3 Reasons that Men Love Sheds

It goes without saying that the shed is the man’s domain. Especially when we get a bit older, hanging out in the shed is a relaxing experience and the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Many women often wonder why this is the case, but they come to except that it’s just part of being a man. We make no apologies for the stereotype! In actually fact, studies have shown that spending time in a shed is actually good for a man’s physical and emotional health, so we might not be generalising at all. Let’s take a look at the main advantages of having your own shed and why it can do amazing things for your wellbeing.

     1. It gets you away from the nagging

Again, this is quite a generalisation but working out in the shed means you don’t have to put up with the kids and wife being on your case all day. Ultimately, it’s a quiet space that allows you to unwind and be alone for a few hours. Bliss. Plus you’re able to get your mind off the hustle bustle of day to day life. No other place in the home is as safe as the shed and a man need somewhere to cool off if things get too stressful.

    2. It allows you to get creative

There are a lot of ways for a bloke to demonstrate his creativity. Some of us cook, some of us write music, some of us paint. But one of the best we can express our creativity (and our manliness no less) is to build things. Whether it’s a chicken coop, a deck or a fence, there’s tools in your shed that are crucial in order to get the job done. Some men opt to enjoy their other hobbies in the safety of their shed including train sets, exercise equipment and pool tables, for instance. The shed is a place where we get to work, create or simply play games! Many a great idea has been dreamed up in a shed...

    3. It doesn’t have to be well decorated

Let be honest guys, more often than not, the ladies call the shots in regards to how we decorate the interior of the house. There’s no way we’d be choosing those pink flower curtains or feminine wallpaper. Another great thing about a shed is that we don’t have to worry about making sure it’s well decorated, or even that it’s neat and tidy. While many men love to have a shed that looks great as well as having a relaxed vibe, many would prefer to not have to worry about keeping it looking picture perfect round the clock.

We’ve discussed some of the biggest factors that make having a shed so important to a man. The result is that we spend around 24 days on average per year in the man cave and we have better relationships and happier marriages as a result!

American Barns and Their Uses

More and more American style barns are cropping up all over the country - and for good reason! Great to look at and easy to maintain, they have a very interesting history, obviously originating over the in the states.

The classic American style barn that we all know so well is called the Prairie Barn. These large barns were originally built to store large quantities of hay and other farming materials, catering for the ever growing cattle population in America in the early 19th century. Prairie Barns share many of the features that can be found in Dutch Barns that were used by many of the first settlers in America.

The Prairie Barn is often painted red and white for a number of reasons. Many farmers would add rust to their linseed oil wood sealant mixture to prevent moss and fungi from growing on their barns. Also, around the time that these barns first become popular additions to larger farms, red paint was the cheapest available at the time and set a trend that is still at large today.

The Bank barn, which is similar but more rectangular, is another common sight on American farms. Its two level design allows cattle and livestock to be housed on the lower level with large storage capacity on the upper level. These were popular on smaller livestock farms where a hill or mount was present. When no geographical hill or mound was available, many farmers built the bank itself for the purpose of making a bank barn.

Crib barns have traditionally featured on smaller farms where storage capacity was needed to cohabitate with livestock. These smaller barns allow a living quarter for up to six animals - usually horses - while the upper levels are used for the storage of food or other farm materials. Many farmers convert these into stables as they’re quite similar.

Many of these different barn types are cropping up all over the country and with so many different uses for them, you can see why. With huge storage capacity sited on a relatively small area footprint, the Prairie barn is a great addition to any farm. It offers farmers an excellent space for a work house that doubles up as storage throughout the year, making it both an icon of American farming history and an efficient working building that has stood the test of time.

The Shed: Every Man’s Place of Refuge

Servicing the Central Coast, Custom Sheds specialises in supplying cost effective shed solutions for commercial and residential purposes. We’ve operated in the industry for many years and the reason we’ve become such a trusted name is because of our versatility. Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive, small shed that you can have installed with minimum fuss, or you’re after a dwelling build specifically for you needs, we can help you out.

If you’re like us, having and working in a shed is an important part of being a bloke. You might consider it a generalisation, but it’s fair to say that the shed is the man’s domain. It’s the place we go when we want to be along and mull things over. Women generally take control of the home and choose to decorate it in a certain way; flowery wallpaper and drapes come immediately to mind. But the shed is purely a functional place full of tools and not decorated to any great extent. It is untouched by the woman of the house and in many ways acts as an escape, a refuge - if you will - for the common man.

