Anyone know anything about metal sheds?

[VerySideways]

Need to put a concrete base in my front garden and then put some sort of motorcycle storage building on it, prefer something more secure than a wooden shed.

Any thoughts/experience from the assembled masses?

[Smiler.]

I've had one for years - excellent bit of kit. I don't think they build 'em like they used to though.

Mine is over 15 years old, cost £400 then, was made in Wales boyo & bolts together with a marine ply floor. It was called quite aptly a 'BikeSafe'.

It's big enough for me to ride the bike in at a squeeze.

The only thing I was going to add was an electric tubular hearer to keep the moisture out, which can get quite bad in Winter - I don't use it for bikes now.

I'm not sure whether the company is still going, I'll have a look tonight to see if I still have the paperwork.

[Blues]

Pete, i think i read / heard somewhere that you might need to check for planning permission if you are putting in a concrete based for shed within 'n' metres of a boundary.
On the other hand, it may be bks

[phillvr6]

I remember reading something on another thread. Providing its over 1m from your boundry, under 4m high and not brick built your OK. IIRC.

[john_r]

We'll be getting one shortly too, so we can empty the second garage for the GTR, so would be interested in what you end up doing. And the planning permission bit too if that turns out to be relevant?

Been recommended this place: http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/ - they have a big section on metal buildings in the sheds section I think?

[VerySideways]

Checked already, only needs to be 1m away from boundary if it's more than 15m2 and mine won't be.

Even a garage doesn't need planning permission in most situations if it's less than 15m2...

Very helpful government site (weird, i know!): http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en...

[VerySideways]

john_r said:

Been recommended this place: http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/ - they have a big section on metal buildings in the sheds section I think?

They seem expensive.
This place http://www.shedstore.co.uk have more choice (including some of the same items at better prices) and are Caversham based in case anything goes wrong (mind you they get good reviews from what i can find).

[Smiler.]

VerySideways said:

john_r said:

Been recommended this place: http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/ - they have a big section on metal buildings in the sheds section I think?

They seem expensive.
This place http://www.shedstore.co.uk have more choice (including some of the same items at better prices) and are Caversham based in case anything goes wrong (mind you they get good reviews from what i can find).

Blimey, if you think they're expensive: http://www.mk-containers-ukwide.co.uk/motorcycle-g...

The difference is in the build I guess.

You could try this place: http://www.tedssheds.co.uk/

Teds' Sheds

[VerySideways]

Sorry Neil, i meant expensive as in like-for-like - two places that sell exactly the same shed, one for £300 and one for £400.
I'm currently looking at a £950 built-for-purpose motorcycle garage

[felga]

Hi
I just bought this one
http://www.shedstore.co.uk/itemlist.php/Absco/Rege...
but You have to remember about the height. It`s usually 1.6-1.8 m on sides and 1.8-2.0m in the centre with doors height not more than 1.8m.

It takes about 3-4 hr to put together + base build.
I went for wooden base , ply boards. But on top I`ve add another 4x2 upright So it`s increasing overall height by 4inches ( about 10cm) Which then is ok to use as workshop where You can stand . (I`m 180cm tall btw)
I`ll pst some pic`s later.

[VerySideways]

felga said:

I`ll pst some pic`s later.

Cool, that would be great, thanks.

[SVTRick]

There is a debate about this here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... a cafe for a meeting near Woking?

Old School cafe at Longcross does a good feed and have some large tables out back.

[VerySideways]

SVTRick said:

VerySideways said:

Nothing so sinister... yet.
Need to lay a 10cm foundation for my "motorbike garage" - total area will be about 10m2.

You want to lay a base 100mm x 10m x 10m thats easy 10cu Metres
Thats too thin for an area that large.
Needs to be at least 200mm in depth with some 10mm road mat reinforcement
with 150mm compacted material such as MOT Type 1 for base.

Are you sure you just want a base big enough for a bike.
1m wide x 2m long x 100mm in depth?
While your at it put in a steel security loop to lock the bike down into.
Or keep it simple and just bed some heavy paving slabs down on a lean mix base.

Thought i'd pull it back this way - need an area 2.8m by 1.7m as a base for the "garage" and an additional area for turning the bike around. The people who make the bike garage say the concrete base should be 100mm thick, and the garage is then bolted to the base.

So i reckon 5.6m x 1.7m x 0.1m is roughly a cubic metre of concrete. Are you saying i should be doing something else?

[SVTRick]

A base consisting of just 100mm of concrete will never be very strong and is likley to fracture.
You will need to prepare for your base.
Grub out and remove enough soil and materail down to a depth of at least 200mm
Place a sub-base of compacted material such as MOT Type 1 or fine hardcore such as broken bricks, concrete and stone, blind in with a little as raised ballast.

Compact this down with a hand rammer to form a firm sub-base about 75mm in depth.
Place some timber frame work to form your shuttering, surpported externally with timber pegs driven into the ground.
The top of your shuttering should be at the level at which you want your concrete
to finish off at.
Then place some reinforcement mesh on small blocks so its about half way into your
concrete slab.
Your concrete slab will now be 125mm thick and supported by a firm base.
Either mix up cement and ballast by hand or use a hired mixer.
( I know many Truck Mixer Drivers but spare concrete is like rocking horse poo when you need it )
Ready mix in small loads will require a morgage but takes the hassle away from
mixing it yourself, or try one of the Batch Mixer Firms who turn up and mix what you want.
I would use as least a C30 mix if not C40 for strength.

Or you get all the materials and we have a base making BBQ at your place.
I can bring all the tools and we can hand mix it.
Make Base - Burn off the pies, sit back and drink all your beer Hic !

[MartinD]

VerySideways said:

Need to put a concrete base in my front garden and then put some sort of motorcycle storage building on it, prefer something more secure than a wooden shed.

Any thoughts/experience from the assembled masses?

Pete, I've just seen this on gumtree if your still looking.
http://www.gumtree.com/london/15/36334715.html

[VerySideways]

Rick, BBQ sounds like the best idea so far :-)

Martin - thanks!

[SVTRick]

VerySideways said:

Rick, BBQ sounds like the best idea so far :-)

Martin - thanks!

Maybe hook up with Fraser
He is building the mother of BBQ's