We deliver quality with a luxurious look

Create a shelter

A shed can be placed in your garden for various reasons. You can build your own lean-to roof and store bicycles under it. But a lean-to can also be used to keep wood or garden furniture dry. Before you build a lean-to, you need to take certain things into account. In this article you will find all the useful tips you need and a step-by-step plan to quickly build a wooden shelter yourself.

MAKING A SHELTER IN THE GARDEN

First of all, you need to decide what you want to use a shelter for. The purpose determines the shape, and how large or high the shelter will be. Then you can look at the type of wood that should be used. At Hardwood Discount you can choose from top quality oak and Douglas fir. Oak is a little heavier, has a more luxurious look and is more durable. Douglas wood is cheaper and easier to work with. The choice depends mainly on your personal preference.

EXAMPLE: MAKING YOUR OWN SHELTER FROM WOOD

The following 5 steps summarise how you can quickly build your own wooden shelter. A detailed step-by-step plan can be found below.

1. PLACING THE UPRIGHTS

First place the uprights of the lean-to roof. On the supplied construction drawing you will find the order in which the uprights must be placed. In most cases, this is the rear upright or corner upright. Place the uprights horizontally and fill the hole with (quick) concrete so that they remain stable.

2. PUTTING DOWN THE ROOF BEAMS

Next, place the roof beams on top of the foundation posts. Start with the supporting beams and then place the cross beams. The roof beams are numbered, by the way, so that you know exactly in what order the beams of the roof can be placed. Use the supplied braces and pins to secure the crossbars.

3. INSTALLING THE SIDE WALLS

Attach the side walls of the shelter. First place the supporting beams between the uprights. Depending on the size of the shelter, you will need more or less intermediate planks. First, saw the boards for the side walls to size. Then use 2 countersunk screws per horizontal board to secure the side walls. You need approximately 12 stacked planks to make a sidewall. Of course, this depends on the height of the shelter.

4. LAYING THE FLOOR OF THE SHELTER

Would you like a wooden floor under the shelter? Then place the wooden floor boards under the shelter. By using hardwood the construction will have a luxurious look and you will have a durable floor. Hardwood will not sag and remains in top condition for decades. By the way, it is wise to place the decking boards on top of rails. In this way the wood does not come into direct contact with the ground and the life span is extended.

5. SEALING THE ROOF

Cover the roof of the shelter with the supplied roof boarding. Most boards have a length of 3 or 4 metres. Put the first board in the middle of a roof beam and screw it with 2 screws per board. If the board is too long you need to cut it to size. Repeat this process so the complete roof boarding is installed. Next you can install EPDM roofing on the roof of the shelter. This is recommended to prevent leakage.

EASILY BUILD YOUR OWN LEAN-TO ROOF

Even with little job experience you can choose a shelter from Hardwood Discount. You will receive a wooden frame, including uprights, beams, braces and pegs. All wooden parts are numbered, so you can simply follow the construction instructions to build your own shelter. However, it is useful to have at least the following tools available:

  • Long spirit level
  • Heavy rubber hammer
  • Power drill with bit holder
  • Shovel
  • Hand saw and/or hand circular saw

In addition, we offer a choice of various standard models that are easy to personalise using our Calculator. Parts such as the type of wood, the thickness of the poles and the type of roof can easily be adjusted to your own wishes.

STEP-BY-STEP PLAN: MAKING A WOODEN SHELTER

Have you decided what the wooden roof should look like? Then you can get started right away when you receive our ready-made do-it-yourself kit. In this complete kit you will find all the components you need for a high quality wooden lean-to.

1. DETERMINE THE FOUNDATION

A solid foundation is always the basis for building your own shelter. Start by measuring the area where the foundation is to be laid. This area can be marked off with stakes and wire. Depending on the shape and size of the shelter, the holes for the foundation may be placed further or closer together.

2. DRAW HOLES

Next, start digging the holes for the foundation piles. Dig holes of approximately 60 centimetres, with each hole being exactly the same depth. The holes should be level for the perfect result.

3. PLACING THE FIRST UPRIGHT

Check the construction drawing to see which foundation pile (or post) has to be placed first. When building a shelter, we recommend starting with the back post, which also serves as the corner post.

Place the upright vertically and fill the hole with quick setting concrete or cement. Quick concrete dries within 1 hour, which means that you can proceed more quickly than with standard cement. The drying time of this is approximately 24 hours.

Optional: Did you order concrete footings? Then it is not necessary to pour cement. Simply place the concrete posts in the hole and fill it with sand. Make sure that the concrete footing sticks out about 15 centimetres above the ground. This ensures a rustic look, a longer life and a solid base for the shelter.

4. PUT BRACES ON THE POSTS

Then place the remaining foundation posts. Take 2 curved braces for each post and secure them to a post with a pin. Do not fully drive through the wooden pins yet, this will be done in a later phase.

5. ASSEMBLING THE BEAMS

With several people, place the beams on top of the foundation piles that have been placed. Hit the beams with a rubber hammer so that it falls over the recess of the foundation pile. Then you can hammer in the wooden pegs again halfway, so that the uprights and roof beams are connected.

Now check first that everything is perfectly level. Is this the case? Then you can drive the wooden pins completely through.

6. PLACING THE ROOF BOARDING

Next you can install the first roof boarding. Put the boards on top of the beams. Screw the roof boarding with two screws per board. Repeat this process with all boards you received.

Note: You may need to saw off a small piece of the roof boarding.

7. WATER OUTPUT

Determine where the water outlet and (optional) rain pipe has to be placed. Saw out a small part for this.

8. EPDM ROOF COVERING

It may be wise to cover the roof with EPDM roofing. This makes the roof waterproof and objects you are storing will not get wet.

Apply the roll of EPDM foil to the roof with the supplied sealant (both optional). Use a broom to smooth the surface and press the edges for good adhesion. With a Stanley knife you can cut away the excess foil.

BUY A DO-IT-YOURSELF WOODEN SHELTER

As you can see, it is easy to build your own shelter in your garden. Do you also want the ideal place in your backyard to keep a bicycle, toys or wood dry? Then choose the easy to assemble sheds from Hardwood Discount. Through our Calculator you can easily design a shelter to size. Discover the possibilities of building your own shelter!

Need more information? We are happy to advise you via 074 - 3033602 or info@hardwooddiscount.co.uk.