Can you install a shed on a slope?

[jonathan_d]

Hi, new to this forum, thank you for having me! I have recently moved house and we seem to have much less storage space for outdoor type things such as golf clubs, tents and our lawnmower. There is one existing shed on the property but it is not really sufficient for all our needs. I am thinking of installing a metal shed, perhaps an ABSCO shed, but we are not spoiled for choice of location. We had thought of putting a long thin shed down the side of our house but have read that in NSW (we are in ku ringai shire) you need to keep sheds 900mm from the boundary and this would not work as our side pathway is only maybe 1800mm wide. There is another area in a C shaped space on the south side of the house where you could perhaps put a skillion roof shed with the roof sloping away from the house wall. I will provide a photo. This area as you can probably see is not flat, sloping down  towards the wall of the house, and so if I used gravel and skids as the foundation I would need to compensate for this with timber sleepers or concrete blocks or something like that. Or use a sort of planter box like structure and fil it with gravel? I have a few questions: 1. Is it possible to make this work in this location? 2. Should a shed be off the wall rather than touching it? And by how much? 3. What would the best foundation be given that I don't want to put a slab of concrete here? (Ultimately we might not have the shed there forever). Thanks, hope my idea is not too silly!

 

[jonathan_d]

I have been thinking about this weathering process. At this point I haven't had time to screw down more boards. As with painting, am I better off waiting for weathering to occur before screwing them all down? Or can I just screw them down and weathering them in their final positions? Also if I decide to paint them, is it usual practice to paint them before screwing them down or after? If they are screwed down, then presumably I can only paint the top and the sides and any cut ends? Can you recommend a good paint product for h3 decking?

[JacobZ]

Hi @jonathan_d,

I'd suggest using the Cabot's New Timber Prep to remove the wait time for weathering.

Once you've cleaned the boards with the New Timber Prep, paint them with your choice of external paint, ensuring you cover all surfaces with 2-3 coats. 

When the paint has dried, screw them in place ensuring you use two decking screws into all available joists.

This will weather the boards and give you full coverage to seal and protect them for the long term.

Let me know what you think, and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[jonathan_d]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll use the Cabot's new timber prep. The blurb below it on the bunnings website says to follow up with another Cabot's product afterwards, but can i skip that if I'm painting it?

[JacobZ]

Hi @jonathan_d,

It would be best to either sand the decking boards or use Cabot's Deck Clean to remove any residual oils that are brought to the surface.

Of the two, the Deck Clean would be less work.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob