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Can you trim down an Absco garden shed?

Hi all, I'm looking to purchase an absco premier shed, unfortunately the 3m is too big and the 2.2 is too small. So I'm thinking of purchasing the 3m and cutting it down. I measured my neighbours shed and each rib of the sheet metal is 185mm, so I think if I cut the width of the long walls and roof sheets 2 or 3 ribs then it will be around 2630 or 2445mm long. Just wanting to know if this is a possibility and anything I should be made aware of. Not really concerned with voiding the warranty.

I also live in a cyclonic area and would like to frame it out. The optional cyclone kits available dont really make me feel confident so I'd like something that frames it all together and fixes to the slab. Was thinking using the siniat stud and track system but not really sure where to start. Can I frame it up after I've built the shed, from the inside? Then fix from the outside

Would really love to hear your thoughts, thanks

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EricL

Hello @zeb

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your garden shed.

My apologies for the late reply. I've honestly never done this type of modification to a garden shed. But if you are planning on modifying the shed's structure, I strongly urge you to triple check your measurements and do a pre-assembly test to make sure that everything will still fit properly. I also suggest using the White Knight rust guard system on the cut edge of the sheet that you'll be cutting. This is to protect it from the elements and to prevent it from prematurely rusting. Any section that you cut must be primed and sealed properly.

In regards to extra support, I propose building a timber frame inside the shed and anchoring it to the concrete base with Dynabolts or similar. I then recommend screwing the sheds body to the timber frame along with the roof. This should add extra support and rigidity to the shed.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their ideas on how to provide extra support to your shed.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Afternoon @zeb

Having a think about shortening the sheds overall height and I am wondering if it might be easier to construct a shed from scratch that matches the height you want?

You want to frame out the inside of the shed, If you frame up the shed from scratch you will have it already.

You want to have the shed somewhere above the 2.2m mark, If you frame it up beforehand you can get an accurate height easily.

Trim the panels down, Trim the metal lengths to your height (less wastage if you buy longer lengths potentiall and cut them to size on the ground.)

Making the base waterproof, easier to do if you are framing from scratch.

Pre made shed, No roof insulation, purpose built you can allow for insulation of roof.

The effort required to cut all the panels and supports accuratly and then build plus frame ballanced against a fresh build is how I would be thinking.

Dave

zeb

Hi Dave, thanks for your response. Originally building a shed from scratch was my plan, and I would still love to do that as it means I could customise it more (skillion roof, sliding door, heavier duty corrugated steel). However I just don't know where to start, I was pretty overwhelmed trying to design it and couldn't find any detailed plans online, and I don't really have anyone to help me, so I figured modifying an existing shed would be easier and perhaps down the track it will help me develop the skillset and confidence to build one from scratch.

Nailbag

Hi @zeb

It sounds like a lot of effort and expense to buy a shed only to cut it down and then having to reinforce it with internal framing for a shed that isn’t that big.

So I’m with @Dave-1 why not simply build one from scratch to you exact requirements both build and cyclonic fixings. There probably wouldn’t much much difference in spend.

Nailbag.

zeb

Hi nailbag, please see my last comment

Jason

Hi @zeb,

Perhaps you could share with us the dimensions you need the shed to be? Members might be able to suggest other options.

Jason

Dave-1

Good Evening @zeb

Totally get you with that nervous feeling. 🙂 We have all been there at some stage.

So instead of worrying about the cost of a shed either from scratch or modding one, what about building something smaller to gauge how you go? That way you can still decide to mod a shed if you want or build from scratch.

The simplest things I can think of that will help you figure out ways to go is either a dog house or a small chicken coup. (also a small cubby house if you have kids)

Have a play around with sketching up a design for each and if you run into issues mention it in here 🙂 There are lots of us that have different ideas on how to so nothing is really ever wrong or too hard.

Dog house = Experience with a frame and roof, wether a peaked roof or a sloped one.

Cubby house = Experience with a frame and roof, weather a peak one of sloped one plus a doorway and window.

Chicken Coup = Over all frame plus Smaller frame area.

All three can be put to a practicle use tho dog houses never really seem to get used by the doggo 🙂

Dave

EricL

Hello @zeb

Just to give you an idea of what's involved in building your own shed, here are some discussions you might find useful:

These are great examples of D.I.Y sheds built from timber. Before you begin, I suggest checking your local council's rules and regulations in regards to shed size and height. I'm quite sure that if you are building a shed that is of a larger size a permit will probably be necessary. My best advice is to keep your plans simple and do a lot of research, there are dozens of examples on google. While planning your shed if you run into anything you're not sure of don't hesitate to post a question. We'll all be here to give you a hand.

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

Eric

zeb

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the responses, but I'm not going to build a shed from scratch. Maybe one day, but not this time.

I'm really just wanting to know about trimming down an absco shed, whether it's possible and if so, how could I make it more robust (preferably with steel rather than timber as I can weld a tad and I live in the NT so timber is not preferred). To me cutting down the shed doesn't seem like it'll be too difficult if I just cut down the rib. What product (other that timber) would I use to frame it. Just RHS? If so, what dimensions/thickness. Or the stud and track system I mentioned before? Thanks

EricL

Hi @zeb

If you have access to welding equipment, then building a frame out of Metal Mate 20 x 20 x 1.6mm 3m Galvanised Steel Square Tube or similar should be an achievable project for you. You probably could go bigger, but I believe that 20x20 is a good starting point for your build. My best advice is to make sure to paint and seal everything so that it does not prematurely rust.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

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