I would prefer to have it in brick/block as it feels to me like more solid and longer lasting structure. Also, because the size of the shed would be over 15m2 (and within two meters of my neighbour garden) I wouldn't need to have building regs people over if I had it in noncombustible materials.
I did see the "shed Mike's way" post and it makes a lot of sense though.
I do have an old block wall at the end of the garden (between my garden and an alleyway ). It's solid, about 2m in height. I was hoping to use it as one of the walls for my shed. If I was to build with wood, should I have it as one of the walls ? Would it not compromise the advantages of wooden insulated shed (as in cold and moisture getting through that wall)? Or should I build frame in front of it ? If so, how far (I don't want to create dead space, but also am aware if I go to close I would have problems with not enough airflow ?)?
Building a detached garage of less than 30 square metres floor area would not normally need building regulations approval if:
- the floor area of the detached garage is less than 15 square metres.
- the floor area of the garage is between 15 square metres and 30 square metres, provided the garage is at least one metre from any boundary, or it is constructed substantially of non-combustible materials.
Consider that the area restrictions on meeting building regs is related to internal area. If the max it can be outside is 4.4x3.8, with 100mm walls (of whatever construction), you're now only at 4.2x3.6 which is 15.12m2. A gnats fart over the 15m2. The 2m restriction applies to planning regs and heights, not building regs and floor area.
A more solid long lasting structure that has moisture problems, rusting tools and where you might be uncomfortable working in the deep dark winter seems daft to me. And unless you're digging half decent foundations how solid is that wall going to be over time?
Regarding non combustible materials, if its clad in fire proof stuff that goes away IIRC, it also would only need to be 1m away from the boundary to be made entirely from firelighters, though your insurance might not pay out.
If you were using that existing wall then I'd put some studs on it and put insulation in there. But I have no idea what you'd need to do with regard ventilation or damp proofing etc.
My suggestion as someone who spent the last 5 months building a workshop is do it right and do it once. I know I'm fortunate enough to know that I'll never leave this house and can work in there for the next 50 years, but I also know that the workshop will still be there standing tall when I'm long dead, it's going to be warm, easy to keep warm and importantly dry. It's entirely different when you have to use a garage or something that's already in place, in those cases you have to make do and work around any issues. You have a largely blank slate from which to start so use it wisely. Many on here would
kill burn teak to keep warm for the chance.
Sadly the person you really need to talk to is no longer on this forum. Go to woodhaven2 and ask for Mikes help there. He will largely tell you to build a plinth and frame up from there but he has a lot more knowledge of things you need answers to and is very generous with his time.
