• Hi all and welcome to TheWoodHaven2 brought into the 21st Century, kicking and screaming! We all have Alasdair to thank for the vast bulk of the heavy lifting to get us here, no more so than me because he's taken away a huge burden of responsibility from my shoulders and brought us to this new shiny home, with all your previous content (hopefully) still intact! Please peruse and feed back. There is still plenty to do, like changing the colour scheme, adding the banner graphic, tweaking the odd setting here and there so I have added a new thread in the 'Technical Issues, Bugs and Feature Requests' forum for you to add any issues you find, any missing settings or just anything you'd like to see added/removed from the feature set that Xenforo offers. We will get to everything over the coming weeks so please be patient, but add anything at all to the thread I mention above and we promise to get to them over the next few days/weeks/months. In the meantime, please enjoy!

L shaped workshop

W

woodchip

Seedling
Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Messages
18
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3
Location
Ipswich
Hi All,

This is my first post.

Appreciate that you have all heard this one before but........ where can I find shed plans please??? I have purchased a couple of virtually useless American self build timber building books but cannot find any good Britidh books or plans ,especially for L shaped sheds.

I've cleared my garden for a new year start but am struggling with trying to establish a full specification and in particular plans.

Is there anyone who could help please?? It would be much appreciated.

Regards
Wood chip
 
HI woodchip and welcome to the forum. Not sure where to send you for plans. What we do have here is a great deal of knowledge on how to build as you have no doubt seen from the excellent threads in the projects and WIP section.
 
You won't find shed plans anywhere, but I've produced a few drawings of various parts of sheds over the years. As an architect, I prefer to start from scratch with each building.........so let's see your plot, and tell us what you have in mind. I'm sure we can quickly come up with something that suits.
 
Mike G":1g36ro0p said:
You won't find shed plans anywhere, but I've produced a few drawings of various parts of sheds over the years. As an architect, I prefer to start from scratch with each building.........so let's see your plot, and tell us what you have in mind. I'm sure we can quickly come up with something that suits.
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

Just getting my head around the website at the moment so please bear with me. With regards to my plans ..... well I have only just got to the stage of deciding a footprint due to having to clear an area in my garden.
I have a number of ideas but need as much technical information upfront as possible, such as floor bearer sizes, spacing etc in order that I could pull together something that looks workable. I like to have a plan on paper before I tackle anything but being my first construction I need a bit of direction.

Appreciate anything that you or anyone can provide please. Many thanks to you and Andy for replying.
 
Hi Woodchip and welcome.

Give us a ballpark idea of the dimensions of the space you have to work in and as Mike says, we can go from there.

Cheers
Mark
 
Hi Woodchip, and welcome.

I went through that process and then came across this forum. I ended up gleaning loads of knowledge from these guys and then took the step of downloading Trimble Sketchup (free) to model my 'shop. (it's a 3D modelling program, not a CAD, but I managed to convert some of the drawings to 2D for the planning permission.)

Anyway, reading these's guys posts can give you the confidence, like it has done for me, to develop your own plans. I've even got cocky and developed a BoQ on a Libre Office Spreadsheet, so at the end of the project I will be able to break down all the costs, which might be a help for future DIY 'shop builders.
 
I also built my 'shop with a lot of help from the guys on here. Without the help and encouragement it would either still not be built or would have already fallen down by now.

A few basics would help get the ball rolling. Is this for woodworking or another purpose? What sort of things will you have in it, e.g. will you have any big and heavy machinery? Do you want to avoid getting planning consent and / or building regs approval? Minimum size? Site constraints?

Terry.
 
woodchip":iicshmbu said:
.......I have only just got to the stage of deciding a footprint due to having to clear an area in my garden.
I have a number of ideas but need as much technical information upfront as possible, such as floor bearer sizes, spacing etc in order that I could pull together something that looks workable.......
Click to expand...

My very first suggestion would be to do your initial thinking based on a maximum span of 4.8 metres. This helps quite a lot with timber sizes. Are you dead set on a timber floor? A concrete slab with low brick plinth is actually slightly easier if you have reasonable access for deliveries, and gives a vermin-proof worry-free base. Timber floors involve a little more thought, and need to be done particularly well to work without issues, such as head height, a step at the entrance, sub-floor drainage and ventilation, and so on.
 
