Here are details of our garden office built as a D.I.Y project. This has nothing to do with technology, but I didn’t have anywhere else to post this blog article.

This shed uses a custom design put together to make the best use of the space available.

The structure is made up of the main area 8ft x 16ft. A dedicated shed area for garden tools that is 2ft x 2ft. Also, a veranda area providing weather protection for the entrances.

It has full electrics using an existing armoured cable run from the house. This is connected to a 3way consumer unit providing indoor/outdoor lights and sockets.

Treated softwood is used for the external wall covering as it is considerably less expensive than hardwood. Both wood types will go grey if not treated yearly, so the additional expense wasn’t justified.

The total cost was approximately £4000, which included tools and materials. Most of the materials were purchased when stores had discount days or unused purchases on eBay.

Lower Foundations

• 12x concrete column footing 1metre deep
• 6x 3metre 2×6 inch treated timber beams overlapped
• 12x galvanised steel post anchors bolted to the concrete pillars

Upper Foundations

• 18mm OSB3 over 2×4 inch treated timber frames

Internal Floor

• 11mm OSB2 over 50mm Jabfloor insulation

Wall Structure

• 2×4 inch treated timber frames with 18mm OSB3
• 100mm earth wool insulation
• Tyvek house wrap
• Internal 12mm plasterboard dry-line finished

Outer Front and Back Walls

• Treated shiplap cladding

Outer Right Wall

• Cembrit Jutland single slates

Outer Left Wall

• Treated timber slatted battens

Roof

• Lean-to design sloped to the rear with guttering
• 10x 2×6 treated timber truss-rafter covered with 18mm OSB3
• Galvanised truss clips
• 80mm Celotex insulation in-between rafters
• EPDM rubber roof
• 225mm Black fascia board

Other

• Double glazed window and composite door
• Decking for the veranda area
• 75mm fence post used to support the roof pillar on the veranda