small workspace wood vs metal

[Alistair]

hi guys, now that winter is well on its way the wife has agreed to let me build a small workspace outside the back door it will be going where my bench used to be. as you can see from the photos its not a huge space and the idea of a lean to is out of the window as the main reason for her letting me build it is to get all my tools out the house!! so it needs to be lockable from all thieving scallywags. now.. the question is, do i build a wooden shed structure or purchase a metal shed off e bay, the metal ones i have seen 8ftx6ft and £180 delivered. (flat pack) not sure you can see off the photos but there is armoured cable running down the wall which will go to a fuse board in the shed for lighting and power. if i go for the wooden idea what do i have to do for fireproofing? and how costly is this? any ideas greatly appriciated

 

[rtbcomp]

A neighbour bought a flat-pack steel shed and it is paper-thin. I guess the strength was in the plastic coating.

I would go for wood, it will be warmer and you'll get less condensation.

I built a small wooden lean-to some years ago and the only maintenance it's needed was a quick spray over with preservative once a year.

 

[Alistair]

any ideas on fire proofing the wooden one? it will have all my tools in and if i lost them to a fire i would be up poo creek without a paddle for sure!

 

[rtbcomp]

Don't quite understand the objection to a lean-to. Is that your wall (with the power cable) on the left of the bottom picture?

Lining with fire-resistant board would help,

 

[Alistair]

no its not my wall but the guy next door has no objections to me fixing into it i have asked. a lean to will be fine just as long as i can lock it and its secure, when someone suggested a lean to i imagined it being open ended. my mistake.

 

[Luke]

My parents have a small steel 'shed' for their garden furniture. When I visit, I make sure not to pass wind near it, it's that fragile.

If you just roofed over that whole area, I'm guessing you'd be in trouble for killing all the light to those two windows?

 

[Alistair]

im afraid so luke, the back room is quite dark as it is so she has laid down the guidelines very clearly

 

[pedrobedro]

Put some clear pvc corrugated sheeting up for a roof and you will still have plenty of light in there. My friend has a steel shed and has spent as much again as it originally cost on insulation to stop the condensation inside it. Make a lean to and the kitchen extractor can warm it as well I have used this and it is perfect for your setup there and you already have the floor sorted. If you roof all the lot with clear she could dry the washing under it as well

 

[john224]

hi guys, now that winter is well on its way the wife has agreed to let me build a small workspace outside the back door it will be going where my bench used to be. as you can see from the photos its not a huge space and the idea of a lean to is out of the window as the main reason for her letting me build it is to get all my tools out the house!! so it needs to be lockable from all thieving scallywags. now.. the question is, do i build a wooden shed structure or purchase a metal shed off e bay, the metal ones i have seen 8ftx6ft and £180 delivered. (flat pack) not sure you can see off the photos but there is armoured cable running down the wall which will go to a fuse board in the shed for lighting and power. if i go for the wooden idea what do i have to do for fireproofing? and how costly is this? any ideas greatly appriciated

Dozen roof trusses from under top window to wall- Clear pvc roof pannels door in ally way , Door on garden end,, All space useable Lockably and plenty of light ,,,

 

[the snooper]

i would use the two brick walls then just build a back and front to fit between both and put on a steel roof pvc roof = weak point for scallywags and as above two doors opposit each other if this is also access to your rear garden.
you would also then have a concrete floor no problem welding

 

[rtbcomp]

You could use a clear polycarbonate roof with a steel mesh for security.

Don't forget you'll need a slope to carry rainwater away.

 

[the snooper]

isnt polycarb expensive

 

[Omniata]

Quite a bit, not if you work for a manufacturer but to end user extortionate....

From the job I do you'd probably be looking in the region of ~£500, or more, to cover that plot

 

[Alistair]

thanks for everyones suggestions guys, the wife has agreed to let me go wall to wall now!!! so bonus!!! i will post some pictures when i have finally sorted exactly how much of the space she will let me use