Hi All,

Many thanks for all your replies which is rekindling my confidence in being able to build this workshop. Have been a bit frustrated with the lack of available plans etc which has made me question whether I need to reluctantly simplify my design.
Basically I want to build a workshop 4.5m long x 3.0m wide with store/sun lounge 2.0m long x 2.4m wide tagged onto the side to form the 'L' shape. I would like to fit a decking in the corner to overcome a step etc. It will have a pitched roof (roof layout will be difficult but possible?). Intend to build a wooden floor on piers due to limited access to transport heavy materials and since it's about 50m away from roadside.
Workshop to be used for light-weight woodwork but will have some fairly heavy storage cabinets etc. Anticipate max height of 2.5m positioned within 1m of boundary.

How's this all sound??
Cheers
Woodchip
 
Welcome woodchip. You will find all the answers you need here. I found the hardest bit finalising in my mind what I wanted, once you have a basic idea of what you want the gents here will put you straight. You sound as if you have the right idea - time spent now in the initial phases is rarely wasted. :D
 
Hi Dan,

Thanks for reply.

Got to get a plan in my head and down on paper before I can crack-on. Hoping that if I can establish a design over the winter in order that I can get cracking in spring.

Notice that people like to know members location which is in Ipswich.
Cheers for now.
 
woodchip":18fqgg60 said:
Hi All,
Anticipate max height of 2.5m positioned within 1m of boundary.

Woodchip
Click to expand...

I don't know for sure, but this caught my eye ..

1m of boundary might be a problem, depending on where you are, and if you have neighbors ?

How big is your plot ?
 
Hi Dan,

I'm 1.1m from two boundaries to avoid building regs.

Your shape, something like this?

Tee%20Intersection%20Valley%20Blind%203_zpsuyc90zj8.jpg


Not my final design, but L shaped, and modelled in Sketchup. The tail of the L will cover a deck and be supported on posts.
 
Morning Woodchip and welcome to the forum.

if you need help with building reg's, have a look in the Dropbox file under permitted development guides.

Click on the link in the top right of the screen and open the 'Permitted Development Guides' folder.

The folder below that, 'Useful Links' , holds a pdf file containing links (surprise :)) to various websites which you may find useful.

Cheers

Dave
 
Hi All,

With regards to the boundary position I'm having to position the workshop as close as possible to my left hand boundary in order to fit within the available area .. hence 1 metre.

The workshop will be at least 4m from the top of the site (due to a large conifer hedge), 6m away from the r/h boundary and at least 18m away from the house.

As for the roof Malc this looks good but I'm intending to have both roof levels at the same height. Have tried to download Trimble sketchbook but currently having difficulties.

Any information would be appreciated. Now trying to detail the floor construction working upwards.

This site is additive!!!!

Cheers
 
Hi Dan,

If you can get just that extra 100mm, 1.1m, from that boundary, you might not need building regs.

If you can get SU downloaded and working, you should find it relatively easy to model the whole 'shop including the roof, and if your ridges are the same height, I think you'll find that easier than mine because the angles won't be so complicated.

My roof design is rafters all along the main roof, then sheathed with OSB and the Tee Intersection is laid on top of the sheathing, just like some house extensions are done. Just to be sure, I will put in a couple of extra rafters in the main roof to support the Tee valley board.

If you can get the hang of SU, then you'll be amazed at what you can model and the problems you find, and solve, by doing that.
 
woodchip":14tfl5m7 said:
.......As for the roof Malc this looks good but I'm intending to have both roof levels at the same height......
Click to expand...

Careful with this. For a start, it looks odd. Secondly, it causes complications with the roofing material and details, particularly with the ridge. I would suggest having the outshot part of the building just a little narrower than the main part, which will bring the ridge down below that of the main roof. What are you proposing for your roofing material?
 
Hi Malc,
Yes, can achieve 1.1m no problem. What I should have mentioned is that I have actually allowed for 1.150 from the boundary to the extremity of the shed and which I hoped would incorporate the width of the guttering. Will try and download Trimble again asap and let you know how I get on.

Hi Mike,
Are you saying that the garden room area (the Outshot area as you have called it) needs to be of a width of say 2.9m which would be just under the workshop width of 3.0m? This will reduce my decking area from 2.5m to 1.6m width. The decking area is intended to be a flexible outdoor working area.

How do I attach a drawing please ... maybe this will help with my explanation.

With regards to the roofing material I have not had much chance to think about this since I'm still trying to get my head around the base, flooring etc. This is why I have been trying to obtain workshop/shed drawings which will enable me to pull together a spec quicker.
 
