Period sheds

[Flyfisher]

Ah goody - a side-by-side comparison! Is there a noticeable difference in condensation between the two types of shed?

 

[Roger440]

Wooden sheds are harder to maintain nowadays because of the difficulty in finding real creosote.
If you go for wood, a strong self-supporting floor and lift it off the ground to minimise damp.

As said, metal sheds... condensation, not good for storing tools.

Ivor

Not hard at all. https://www.creosotesales.co.uk/

The rules are nonsense anyway. It was banned as its harmful if you suffer regular exposure. So you can buy it for "proffesional use". Ie, those who use it often. Go figure?

Anywa, i can confirm, their traditional stuff works a treat

 

[CliffordPope]

Not hard at all. https://www.creosotesales.co.uk/

I've had no difficulty using them.
I suppose it helps if you have a rural address that looks as if it might be a farm or a big house.
2 Acacia Avenue SW15 might look an unlikely professional user of large drums of creosote, but an unpronounceable welsh house name could be anything.

Buying large quantities for some reason always looks less suspicious. On a forum once someone said it was impossible to buy proper chlorate weedkiller any more.
I couldn't resist doing a google search and found a bulk seller in Hong Kong. Minimum order 20 tonnes.

 

[Flyfisher]

Buying large quantities for some reason always looks less suspicious. On a forum once someone said it was impossible to buy proper chlorate weedkiller any more.
I couldn't resist doing a google search and found a bulk seller in Hong Kong. Minimum order 20 tonnes.

I wonder what the customs people would make of that? :shock: :shock: :shock:

I remember buying the stuff in large tins in the late 60s and using it to make fireworks with a friends, all of us about 11-12 years old. Never could get the stuff to 'bang' but it didn't half make amazing 'Roman candles'. Shopkeepers never batted an eyelid when asked for the stuff, nor the local chemist who sold us saltpetre and flowers of sulphur. We weren't entirely reckless though and used long fuses to set them off, giving us plenty of time to get well clear, which may be why I still have all my fingers. Anyone here remember 'Jetex' model rocket engines? We used those fuses. We would go to the local park to set them off and usually ended up being chased by the old 'Parky', who was no match for fit young 12 year-olds of course. These days we'd probably be rounded up by rapid response armed police and charged with some sort of terrorism offence. How times change.

 

[Calum]

I've been drawing up plans for my own small workshop which I'll hopefully build this year. I never contemplated metal at all, it was always going to have to be timber or stone as I want it to blend in where it is and not stand out like a sore thumb. As it is I have opted for timber (I have used 'Creotreat' with good results, especially with a little waste oil mixed in...)

One dilemma I still haven't solved however was the roofing material. I had considered my timber shed to wear a box profile metal roof, not period correct I hear you cry but I wanted to have some roof lights to let in a lot of natural light (it's going to be a small workshop) and this seemed like the best option (either that or wiggly onduline or similar). The condensation issue is half resolved on the plain panels as I can either insulate myself or you can get them with an 'anti condensation coating' which seems okay according to reviews. Obviously I can't have that on the light panels, but being polycarbonate they hopefully won't condensate quite as much.

I really can't justify the cost of stone at the moment so will be perfectly happy with a solidly built timber workshop. As has been said though, just like our houses, condensation is easily controlled by changing the air in that shed regularly - i.e. allow plenty of ventilation.

 

[Gothichome]

Ah goody - a side-by-side comparison! Is there a noticeable difference in condensation between the two types of shed?

I have not noticed any condensation issues with either shed. If it makes any difference, the morning frost disappears quicker from the aluminum shed a lot faster than the wood shed.
As mentioned I have the aluminum shed behind the a fence unfortunately it is also under two large walnut trees. The dam squirrels (I think deliberately )drop the walnuts onto the roof making an alarming bang. It took me a few minutes to figure were the noise was conning from. :roll:

 

[a twig]

I've always wanted a grounded van body to use as a shed, something along the lines of this:

But as is always the way - what was once given away free is now "vintage" and can't be had for love nor money.

 

[Me!]

I have an outbuilding (with multiple doors :roll: ) that is built from a mix of single skin concrete block and brick, timber frame and weatherboard, and corrugated iron. It was also all roofed in corrugated iron when we got here. I've replaced virtually all the roof now with felt, batten and pantile, and most of the corrugated wall with timber frame and weatherboard. I did the changes in a few stages over the years, and the more corrugated iron I removed, the drier the building became internally. Not that the iron was leaking, it was just the dripping condensation that caused the problem.

I remember buying the stuff in large tins in the late 60s and using it to make fireworks with a friends, all of us about 11-12 years old. Never could get the stuff to 'bang' but it didn't half make amazing 'Roman candles'. Shopkeepers never batted an eyelid when asked for the stuff, nor the local chemist who sold us saltpetre and flowers of sulphur. We weren't entirely reckless though and used long fuses to set them off, giving us plenty of time to get well clear, which may be why I still have all my fingers. Anyone here remember 'Jetex' model rocket engines? We used those fuses. We would go to the local park to set them off and usually ended up being chased by the old 'Parky', who was no match for fit young 12 year-olds of course. These days we'd probably be rounded up by rapid response armed police and charged with some sort of terrorism offence. How times change.

Hmmmm, yes, I remember Jetex engines. I ran out of fuel pellets and decided to try making my own fuel using a mix of sodium chlorate weedkiller and a couple of other ingredients (that I probably shouldn't list here). Well, I can assure you that in the enclosed cylinder of the Jetex, the mixture most definitely went "Bang"! It bent all the wire spring clip retainers and the end plate blew off the engine

 

[Flyfisher]

I've always wanted a grounded van body to use as a shed, something along the lines of this:

But as is always the way - what was once given away free is now "vintage" and can't be had for love nor money.

There's always the modern equivalent, well not so much modern as recently fashionable:



It's a work-in-progress (as most of my DIY projects are ) but although it's tin on the outside it's wrapped in breathable membrane underneath and well insulated so no problems with condensation inside:

 

[Feltwell]

Very good FF, was that based on a chassis kit or brought together from various salvaged bits?

You've got the tractor to tow it as well!

 

[Flyfisher]

It's a chassis kit from a local blacksmith/metal artist: http://www.artist-blacksmith.co.uk/index.php
The shepherd hut info is under the 'Shop' tab, including an interesting video showing how he forges the axles.

I just bought all the necessary bits rather than a pre-assembed hut . . . but then that's why it's still not totally complete after two years! :roll:

This photo shows the chassis kit after assembly, then I just carried on from there . . .

 

[Zebra]

I have shed envy Flyfisher...

 

[LadyArowana]

I have shed envy Flyfisher...

I don’t, I want this But it won’t fit https://www.lassco.co.uk/product/an-enormous-english-gilded-fibreglass-globe/

 

[Zebra]

I don’t, I want this But it won’t fit https://www.lassco.co.uk/product/an-enormous-english-gilded-fibreglass-globe/

I'd be careful with that LadyA. A strong wind and you could end up zorbing round the garden.

 

[Feltwell]

It looks like a Giant's Christmas tree bauble!

 

[LadyArowana]

I don’t, I want this But it won’t fit https://www.lassco.co.uk/product/an-enormous-english-gilded-fibreglass-globe/

I'd be careful with that LadyA. A strong wind and you could end up zorbing round the garden.

But that would be the clever part, our garden is tiny, and has high walls all the way around. If we put that in the middle nothing else would be needed, and it wouldn’t blow way even if it came off its plinth. BTW I worked in the building when it was up on the front and they didn’t look that big!