Sheds are a practical and versatile addition to any farm, providing valuable storage space for implements, machinery, vehicles and stock. However, farm sheds are constantly exposed to heavy-duty wear and tear year round, along with the worst of the weather, so natural deterioration is expected over time. So when is it time to upgrade your shed?
While this tends to be something you put off as long as possible, upgrading your old shed will be necessary at some stage. Whether you are experiencing reoccurring leaks from rusty old iron, have discovered rotten framing, have a huge problem with rodents and birds, or your shed just isn’t big enough anymore – it might be time to think about getting a new shed.
When should a shed be replaced? How do you know when your shed needs replacing or whether you could get away with repairs? There are a few obvious signs that mean a shed replacement is necessary. Here’s what you need to look out for.
Long-standing roof and wall leaks will eventually cause significant damage to your shed, not to mention its contents. Wood that has been continually exposed to dampness, either from direct contact with soil or from water, is prone to rot over time. Any areas of wood that are soft or decaying are a big problem, especially in areas of structural support. While you may get away with replacing the cladding or roofing iron in some instances, when the internal damage is too great, replacing the shed may be a better long-term option.
Like most sheds, a farm shed is constantly exposed to the elements, however they generally face more heavy-duty wear and tear with the continual movement of machinery, vehicles, implements and stock. Signs of excess exterior damage, such as heavily decomposed or rusty iron cladding, broken or missing cladding, rotten framing, foundations or cladding, and structurally damaged roofs that have become unsafe, are a good indication that your farm shed needs replacing.
Old sheds are prone to becoming home to birds, rats, mice, bees, wasps and other pests that leave the shed in a mess and can cause deterioration of the building materials. Generally, these uninvited guests are pretty obvious. You will easily spot bird nests, hives and droppings, but pests can also make their way into wall and roof spaces causing significant destruction over time. Depending on the type of pest and the level of infestation, installing a new shed with modern pest deterrent features may prove easier than attempting to remove the infestation.
Structural issues are the number one reason why you should replace your shed. If the shed is unstable and poses safety risks, it should immediately remain unused and flagged for repair or replacement.
Old sheds were often built to suit their original use many years ago when farms didn’t have a lot of machinery and lower numbers of stock. Nowadays, farm storage needs differ significantly, and storage requirements do, too. Building a new shed means catering to these new needs in much more efficient ways, clear-span sheds, for example, are popular due to fewer internal obstructions, allowing for better storage options.
Is it worth repairing an old shed? The question of whether to replace or repair your shed is a common one many farmers face. On the one hand, saving money wherever you can is important – yet on the other hand, having a reliable shed that best suits your needs is going to save time and money in the future.
Ultimately, choosing whether to replace or repair your shed will come down to how old it is. What exactly is the life expectancy of a shed? If your shed is over 40-50 years old it may very well have seen better days. In which case you probably want to go ahead and replace the shed if the need arises. However, if the structure is still solid, you may get away with replacing the cladding and carrying out a few repairs.
For most rural applications, a question that often comes up when deciding on what kind of shed you will build is whether to stick with the good old tried and tested wooden construction or go with steel framing – let’s take a look at the two options below.
The most popular type of shed built on NZ farms is using wooden framing. Designed to withstand the rugged NZ conditions and extreme temperatures, wooden framing is versatile, affordable and durable. Sheds built with wooden framing are easy to build and highly customisable. Wooden sheds also provide a degree of natural flexibility with the ability to absorb movement that comes in handy in seismic events and the natural expansion and contraction that occurs with extreme temperature changes.
Made from galvanised steel, metal/steel framed sheds are strong, durable, and rot-resistant. They provide excellent structural integrity with a high strength-to-weight ratio, which allows sheds to be built with less framing (longer spans). Dimensional accuracy is increased with steel framing, meaning straight and true walls are easier to achieve. However, where wood can’t rust, steel can. Steel framing is galvanised (coated with a protective layer of zinc) as part of the manufacturing process, but if scratches occur or in places where you have drilled rust can creep in.
There are definitely times when continuing to use an old shed is no longer viable, especially if significant damage has occurred. There are three main benefits to upgrading to a new shed.
Once you have decided to build a new shed, you need to know a few steps in the replacement process.
When building a new shed, one of the big bonuses is the ability to incorporate better pest deterrent/protection. Pest proofing your shed is well worth it in the long run, particularly for woolsheds and implement sheds.
Whether you need a new woolshed, hay shed, cabin, American barn-style shed, or workshop, make sure you purchase your shed from a reputable provider like GreenWood Sheds. Need more info on the different types of farm sheds in NZ or help with deciding on a new shed, get in touch with the team at GreenWood Sheds today.