Sometimes a person’s home can be packed full of stuff; there needs to be additional storage space. Other folk love gardening and need somewhere to keep all their tools and equipment. Whatever the reason, an outhouse may be the solution.

People can find an abundance of products and websites online, but this can be overwhelming for the inexperienced. Let’s spend some time together, exploring the key considerations before making a decision.

Think of Budget 

People need to ensure they can afford the outhouse, including any delivery and installation costs. Bases are essential, and they sometimes come as a separate purchase. The professionals at www.whatshed.co.uk/voucher-codes-for-waltons-co-uk say people can choose outhouses made of wood, metal, or plastic according to budget and purpose. When searching online, it’s worth looking for discounts and additional benefits, such as free installation or delivery. 

Explore The Alternatives

It’s worth considering whether a few repairs would bring new life to the existing hut. If it has a leaky roof, why not consider replacing this to save money? It’s useful to be aware here that felt roofing is not as enduring as using a rubber membrane roof is. Some people dislike their outbuilding simply because it’s in the wrong place. Rather than replacing it, people have the option to move it to a more suitable location. Anyone desperate to maintain storage while the new shack is being built could also move the current one and use it in the meantime. 

Bases Are Important  

No matter how expensive a hut is, the base will have direct implications for its longevity. Some people place their new purchase on the ground. If the outhouse is wooden, it will absorb the damp and rot over time. Wooden grids have the benefit of raising shacks above the ground, but the same issues will eventually occur when the wood becomes wet.

Some people use paving stones or gravel as a base, but these sink into the ground under the weight of the building. Concrete is, without a doubt, the best choice. It’s important to check the base’s installation, too. If it’s not completely level, the hut will lean, and adverse strain will be placed on one end of the structure. 

Check For Regulations, and Think About Purpose

Huts are technically outbuildings, and in some cases planning permission is required before one can be installed. It is also essential to check one’s house deeds, as there may be restrictions. These could dictate how far from the fence it must be or have a prohibition on anything that blocks light or access. An outbuilding may be needed to store a mower and a few gardening tools. In this case, a small one will be ideal. If there are other purposes for the hut and additional things to store, a larger shack may be in order. Having said that, make sure any new purchase will fit into the space available. 

Anyone who plans to work with tools inside the hut will need to think about windows and possibly electricity. If storage and floor space is a premium, buy a shack with plenty of shelves, or the option for extra ones to be added. It is always a good idea to have a lockable shed, but this is even more crucial when expensive equipment is stored inside. 

It Needs To Be Weatherproof

These days people can buy wood that is pressure treated. This can cope with the elements without extra help for up to fifteen years. If the outbuilding is made of untreated wood, however, it is important to think about applying a waterproofing stain or wood preserver once a year. Consider whether roofing felt should be added after installation, to extend the building’s life. 

Over time the locks and hinges can become rusty from the wind and rain. Remember to apply oil as often as this is required. 

Think of the Appearance

There’s nothing worse than a hut that looks in the wrong place and doesn’t match its surroundings. Anyone who lives in a country house may favor a rustic shack over a metal one. In order to help it blend in with the garden, a window box may be an option. Why not add a weather vein at the top as well?

Some people are competent carpenters who possess the necessary tools and experience to build a hut from scratch. For the rest of us, there is a need to research well and seek the best deal. Make sure the shack will fit in with the gardens’ dimensions and look. If it is fit for purpose and looked after well, the purchase will serve you for many years to come.