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An outdoor shed may be constructed for a practical purpose, such as keeping your tools together, providing a staging area for you to pot plants, or even a space in which you can take part in a hobby with free reign – but there’s no reason this construction should feel any less homely than any other part of your property.

In fact, taking a few steps to make your shed an extension of your home will help you unlock the worth of such a garden addition.

Here’s how:

Addons & Awnings

An additional porch or overhead shelter for a shed can provide a small outdoor area that can help it feel a little less divided from the garden on which it stands. Refining the inside with room for a shelter, a table for a small dinner party, or a sofa for a relaxing drink can be a great idea, too.

Refine The Pathway

The pathway leading into the shed, perhaps crafted by cobblestones, wood chips, or a garden arch can allow it to seem more connected with the garden, as if the walk to the shed’s door is the natural direction to follow. You may even use a patio to provide an exterior dining area.

Floral & Fabric Designs

A few floral and fabric trimmings can add your own sense of decorative worth to this space, be that a hanging basket on the outside, or a reupholstered chest inside you use to store your tools.

After designing a shed with a little more love than you might grant to a storage area, it becomes a natural extension of your home. With an excellent service like Franks Sheds to guide you, this will be a great idea.

A good quality garden shed is an asset to any property. It gives you a safe place to store your things, as well as free up space in the home, something we could all use. 

But when planning to install a garden shed, it is vital that you get the foundations right. The foundation for your garden shed will protect your shed and what’s inside. Without the proper foundations, your shed could become structurally damaged, damp, and a health and safety hazard. 

So before you go out and buy yours, consider the foundation for your garden shed. 

Here at Frank’s Sheds, we have some basic tips for building the perfect foundation. 

Location, location, location

Choose a spot away from waterlogged areas and tree roots. If you want water or power in the shed, place it in a convenient location for these to be installed. 

Choose the right foundation

Heavier sheds will need frost-proof foundations, which also last longer. There are also on-grade foundations, which are quicker and cost less but do not have longevity. 

Keep it level

Check the level of the foundation at all points during the process to ensure that it is consistent. 

Talk to us

At Frank’s Sheds, we’ve built foundations and installed thousands of sheds of all designs. You’ll get peace of mind in knowing that the job is being dealt with quickly and professionally by our team. Head on over to our Facebook page to see some of our work. Don’t just take our word for it, see what our happy customers have to say too. 

Contact us today for a quote.

At Franks Sheds, we’re everything you need and more when it comes to your outdoor storage needs. Our sheds offer a variety of features and styles to suit any exterior space and whatever preference you have for your home.

But where is the ideal place to put your shed? Finding the optimal location to place shed storage is important to figure out so here are some things to consider. 

Find a space that’s accessible

Firstly, the space you choose should be one that’s accessible to reach. There’s nothing worse than placing your shed in what you feel is the right place but then ends up being a nightmare to get to. 

Design 

Consider the shed’s design when placing it in the space. Think about how the doors or windows open and how easy it will be to get to the door of the shed. Especially when transporting larger furniture and objects, you want it within an easy reach to suit you.

Extends the lifespan of the shed storage

At Franks Sheds, all our customers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida get the same quality service and a storage shed that’s top of the line. The placement of your shed will likely influence just how long it lasts in terms of its lifespan. Leaving it in an overly grown area of the yard will likely cause more damage from fallen debris. A space where it’s in direct sunlight may cause the exterior to fade a lot quicker, which then requires more maintenance.

Ideally, you want a spot sheltered from the weather but not covered by shrubs and trees that could cause damage. 

Wherever you are Fort Lauderdale in Florida, here at Franks Sheds, we’re here to help.

Preparing your storage shed for winter can be an arduous and sometimes stressful task, luckily we’re here to show you how to do it in an easy way. 

Clean Up Your Shed

Your shed becomes a storage space for everything from pots to lawnmowers, fertilizer, mulch, garden hoses, and gardening tools and accessories. Before you decide to close your shed for the winter, it’s a good idea to organize it first. Otherwise, critters will claim your shed as home. You can also be spring-ready by cleaning the shed and everything inside it.

Take everything outside to sort out what you need and what has to be thrown away. Broken pots, spare parts, additional materials, and other broken goods that can’t be used or aren’t required should be thrown away. Remove any cobwebs from the floor by sweeping them. Get rid of any insects. 

Check the interior of your shed and repair is needed

After you’ve finished cleaning the floor and walls of the shed, it’s time to inspect the interiors and make any necessary repairs. Examine the floor, ceiling, and walls thoroughly. Use caulk to fill in any gaps or fissures you find. This will keep pests out of your shed over the winter. Look for damage beneath shelves, hooks, and other wall-mounted hangings. If you notice something, fix it right away. Examine the seals around windows and doors with care. Replace any weather-stripping that has cracked or is damaged. Otherwise, the shed will be filled with chilly air and wetness.

To create the perfect workspace in your yard or garden, you need to ensure that you are always thinking of the bigger picture. For example, it’s probably not enough to simply stick a desk in your shed – as this will not create a perfect working environment. Here are some ways you can go about maximizing your shed’s versatility. 

Stay connected. One of the most essential steps towards converting a simple shed into a creative, productive workplace is ensuring that you remain connected to the outside world. For example, you should ensure that you can still connect to your wifi or purchase a router – especially if you don’t want to miss any zoom meetings. Furthermore, you also need to make sure that your shed is connected to electricity. Our design options mean that all of our sheds come electric-ready with a switch, outlet, and light. 

Stay focused. Working from home often means working with distractions – but that shouldn’t be the case in your new custom-built office. Therefore, you should ensure that you design your space carefully to create a space where you can remain focused. For example, adding windows to your shed will allow natural light to pour in, heightening both productivity and focus within the workplace. You could also add sound installation to the shed if you’re interested in maximizing your shed’s versatility. 

Stay inspired. If you aren’t sure where to get started with your shed design, conversion, or installation – check out our previous work or reviews for some inspiration. Furthemore, don’t hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions. We’ll work closely with you to create the shed workspace of your dreams.    

At Frank’s sheds, we know how important it is to have proper shed ventilation. Today we are sharing 6 ways that you can better ventilate your shed and avoid damp and mould. 

1. Install vents

The easiest way to ventilate a small shed is to install vents in the walls. A small vent at the north and south points of your shed allows airflow and will keep the shed ventilated. 

2. Install roof windows 

For proper shed ventilation as well as light, install a roof window. This will not only bring ventilation but will also brighten up the shed and give you a lovely view of the sky. 

3. Install a whirligig

A whirligig is more than a funny word: it’s the key to proper shed ventilation. For medium and large sheds, installing a whirligig on the roof will draw air up and through the shed to keep it ventilated.

4. Install an electric fan 

For larger shed’s an electric fan will push air around and ensure your shed doesn’t become too humid. 

5. Allow the sunlight in 

Sunlight is a great help for proper shed ventilation as it will reduce humidity in the air. By allowing sunlight through windows, you are less likely to suffer from damp. 

6. Install a heat source 

For larger sheds, a heat source may be needed to reduce humidity. This will ensure the air stays dry and will keep your shed strong for longer. 

Contact us today at Frank’s Sheds for quality sheds in Fort Lauderdale.

There are many great reasons to have a playhouse in your garden. Most of all, it is a place to be able to spend some real quality time with your kids. If you already have a shed, you can easily turn it into a playhouse in the following manner with custom shed designs.

1. Draw Up Your Plan

It’s always best to start with a plan. Think about what kind of design it should have, what activities your kids will want to do inside it, and what kind of furniture it should have. The more you know on this front, the more complete your plan can be.

      2. Choose Your Layout

Next up, you can think about what kind of layout you want the playhouse to have. Again, it is wise to consult the people who will actually use it – your kids! Think about what custom shed designs will be best for your purposes here.

      3. Protect It From The Elements

Make sure you next protect the playhouse from the elements by damp-proofing it and insulating it. That will keep everyone safe and warm no matter what, and make it a much more promising playhouse indeed.

      4. Consider Utilities

You might decide that it’s a good idea to have some utilities in there, such as water and electricity. It’s up to you, but if you do want to have those, you will need to get that set up as soon as possible too. Again, you should include these factors in any custom shed designs you might have.

