I was given a beat up old shed whose doors don't work for free. I can store things in it, but am wondering if I can't

Terri J
by Terri J
make it look "respectoable" by putting a wooden frame all around it, with hinged doors to lock it up. I have priced the cost of lumber and can't think of any reason not to do it this way instead of spending 3x as much on a new shed. Does anyone have any other ideas or reasons why I shouldn't recover the metal with wood?
  7 answers
  • Terri, That is a great idea. You will save hundreds over purchasing a new shed doing it in that way. Be sure to paint all the door parts on both sides really well so the wood will last you a long time. Why not take some before and after photos so you can post them and brag about your DIY project when your finished!
  • Terri J Terri J on Feb 03, 2012
    I most definitely will take b4 and after shots of this project. Have to watch every nickel and penny I spend doing this, so can you think o any reason why I can't use recycable wood from like an old barn if I can find somewhere around that sells it, instead of new? Then, also should I put anyting on the woo so tha t am not re-doin it every couple of years? I
  • Terri J Terri J on Feb 03, 2012
    Is there any particular type of wood you think would last the longest for this project, paint and clearcoat? I don't want to have to redo any part of it everky few years. Thank you so mucch for all your advice!!!
  • There are lots of plastic types as well as those that will not rot. Aztec is a brand that you can look into. It cuts and looks just like real wood, but its really a man made product that does not warp, rot or decay. Its a it pricey but it will last. Then there is of course treated lumber. Although this stuff will last a long time, it really does not paint up all that well and only comes in dimensional sizes and plywood sheets. Not really a good finish type of material. Most lumber yards and some select home centers may carry this as well. If not they can order it. This link shows you some of the material sizes it comes in. http://www.azek.com/
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Feb 06, 2012
    You may get away with out having to build all the way around the shed...just re-work the door. Depending on how it is configured an internal sliding door would be somewhat protected. can you post a pic of the current non-working door configuration
  • Ricardo B Ricardo B on Feb 09, 2012
    Terri: A long time ago, at the first pre-owned home in Texas far, far from where I am now, I had a metal shed that was sound but rusting. They had dilapidated sliding doors. I re-purposed two-by-four studs for a frame (bolted them onto the flimsy metal opening with the metal sandwiched in the middle for strength. Built two hinged doors with sheathing on the inside and marine plywood on the outside. Made a "Z" design on each with 1X4 (re-purposed) which also helped reinforce them. My largest purchase besides the hardware was the paint. Used a couple of coats of Kilz and two coats of Sears outdoor paint. When we moved eight years later... It's still looked pretty respectable.
  • Capernius Capernius on Jan 26, 2016
    Sometimes, if you get lucky, you will stumble upon someone who has a barn that they want tore down...as payment for tearing it down, you get the wood & anything you find in or about the structure. some times it's a big barn, sometimes not so big. If you come across something like this, you can build a whole new shed for next to nothing. And if you have any wood left over, you can sell it & make a wee bit of money. you won't get rich selling the left overs, but you just might make enough for you to splurge on something you've wanted for a long time. Again, this is MAYBE...nothing in life is certain save for taxes & death.