This notion has been explored in Australia and throughout the UK, as health experts have been setting up communal sheds for middle aged men to get together, do some handiwork and chat about their health. The idea has been to create a relaxed environment where men feel at home and comfortable enough to face facts about their own health.

Older men, who often have a lot of time on their hands to take things a part, fix things (or try to) and perform all manner of jobs around the house, can be quite reluctant and sceptical about their need to visit a doctor. These communal sheds allow these men to do what they love doing while gaining a perspective on their own wellbeing and what they need to do to remain healthy.

Frankly, we commend the idea. It’s great because it harnesses men’s love of sheds and physical labour and uses it to communicate important health message to them. We tip our hats!

The Central Coast's First Choice for Granny Flats

Located on the Central Coast, Custom Sheds specialises in supplying DIY and custom designed sheds for industrial, domestic and commercial purposes. With expert knowledge and years of experience constructing everything from barns and stables to garages, workshops and other speciality buildings, we're the people to talk to if you're looking at extending your living space and building a separate dwelling on your property.

 

Granny flats are becoming increasingly popular and can make for an affordable option, whether custom built or a kit home. Self contained and easy on the eyes, a secondary dwelling can increase the value of your property greatly and provide that extra space needed if the family has outgrown the house. Obviously, the name comes from the common arrangement where elderly people move in with family members, and a dwelling needs to be installed to house them. Granny flats are also very popular for property owners interested in generating income and/or board by renting this living space out to other people. 

DIY Options

Custom Sheds provides a range of granny flat solutions that will fit your budget. The basic DIY designs can be viewed on our website, though we also recommend that you visit our Central Coast granny flat display and have a chat to one of our experts if you are interested in this option. DIY flats start from $14,900 including delivery and come with a range of features as standard. To build to loc up stage:

Custom Built

The other option is to have Custom Sheds design and build a granny flat catered specifically to your needs. This includes all the features needed for the flat to be fully self contained and we consult with town planners to ensure you receive a high quality dwelling that fits your budget. These flats are 60m2 with two bedrooms. Prices for custom built granny flats start at $75,000 and we can also take care of all the council licensing requirements for an additional cost. These prices are very reasonable considering the features that are included that you save you further costs after the work is completed.

All of our fully built granny flats on the Central Coast come with the following features as standard.

• All Colorbond - Roof, Walls,  Gutters
• 2 glass doors with deadlocks and barrier screens
• 5 Windows with screens
• Gas cook top and oven
• Robes & Cupboards with 4 shelves
• Tiling in bathroom
• Tiling in kitchen area
• Rinnai Infinity hot water system
• Home Warranty insurance
• Plumbing connection to existing sewer
• Connection to gas and electricity (extra Meter may be required for additional cost)
• 12 power points, 10 light fittings

More information about these flats can be viewed on our website. To discuss you requirements and get a quote, please call Custom Sheds and find out what we can do for you.

The Advantages of using Colorbond for Sheds

If you are considering building or having someone build an industrial shed for your business, you’ve probably considered going with the Colorbond option. Whether your intention is to store excess tools and materials in the shed or even to turn it into a mini garage, the important factors to look out for when shed shopping is the strength, durability and design of the shed. Even if a warranty is offered, it is always important to do some background research and find out about the company’s experience.

There are many reasons why you should strongly consider Colorbond sheds. For one, Colorbond has become one of the most trusted materials when it comes to sheds, roofing, garages and pretty much all things steel related. Colorbond is ideal for industrial purposes as it has a very durable quality of steel made to last in the long term. Its Zincalume base is resistant to corrosions and the finishing on the paint helps it to resist any peeling, blistering or flaking from ordinary weather conditions. The secret to using Zincalume steel and an oven-baked paint finish has been scientifically tested throughout a wide variety of Australian locations undergoing temperamental weather conditions of all sorts. This research has categorically proven that Colorbond sheds are reliable with a very long life span.

As well as the durability within the steel, each shed is cyclone rated, so in the unlikely event of such a catastrophe your structure has a good chance of surviving. Each and every shed produced by Colorbond is backed up by BlueScope Steel, which enhances the performance of the shed and is used as the roofing and walling for the sheds themselves. Due to the integration of BlueScope Steel, the warranty for durability is up to 15 years.

Colorbond steel allows for a quick yet economical construction of industrial sheds whilst maintaining a very high standard of strength and durability. The construction of these sheds is very efficient given the flexibility of the material in terms of how it is put together. These sheds are engineered for quick and easy construction for on-site assembly, saving you time and money. The worries of having the right tools and equipment are eliminated as each component is supplied according to the precise specifications required by each individual shed. This avoids any wastage in supply or time on site.

