{"id":7313,"date":"2023-05-20T09:19:38","date_gmt":"2023-05-20T08:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bxproject.co.uk\/blog\/?p=7313"},"modified":"2023-05-21T09:17:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-21T08:17:15","slug":"mega-shed-shed-of-the-year-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bxproject.co.uk\/blog\/mega-shed-shed-of-the-year-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Mega Shed – Shed of the Year Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/span> 8<\/span> min. read<\/span><\/span>\n

It’s more than a year since the Mega Shed construction was completed, and I still love it. I would estimate that the Mega Shed is 95% complete. There is still a little trim I haven’t got around to fitting, but the structure is complete, watertight and well-used. I’ve already completed a long list of projects in the shed, so I’d call it a job well done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Check out the Shed of the Year website<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I missed the entry cut-off for the ubiquitous “Shed Of The Year”<\/a> 2022. I’ve loved the nature of the competition since first discovering it through Colin Furze’s<\/a> YouTube channel. This year, I managed to get the Mega Shed entered into SOTY ’23<\/a>, I made a mess of the entry, but that’s not the point. The motive behind writing up the Mega Shed build is entirely about encouraging others to build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original article series runs to a total of thirteen episodes. Some of the articles get into a lot of detail and aren’t great for a quick overview. So, for the benefit of Sheddies, hopefully, this will be a quick, easy read to inspire you on your own Mega Shed adventure. Each section has a link to the original article, in case you need more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mega Shed \u2013 Part 1: Designing the Shed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The site offers something of a challenge. It\u2019s behind a standard double garage, but the plot itself is triangular. I went through a few different designs, including a strange L-shaped monster, but I ultimately came up with this. The structure is essentially a timber frame, as that\u2019s what I have access to and have the most experience with. I figure this arrangement will be easier for me to make the shed airtight and, hopefully, warmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Mega Shed design starts in CAD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mega Shed \u2013 Part 2: Clearing the Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with so many shed projects, one of the first steps is the clearing of the site. As is often the way, there was already a shed in the space where the mega shed would eventually be. And as you might expect, it was a shed full of ‘stuff. I spent a whole day clearing the shed out and moving it out of the way. With limited space elsewhere, I couldn’t dismantle the shed just yet as it needed to be repacked. And as I was on my own, there was only so far I could drag and push the old shed out of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The site is cleared for the Mega Shed construction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mega Shed \u2013 Part 3: Groundwork, Frame and Piers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting the build in the middle of winter should have created more challenges, but other than a bit of rain and frost, I seemed to get away with it. For the base, I used concrete pillars to support a heavy-duty wooden frame. Without a doubt, this was the most enjoyable part of the build for me. Finally, getting on with it after years of procrastinating is brilliant. The foundations are critical for a successful build, and I’m quite satisfied with this start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Concrete
Concrete piles and a ring beam mark a major milestone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mega Shed \u2013 Part 4: Building the Base<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next stage of the Mega Shed becomes a little more complicated and feels slow. Building off the frame used to set the foundations, the building of the base begins. First, all the mains go in with a combination of nails and screws. Then the noggins and ledges go on. The ledges will hold the Kingspan insulation panels closer to the floor. Finally, the breathable membrane goes onto the underside of the frame. I’m sure there was an easier way to do this, but the triangular shape of the site didn’t help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Stapling
Stapling the breather membrane from the underside of the frame was interesting!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Mega Shed \u2013 Part 5: Insulation and Subfloor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the frame for the base was complete and bolted onto the floor piles, work started to speed up. The insulation boards were fitted into the gaps and generally went in nice and tight. As the base of the shed is completely off the ground, I wanted to get this layer as airtight as possible. A little expanding foam and foil tape was used to get an airtight seal. Finally, the subfloor was laid. These recycled ply sheets give a platform to build from, but are a little thin to be the final flooring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Many
Many layers into the oversized and insulated floor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Mega Shed \u2013 Part 6: Framing the Long Wall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love framing. This is probably why the Mega Shed design is made of framed panels. Borrowing a nail gun certainly helped, and keeping the panels as symmetrical as possible also helped. Because the long wall will be just 100mm from the existing garage brick wall, it has to be completed before raising. In retrospect, I could have built it in two panels. All that 2×4″ wet timber gets very heavy very quickly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"I
I do love a good bit of framing. Shame it won’t be seen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Mega Shed \u2013 Part 7: Cladding the Long Wall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if the frame alone is heavy, the weight only climbs as the cladding goes on. The outer surface of the shed is finished in nominally 18″ Larch. I’ve never used such big panels for cladding, and on my own, they are quite a challenge to handle. That said, I’m more than happy with the final finish. It’s just a shame that it will be hidden and never seen. Getting the panel vertical is quite a challenge, but fortunately, hosting the family for Christmas provided many helping hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pictures
Pictures do not convey the weight of this wall panel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Mega Shed \u2013 Part 8: The Door End<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spurred on by getting the first wall panel in place, I jump straight onto the remaining panels. As the door end is the narrowest point on the shed, it gets assembled next. I managed to source some second-hand double glazing for doors and windows, so the door frame is sized to fit the \u00a320 double-glazed door. While it might have a little damage, I couldn’t pass the door up at that price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The door frame will house a \u00a320 recycled UPVC door.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Mega Shed \u2013 Part 9: The Fence Wall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third section of the wall to go up is along the fence line, which isn’t residential on the other side. I won’t be able to clad this wall once erected, so again, the lower half has to be lined with larch before it is raised. I can at least raise this panel on my own, with a little help from a walking post. I’m surprised at how much getting this one panel on provided motivation. After much planning and a few weeks of part-time building, the pile of wood started to feel like a building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Challenges
