How to clad an old shed?

Afternoon @tom138

So Envious! 🙂 Seriously I have wanted one for my backyard for years 🙂

So here are the things I have considered if I had such a project.

- Old timber weatherboard. (Potentially free if you can find an old place getting torn down) Check local for sale sites.

- Concrete sheeting (could be expensive but maybe worthwhile in bulk james hardie 3000 x 1200 x 8.5mm hardie fine texture cladding

- Use old recovered windows in framing it out so you end up with it kind of like a greenhouse but more solid. (potentially free)

- The fluted clear plastic sheets sunlite clear twinwall polycarbonate sheet

What is the floor made of?

I would suggest to insulate the roof/line the ceiling as they would make it really cosy.

Cant wait to see the project!

Dave

EricL

Thanks for sharing your question about re-cladding your old shed.

@Dave-1's suggestion are spot on. Just to add to the suggestions made, I recommend having a look at the James Hardie 4200 x 180 x 16mm Linea Weatherboard - 4200 x 180 x 16 and the James Hardie 4200 x 230 x 7.5mm FC Woodgrain HardiPlank Weatherboard. These are external wall claddings that have the profile of wood and weather cladding.

I you need further assistance, please let me know.

Eric

Hey @Dave-1 and @EricL !

Thanks for your advise! I’ve had a look at these options and was going to use one of the James Hardie products but it seems like one has to use dust reducing saw with a special blade and dust vacuum to cut them safely. And to be honest I am not a big fan of James Hardie due to their handling of asbestos-related issues.

Anyway I came across this product called Weathertex. I like that it seems to be a sustainable product and it looks like a nice material to work with as it is 97% wood. Do you have any feedback about this product? It is slightly more expensive than fibre cement sheets but not by much.

Another question - would it be a good idea to put a vapour barrier under the cladding? Something like this: https://www.bunnings.com.au/ametalin-1370mm-x-30m-vapourtech-brane-vhp-vapour-permeable-wall-insulation_p0811065?store=7321&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB_GyZc4CbdHTMerBoMQ0TGqc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8dPjzLOfggMVyW6LCh2IogqNEAQYASABEgLI-PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Also - should I be thinking about some sort of window flashing?

@Dave-1 it is a concrete slab.

Thanks,,

Tom

Afternoon @tom138

I havnt used or heard about wethertex until now. I had a look and there seems to be no bad reviews and Bunnings sells them 🙂 I like it when a large company is sellingthe product as generally you know there is a lot of help available oabout it. I have the same feelinsg about teh James Hardie even tho I know it was years ago it still colours my thinking.

I have never cladded anything (Tho want to do my sunroom when I remove the colourbond cladding) but it does make sense. I am suire @EricL will know a lot more about it.

As to window flashing Id be looking into that for sure, figuring what type of windows you want right down to how you want them to open. Up down/ or outwards. It sounds like you are heading towards making the shed waterproof 🙂 I think it will look great and cant wait to see the photos.

I am trying to remember why I was asking about the concrete floor, I think it was because of water on it but if you are cladding then that should remove the chance of water running down the walls and under the timber.

Still envious!

Dave

Thanks @Dave-1 , I am much more excited about the project knowing I’ll be working with wooden cladding 🙂

I liked your idea of using old cladding but it would be probably a lot more work and I have so much more to do here 🙂 Also I am contemplating cladding the whole second storey of the house with this stuff so I thought why not to try the shed first and see how it looks.

Tom

🙂 Love the idea of testing the waters first before moving onto a larger area! Brilliant!

Dave

EricL

Using Weathertex to cover the shed is an excellent idea as well. It has a 25-year guarantee and its almost 100 percent all natural. Its termite resistant and does not need any special tool to cut it down. In regards to the Ametalin it's definitely worth putting on, not only does provide condensation control it also provides insulation (depending on the model you purchase). I suggest going to the store and checking out the availability.

I've have seen this used on my relative's property and it has not yet failed. It also comes in different colours so make sure to get a good look

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

So with my other projects on hold for various reasons I’m getting back to this one.

The old cladding is gone and I’ve got new Weathertex boards sitting in the garage.

But as usual nothing is ever as straightforward as it looks. Upon closer inspection of the frame I discovered that one of the corner posts is badly rotten and will need replacing. What’s the best way of anchoring new post to the concrete base? I was thinking one of these u-shaped brackets but that would protrude and make cladding difficult.

thanks!

redracer01

HI @tom138

I suggest replacing the post and putting a new one in the same construction manner. You'll notice that the base plate of the wall frame has deteriorated as well. In its original form, the corner post would have been held in place by the top/base plate, noggings, and cross brace. The base plate would have been anchored to the concrete base.

The corner post would have been attached to the top/base plate. This in effect would save you from having to install a steel stirrup. I suggest using a minimum of 12g screws along with some Anka screws for the concrete base. I've placed an image below to give you an idea of how it might look like.I also recommend using paintable bitumen on all the bottom timber surfaces.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Happy Holidays!

Red

Shed Frame1.jpg

Thanks for your advise @redracer01. Do you think it would be a good idea to reinforce (all) corner joints with something like this: https://www.bunnings.com.au/carinya-90-x-90-x-65-x-2-5mm-galvanised-reinforcing-brackets-4-pack_p3962406

Tom

Is this the paint you had I mind: https://www.bunnings.com.au/gripset-betta-1l-waterproofing-membrane-bitumen-rubber_p0960165 ?

redracer01

That's a big yes for me when adding extra support. The Carinya 90 x 90 x 65 x 2.5mm Galvanised Reinforcing Brackets are perfect for those corners. You must be a mind reader as I was thinking exactly that product. The Gripset Betta 1L Waterproofing Membrane Bitumen Rubber is the way to go. Keep in mind that this product can be diluted for easier application.

