Farm sheds are better than barns in the sense that you can basically put all your farm tools, equipment and even your livestock in one place. Sheds have evolved from just being a place to store extra stuff and your garden tools – they’re actually considered an integral part in the organization and de-cluttering of your homes and workplaces to make them more efficient and to have better use of space.
In the old days, building a farm shed would’ve been met with trepidation because of the amount of work it would surely take. These days, however, with the emergence of farm shed kits, building your own farm shed is a project any ambitious DIY-er can accomplish in one day or maybe two barring any complications.
Like any building project, you first need to come up with a plan that represents how you would like your shed to look like. To do this, you need to measure the space for length, width and height, decide what type of roof you want to have and if you want to build one that’s attached to a main building or will just be a stand-alone structure. Plan your floor based on what will be kept inside the shed – for example, a framed floor with joists and ¾ inch plywood is a safe option when you are planning to keep equipment like riding lawnmowers inside. You also need to decide whether you want a cement block or a dug-post foundation.
Mark the area where you want to build your shed. Make sure there are no trees or bushes that can mar your construction or that no neighboring property will be affected by your construction. You need to make sure that the size will complement the space you’ve staked out and your farm shed needs.
Do your research on the best possible materials to use and make your purchases based on what is best for your particular need. Vinyl, wood and steel are the most popular preferences for different reasons. Vinyl requires the lowest maintenance, while wood sheds are very customizable and blends more naturally with the environment and steel is the most durable and pest-resistant. Vinyl and steel kits are less expensive than wood because you don’t have to treat the other two for protection on a yearly basis as they don’t rot.
Next, you need to determine what features you require for your farm shed. Smaller sheds usually come with a reasonably-sized entryway while mid-sized sheds usually come with double doors and windows. Large sheds can be ordered with loft areas if need be as well as shelving options depending on what you will be storing inside.
Exterior features like shutters and barn sidings can make your sheds look less industrial and roofing that is laid from the bottom up will ensure that water won’t run into your shed. It would also be ideal to use 2×4 or 2×6 inch boards to make sure you have a very stable farm shed.
And lastly, consider your DIY skill levels as they will dictate how fast or slow your farm shed gets built. Vinyl kits are the easiest to assemble and build, while wood kits come with all the parts already pre-cut and pre-measured. Going for steel kits, however, means you will need to construct a concrete slab and the help of professional builders to accomplish.
