How to build a side shed?

[southpolemonkey]

Hi community

I have a area of 5m * 1.5m with 10cm height difference. I want to build a shed to store garden stuffs. 

This lifetime plastic kit looks nice but won't fit in my site unfortunately. 

I also don't like the color-bond shed kit appearance but I prefer this modern color bond looking due to the wider gap profile and timber.

I need some thoughts to help me kick start

1. Should I concrete the base or suspended plywood base?

2. Does it make sense to custom build a timber frame + colorbond shed if considering the time and cost? How much colorbond sheet cost per sqm? Never deal with colorbond material myself so not sure the difficulty to cut & bend etc.

3. Single slope or gable roof?

4. I think about the timber frame so that wall hanging becomes more practical. That's another downside of colorbond kit shed from my view, they don't provide wall hanging capability at all.

5. Water tightness. How difficulty to ensure the corner is sealed.

Thanks

Chen

[EricL]

Hello @southpolemonkey 

Let me try and answer some of your questions.

• For long term use its best to use a concrete base for your shed. If built properly it will keep your stored items dry and safe.
   
• Using Colorbond as a shed covering is perfectly fine. If you build a timber frame for your shed and use Colorbond as cladding it will be perfectly safe. 
   
• A single slope is easier to build in my opinion.
   
• If a timber frame is built, it will be more like a house than a shed. It will also allow you to hang things on the wall. 
   
• Water tightness depends on how you've designed the shed. As I mentioned earlier if it is designed more like a house, you'll get excellent protection from the weather.

I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How to build a wooden shed? by @mikebarker. You'll get a bird's eye view of what's involved in building a shed from scratch. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Remarka6le and @Dave-1 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Remarka6le]

Hey @southpolemonkey ,

You've got a narrow lane and slight fall, so you’ll get the best result by pouring a level concrete slab. It’s permanent, moisture-resistant and strong enough for anything you want to store. A suspended floor can work but only with fibre cement sheets, not plywood, which won’t last outdoors.

A timber frame clad in Colorbond is the most practical way forward. You can size it exactly for your site, cut the sheets easily with snips, and order flashings pre-made so you don’t need to bend anything. Wrapping the frame in sarking, using foam closures, and sealing with neutral-cure silicone will make it watertight.

Go with a single-slope roof pitched away from the fence. It is simpler to build, easier to gutter, and avoids wasted space. Add an anticon blanket to stop condensation. A timber frame lined with ply inside lets you hang racks and shelves anywhere, unlike kit sheds which are flimsy and limited.

For the front, a sliding barn door hidden behind timber battens gives you that modern look and avoids the problem of a swinging door in a tight lane. Allow a small gap from the fence for gutter and paint access, and consider a slim channel drain at the entry. The plastic kit you linked won’t adapt to your width and won’t give you hanging options.

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @southpolemonkey 

I also vote for a concrete slab, The issue that turns up most in these pages tends to have non concrete flooring in sheds. 😕 

@Remarka6le really has filled in the rest of the way forward Its pretty much the same way I would do it right down to the single slope away from the building for the roof. 

Some extra things to factor in/consider

Drainage, where is the roof water going to go plus water when it falls down the sides of the walls, where is that going to end up?

Power, do you want it?

Water Tap, if you are digging the area up for a slab, maybe a water tap outside the shed for convienence at the same time.

Dave

[southpolemonkey]

Hi @Remarka6le @Dave-1 Thanks for your thoughts

I did my calculation for the base at 100mm thickness I need 80bags of 20KG concrete mix.

Here is my plan

1. Get a mixer and find two mates

2. Do I need steel? Or for the shed it's not really necessary?

3. How long does it normally take to mix 80 bags with a mixer? I don't have much experience with it, should I consider slowing the curing time?

Thanks

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @southpolemonkey 

I have done a few 10 of 20kg bags of concrete for support posts at a time and believe me that was hard going (mixing in a wheelbarrow) With the size you are considering it might be an idea to get a quote for some delivered concrete depending on acess to your yard. 

For that slab thickness I would add steel.

Have not used a mixer before but know that the weight does tire your muscles fast, especially if you are not used to it.

Dave