The lifespan of a wooden shed can greatly range, depending on a number of crucial factors. These include the type of wood used when manufacturing the shed, how well constructed it is and its location within your garden.
Moreover, as timber is a natural product, wooden sheds are prone to warping and rotting over time if not treated and maintained correctly.
Overall, a good-quality shed is capable of lasting upwards of fifteen years if properly looked after!
If you want your wooden shed to last, then proper care and maintenance is a must, with rotting wood being one of the most common problems to deal with.
There are several ways to prevent your shed from rotting:
If you intend to have your shed placed on a foundation or base, then we would recommend having the bottom of your wooden shed a minimum of four inches off the ground. This is to allow for sufficient air circulation underneath which is essential in stopping the underside of your shed from becoming damp, and rotting as a result.
Wooden sheds can suffer from both ground moisture, as well as moisture in the air, with these issues becoming particularly prevalent in winter.
Moisture, caused by wet conditions, can become trapped inside sheds - especially sheds which aren’t used very often. A sudden drop in temperature can then cause this moisture to form condensation on the shed panels, roof and floor, leading to the formation of damp and mould.
You can keep a wooden shed dry by venting your shed as much as possible during the winter and other cold months. This will allow fresh air to circulate through your shed, preventing a build-up of moisture.
Heating your shed is also an effective means of keeping damp under control. If your shed has mains power, then a tubular or electric heater is definitely worth considering, in order to keep the internal temperature above the point where moisture starts to become overly prevalent.
The most affordable type of shed cladding offered here at Garden Buildings Direct is that of overlap cladding. Our overlap cladding panels are 7mm thick and offer a cheaper garden shed - one which is ideally suited to first-time buyers or families on a budget.
This type of cladding is named so as panels overlap, in order to cause water to run off the side of the unit, helping to provide protection during conventional rain storms and other forms of weather.
Shiplap cladding has a small channel which runs along the side of the timber. This channel encourages speedy water runoff. Tongue and groove involves panels interlocking, in order to create one, much stronger panel.
Tongue and groove sheds are brilliant for storing heavy or valuable items, thanks to this type of cladding providing additional strength, structural integrity and security. However, the water runoff offered by shiplap cladding helps to protect it from any and all water damage.
These are both great cladding options to pursue, meaning that preference can be determined by your individual wants and needs.
