Small shed ideas?

[Fuddy1952]

This is one of those "30 years ago it was nice" things.
Near the house, other side of driveway is a small block garden shed in good shape and useful. Then there's a well house, then another block shed for woodshop, also good shape. Years ago I added onto that shed for a fish pond, then screened it in.
Nice for a few years then a headache. I gave the pond away (so now a hole to fill), aquariums, pumps, etc. That "shed" is falling apart except roof and corner posts are ok.
1st picture is garden shed, then woodshed, then the was-a-small-fishpond shed.
What's the best choice (since it would be handy having a shed for push mowers, trimmers, etc.).
1) tear it down and concrete floor fill in hole, plant grass.
2) tear down bad parts leaving posts, fill hole, tamp then 4" or so concrete. Enclose it, new 36" door, metal roof (replace fiberglass although it doesn't leak).
3) tear it down, fill hole, put a pre-built 8ft x 12ft shed there. Easy, but wouldn't match.
4) have my contractor friend help me, he could work it in with other jobs he has (he lives a mile away). He would match what's there (roof pitch). It would be super nice, a little larger, but not cheap...a few $K.
My wife likes idea 2. I know a little about building things, not a lot. I'd use pressure treated lumber.
Thanks in advance. All ideas appreciated as always!

 

[EddieWalker]

Why would you use pressure treated lumber if you didn't have to? nothing warps more, it's more money, it's horrible to work with .

I would do number 4

 

[TnAndy]

Pressure "treated" lumber today is crap. IF you can find CCA treated lumber from an agriculture supply place, you've found real pressure treated. The AQC treated stuff they sell for residential use is crap. Here is an example of a post on my deck that failed after 7-8 years.

Tag still on some of the lumber:

 

[herm0016]

plan 3. i think.

 

[dragoneggs]

1 if you don't need or will use it.
2 you probably won't be happy about it the end.
3 if you want done fast and easy and cheap.
4 if you want it done nice and plan to enjoy it for years to come.

 

[JDAOWNER]

HAPPY WIFE--HAPPY LIFE!!

 

[goeduck]

I would keep the good portions so a combination of 2 and 4. But first I would get the vegetative growth away from the sheds. Except that cool rose in pic 1

 

[Fuddy1952]

Pressure "treated" lumber today is crap. IF you can find CCA treated lumber from an agriculture supply place, you've found real pressure treated. The AQC treated stuff they sell for residential use is crap. Here is an example of a post on my deck that failed after 7-8 years.

Tag still on some of the lumber:

From what I read UC3B is light duty. Probably should have been UC4A or B.
(Not that I know what I'm talking about )

New AWPA standards for treated lumber - ProWood Lumber
New AWPA standards for treated lumber - ProWood Lumber

 

[Fuddy1952]

Just a quick thank-you guys! Lots of ideas helps make a better decision.

 

[Alien]

I prefer metal sheds on concrete. They last forever. Anything I build now has a steel frame. That treated timber is a lottery. I have some that only lasted about 6 - 7 years and disintegrated.

 

[Oaktree]

I prefer metal sheds on concrete. They last forever. Anything I build now has a steel frame. That treated timber is a lottery. I have some that only lasted about 6 - 7 years and disintegrated.

Matter of opinion, I've always thought they looked tacky. After a few years they rust, and if they're not well bolted down a good strong wind will trash them.
Give me a shed made out of wood any day of the week.

 

[goeduck]

I do not put my shed posts in the ground as many do, I use concrete in the ground and bracket the posts. I cannot believe they are going to disintegrate anytime soon

 

[Alien]

I saw my first metal sheds about 55 years ago. I have never seen one rust or be blown over yet. All sheds here have steel frames and meet cyclone regulations and are made of Bluescope and colourbond steel. I would take one over timber any day.

 

[tallyho8]

If you do use any treated lumber, make sure it is GROUND RATED, not above ground rated as in the photo. I used some above ground rated 2 X 12s from Home Depot for my steps 5 years ago and they are completely rotted now. The 4 X 4 and 4 X 6 ground rated posts I sank into the ground are still like new.

 

[denchen]

I used scaffold polls in the ground of some uprights. The steel scaffold poles go into the ground but I drilled a hole about a foot below ground level, and put a long bolt through and are concreted in. The poles go about 4 foot up above ground and are drilled and bolted to 4 x 3 upright timbers. The bottom of the timbers are about a foot from the ground. I`ve no idea how long the construction will last, but I guess it will out live me and the guy who finally has the job of digging them up will bless me.

 

[Diggin It]

It's all about your ground and environment. I pulled up some 4x4s in the last few weeks that have been down 15 years or so. All solid. Some had concrete, others didn't. The ones that did, still do ... locked onto the posts (which made them much harder to lift). They'll all be going back into the ground for a new project. I haven't had any treated boards or posts decay due to weather or ground contact alone. I have had several completely destroyed by insects to the point of being little more than cardboard.

I've seen metal rust to foil in a few years. I've seen metal sheds on concrete rusted so badly you could push them over by hand. I've dug up other metal (old corrugated tin roofing) that has been buried for much longer, discarded by the previous owner of the property that was intact enough to be painted and reused.

The shed I recently built/added on to is metal on wood posts in the ground. I made sure to keep the ends of the metal panels a few inches above ground. It's not even close to being airtight or critter proof, but it keeps the rain off things.