The higher the quality of your industrial sheds, the higher the added value is to your property. Colorbond has been in the industry of manufacturing sheds for as long as time and as a result the variety of shapes, sizes and colours is almost countless. This means you have an almost guaranteed assurance that you will find a colour that will perfectly coordinate with your surrounding property structures. In the event that you are unable to find a suitable shed for your property, there is the possibility of customising one that suits your specific needs.

Advantages of Installing a Granny Flat

No one would say no to extra space in their house. There are certain times when having a bit more room can be very helpful such as the arrival of guests, having the kids’ friends over, and even accommodating elders. However, it can be very expensive to renovate a house, and you have to deal with all sorts of building regulations and codes. People that live on large properties can always have small or steel garages, but not everybody has that option. A granny flat, or secondary dwelling, can be an alternative.

What is a granny flat?

A granny flat, or a secondary dwelling, is a self-contained structure built within or onto a house. These are traditionally suitable for elderly parents - hence there name - who are looking for a quiet and personal living space close to their grown-up children. They can take many forms such as converted basements, steel garages, detached cottages, and attached apartments. Many shed-like options can be installed quite inexpensively if you opt to do-it-yourself.

Advantages
There are lots of advantages that come with putting in a granny flat. First of all, it gives you an extra space when your family is getting too big for the relatively cheaply. Depending on the type of granny flat that is installed, some can be dismantled without any hassle. Granny flats are becoming a popular option among the people and the concerned authorities are also planning to relax the rules and regulations on building granny flats as well.

Further considerations

There are a number of things you need to consider before you build a granny flat. Although they are very basic and simply structured, you will still need to spend some time in the designing and planning phase. If you ignore the land or the design layout, you may end up with a structure that has numerous problems in like poor ventilation, sewer/drainage problem and so on. You should go for a properly designed plan and layout which includes all the important aspects of construction. In addition, steel garages and secondary dwellings should be installed/set up by a reputable supplied or builders. If it is a DIY shed, however, chances are it’s quite easy to install. Although the materials for granny flats are quite cheap, there are many variations in quality. It always pays to do your homework.

Price

You can buy DIY steel garages or hire a company that will build you separate dwelling for a fixed fee. The price of these granny flats widely varies depending on quality and design. However, you can get a 60m2 granny flat with two rooms that will cost you from $4000.00 to $75,000 approx.

Places to Look for Steel Garage Manufacturers in New South Wales

If you are looking for manufacturers of steel garages, garage doors, roofs or sheds, then it’s not all that difficult to find a company that can help you out. There are literally thousands of suppliers around the country and you will also find hundreds right here in New South Wales. Many of these companies stock a wide range in their catalogue and have very competitive prices. Unfortunately, these manufacturers differ in terms of the quality of their products and the service provided, and some might not be able to handle your order and offer you a long term solution.

Garage and Workshop

In fact there are a few manufacturers who utilise poor quality materials in their products and also make lots mistakes in the measurement and installation of garage doors, roof and sheds, for instance. If you select a negligent manufacturer with poor quality standards or a company that doesn’t have the necessary experience, it can potentially cost you a fortune in the long run. That’s why you’ve got to take the time to find and select only the best manufacturer to ensure you are choosing from the best garages NSW can offer.

Although there are many ways to find out about manufacturers of steel garages, roofs and shed in the print media newspaper, we would recommend you look for them on the internet. Though the classified ads will give you a big list of manufacturers, they are unable to give you comprehensive information about the company. On the other hand, you can get customer feedback along with business details of the manufacturer from the internet. This is why the internet is considered a great place to look for steel garage manufacturers and other types of products. You can also find out about manufacturers through referral by asking friends and relatives for information about a quality manufacturer, though they may not have always used one. If you are adventurous enough, you might also visit a few construction sites or if you’re in construction yourself, ask a few of your contacts in the industry. Trade fairs and export shows are another great place to find competent manufacturers of steel garages, as these companies participate in such events on a regular basis.

Steel Garage

There are a number of things that you should consider before you select a steel garage manufacturer. Price is definitely a significant consideration. You will see that different manufacturers have different rates for the same products either as a sales promotion or special discount offer. However, the price alone should not be the decisive factor when you are looking for quality garage doors, sheds or even a roof. If you’re always going for the cheapest option, there’s a strong chance that you might be buying poor quality products. So don’t forget to do some market research and compare the prices of all the manufacturers. You should also find out about the service warranty, delivery, product range and customer feedback of a company before you place an order with them. Keep these tips in mind if you are looking for a steel garage door, shed, or roof manufacturer in NSW.