Wooden Summer House - A Great Project

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, I'm sure your looking for a new project since the summer is quickly closing in on us. There are many books you can pour over at your nearest hardware store and now if you will do a little research you will be able to find some wood working plans on line. Most of us would like to do a project but don't really want one that will cost a fortune on the plans or the project either one. Doing a lot of work with nothing to show for it gets a little irritating, so anytime a project can be done without substantial cost or time, it's worth checking into. That's why building a wooden summer house is a great project.

One of the easiest projects that is gaining in popularity is a wooden summer house. These small houses can be customized to play the role of any type of out building you need. Some companies will offer these building as a kit and a project for people that like to build it themselves. The cost on these building are low and in the end you get something you always need which is storage or even something you can sit and relax in and enjoy.

A wooden summer house can be used for many different things. Typically it is used to sit and relax in. You could use it for a house for pets, an enjoyable place to sit by the pool, a small relaxing cottage out by the garden, in the shade while bird watching. The list only ends when your imagination does. Some are complete with glass windows and doors while others have porches or verandas. Some are square while others are round. The flooring will be fun to play with as you get to put in what you'd like, wood or concrete.

Check into the different retailers that you are considering purchasing from. Some will have wooden summer houses that are marked down while others may have some that are discontinued and would have even lower prices. Delivery is a must. Does the store your thinking about visiting have a delivery service and if it does what will it charge you if they have to go over their allotted miles? Keep you a check list of all the ideas that are important to you and make sure you do your homework. The more due diligence you do the happier you'll be.

Wooden Summer Houses - All the Information You Need

A wooden summer house is so much more than a shed, yet to the uneducated they are remarkably similar. They both have four sides and a roof, they are both located in the garden, both have a door from the outside world, so what I hear you ask, is the difference? A wooden summer house is an extension to a house, a place that can be visited to relax and to entertain, not merely to store rusty tools like the garden shed.

The other main difference of course is the price, for wooden summer houses are not cheap. They cost a substantial amount of money so it's important to choose one with a design that will appeal for a number of years and also is made out material that will withstand the harshest of winters.

Regardless of whether you build your own wooden garden house or buy one in, you will probably need planning permission. Every local authority is different so depending on your location you may get lucky, but either way it pays to double check before the building begins. There would be nothing worse than wasting all that money by having to pull the summer house down on the orders of the local council.

It's important that you think off all the various factors before you start the build. Below is a list of key points to consider:

Regulations - As mentioned above, always check local building regulations with the relevant authorities.

Foundations - Regardless of size, all wooden summer houses will need foundations. This will help prevent the floor from rotting and also give it a slight elevation.

Materials - Make sure you choose a hardy wood that will not rot quickly and is not susceptible to attack from mites or similar. Western red cedar is popular, as is oak.

Enjoying Your Summer House Year Round

If you are looking for a comfortable way to spend a summer afternoon while relaxing by your garden, a summer house might be your ideal getaway destination. You will find that many outdoor buildings are offered for your garden or courtyard area that is available on just about any budget. By adding a beautiful garden summer house to your home's garden or backyard area not only will you have a great place to entertain, relax, and store your gardening equipment but you will also have made a great investment for your home's value.

With the special designs and quality that many outdoor buildings like summer houses are being crafted with these days you will also be delighted to know that you will be able to enjoy them year round. Many are designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions because manufacturers know that people want their summer houses to last them for many years to come. Because of the high quality construction and superior materials that many manufactures use to build their products, a summer house will be available for use year round.

You can have your building custom designed to suit your specific needs. For example, you can get a large spacious outdoor gazebo that will be able to entertain a large number of guests. You can also get a smaller outdoor gazebo that would be perfect for smaller crowds and storage purposes. One of the best things about many different garden houses is that you can have one built with those special needs in mind.

When you are exploring the options of purchasing a summer house, keep one thing in mind: they are often considered an extension of your home because many are built to accommodate a family's needs throughout the year. You can add certain details that will bring luxury to the room by installing a spa that can be enjoyed year round. A spa can be the perfect get away destination on stressful work days or they can be a way to sit back and unwind when a few guest come by to enjoy a bottle of wine and great company.

You can also add some entertainment to your summer house by installing a music system or a new flat screen television. Or, even better, you can install both. There are even seen summer houses with outdoor kitchens built right into them. The possibilities are endless so be sure to explore all your options when searching. You will quickly see the many benefits that can accompany such a great investment. With many different styles of summer houses available you will want to find one that is of appropriate size for your garden area. You don't even have to have a garden in your back yard to add a summer house. All you need is the space.

