Many householders today need to find extra useful space and wooden shiplap workshops are becoming a popular choice amongst trades and crafts persons such as plumbers and carpenters who need a timber shiplap workshop for working and storage. The same is true for people who need extra space for arts and crafts activities or even for a home gym or rehearsal space. In all these cases, timber shiplap workshops are an excellent choice; offering a simple, practical and cost-effective solution that is also an attractive feature in the garden. Just to be absolutely clear by the way, a wooden shiplap workshop is a workshop that is constructed using a boat building style of construction where the planks that form the walls are fitted together with tongue & groove joints rather than simply overlapping planks.

But with so many wooden shiplap workshops to choose from, how do you go about selecting one to suit your needs and your budgets? Well in order to provide a good working area, a timber shiplap workshop will need to have a light, airy and spacious interior with sufficient headroom and working room plus good access to get things easily in and out. At the same time, a timber shiplap workshop will need good light through opening windows or possibly roof lights instead so that the contents are hidden from prying eyes. Many users also prefer to choose double doors for their wooden shiplap workshop, as these give better access and even more ventilation which can be a considerable boon when creating dust or during the hotter weather.

Given the long and arduous working life of a timber shiplap workshop, it’s as well to choose one that is robustly constructed from sound timbers of generous proportions rather than something that is light and flimsy, because a well made wooden shiplap workshop will last longer, need less maintenance and in the long run will cost you less money overall than one that appeared cheaper in the first place. It’s also likely that you will customise the interior of your timber shiplap workshop to suit your business, craft or activity. For this reason, look for timber shiplap workshops with strong walls, stout framing and a robust floor that will offer many years of hardworking durability. The same is true of doors and any opening windows as it can be expected that these will be constantly in use, unlike an ordinary garden shed.

Finally, safety and security are extremely important considerations for your timber shiplap workshop, especially with sharp-edged tools and powered equipment. At the same time, many trades and crafts people need to store chemicals and liquids that are potentially hazardous to children and pets in their wooden shiplap workshop. And of course you will want to protect valuable materials, equipment and goods from possible theft. In these cases strong hinges and good locks and hasps that secure to robust framing structures are essential features to look out for in good quality wooden shiplap workshops.

The wooden apex shed is one of the most popular choices for householders and gardeners, due in no small part to its attractive ‘pointed’ roof appearance. Indeed it is from this shape that the timber apex shed gets its name, as the meaning of the word apex is to describe the peak of a triangular shape. Timber apex sheds did not get this shape by accident of course, as the design reflects the popular architectural style of pointed roof structure which was originally created for use in colder climates where there is more rainfall and snowfall, unlike the flat roof style of Mediterranean buildings. Nevertheless, it’s clear that the traditional shape of wooden apex sheds sits well in many gardens across the country.

Because it is the ‘apex’ shape of the roof that characterises the wooden apex shed, you’ll find that in all other respects the timber apex shed is broadly similar in construction, options and features to almost any other style of timber shed. This means you will find timber apex sheds with shiplap or overlap planking, various door and window options, and a choice of boarded or tongue & groove floors and/or roofs. Naturally enough, you will also find that there is a very large range of different designs, styles and sizes along with a considerable range of options and features such as opening windows for example, all of which makes choosing wooden apex sheds sound far more complicated than it really is.

Due to the traditional roof shape of timber apex sheds, the gable ends of which are usually adorned by decorative finials, these sheds are often a popular choice for the more traditionally-minded gardener, although it has to be said that there are many new and contemporary designs of wooden apex shed that do not look out of place in today’s urban garden alongside other modern features and architectural-style planting. Also, as with most other aspects of design, colour can play an important part and although your timber apex shed will usually be supplied with a ‘natural’ dipped or treated finish, many householders choose to paint their wooden apex sheds in one of the popular subtle blues, greens or greys that work so well in conjunction with modern styles of planting.

Although most retailers and suppliers of wooden apex sheds offer a delivery and building service, many householders today may prefer to erect their own timber apex shed; especially in the smaller sizes and where there is already a suitable base, perhaps when replacing an older wooden apex shed for example. Installing the shed in your garden requires only the most ordinary DIY tools and equipment and, since most timber apex sheds are supplied complete as a kit of parts along with assembly instructions, it should prove to be an enjoyable task that can readily be accomplished by the average householder. At the same time, it is very easy to incorporate shelves, rails and brackets as required during the construction process.

Wooden security sheds are an excellent choice where additional security is required; whether it’s to keep sharp edged tools & equipment out of harm’s way, to keep fertilisers and chemicals safely locked away from children and pets, or to provide a safe haven for more valuable home and garden items including bicycles, lawnmowers, barbecues and garden furniture. When choosing a wooden security shed, it pays to consider the performance/price equation because a strongly built concrete and/or steel structure, whilst offering even higher levels of security, will certainly be a great deal more expensive than a timber security shed. Nevertheless, it’s clear that good quality timber security sheds provide considerable protection for a fair and reasonable price, as well as offering a more attractive appearance that may be preferred.

