Wednesday, January 11, 2017

A guide to garden office wood


This is a guest post from Manchester-based timber merchant Theos Timber

There is more to choosing a garden office and shed than price.  How you are going to use it is one factor.  Will you be using it for potting plants or storing your garden tools?  Will it be used as a summer house or a tool store?  The choice of timber should also taken into consideration.  If you wish to use your shed for hobbies, a more robust timber variety ought to be your best bet.

In an ideal world, we would go for the most robust shed on the market.  Instead, many of us will go for the cheapest shed and end up buying a new one within a decade.

In Britain, the average shed is a wooden one.  It may have been bought from a multiple retailer like B&Q, Argos or Homebase. Some may have gone for a bespoke design. The beauty of wooden sheds is the scope for custom-made designs. On the whole, wood is long lasting, depending on the variety of timber you go for.  As for drawbacks, the roofing felt can be damaged.  Plus they need maintenance (especially the cheaper sheds).

For this post, we look at the pros and cons of the different timber types used in wooden sheds.

Cedar

The most expensive wooden sheds are made from cedar wood.  Their natural oils make the cedar wood resistant from bugs, mould and mildew.  Their durability commands higher prices, with cedar built sheds almost double the price of their pine equivalents.

Spruce

Grown at high altitude, Spruce timber makes for a good, durable surface.  In Northern Europe, spruce is good for outdoor use, which is why it’s a popular timber variety for wooden buildings.  The only drawback is the wood is prone to warping, depending on the altitude of the forest.

Larch

In terms of strength, Larch timber is a good second place wood to Cedar.  Therefore, it is a suitable alternative wood for exterior cladding.  The high cost of Larch timber may be out of some people’s budgets, but it is a cheaper and excellent alternative to Cedar wood.

Pine

Many sheds, especially budget priced ones, are made of pine.  It is a lightweight material, which makes self assembly a viable option, and the cheapest of timbers.  There are a couple of shortcomings: one is the short lifespan of the structure; the other is the amount of maintenance required.

Fir

Another popular softwood material is Fir.  It is noted for its stability and smooth texture, which is why Fir is a popular timber variety for saunas.  It is used in weather protected heavy construction projects.  Unlike Cedar, it is prone to attack by termites.

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