald]

Emsman said:

I have recently moved into a new, erm, old cottage, that had a huge shed at the bottom if the garden.
It's rotted away, and has been pulled down. Shame, as it was the size of a garage.
So............the new shed.
It's going to be a seperate office at one end, accessed via a seperate door, with the remainder of the shed as an L shape off the back if it.
What's the best timber/ type if construction for a long lasting building- without breaking the bank?

You sound like you're intending to work in it as an office, so you're going to want it warm and comfortable. I'd be looking at ship lap for the outside, with a cavity, and then plasterboard or plywood liner, with insulation in the gap.

Look at the ready built shed market, then modify and insulate to your requirements. A ready built shed will probably be cheaper than doing it yourself, unless you have good contacts in the wood industry.

[Simpo Two]

I'd go for the 'log cabin' type building - prefab kits but much more solid than sheds. Screwfix, Argos etc do them.

[Emsman]

Good advice thanks. I didn't mention i have a couple of mates that are chippies and ready to help, so will build from scratch rather than buy and modify.

[Autonotiv]

Emsman said:

Good advice thanks. I didn't mention i have a couple of mates that are chippies and ready to help, so will build from scratch rather than buy and modify.

Why not ask you chippie mates then? they should know.

[Emsman]

already have. They reckon 125x125 which I think is a little flimsy, hence me asking on here

[King Herald]

Emsman said:

already have. They reckon 125x125 which I think is a little flimsy, hence me asking on here

Yes, tell your chippie mates they're full of $hit, you need at least 300mm x 300mm for a garden shed.......

[Autonotiv]

Emsman said:

already have. They reckon 125x125 which I think is a little flimsy, hence me asking on here

where are the 5x5s going?

[Simpo Two]

It seems to be there's a very big gap between (a) your idea of what you want, and (b) the chippies who may be physically capable but need instructions and plans to follow.

Who's going to draw up plans? You can't build something like this by buying a few bits of wood and then sccratching your head!

[Emsman]

I'm aware that buying a pile of wood and nailing it together won't work.
I have plans drawn, so no part will exceed 2.4m- mainly for access/delivery.
The 5x5's are destined to be columns, hence the question do they seem a little small

[Plotloss]

5" square timber a bit flimsy?

You'll be parking a neutron star on the roof of this shed will you?

[Emsman]

it will be bearing the load if the roof, and the plasterboard.

[Plotloss]

I conservatively estimate the point load capacity of 5" square timber to be roughly a Range Rover per corner.

5" is, to use the vernacular, fking massive.

[Emsman]

hence the question- what size to use , and not:

Please commentvon what size I shouldn't use

[pokethepope]

Emsman said:

hence the question- what size to use , and not:

Please comment on what size I shouldn't use

5"

HTH.

[cjs]

I built my own shed. It's 16' by 8'. I used 2"x2" for the frame, pitched roof is 2x2 'A' frame, so no columns. Floor and roof panels are ply wood. I also used ply for the wall panels and then used creosote. This was a mistake and I will clad with shiplap or similar.

A lot of my wood was reclaimed from building sites and skips. Roof was done with proper roofing felt not the cheap shed felt. All in I reckon it cost me £400.00 for the stuff I did have to buy, probably took me 4 days labour. So not that cheap, I could have bought something of the shelf for £600.

[Simpo Two]

cjs said:

I also used ply for the wall panels and then used creosote. This was a mistake and I will clad with shiplap or similar.

May I suggest cedar shingles? Very attractive and also remarkably durable.

[cjs]

Simpo Two said:

cjs said:

I also used ply for the wall panels and then used creosote. This was a mistake and I will clad with shiplap or similar.

May I suggest cedar shingles? Very attractive and also remarkably durable.

Hmmmm... someone else mentioned cedar to me, I did do some work on a new build office that used cedar cladding, unfortunately they had none spare! Just need to find a good cheap source.