The Five Basics of Building a Storage Shed

Every homeowner eventually runs out of storage space. As time rolls
on, family growth, DIY projects, and various hobbies take up more and more room in a home. These things include old baby furniture, gardening equipment, and even workshop tools.

torage sheds are an excellent way to add significant storage or work space to a household without altering the layout of the home or performing an expensive interior remodel. Many homeowners think they do not need a storage shed because they have a garage to keep all of their extras. But it is a common eventuality that garages get so full of boxes, old toys, tools, ladders and overstocked shelves that there is no more room to park the car. Storage sheds can be used to neatly organize and protect all of the objects that usually clutter up a garage, allowing the garage to be used as the car park for which it was originally designed.

This homeowner’s guide outlines the five basics of building a storage shed. While not an exhaustive DIY guide, it will equip you with the basic information necessary to make an educated decision about the size, type, purpose and price of your storage shed.

1. Zoning laws and building codes
Don’t build or buy anything for your shed until you check with your
local government about any rules and restrictions concerning outdoor structures. You will most likely learn that the shed must be a particular distance from your property lines. Additionally, there may be rules governing the building and siding materials you are permitted to use. Some subdivisions have regulations that prohibit outdoor structures. Frequently, the most convenient spot for a shed is an area you are not allowed to build on. You may have to obtain a permit or a zoning variance before you can begin building the shed. Be sure to visit your local zoning office with a detailed plan of what you intend to build. Estimate the placement and proportions of your shed as best you can.

2. Size
It is easy to estimate the size of your shed, though it takes a little work. Clear a spot in your driveway or yard to use as a sample footprint for your storage shed. Then arrange the larger items you plan to store, making sure to leave ample elbow room for easily moving things in and out of the shed. It is frustrating to go through the trouble of building a shed only to find that is too cramped to get around in. Your sample footprint should include possessions like camping equipment, bicycles, the lawn mower, wheelbarrow, and anything else that you figure will be stored on the floor of the shed. Once filled, measure the dimensions of the sample footprint. This will give you an accurate estimate of the length and width of your storage shed. Also bear in mind how wide your door will be. The door to the shed must be at least wide enough to accommodate the largest item in your sample footprint.

3. Purpose
Like the old adage says, form follows function. The dimensions and interior layout of your shed depend on what it will be used for. If you plan to store potentially dangerous chemicals like painting supplies or fertilizer, make sure to include high shelves in your design, to keep those chemicals away from children and pets. If the shed will be the new home for a lot of tools, a peg board wall may be an ideal feature to keep the tools organized and easily accessible.

4. Materials
Natural wood is the most popular building material for outdoor sheds. But not all woods can withstand the moisture and insects that are attracted to small outdoor structures. Woods with natural resins, like cedar, are more rot and weather resistant. A wise choice is ACQ treated lumber. ACQ stands for Alkaline Copper Quaternary treated lumber. This treatment makes wood highly rot resistant and wood-eating insects simply avoid ACQ treated lumber. But wood is not the only solution. Many manufacturers now make very sturdy and serviceable heavy duty plastic sheds that are easy to assemble and do not require any carpentry work.

5. Price
Of course the price of a shed depends on size, purpose, materials, and any applicable permit fees. In the end, a shed can cost anywhere from 400 dollars to 4000 dollars. As you progress through the previous 4 steps in the planning phase, the approximate cost of your new storage shed will become more clear.

With a little extra effort, a storage shed can even be a workshop or hobby headquarters. Converting a garage into a storage area workshop is at best a short term improvised solution. Storage sheds are superior to garages for creating a dedicated equipment shelter or hobby workspace. If you are finding that your axillary household needs have outgrown the extra space in your home, the time is ripe for a storage shed.

The Future of Countertop Surfaces

Richlite counter top products are making their way into middle Tennessee.  Richlite is a company that produces durable, green and natu ralcounter top products.  Their secret lies in an environmentally sound manufacture philosophy.

Richlite counter tops are a green-classified, beautiful and earth friendly alternative to cold hard stone and impersonal solid plastic surfaces.  Richlite counter tops add utility, life and warmth to any workspace or counter top area.  Whether office, workbench, bathroom or kitchen, Richlite has the color, size and style to fit any need.  Richlite owes a lot of its versatility to its revolutionary building material, FSC-certified and other recycled paper fibers.

Richlite began using resin treated, pressure-baked paper fiber in the 1940s to supply Boeing with materials.  Later in the 1950s, before manufacturing counter tops, Richlite also began producing their unique material for the marine industry, building boats.  Over the decades several industries have realized the virtues of Richlite paper fiber based surfaces.  Today Richlite also produces the material that builds professional skate board ramps, commercial food service work surfaces, and counter top surfaces for a wide variety of residential applications.  This revolutionary material has proved itself time and time again for over half a century.  Today, homeowners everywhere can take advantage of the strength, style, and quality of Richlite counter top products.

