Pergola Plans - Building Garden Structures

Author: Dan Lazaj

Building your own pergola is a project many do-it-yourselfers can do themselves. This project can be built without plans. But to eliminate all the guess work, trying to design it yourself, you should look for step by step plans with illustrations, and a material list. There are many sites that offer free plans. If you can't find what you need with free ones, consider buying some, most are very affordable and they will eliminate a lot of work.




Plans will come with a material list, and this is a great way to estimate what the project will cost before you build. Of course, building it yourself will save you money, but is it possible to do it yourself? If you are capable of using a jigsaw, more than likely, yes. It is not a complicated structure. Square and rectangle designs are the easiest to build. This project can be done in one or two weekends. With the help of some friends this can be a fun weekend project.



Where do you begin? The first thing to do is to find out of any requirements by visiting or calling the building department. If digging will be involved, call the utility department to find out if there is any power, water, or electrical lines that might get damaged while digging. Once you have found the spot to build, measure and find the appropriate plans. Study the plans, and material list, make sure you understand the process of building it. Study the material list and all the cuts you will be making. Once you get familiar with the design, and the building steps, you are ready to begin.



If you feel this project is beyond your carpentry skills, consider hiring a contractor. Once you have the plans you like, and the material, you can show them to different contractors to get some bids for the project



Every city has different laws when building new structures. Make sure you check with your local building department before beginning any constructions. You might need a permit, you might not, check your zoning regulations for any requirements.



Do your research when choosing the lumber. Pressure treated wood is great to prevent rot and decay. Cedar and redwood is another good choice, it is more expensive, but it is nicer and it will last for many years.



If any digging is required, make sure to take caution with any water, telephone, or electrical lines that might be underground. Find out the locations of these lines to avoid any problems, or injury.



Save money by building it yourself. If you are thinking of building just a basic design, such as a square or rectangle shape, you should consider building it yourself. This design is very basic and simple to build. The best way to do this is getting some plans. You can search for free plans, or you can buy some.



If one of the main reasons to having a pergola is to entertain, make sure you build it big enough to accommodate people comfortably.



Adding a pergola will not only make a great focal point, it will add value to your property, making this project a great investment.

About the Author:
Building your own pergola can be done by most do-it-yourselfers. Before you begin take a look at my website for a list of free pergola plans and pergola designs www.MyBackyardPlans.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/pergola-plans-building-garden-structures-779372.html

Tips for Buying Sheds

Author: Jenny Austin

If you are frustrated with your garage being cluttered up with tools and gardening equipment you may well be considering purchasing a garden shed. It is surprising how widely the prices can vary and requires some thought and planning on your part. You might be in need of some outside workspace, for which a shed is an ideal solution and will allow you the space to become an enthusiastic tool collector.

If you are looking to buy a shed recognise the uses for the shed, if this is not thought through well you may well end up purchasing a shed that is far too small. For example if you forget that you need to store the families bicycles in the shed, these items take up quite a bit of storage room and you could end up with difficulties if you haven’t taken them into account. If you plan to work in your shed think about the sizes of work benches and other equipment you might use and remember to allow yourself room to work you don’t want to be sawing and banging your elbow! Most people store lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, basic gardening tools, garden furniture and children’s outdoor toys in their shed. Sometimes it is necessary to buy a shed to slot into a space; if this is the case it is important to allow enough spare room for any overhang from the roof. It is vital that measurements are correct otherwise the shed simply won’t fit (a expensive mistake), if the shed needs to slot into a specific space it will require good planning to ensure you can store as much as possible in the shed and still have access to everything.

Many people fail to realise how much room is needed in the shed doorway, for bulky items it may be worthwhile purchasing a shed with an extra-wide or double door which allows total flexibility. Remember to allow enough room in the shed height for you to stand up comfortably, especially if you will be working in the shed for long periods of time.

The two most common types of shed are apex roofed or pent style sheds, apex sheds are the most common choice due to their sturdy construction and attractive triangular sloping roof. Pent style sheds have a single sloping roof which is higher at the front than at the back to allow the rain to run off. This style of shed is ideal for those looking for extra head height and is ideally located against your house or a wall.

Think about where to position your shed, bear in mind that shade can be useful as sheds can get incredibly hot inside during the summer months. It may be important to have the shed situated close to your property, especially if you will be using power tool and need access to electricity. You might choose to have a separate power supply to your shed especially if you wish to work in the shed during the evenings; enquiries and plans for power should be made before purchasing your shed.

About the Author:

Jenny Austin is an expert in Sheds , for further information on how to choose your Wooden Shed , or which Garden Shed service to choose please visit beastsheds.co.uk.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/tips-for-buying-sheds-764096.html

Tallest Trees

Trees are in various shapes, sizes, and forms. There are some species of trees that can only grow as tall as a street lamp posts while others can grow as tall as the skyscrapers in Dubai or New York. That is why there are various records about the tallest trees that can be found in different parts of the world.

In order to include a particular tree in this record, the height of the tree must be measured. The past few decades some of the measurements were given much exaggeration that is why the previous world records are not too reliable. But thanks to the modern gadgets as well as the perseverance of the tree climbers, they found out that the previous measurements were more than 5 up to 15 percent higher than the real size of these tallest trees.

One of which is the Sequoia sempervirens better known as the Coast Redwood. Some people also call this tree as the California Redwood as well. It is part of the cypress family which can live for more than two thousand years. This is one of the tree species that is considered as the tallest in the world. The height of the tallest Sequoia sempervirens measured up to 379.1 feet or 115.5 meters. On the other hand, the diameter of the Coast Redwood's trunk measures up to 26 feet or 8 meters. You can see more of this neck-breaking tree at the Redwood National Park in California.

From the same family comes another one of the tallest trees in the world. The Sequoiadendron giganteum or simply called as the Giant sequoia is indeed a fascinating wonder of nature. Also found in California, the Giant sequoia can reach 311.4 feet or 94.9 meters. But this particular giant tree is not only seen in United States but in other regions as well such as Europe, Canada, New Zealand, as well as Australia.

Still in California, is the Picea sitchensis or the Sitka Spruce. You can find a lot of it at the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park located at the state. It is also as tall as the Giant sequoia since it measures 317.3 feet or 96.7 meters high. This is considered as the tallest coniferous tree that has a trunk diameter of 5 to 7 meters.

But not all of the tallest trees in the world can be seen in California. There are also gigantic trees located in Oregon as well including the Pseudotsuga menziesii or what others call as the Coast Douglas-fir. Although it is not as tall as the Coast Redwood, the Coast Douglas-fir is considered as the second tallest tree in the conifer family. This tree can reach be as high as 326.1 feet or 99.4 meters.


Last on the list is at the other part of the globe ? in Australia. In this country, it is not only the kangaroos that are popular but also the tallest tree in the country named Eucalyptus regnans or the Australian Mountain-ash. This can grow as big as 326.8 feet or 99.6 meters.