Should You Build Or Buy Your Wooden Shed?

Wooden sheds are a fun do it yourself project, but buying them is easier (in most cases), so which way do you go?  A lot of what you choose to do depends on your level of expertise with building projects and how much time and money you have.

The case for building.

If you have a weekend or two of time and like to do things on your own, then you will probably want to build your shed.  When you build your structure, the best way to get what you want is to buy a set of shed plans.  This way you know exactly what you need to get as far as supplies go and you know how to put it together.

There are also wooden storage shed kits on the market that allow you to buy everything in one kit – hardware, lumber, shingles, and plan.  This is a great medium step in between buying a storage shed and building one.

The case for buying.

If you have more money than time, then you may want to buy a shed.  There are many nice wooden sheds available to order online, or you can find them locally.  Buying a shed is much quicker than building and the results are instant.

Another good option if you want to buy a shed is to look for used wooden sheds.  Just be sure they are no rotted out boards before you take a used shed home.

A few things you should know about wooden storage sheds whether you build or buy.

When you are installing a shed or building from a shed plan, you need to check with your local building code and association rules to see what types of sheds are allowed.   Different communities allow different types of sheds and some don’t allow sheds at all, so it is always good to check the rules before you start.

Another thing that you should consider when putting up a wooden shed is the foundation.  If you lay a concrete foundation for your shed, it will last much longer than if you build it directly on the ground.  Pressure treated lumber will also help keep your shed looking nice for a long time.

Finally, when you go to paint your shed be sure to use primer first and then paint, and always use oustide (never indoor) grade paint.   Latex paint workds great and will wear well as long as you use the primer step.  When you are staining, you also need to use exterior grade stain.

Sheds are versatile structures that can hold a lot of outdoor type of equipment.  You can use them as workshops, gardening centers, bicycle storage, or playhouses.  The uses are really only limited by your imagination and the design of the wooden shed.