Richlite counter tops are great for kitchens because they are extremely durable, not to mention heat and stain resistant.  Richlite counter tops are excellent for bathrooms and workspaces because they have a sanitary quality and require very low maintenance.  They bring a soft, comfortable tone to any room, in a way that a stone or laminate surface can not.

Richlite counter top surfaces can be catered to a broad range of design tastes.  Richlite counter tops are made primarily of post consumer paper fibers that are treated with a phenolic resin.  The fibers are formed into layers that are cross linked to the layers above and below them.  Then the resin “paper cake” is cured and baked into a solid, permanent single piece of rock hard Richlite.  The process of treating and baking long, cross linked paper fibers creates counter top sheets that are as elegant and attractive as wood, but hard as stone.  Because of Richlite’s unique manufacture process, these counter top sheets can be customized for extended cantilevers and long spans, eliminating seams in your counter top.

Richlite counter top products are now available in middle Tennessee, through professional contractors like Nashville’s <a target=”_new” href=”http://www.buildingcompanynumber7.com/Kitchen-Remodeling/“>Building Company Number 7</a>.  Call you local contractor and ask about the details and benefits of Richlite counter top products.

How to Choose Flooring That Is Right For You

The Best Flooring – How To Choose
With so many flooring material choices, here are three questions and five materials to guide you.
If you are planning to remodel a room in your home, you will inevitably come upon the question of flooring. The floor is the whole room. Don’t remodel a room without considering the best flooring for your vision of the new room. There are three questions and five materials to keep in mind as you choose flooring.
The Three Questions:
1. What type of room is it? Does the room get a lot of humidity? Kitchen and bathroom floors will need more frequent cleaning than any other room in the house. They are also more likely to get spills. Bedrooms need to be quieter and warmer than living rooms or kitchens. This requires a material that absorbs more sound. What is the architectural style of the room? Certain flooring materials are more fitting than others according to the size of the room, height of the ceiling and even the texture of the walls.
2. What kind of traffic will the room get? Are you remodeling a room where kids and pets will spend a lot of time? Perhaps you need a softer, or less absorbent material. Is the room an office for a working adult? Does the room have a doorway leading outside? Estimate the volume of traffic the room will get. This helps you decide what kind of floor is best for that room. Higher traffic means more frequent cleaning.
3. What is your budget? Different flooring materials can have vastly different prices. Once you make considerations about the type of room and the traffic in the room, consider the five flooring materials listed below. Organize them according to how much you are prepared to spend.
The Five Materials – Wood, Laminate, Vinyl, Ceramic/Stone, or Carpet?
Wood. Hardwood flooring is a popular and elegant choice. It is sturdy and retains its value. These days, wood flooring can be installed over almost any kind of sub-flooring. Hardwood floors add a real classic character to a room. Wood flooring is easier to scratch and gouge in high traffic areas, and it may warp from heat and humidity. Wood flooring comes in three types, strip, longstrip, and plank. Do a little research to see which you like best.
Laminate. Laminate flooring is your best alternative to wood if wood is out of your price range. Laminate is very durable and easy to clean. It also resists stains and fading better than wood. Because of recent manufacturing improvements, laminate can look identical to wood. It is easier to install and replace than wood flooring.
Vinyl. Vinyl flooring is not as popular as wood, but it is extremely durable and versatile. It is also inexpensive, compared to other materials. Recent advances in manufacturing process can make vinyl flooring resemble the texture and look of tile, wood or even stone. Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and can handle rough traffic.
Ceramic/Stone Tile. Ceramic and stone tile are very resistant to traffic, scratches, fire, and water. Ceramic and stone tile is great for kitchens because it does not retain bacteria and odors. Like hardwood, ceramic and stone tiles add value to a home. This material is also in a similar price range with wood. Tile is generally colder on bare feet than any other type of flooring. If choosing tile, consider the size of the tiles and the amount of grout between them, as this will greatly affect the ease of cleaning.
Carpet. Carpet comes in a large selection of colors and textures, much the same way vinyl does. Carpet gives you a floor that is much softer and warmer than any other material. Carpet is also one of the most economical flooring choices on the market today. It is cheaper to buy and install than wood and ceramic/stone. Carpet works well in bedrooms and living rooms, where you may want a cozier atmosphere without paying for the luster of wood.
As you can see, there are many things to consider when choosing flooring. The key is to boil it down to these three questions and these five materials. Once you know your needs and your budget, you can better choose a material for your new room. Remember to ask questions and do your homework. With a little time and reading you will surely find the flooring that is right for you.
If you have further questions about flooring or larger questions about remodeling your home, try contacting http://www.buildingcompany7.com. The site is loaded with free and useful information about home renovation, including a free advice phone number.