In backyard there is a 12 by 8? carport

Question

Half of it is enclosed with metal siding. It's not all the way closed off. I would love to transform the shed into a (weatherproof) craft room / she-shed and open half for entertainment by the pool. Any ideas? Think recycled and cheap.

Susan Bechamp · Answer

In the open part, hang canvas drop cloths as curtains you can open or close. (You can spray the canvas with a water resistant product like Thompson water seal.) Add outdoor party light (or Christmas string lights). Cover patio chairs with  the same drop cloth as slipcovers for a high end look, minus the high price. Add a  painted floor cloth, you can paint it yourself. Accent with colorful throws,  pillows and tableware in festive prints. (Thrift stores or dollar stores often have these).  Camouflage items you need to keep  but don't want displayed. Folding decorative screens can be easily built to size needed.

Susan Bechamp · Answer

A floor cloth is a fun way to have a customized rug. Start with a piece of canvas, hemmed on all sides to prevent fraying. With a brush or roller spread primer mixed with gesso on each side and let each side dry. Then apply base coat of paint for background color. When that is dry, design and paint to your hearts content.  When dry, deal with a clear coat. It can be hosed off when it gets dirty. You can roll it up when you don't want to use it.

Susan Bechamp · Answer

Weather proofing the shed. If the existing metal siding has just small gaps, caulking might seal the gaps. 
You could cover the exposed -open part with clear acrylic panels, recycled windows, or with a water proof tarp for temporary coverage. 
Another possibility is to frame out the walls with 2 x 4 lumber and instal proper walls. 4 x 8 sheets of a plywood called T-11 is perhaps the cheapest solid wall. Paint or stain as you would any other wall.  Add windows for daylight and view.

Jennie Lee · Answer

I'm not sure about weatherproofing, but I used to use long porch blinds along the sides of my large, aluminum-roofed porch; very similar situation. They could be raised or lowered for privacy. I actually got them for free; people would throw out ones that were still in good shape; white plastic ones or bamboo ones.

Ilona Elliott · Answer

Using recycled doors to build a wall would be fun, or dismantled pallets.  Painting the slats different colors looks artsy. The canvas drop cloth idea is great too because you can hang them like heavy curtains and open and close at will. I saw a man once use tarps strung up and hung very tautly to enclose a porch into a work room for his saws and remodeling tools--white or silver tarps sometimes available at Harbor Freight would work and be cheap! Hanging a couple of recycled old windows would add light inside and charm inside and out.

Annie Medic · Answer

Pallets: http://diycozyhome.com/turn-a-carport-into-a-barn/

Jay · Answer

Wow! Everyone has such fantastic idea!

In backyard there is a 12 by 8? carport

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In backyard there is a 12 by 8? carport

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