This article will discuss how to build a shed yourself. A utility shed is essential on every property to store tools, other equipment, firewood, and seeds. Building a compact shed correctly from brick, wood, or other materials doesn't take much time. But only if you research relevant information, blueprints, and plans, and watch videos beforehand.
Choose a suitable location
Often no additional foundation is required to build barn, make it strong and reliableDepending on the material chosen, the structure can last for decades, so it's important to find a suitable location for it right away. Start by planning the entire site, looking at the layout of everything, and deciding on the perfect location for the shed.
Main types of sheds
Made from unedged boards (economy class)
A shed of this class has one significant advantage that often outweighs all the disadvantages: low construction cost and quick installation. The video shows how quickly the process can be completed; often, even an additional foundation is not necessary. At a dacha, such a shed can serve as a temporary structure while the main outbuilding is being renovated. While this structure is definitely not suitable for keeping livestock, it is suitable for storing tools.
A budget-friendly shed is being built without a foundation. A wide beam or pallet is needed to prevent the bottom from rotting; the entire structure is then mounted on it. Construction can be completed in two days. It's important to note that the optimal dimensions for the shed are two meters long and three meters wide, with a height of no more than 2.4 meters.
Made of brick
If you look at videos and photos of how to build a great brick barn, you'll see that it also has its own unique features. As for the advantages of building a barn, despite the need for a foundation, it's worth noting its durability and strength. Such a structure will look good on any property because it looks solid, even from the outside. Construction requires a strip foundation.
First, you should decide on the location of the barn and consider insulating the entire space. While the structure is an investment, it will pay for itself with its longevity at the dacha. A brick barn can be used for a variety of purposes, not just for storage, but also as a workshop or garden shed. In principle, such a structure is also suitable for housing livestock, but additional areas need to be created. Decorate your plot beautifully with your own handsfrom scrap materials.
Made of timber
When building a timber shed, it's also important to familiarize yourself with the design features beforehand. A foundation is necessary, but many summer residents consider this option the golden mean between quality and cost-effectiveness. Also consider sheds made of blocks and timber.
From blocks
If you don't want to combine materials, there are separate photos and videos on how to build a shed at your dacha using blocks or foam concrete blocks. This is a popular modern material that surpasses many competitors in quality, yet is inexpensive.
The advantages of building a shed from blocks, as opposed to timber, for example, include quick assembly and durability. Such a structure will last for approximately 25 years if constructed according to all construction standards and specific technologies.
How to build a durable block shed with your own hands (step-by-step instructions):
1. Prepare the area where the foundation will be built. Remove excess debris and remove the top 50 cm of soil.
2. Next, pour the strip foundation. Leave the finished foundation for a few days to allow it to fully harden. Note: if the foundation was laid in hot weather, water it from above to prevent the mixture from drying out and cracking.
3. A few days later, when the foundation is clearly ready, a waterproofing layer needs to be applied. Construction here follows the usual pattern, so there's no need to overthink it. Roofing felt, just like for timber, works perfectly.
4. Since the shed is made of blocks, you need to prepare a mortar to hold this material together. You can use a mixture of one part cement and four parts sand.
5. Laying the blocks begins at the corners. Once these are complete, you can begin raising the walls. It's important to use a plumb line and level to ensure the structure is level both horizontally and vertically. At this stage, don't forget to leave space for windows and doors.
6. Now all that's left is to build the roof. It's not made of blocks or timber, but rather from roofing materials that are affordable to you. The roof can be either a single-pitched or a double-pitched (the latter is better).
7. All that's left is to install windows and doors, insulate the shed from the inside, and move on to finishing. Building a shed from blocks isn't cheap, but the costs are moderate, and following specific instructions will help minimize expenses and labor at each stage.
Whether you're building a barn for your dacha from timber, blocks, or another material, it's far more important to familiarize yourself with the latest information on the topic in advance and, already at the planning stage, consider and calculate everything to ensure the final structure is strong, durable, and beautiful. Not every type of structure is suitable for housing livestock, so this should also be taken into account. Which one? Choose an odorless toilet for your dacha and pumping.
A wooden shed will look beautiful and functional at your dacha. Moreover, as we've already discovered in this article, it's the cheapest construction option. You can build such a structure yourself inexpensively; you can watch the steps in detail in the video, which provides step-by-step instructions. Building such a shed at your dacha yourself doesn't require an additional foundation; it's inexpensive and practical. However, this structure is absolutely not suitable for housing livestock. Typically, building a shed of this type takes about a day at most, but with proper maintenance, it can last for five years or more.