I wouldn't say it must be, or needs to be, just that I think it should be narrower if it can be. This is both for aesthetics and for practicality.

It's really important to know what you are planning to put on the roof. Tiles? Slate? Felt? Onduline? Crinkly tin? EPDM? Making the ridge work is the major problem with having ridges meet at the same height.

As for posting images......

Resize your pictures to approx 1000 pixels width, then load them into an online image host such as Imgur, Photobucket, or whatever. (Imgur can automatically resize your photos as you upload them). Then all you have to do is copy the URL of the photo from there into your post.
 
Woodchip.

There's a Photobucket tutorial sticky at the top of one (or maybe all) of the forum pages. Hunt that out and it explains all. Using Photobucket there is no need to resize photos so much easier.

Just shout up if you can't find it and someone will point you in the right direction.

Thanks
Mark
 
Or if you have a smart phone get the Tapatalk App and you can upload direct from your phones photo library.

Rod
 
I will move this thread to the Projects and WIP section pending Mark setting up a dedicated Workshop Build Board ;)
 
Hi Mike,

I would like to use plastic roof tiles on the roof if possible.

Sorry all but I'm finding the recommendations , instructions and suggestions for downloading photos etc all a bit heavy at the moment. I'm pretty good on the old PC etc but I'm the old school really where I like to do the majority on paper where I can get a better feel for scale etc.

Even though I'm pretty handy this my first shed and major wood construction and I'm struggling in pulling a spec together due to my lack of experience and knowledge. I want to do this but really need some basic information, how to tackle such a project initially.

Many thanks for your support.
 
Dan,

There's nothing I can say to take that anxiety right away now, but just under a year ago, I was in the same position as you.

All I can say, from my limited experience, is to take you time.

I've not got an easy access site, so I had to think what trades I would pay for and what I could do myself. E.g. even though I've only laid a few brick 40 something years ago, with the support of these guys and some Utubing, I've had a go at the brick and block laying and it's turned out OK. But I can't drive a digger nor get one in my site easily, so I paid for that.

The Building Control Officer at your local council is also a wealth of information and support, and even if you don't go down the B Regs route, they are worth their weight in talking things through with you to get you to that position. If you make an appointment to see one and go armed with drawings, even hand drawn, and rough sizes, and a list of questions written down, they will see that you are trying to do things properly and will give their best advice, which, like in my case, could even be that you don't need BRs.

I tried using open source CAD programs, but didn't get on with them, and so, after a false start, managed to get my head round modelling in Sketchup. That was a huge step and helped me calculate how much concrete for the footings, how many bricks and blocks were needed for the plinth. That helped me draw up a Bill of Quantities and start planning the budget. It will next allow me to calculate the amount of timber and sheathing I'll need for the floor, walls and roof.

There are online mortar calculators so you can work out how many bags of sand and cement you need for the brick and block laying. And so it goes on. All this taking the time over preparation and design has helped me immensely, and of course, the support and advice from these guys is amazing.

The motto of my old Traffic Police department was Festina Lente, which translates as Hasten Slowly.

It's working for me.

PS, I may have got your name wrong, and if so I apologise. But at my age, I get confused with anybody's names these days.

Malcolm
 
Woodchip - Nothing to sweat about. If i' can do it its virtually possible by a monkey! Take your time. Work out the bits you can and make lists of things you dont understand or need help with.

The approach I took,never having done this before was to read lots, learn lots and ask questions. We have had here on this forum the full spectrum from those that are very adept and don't need guidance too those at the other end like me. They key i think is to have your own mind, but ask for guidance when required. We all feel the pain and so are happy to offer thoughts and ideas when required. There is usually someone who has been through the bit you are worried about. Start with the bits you cant change, ie plot, costs and such and go from there. You will soon be putting the finishing touches to a masterpiece! Keep smiling. :D
 
Hi Malcolm,

Thanks again for your reply.

All information is gratefully received. I'm trying to absorb everything at the moment!!!

I'm still trawling (frustratingly) for the basic design information and until then I can see that this will take time .... even though I am itching to get the works underway, however small, in Spring. Its taken me about 18 months, on and off, to clear the area in which I intend to build and its now ready.

Having had a look at Trimble Sketchup what version have you got please since it appears that there are a number of them available.

Terry (alias Woodhcip) ... please don't worry about calling me something else .... I'm use to it!
 
Hi Terry, (Got it right this time!!)

I'm on V 16. And they're telling me already V17 is ready. They seem to bring one out each year, and it's not an update, in that it does not update your existing version. It creates a new version. DaveR on this site is the SU guru!

