or fixed (nonoperable)—
these cost half as much.
Heating and Cooling
If you live in a moderate cli-
mate, you might be able to
survive the winter with an
electric space heater, and
the summer with a couple of
window fans.
But most of the country
requires a heater to stay
warm through winter. Two
small oil-filled electric
radiators can take the chill
out of your shed in minutes,
particularly in regions with
shorter winters. For colder
climes, opt for a portable
or wall-mounted electric
or propane heater. (Your
electrician will suggest the
size and style of heater best
suited to your situation.)
A single 1,500-watt radia-
tor produces enough heat to
warm 150 sq. ft. of space.
To cool your office
during hot, humid sum-
mers, a small window air
conditioner with a cool-
ing capacity up to 6,500
BTU will suffice. Be aware
that air conditioners typ-
ically require a dedicated,
12-amp electrical circuit.
Sheds don’t often have
passive ventilation, but you
can add it by installing sof-
fit vents and a ridge vent.
The two work in combina-
tion by admitting fresh air
at the soffits, which rises
and then pushes hot air out
the ridge vent.Doors
Shed doors aren’t weather-
proof and they provide
little security, so replace
the existing door with an
exterior-grade entry door.
Choose an entry door made
of wood, fiberglass, or steel,
and install a lockset and
deadbolt. A fiberglass
door is particularly low-
maintenance. You’ll likely
have to reframe the existing
doorway opening to accom-
modate the new entry door
(see page 54).Walls and Ceiling
For insulation in the walls,
ceiling, and f loor, fiber-FOUNDATION
For sheds on
concrete blocks,
check that...
□ Each block
supports the
shed (opposed to
shifted/sunk)
□ Each block is
free of cracks.For sheds on
concrete slabs,
check that...
□ The slab is free
of bad cracks
(hairline cracks
are okay)
□ The slab is
level within ½ in.
across the length
and width.FLOOR
Walk across the
floor to ensure
that...
□ It doesn’t
bounce up and
down
□ It doesn’t sag
between the
floor joists.
If necessary, lay
more plywood
on top, or replace
the old floor
deck with ¾-in.
plywood to
create a stiffer,
stronger floor.ROT
Check the
following for rot:
□ Floor frame/
floor deck
□ Perimeter
band joists/floor
joists
□ Corner posts/
poles (in
pole-barn sheds)
□ Wall studs/
wall sheathing/
siding
□ Ceiling joists/
collar ties/rafters
□ Plywood roof
sheathing/roof
shingles.WATER
LEAKS
Check all
components
for signs of
water damage,
including:
□ Dark water
stains
□ Damp areas
on the under-
side of the roof
sheathing
□ Wet spots
on the floor.
If any part of
your roof system
shows evidence of
a leak, replace it.March/April 2021 53YOUR SHED
INSPECTION
CHECKLIST