Please keep safety in mind always wear gloves and goggles when working on your renovation.

Red

Fantastic! I’m off to Bunnings. Thanks for your help and have a great holidays! Tom

Afternoon @tom138

Woohooo to getting back on with the shed 🙂 I agree with @redracer01 about replacing the post and the brackets. Not sure about the bitumen but id err on the side of @redracer01 knowing more then I 🙂 (Ive only used it on brickwork)

Id replace that post with similar hardwood, keep an eye out for people ripping down old house/shed 🙂 Ive used recycled hardwood a LOT and man it just keeps on lasting way longer then any treated pine I have seen. Might be harder to work with but worth it long run.

Dave

Progress is very slow due to the frame being in worse condition than I first thought and also due to weather. Difficult to get anything done 😉

But progress nevertheless. @Dave-1 I haven’t been able to find the same size timber new let alone second hand 🙂 The corner posts are 70x70mm - which seems like an unusual size these days. I have to use two 70x35mm instead. I had to replace two of the posts as well as one more stud.

I’ve installed the brackets and secured them using 10 x 100mm Anka screws to the concrete. I am installing these into every corner top and bottom. I’ve heard that one is supposed to put screw or nail into every single hole but I’m a bit worried about splitting the old timber.

I had to cut these cross braces as the ends were rotten:

And as a result there is a bit of movement in the frame. What’s the best way to fix that @redracer01, @EricL ? A metal bracing strap? Should I get rid of what’s left of the existing cross brace first or just install it over it?

Akanksha

Thanks for sharing that update, @tom138. That's progress indeed. Hope things get easier from here.

@EricL is currently away on his well-deserved year-end holiday break, but our other resident Bunnings D.I.Y. expert @MitchellMc will be happy to provide some suggestions on stabilising your frame as soon as he can.

Thanks for your patience in the meantime.

Akanksha

Afternoon @tom138

Man I am envious! 🙂 I do want a shed in my backyard one day and have ideas on what I want 🙂 Watching you work through this has me standing there going "oh yeah!". Also id like to say nice effort in replacing the rotted bits.

A metal bracing strap would work, or replace the timber one. Some cutting and chiseling will be needed is all. I like redoing it the original way as much aspossible as you know it worked before.

Dave

Heya @Dave-1,

you should get one. I’d say it’s every man’s right to have a shed 😉 I’m spending so much time and effort (and money) working on mine that makes me think that I should use it for something bit less mundane than storage space for the mower and gardening tools.

I’d love to replace the timber brace but sourcing the right type of timber might be a challenge. I measured it and it’s 73x23mm! Also, I thought it would be a god idea to run braces in both directions to form an X.

Best,

Tom

MitchellMc

I'd recommend leaving the existing braces if they are not rotted and adding additional steel strap braces in an X fashion on all walls @tom138. Don't forget to use the tensioners too.

Mitchell

Thanks @MitchellMc.

Would you be able to recommend what screws to use for the brackets ? I was going to nail them but I find it very difficult especially these top ones upside down.

thanks,

Tom

MitchellMc

Hi @tom138,

Standard timber screws would be fine and I'd recommend you pre-drill their holes. The alternative would be to pre-drill for your nails.

Mitchell

Sorry just to clarify I meant what screws to use for these brackets https://www.bunnings.com.au/carinya-90-x-90-x-65-x-2-5mm-galvanised-reinforcing-brackets-4-pack_p3962406 discussed earlier in this thread,

Also are these really designed to take a fastener in every hole?

Thanks,

Tom

MitchellMc

Sorry, @tom138. I edited my above reply as I realised you mentioned the brackets, not the strapping. Timber screws a fine to use for those.

I don't believe their intention is for you to use every hole; they've just provided several to suit different purposes. Four screws on each side should be more than enough.

Mitchell

All good, Thanks @MitchellMc!

redracer01

My apologies for the late reply. I suggest putting in some diagonal timber bracing near the noggings to fortify the frame. I see that you've cut off part of the long brace. This serves as a stiffener for the wall frame and if part of it is removed you'll get a bit of movement. But once you cover your wall with cladding this will reinforce the wall and movement should be greatly reduced.

Red

Hi all,

Apologies for not posting any updates on this for so long. I wanted to post an update when it is finished but these projects just never get 100% finished, do they? There is always the one more thing that needs to be done. And also, more importantly, there is million other jobs that need doing and so I immediately switched focus to other projects.

Anyways here is few pictures:

It was a great project and I learnt a lot - a bit about framing, how to install a window, how to hang a door but I also learnt to use my tools much better (and found an excuse to buy more tools). I really enjoyed this and I am quite pleased with the result.

Also wanted to thank again everyone who helped me here!

Tom

JacobZ

Hi @tom138,

Thanks for getting back to us with the finished project.

It looks fantastic; you should be very proud of what you've achieved and it's great to hear you learned a lot on the way.

Have you got any plans to fit out the inside with shelving of any kind? I would love to see what you do to store all those new tools of yours.

Keep us posted on all those other projects, it'd be great to see what else you come up with.

Jacob