Basic design - good start. Think about construction methods and materials and what you can get for cheap or free, (materials and work) and choose a design that incorporates the best compromise.

In my case, Level the plot and dig the trenches - I got people in.

I chose a brick and block plinth and am laying them myself.

I chose a suspended timber floor.

I chose timber frame walls. There's loads of help on this forum for this.

I chose a timber framed roof, sheathed inside and outside with OSB, and I will be covering the outside with metal sheeting that looks like clay tiles - expensive, but is easy to install.

Having got them decided, I was then able to model each element in SU. (I've still got the walls to do, because I'm waiting for 2nd hand windows to become available from a window replacement guy and I don't know the size yet).

Having got the elements modelled, I was then able to start working out a budget.

I suppose it's breaking it down into lumps, then breaking each of those down into smaller lumps and so on.

I'm fortunate in that I am recently retired and so I don't have the pressure to get stuff done on a weekend and other time off. So, if you're working, you should programme working opportunities into the project.

How does that sound as a process?

Malcolm
 
I know they exist somewhere, but I know not where, so could someone please link Terry to any of my "Build a Shed Mike's Way" sections, please. They're you're basic starting point, Terry, and then we can vary from there. Plans don't actually tell you anything much other than where walls are......Sections are what tell you how to build things.
 
Thanks Andy, appreciated.

Terry, that new thread is your starting point. It contains the principles. There are an infinite number of variations possible, but that's a pretty decent starting point. You should also read through my Workshop Build thread, here:

http://www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=198

It's quite long, I'm afraid, but it should help.
 
Terry,

Mike's thread helped me immensely and I've blagged loads from it!
 
It's been brought over here now Dave, and made a sticky.
 
Hi All,

Once again my thanks to all your replies and for your patience with my enquiries and frustrations.

I've quickly realised how ignorant I have been regarding this build. I've had a neighbour who has just completed a workshop which looks good outside but a bit concerning inside. Obviously a quick build ..... and yes Malcolm 'hasten slowly' didn't apply here!. Detail and preparation is certainly critical ...... before I start. Your process Malcolm of attacking your project sounds logical to me especially now that I have found your posts regarding your own workshop development. Its all looking very good.

Thanks Deejay for your link and once again Mike thanks for your thread. I have had a good read of part of it and its exactly what I need ... brilliant. Your post is now swaying me over to a concrete floor in order to maintain the 2.5m max height and the fact that it is easier to lay than a wooden floor. I still have the issue with the logistics in laying it but do own a cement mixer. Thinking that the floor area could be shuttered off in small sections / areas in order that I can lay the concrete at different times..........and in order not to kill myself in the process.

Since I intend to only use the workshop for lightweight equipment etc, and the other part of it being a sun lounge, bike store what would you recommend for the floor spec please Mike?

Malcolm, with regards to Trimble Sketchup I'm still having problems downloading it for free. My PC keeps directing me into random sites which are trying to download multiple links like Amazon etc. Not sure if you have a specific link that works please.

Thanks once again for all for your responses. All this information is now making sense and is giving me the ideas which I have been craving for.

Cheers
Terry



MtHE ONE THING If there is anything that I HAVE


Ma
he already he has bee nhaving problems probably due to his lack of care AHVE BEEN think that I have been pretty Magreen
 
Hi All,

Just wanted to thank everyone once again for their replies.This is a great source if information especially from such knowledgeable people.

I haven't disappeared but continue to read as many posts regarding as many projects as I can in order to formulate my own design. Currently I have moved from an L shaped workshop to a straight design 4.8m long x 3m wide up to a max height of 4m. Location will be over 2m from three surrounding boundaries but considering confirmation from the local planning officer in order to obtain a LDC.

Seriously considering a concrete base but a bit concerned with preparation and amount of work required. May consider DIY using my own mixer and splitting base into small, workable sections that I can complete in stages (as and when I have the energy!!).

Will be posting again soon but not sure if it's best to start a new post.

Cheers for now

Terry
 
I did a 6x5m concrete base in just over half a day, with a mixer and a barrow !

Down a small drive, so small tipper truck for the ballast delivery ..
that helped, as he had to make several trips ..
and I just about kept up mixing and barrowing, so I was ready for the next load

Anything concrete is best laid all in one, before it sets

hard work , but do-able.

if money is no object, then ready mixed, and a little dumper could work in a tight space, and get it done quickly
 
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