Shed Conversion

[Hu Rhu]

We recently acquired a piece of the neighbours garden, which includes a fairly large shed, which I am allowed to convert to a Wargames room.  The shed measures approx 5m x 4.5m and will allow a fairly large table along with a workbench as well as ample storage. It is quite well built and waterproof.  The downside is that it hasn't been used for a while and is full of rubbish and dust and has no power.  However it is a start.

This is what it looks like from the outside:





The ouside needs a new coat of paint (although this will be the last job)  and probably new windows although the roof is sound and waterproof.

The inside needs a lot of work and I am in the process of getting quotes from electricians to sort out the power. 







I'd be keen to hear from others who have converted or built their own shed about insulation and flooring options.

[Moriarty]

Hi.
1. Are there any legal reasons why you could not ‘change the use’ of the shed.
2. While the shed is ‘water-proof’ at the minute, be aware that any electrical/flooring/insulation installed might compromise this.
3. Any fixtures/fittings added might need to be removed to repair the fabric in future.
4. Too much ventilation in Summer is better than too little.
5. Consider security. If the local toe-rags notice people using it, they might get the idea the shed has booze in it.
Apart from that, please accept my jealousy for such a wonderful opportunity.

[Citizen Sade]

FWIW, we had a similar old wooden garage/shed stood direct on hard standing and ended up knocking it down and starting from scratch.We built straight on top of the existing concrete using an adjustable galvanised steel foundation system. We went for 50mm of insulation in the walls and 100mm in the floor and roof. Tongue & groove boards for the flooring with underlay and LVT on top.

If you aim to use it all year round, I recommend thinking about cooling as well as heating as they get bloody hot in the sun.

Happy to chat to you about ours in person if it might help.

[Tom Dulski]

 5M by 4.5M what kind of backward Communist country are you living in? How are the rest of use freedom loving people supposed to figure out the size?



  Seriously though that looks like a nice large space, bully for you.

[has.been]

Good luck with your new toy.

[Moriarty]

5M by 4.5M what kind of backward Communist country are you living in? How are the rest of use freedom loving people supposed to figure out the size?

For those of us not cursed with a bi-numeric education, 5m long about one giraffe across (probably a male).
You’re welcome :-)

[snitcythedog]

Lovely bit of shed there.  Good luck with the conversion.

5m long about one giraffe across (probably a male).

Easy translation is six lemurs noes to tail or twelve wombats side to side.     I never learned on the metric either.   

[Hu Rhu]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions especially about cooling and heating.

As to its size, I have neither Giraffes or Lemurs to compare it with but I can report that it is approx 4 Labrador retrievers wide and 3 Labrador retrievers long (or approx 16 1/2 feet x 14 1/2 feet if you prefer). 

It took me all of yesterday to clean it out and remove all the nails, hooks and extra battens that the previous owner had added.  I just need to rip out the (very old) wiring before starting on the actual renovation.

Once the new electrical wiring has been installed, I am planning on using insulation boards to fill the spaces between the vertical battens and in the roof space, then plaster board (dry wall for the non-brits) the walls and ceiling.  Floor will be insulated (not sure exactly how I'm going to do it yet) but eventually covered in carpet tiles. I have a large vent just below the future ceiling to aid ventilation plus I can always open both sets of doors if it gets too hot. Heating in the winter will be electric fan heater.

I'll update the pictures as the project progresses.

[Tactalvanic]

Congratulations - that's a great space, I wish my shed was that big and empty..

all that cubic Labrador area to work with.. nice

floor insulation and/or a membrane/water barrier basically raise wood floor/marine ply etc, and fill it with suitable insulation with carpet tiles on top.. concreate floors get cold in winter, so something under the carpet tiles if you can raise it a bit would be great.

[Tom Dulski]

 If it's not too much trouble keep  adding pictures as the progress goes along, I'm very keen to see how this unfolds.

[Moriarty]

floor insulation and/or a membrane/water barrier basically raise wood floor/marine ply etc, and fill it with suitable insulation with carpet tiles on top.. concreate floors get cold in winter, so something under the carpet tiles if you can raise it a bit would be great.

Wot ‘e said.

[anevilgiraffe]

For those of us not cursed with a bi-numeric education, 5m long about one giraffe across (probably a male).
You’re welcome :-)

Leave me out of it

[jambo1]

Cracking looking shed, look in a very good condition, look forward to seeing your progress.

[Codsticker]

That looks like it has the potential to be a great hobby space. I love these 1:1 scale terrain projects.

[Burgundavia]

That looks like it has the potential to be a great hobby space. I love these 1:1 scale terrain projects.

My wife wishes she had this in our yard to exile my wargaming stuff too...