Challenges of the site call for some considered building processes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Mega Shed \u2013 Part 10: The Final Wall Sections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pretty quickly, the last few sections of the walls go up. The last two sections of the wall follow the same process but need a little thought to allow for windows and the change of angle as the shed goes from square to tapered. It was somewhere around now that engagement with the locals started to increase. There’s a public footpath at the far end of the shed, and through the positive comments, I picked up on a little shed envy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The final wall goes up, and the timbers start to feel like a shed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Mega Shed \u2013 Part 11: The Roof Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roof was by far the most mind-bending piece of the shed puzzle. While one-half of the roof is lovely and square, the door end of the shed is tapered to match the fence line. I’ve often referred to the Mega Shed as a triangular shed, but trying to do the roof makes me realise its a triangle on a triangle on a triangle. ARGH!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Triangles
Triangles on triangles. The roof is quite challenging.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The solution to the challenge was simply to break the structure down into simple elements. Starting with the rectangle up to the door, then the twisted rafter. Building up the framing to the twisted rafter, then extending the fence wall up to the twisted rafter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The galv roofing starts bright but will soon weather in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I must say, I was very happy with the end result. The galv sheets against the larch cladding give a very rustic\/farm-spec finish. Although the galv sheets start a bit bright and shiny, they will soon weather down and stand out a lot less. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A pivotal point in the shed building, as the roof goes on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From the inside, there is obviously more work to finish off the roof frame from the underside, but I can now work in the dry as the rain starts to fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mega Shed \u2013 Part 12: The Interior Installation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recycled UPVC double glazing goes in, and the building quickly becomes weatherproof. The Knauf space blanket provides over 100mm of insulation over the whole shed. The vapour barrier finishes the air-tight seal on the inside (with some wide tape), and finally, the 22mm chipboard floor can go down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"After
After a month of part-time building, the floor goes down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The interior is finished with some 10mm OSB. I deliberated for some time over the finish. In a perfect world, plasterboard would be warmer and absorb more sound, but I didn’t fancy the environmental impact. I’m also much better with timber than plasterboard. The interior comes together within a week, and the space is already usable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The simple OSB finish gives a very warm feel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mega Shed \u2013 Part 13: Exterior Finishing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Link to the original article<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes I look back and wonder if I was overly optimistic about the ability of the breathable membrane to hold out the weather before the cladding went on, but I got away with it. The exterior cladding didn’t get finished until the interior was completed. The corners are one place the design was a little unplanned. The galv cladding that went on as an afterthought is okay, but far from perfect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A year on, and the Larch finish just looks better and better.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The guttering was also a bit of a challenge. Because of the multiple angles, I needed to run the downpipes in a round pipe, but there was a UK-wide shortage of joints and clips. I got there in the end, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The guttering was quite a challenge, not just because of a UK shortage of parts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The triangular roof edge also needed some guttering. This was surprisingly challenging as the gutter is so steep, and water flow builds up a lot of speed. The first attempt at fitting this piece of drainage resulted in the rainwater completely missing the gutter over the door sending water everywhere. Some tuning and now most of the water goes into the drain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The shed as it sits today. Finished and functional.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One Year (and a bit) of the Mega Shed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And that’s pretty much where the shed building finished. A few bits of interior trim have been added, along with some heating. The roof edge gutter is still missing the capping. But after more than a year, some horrendous weather and a few seasons under its belt, the shed is still standing. There have been no internal leaks. No birds nest in the eaves, and no signs of animals living under the shed (yet). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared to the cost of buying something lightweight and uninsulated, or getting a professional building company in, this has been a bargain shed. More importantly, I take a lot of pride in having built it myself, with help from a few friends. I guess the best thing is that I have plenty of space for projects, both work and personal. As a place to work, the Mega Shed is warm and comfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope you’ve enjoyed this summary of the Mega Shed project. Feel free to browse the longer write-up, starting with episode one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mega Shed: Part 1 – Designing the Shed<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And don’t forget to check the Shed of the Year website for some amazingly inspiring shed builds! The orchestrator of the competition, ‘Head Sheddie’ and all-around passionate shed lover @UncleWilco has created an amazing place to explore the plentiful and varied world of the shed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shed of the Year<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

M<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEXT – Mega Shed – Part 1: Designing the shed<\/a>
PREV – Mega Shed – Part 13: Exterior Finishing<\/a>

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