Shed question - not a big deal but what would you do?

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

I've just (finally!) got a new shed, DH kindly built it for me with no trouble but once it went together we found a small problem.

The shed is in a corner of our walls, however there is not a lot of room to walk round the front corner of the shed and we need to go past with bins etc. But we found that the wooden strips that come down the front of the roof stick out quite a bit further than I expected, and end in a sharp corner just at head height which I've already collided with painfully.

So I think there are two options - either to pad the sticking-out corner somehow, or to saw the end off so it doesn't stick out so far from the end of the roof.

My dilemma is that the shed is going to be stained brown, but I had planned to paint the trim on the roof with some leftover blue garden paint to brighten it up a bit. But am now thinking that will look a bit rubbish if I have to put a big padding thing on the end. But if we saw it shorter (which would now have to be done in place - would have been easier if we'd realised before it was on) then I'm a bit worried it will end up looking wonky unless we can do a very good job of it, and very noticeable if it's painted (and we'd also have to shorten the other side as well I suppose so it didn't look odd).

Any thoughts on which would be best, or other suggestions please? Or any tips on how to get a nice neat/straight cut if we went for the sawing option? Thanks!

(PS if you aren't sure what I mean see the picture here and look at the sticking-out point on the right - only ours seems to stick out even further!).

Actually while I am on shed questions, here's another if that's not too cheeky

My other dilemma is what to do about the inside of the shed. I've already started treating the outside, it's a medium, slightly reddish brown (a bit conker-coloured). The shed is in a relatively gloomy corner though so I was wondering whether using the same inside will make it too dark.

But on the other hand, if I paint the inside instead (with anything light enough to make a difference...) then it's likely to get very dirty, as it's going to be a functional shed mainly (tools, compost, mud etc - the first spiders have already moved in, though they may end up getting painted if they're not careful!). So I am dithering!!

Bump!

Hi Inigo. I don't know anything about sheds or DIY but have had a look at your pic. TBH I don't think the corner sticks out that far and I think you would very quickly get used to it and duck without even thinking about it. However, it may also be worth thinking about making it more obvious instead of padding it or reducing it. In my workplace there is a blind corner with a fire extinguisher hanging on the wall immediately on the other side - every day someone would catch an arm or leg on the extinguisher just by being too close to the wall as they walked round the corner. So we put a coat stand on the corner so that people had to veer out as they cornered and automatically avoided the extinguisher. Not sure if that makes ANY sense at all but what I'm saying is maybe hang a bird feeder or a wind chime on the corner so that it catches your eye and you dodge it, so dodging the sharp corner at the same time.

The inside of our shed isn't painted and seems none the worse for it, if the wood is pre-treated I don't think you need to paint it at all. I wouldn't bother but if you really want to, then I would go for the light paint - at least you will be able to see everything easily.

Have you put the gutters on yet?

The overhang provides a sufficient run off from the roof. If you shorten it the rain will hit the walls as it runs off and they will rot quicker

I would probably put a pot underneath the sticky out bit to force me to walk around it. Would that work?

Thanks for all the replies!

Making the corner more obvious could work. I will have a think about it... if we just put a pot there, I would be worried about bending over (even to fuss with the pot!) and then whacking heads when straightening up. But the suggestion of hanging something off it might work, or combining the two things.

I hadn't thought about gutters, it didn't come with any - do you usually have them on sheds?

The point about the walls rotting is a good one. I sort of assumed the ends were sticking out for a reason, it's just that they seem to stick out so much more than the rest of the roof (more than in that picture I'm sure!).

The shed was pre-treated but said you should treat it again soon after building it. I've already put on a clear solvent-based wood protector, inside and out but it did say you should use paint or water-based stuff over the top of that too. Although I'm not sure whether the inside is so critical, presumably that would be at less risk of rot etc than the outside...

Is the wood protector something like Cuprinol Clear? If so, it soaks into the wood and is very effective. Pay special attention to the bearers touching the ground or slabs, and the cladding within a foot of the ground, it will rot first because it will be dampest. Water is the enemy of wood that is no longer a tree.

Yes, gutters are important. They will reduce the amount of water splashing up from the ground, and you can lead the down pipe, at least downhill, or preferably into a drain.

Once the preserver is dry, you can paint the inside, I suggest white masonry paint which is inexpensive in large tubs. It is like emulsion paint, but more durable. I use it inside my garage. As it withstands wind and weather, you can if necessary wet-wash it, though timber should generally be kept dry. White paint will reflect light, and make it much brighter inside. You can get a few cheap LED lanterns from Aldi or Wilko, which are surprisingly effective.

Unless the exterior has already been treated with a varnish or oil-based stain, you can use a decorative water-based shed and fence treatment, which leaves a waxy water-repellent coat and is very easy to re-coat after 5 years or so. I like to apply three coats in one day (once it has hardened, the wax prevents more coats adhering, until it has weathered and lost its shine). Some fence stains are for rough wood only, look for one that mentions sheds and says it can be used on smooth planed wood.

Yes it was Cuprinol Clear and then I've been using their Ducksback stuff over the top on the outside. We gave the base a couple of coats with the clear stuff before building the shed to make sure it got a good coating (and all the exposed bits are getting the other stuff on top as well). It's standing on concrete with a bit of a slope (with some wooden supports to level it out), so hopefully should have reasonably good drainage.

I'll look at the gutters thing, thanks. There is a drain nearby so that should be easy enough, or I could get a water butt I suppose and make use of it.

The masonry paint is a good tip too, thanks! - looks like it is a good bit cheaper than the fancy garden paint. I was thinking of getting some of those LED lights too.

The idea of hanging something off the sticking-out corner is really growing on me! - in fact I am wondering about a small (not too heavy) hanging basket or plant pot in a holder - that ought to look nice and give some head-hitting warning too.