Shed Designers

[HowardM]

Hi all,
Are there any shed designers out there.?
I have Planning approved for my workshop, it;s going to be 8 x 8 metres.
I would have liked it to be Green Oak framed, but my wallet is telling me to keep it simple, maybe even steel framed with shiplap cladding.
Any useful input appreciated

thanks
Howard

 

[MikeG.]

It looks like another one for me.......

I'll have a go at this this evening (Green oak is a lot cheaper than you might think....)

Mike

 

[StevieB]

8 x 8 meters - thats not a shed its a warehouse! :mrgreen:

Enjoy it!

 

[jasonB]

Do you want to keep it a clear 8x8 or would a central post be acceptable, that way your longest span will be 4m. Although stud framing with a long gluelam ridge and or purlins would give a clear floor. And whats the max height you can go for?

If you want 8m clear then a secondhand portal framed aggricultural building is a possibility.

Jason

 

[MikeG.]

Howard,

first things first. Do you know that this building is going to require Building Regulations Approval?

I am not sure of the situation in Scotland, but in England this can be achieved using a full set of plans ("Full Plans Approval") prior to commencing construction, or for minor domestic-type works you can use "Building Notices", where you take the risk of inspections as you go to confirm that you have built it properly (the risk being that you can be asked to take it all down again to do it right!).

Don't, whatever you do, attempt to take the latter route based only on what you glean from the forum.

It is a pity that you have ended up with a square building. 10m x 6.5m would have been much easier and would have been better looking.....never mind.

If this were my shed I would be trying very hard: 1/ to make it in timber and 2/ to have a clear-spanning roof (ie, no posts interrupting the floor area). Both are do-able.

You are going to need professionals on board, which will mean fees. Inevitably, this will require structural engineers calculations, whatever the construction method. Don't, whatever you do, let a structural engineer design it for you!!!!!! They generally think they can do it better than architects......but they can't!

I guess the next step is to see what you have PP for (ie........show us your approved drawings), and then find out about your preferred construction method and roof design (in principal only.......the big questions are do you want it to give you a clear span, and what is the approved roof covering?).

Don't you think 8m x 8m is being just a bit greedy??!!



Mike

 

[HowardM]

Hi Folks,

Here's the planning drawing I submitted.
The Floor area needs to be clear.
The inside dimension was to fit 6 8x4 sheets exactly.
The roof is low so not to have a big impact on the site.

When the application was made, I was told that there was a freeze on the area, being near a National Trust area, so I didn't hold out much hope.
That's why I am only now going into deep design details.

The shed must be attractive as it's in such an attractive area, it also has to add value to the property, rather than detract. ( The dragon lady says )

thanks
Howard

 

[MikeG.]

Howard,

what is the roofing material? I can't read anything on the drawings, and it is really important.....

My first reaction is that it needs a plinth, and that if it is oak-framed then there are nowhere near enough oak posts.

You also seem to be proposing a raft foundation......another reason why you will have to employ a structural engineer. A raft can't be exposed because of potential frost damage, and shouldn't extend out beyond the line of the walls over......but these are mere details.

You didn't say anything about your plans for showing compliance with Building Regulations....

Mike

 

[jasonB]

I would think that by submitting those drawings you have limited yourself to having the structural members (oak frame) where it is and the same for the infill panels and glass.

If green oak is a bit expensive you could use similar construction with locally milled larch or douglas fir. It really comes down to the fact that you are building non loadbearing stud walls to infill the oak frame, you may as well add a few more studs and make these wall structural as it will be considerably cheaper, quicker and easier. The look of the "posts" can always be achieved by planting on cappings.

I'm not sure by the section view but I assume you intend to have just one oak truss midway across the building . This may be difficult to do with oak at that span. I would be tempted to have two deep purlinssupported by your posts that are at approx 1/3 span and maybe a ridge as well. Thes ewould all be from engineered timber. You could then have rafters as shown or possibly consider SIP panels.

Jason