A backyard shed is a dream for most of us. So when you have plans to construct a backyard shed in your property, it is important to understand the different types of wood that should be used. While buying the wood look, the performance and durability of the wood for shed building should be considered.
Listed here are different types of wood for building your dream shed to store yard tools, lawnmowers, and all the outdoor toys.
Framing lumber
Framing lumber is also called ‘construction-grade lumber’ which is usually 1-1/2 inch thick solid fir or spruce. Even 2×4 or measurement of 1-1/2 inch x 3-1/2 inch is a common type of lumber framing that is used to construct the backyard shed. The wooden shed would have an underlying wall and roof frame that would be built with 2×4 framing lumber.
Pressure-Treated Lumber
Pressure-treated lumber is similar to regular framing lumber. The difference is that pressure-treated lumber is factory treated to prevent or reduce the deterioration. Pressure-treated lumber can be considered anytime wood is used in the application that is drilled a few inches inside the soil.
There are different categories under pressure-treated lumber. Of which, the most common type is mildly treated one against rot, which has high durability, but if it is kept away from the soil contact, it would last even more. The con of this is that it will rot if it is under constant moist condition.
The most durable form of pressure-treated lumber is the one made for below the ground foundation. This wood is treated enough so that it would not rot even if it is in constant contact with damp soil for decades. Hence, it is sold to build a pressure treated wood foundation (PWF) and is the ideal choice to be used in any part of the shed that gets in contact with the ground.
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
The two main parts of the shed are –
- Structural frame
- Sheathing that covers the frame
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is an inexpensive option for the sheathing the walls and roof of the shed. Hence, it is commonly used for sheds and homes. OSB is made up of chips of softwood that is glued together in a semi-random pattern and comes in 4 ft x 8 ft. sheets.
For a shed, OSB will work the best cannot be replaced for the plywood. OSB is not as strong as plywood, but it does not age well when it is exposed to the weather. The off-cuts cannot be used as plywood for making other projects because the screws and nails cannot be nailed at the edges.
Exterior Grade plywood
Exterior Grade plywood is similar to OSB but it is much stronger. It is weather resistant. It is made by gluing the slices of wood in layers. The off-cuts from plywood can be used for other purposes such as boxes, utility shelves, and other small woodworking projects.
Normally the exterior grade plywood would be made with weather-resistant glue. But the wood used is not particularly rot-resistant and hence it is best to use pressure-treated plywood on the shed floor. It can even be used on the shed floor that is raised above the ground
Sheet wall siding panels
There are different panel options are available to make the walls attached to the panel that will look good and stand up to the weather. Both softwood and plywood type sheet material such as plywood siding panels can be used for this. Most of the home improvement stores have a collection of decorative exterior wall siding sheets that are designed to function as the weatherproof wall sheathing that can be applied directlyagainst the wall frame of the shed.