Before You Build an Outdoor Garden Shed, First Determine These Six Key Features

A few summers ago my wife's creative instinctsare great targets for thieves looking to steal your
inspired her to plant a garden. In no time at all, she'dlawn and garden equipment. They can sell your tools
accumulated a wheel barrow, hoes, shovels andquite easily at flea markets and neighborhood street
other gardening equipment. She'd also bought bags ofsales. The message here is that your garden shed
potting soil and a supply of flower pots of all shapesneeds a heavy, solid door held shut with a high
and sizes.quality lock.o Storage capacity
But, for me, the real kicker came when she tried toI also recommend you get a set of plans for a
store it all in our already overflowing garage.garden shed that's somewhat larger than you think
That's when I fired up the computer and went ontoyou'll need. Sheds provide convenient storage space,
the Internet to find a good set of outdoor gardenso they tend to fill up fast with the tools and
shed plans for a shed design that suited our needs.equipment you intended to put there in the first
I'm certainly glad I did.place. But they also make a convenient place to
In addition to saving me a ton of time, money andstore bicycles, sports equipment and other stuff.o
stress, having the plans and the step-by-step buildingProper ventilation
instructions, manuals, drawings and building materialsThe next consideration is how hot it gets where you
list that came with them was like having a masterlive. In most areas, it's probably wise to get a set of
carpenter to guide me through the project.building plans that include efficient roof venting. A
I was surprised to learn the variety of importantshed's interior can get quite hot and possibly cause
things to consider when selecting a design that fit mydamage to the things you store inside.o Building
needs along with the right building materials for anmaterials
outdoor garden shed.Make sure you build with strong, high quality lumber
Here are six vital points you must consider whenthat will hold up to moisture and insects. You're
building an outdoor garden shedo Roof designasking for trouble if you use cheap lumber that will
I live in an area that often receives at one androt. Use pressure treated wood that you've sealed
maybe two or three heavy snowfalls every winter. Aand painted to make it really last.o Complete and
deep accumulation of snow can be quite heavy, andeasy-to-follow building plans
most shed plans include a fairly flat roof pitch. Plus,Building an attractive, functional outdoor garden shed
most shed designs call for small spec lumber thatis worth the investment. But if you intend to build it
could sag or even collapse under a heavy load ofyourself, make sure you get a complete set of
snow. I'm glad I thought of this and got building plansgarden shed plans. No doubt they'll save you lots of
for a shed that has a strong, steeply sloped roof.otime and money. Plus they'll enable you to build a
Strength and Securityreally nice, long-lasting shed you can be proud of.
Another consideration is that outdoor garden sheds