It’s fair to say that the average garden shed is not likely to offer the same levels of security that would be provided by a wooden security shed but what things do you need to look out for when choosing any timber security shed for home or commercial use? Clearly the quality of locks, hasps and hinges on any doors and opening windows needs to be adequate for the task and it may well be found that there are a range of glazing options including toughened and safety glass offered with many wooden security sheds. Beyond these more obvious considerations, the roof is a common entry point for break-ins and needs to be strongly constructed in order to deter attackers, as do the walls. Not every manufacturer offers a range of timber security sheds so it’s important to compare the specifications of available models to find out what is best for your budget and your requirements. It’s always worth paying a little more to be sure.

Whilst different manufacturers offer different designs and options for their wooden security sheds, one manufacturer we looked at offers a timber security shed which is built using walls of shiplap planking that is 50% thicker than their standard models, with the same planking used also for the floor. A solid board roof is supplied on this wooden security shed and there is a heavier frame to give better support to locks and hinges. A padlock protector is fitted (padlock not supplied) and there are no vulnerable side windows, just a small apex window light in the gable end above the door. This specification can be taken as fairly typical of the many timber security sheds on the market, and whilst it obviously doesn’t offer the strength and security of a bank vault, it nevertheless provides extra security and safety at a reasonable price.

For more information on wooden security sheds visit your local shed specialist, garden centre or DIY superstore or search online as you will find a wide variety of timber security sheds in a range of sizes and with options to suit your needs. Most importantly, a good quality wooden security shed will bring you peace of mind in the knowledge that your pets, family and goods are more securely protected.

Numerous factors need to be considered when deciding whether or not it is necessary to purchase an all weather cover for your garden furniture. The first and most important thing to appreciate is that some types of outdoor furniture will require a protective cover more than others. For example, garden furniture constructed from man- made materials such as plastic or metal generally require less protection from the elements than natural products like wood or stone. Good quality cast aluminium (metal) and woven (plastic) furniture can be left outside throughout the year without a cover. The appearance of the metal and plastic outdoor tables and chairs will not significantly alter when left outside uncovered. However, when left exposed outside teak (wood) and granite (stone) furniture can look different over a period of time. Teak usually becomes more silvery grey and granite often becomes less vibrant in colour. To prevent this most suppliers of outdoor furniture will recommend that the furniture is either taken indoors, treated or covered when not in use.

Nonetheless, many people actually prefer the look of weathered teak and therefore leave it outside untreated and uncovered. Providing the teak is good quality then this decision should not significantly affect the life or durability of the furniture. Another significant factor to consider is that each garden is subjected to unique weather conditions. For example south facing gardens are more exposed to high levels of UV which can make certain types of furniture, particularly wood, change its appearance quicker. Consequently a cover should be used so that the weathering process can be delayed if the original look is preferred. Covers are also often used to prevent the garden furniture from getting dirty. Obviously if the garden is full of birds, trees and other vegetation then the outdoor dining set will need cleaning more regularly unless it is covered. In summary it is down to personal choice whether a cover is used or not. A protective cover is certainly not a necessity in order to extend the life of garden furniture. Many people prefer the ‘weathered look’, have storage space or feel that a cover is simply not required. Whatever the decision, as long as the metal, wooden, plastic or stone garden furniture is good quality then it should be durable and last for many years.

Many people nowadays spend a lot of their time in their workplace (office) rather than their homes. Yet many of us don’t take much effort to make our work environment more pleasant, beautiful and comfortable like our homes. With little effort, your office could be altered to help you get more of your tasks done by making it a much more pleasant place to work. One of the easiest & best options for office interior decor is to add a water fountain to your work area. Water fountains not only offer their own calming influence by the sound of water gently trickling down over the stone, glass or marble backdrop, but they also give a peaceful look and provide a great focal point for any office or room.

Water Fountains are mainly available in three styles, floor fountains, wall fountains and table fountains. The chief function of any water fountain is to serve as a decorative piece, although there are other benefits of installing a water fountain in a place like air purification, relaxation properties and calming influences. You can add a corporate logo or company name to the fountain and this would turn the decorative item into a promotional tool as well.

Generally these custom water fountains are used in the reception area and the most common styles are the floor mounted fountains & wall fountains. The floor fountains give the most impact and because of their design they are also easily mobile, i. e. moving them is very simple as they are not plumbed into a water supply and depending on the dimensions and material used, they can be easily moved to different locations. Wall fountains look great too like a feature behind the reception desk, however they are not so easily moved as they need to be attached directly to the wall but these are also very popular. Wall fountains can be used in many different ways in offices, as room dividers or in meeting rooms.

If you want to make a huge impression in a lobby or amaze your corporate clients, then slate or marble wall fountains are the best way to display your class and style. Whatever may be the style of your workplace, many varieties of fountains are available that will suit the image you want to project and provide a piece of exquisite art. Office water fountains are an impressive addition to any office space and through little expense; you can reap the benefits of a great investment.