      5. Decorate

Finally, make it yours – or make it suitable for your children, anyway. They could actually help you with this part, if they are old enough. The important thing is that everyone is happy with how the playhouse looks.

Find out more about this process by getting in touch today.

Choosing the right material when buying a shed is crucial. Although many people opt for wood metal is often the best choice. These are some of the big advantages of metal sheds. 

Low Cost

If budget is your main concern, a metal shed is the way to go. They are almost always cheaper than a wooden shed, which means you can get a larger building for the same price. 

Easy To Move And Assemble

Metal sheds tend to be very lightweight, which means that getting them into your garden is simple. When it comes to actual construction and moving the shed into place, you’ll find it easier too. Most metal sheds come with everything you need to build them so all you have to do is follow the instruction booklet. 

Durability

Durability is another of the big advantages of metal sheds. They will stand up to the weather much better than wood and usually last at least ten years. 

Less Maintenance

Wooden sheds require a lot of upkeep (staining and repairing etc) to protect them from the weather. You don’t have to deal with this when using a metal shed. 

No Foundations Needed 

Installing a foundation is incredibly expensive. Luckily, one of the big advantages of metal sheds is that you don’t need one, in most cases. 

Better Security

Sheds are often used for storing valuable tools, so security is a key concern. When compared with a wooden shed, metal sheds are much harder to break into. 

Reduced Fire Hazard

Wood is a very flammable material, making your wooden shed a fire hazard. Metal, on the other hand, is far less likely to catch fire. 

See what our clients are saying about us here.

These are just some of the many advantages of metal sheds. They’re cheaper, more durable, easier to set up, and more secure than any of the alternatives on the market, so if you’re looking for a new shed, make sure it’s a metal one. Frank’s Sheds is here to help you find the right shed. Contact us today!

You may assume that wood sheds are the best option for your yard. However, steel or metal sheds are making a come-back and are becoming increasingly more popular these days. There are pros and cons of steel shed that you should know but generally speaking, the coatings and build quality are better than ever. The following lists will help you better determine if it’s the right choice for you.

Pros of A Steel Shed

There are a few upsides to choosing and owning a steel shed. They include:

•         Great Value for the Money: They’re affordable.
•         Long-Lasting: Can expect it to last for 10+ years.
•         Little to No Maintenance: No painting, sanding, or pest control required.
•         Resists Extreme Temperatures: Holds up against heat, cold, and strong winds.
•         Easy to Assemble: Installation is fairly easy.
•         Small Sheds are Easy to Move: Can move it around as you please.

Cons of A Steel Shed

There are also a few things that may concern you when it comes to owning a steel shed. They include:

•         Steel is Tough to Modify: You need serious tools to modify it.
•         Prone to Rust and Corrosion: Although long-lasting, they are susceptible to rust and corrosion.
•         Can be Flimsy: Quality is questionable as can be thin and flimsy.
•         Appearance can be Off-Putting: Are clean looking but not that attractive to look at.

You now know more about the pros and cons of a steel shed. Looking for a better shed at a better price? Then get in touch with us today.

Rust on a Steel Shed can spread like wildfire. Many homes with a Steel Shed will have it, at the far end of the garden, away from any shelter. So rust can easily gain a foothold on your Steel Shed and damage the structure greatly.

Formation of rust

In short, it’s when your shed doesn’t dry after it rains and stays moist for a long period of time. The moist air inside might also play a role, which is why good ventilation is required.

Preventing it

It’s quite easy to prevent rust. You need…

• Good ground drainage to get rid of rainwater.
• Place gravel or pebbles on the floor to aid this process
• Insulate the shed for better temperature control

Storage techniques

Make sure there is good airflow throughout the shed. Don’t just throw things in there to pile them up. Stack your things alongside each other, not on top if you can help it. Keep them a few inches away from the shed to allow droplets to fall away or condensation to not build.

It may also be a good idea to leave two small windows open at all times, to allow air in and out. Wrap up metal tools if possible; i.e. put a cloth over your spade or rake when done using it. Every few months check for leaks in the ceiling and plug them.

If you have any more questions about preventing rust in your steel shed, feel free to contact us any time and we’ll be happy to help.