How To Build A Summer House From Scratch

A summer house is a very simple structure. Even a novice woodworker should be able to build a summer house from scratch, with the right tools and instructions. Depending on the design the result will be a pleasing and satisfying addition to any garden and add considerably to the value of your property.

The only important consideration is that the summer house must be built very carefully and accurately. Any imperfections in measurements will be immediately obvious once the house has been completed. The prettier the summer house the more important it is to get the structural elements right.

There are two main advantages to building your own summer house from scratch:

• You will save a huge amount of money compared with buying a flatpack or ready-to-assemble kit, and
• You will be able to choose from a much wider range of designs, and customize them to your exact ideas

Personally I like to use a good set of three dimensional drawings whenever making a wooden project, whether large or small. It is possible to draw a set up yourself but, unless you are already an expert, it is much better to have it done professionally. That way you can be sure that all dimensions are accurate and, rather more to the point, everything will go together properly!

Many people assume that plans and drawings are one and the same. More accurately, however, plans include drawings but contain much more information that is essential to proper assembly. As a minimum a set of plans should include:

• Accurate planview, elevation and at least one endview drawing of the complete assembly
• Similar drawings for every detail part unless it is clearly shown on the main drawings
• Isometric (three dimensional) drawings of each main assembly part
• Full material specification, quantity and exact cut dimensions for every part
• List of all fasteners, brackets and other hardware required to complete the assembly

Written instructions are not always included in commercial sets of plans but, especially for the novice woodworker, they are very useful and can make the difference between a project getting finished or not. Often you will find free plans advertised online, but these never include proper instructions or comprehensive lists of materials, and the standard of drawing usually leaves much to be desired as well.

Unless you already have a design lined up you will also appreciate having a good range to choose from.

We have found and recommend a really good source of plans if you want to build a summer house from scratch. They include all of the things we consider essential, as outlined above, as well as having more than fifty summer house designs to consider. They are not expensive and, in our opinion, represent the best value for money currently available online.

Our website has more information on this and many other projects.

Author: Kieran Gracie

Our aim is to provide in one place expert advice and guidance for making a number of backyard building projects, such as sheds, hen houses, portable chicken tractors, log cabins, gazebos, summer houses and many other popular garden structures using easy step-by-step instruction manuals and good quality plans for the amateur and professional alike. We only recommend products that, in our opinion, offer true value for money and are fully guaranteed.

Summer Housing for Summer Internships in Austin and Seattle

You have a summer internship all lined up and it is about to start. You just have one problem: you need a place to live! If your summer internship takes you to Austin, Texas or Seattle, Washington then you are in luck. Here's a list of summer housing options that both fits an interns budget, but also provides great locations to live.

Austin:

College Houses Cooperatives - Finding a place to live during your summer internship in Austin doesn't have to be a daunting task. By far one of the most unique experiences in summer living arrangements, College Houses Cooperatives provides an experience that has the convenience of a dormitory with a rich program of intellectual activities. There are 7 houses to choose from; each with its own distinct personality, and the houses are located within walking distance to the University of Texas campus and Austin Community College.

The houses are managed and operated through the efforts of student members and each house reflects the values and lifestyle choices of its residents. The membership pools its money and labor to provide shelter, amenities, food, and fellowship to provide affordable living. To keep things running smoothly, every member is expected to participate fully in household affairs. Every member is required to perform four hours of labor per week, usually divided into categories such as kitchen labor, ground maintenance, etc. There are 17 meals per week serves at the house, so there is no need to go grocery shopping or worry about finding the time to cook. Residents can even sign up for the "save plate" program if they are unable to attend dinner with the rest of their housemates. For interns visiting for a short time, co-ops are often just the right combination of security and affordability they need.

UMoveFree.com - If cooperative living is not for you, and you want something more quiet and personal, then perhaps living in your own apartment is a better option. Because finding an apartment in a strange city is not always easy, UMoveFree guarantees that you will find an apartment to fit your needs without all the hassle that is normally involved with an out of town move. Visitors to the site can search through thousands of available rentals with the assistance of an apartment Locating Specialist. Specialists will negotiate the rental on your behalf, and sometimes even land you a better deal than advertised, such as a month's free rent or no security deposit. The company receives a referral free straight from the apartment owners, which allows them to offer their services to apartment hunters free of charge. Those looking for a new place but not necessarily in need of free moving services can elect to receive a $200 rebate in lieu of the free moving services.

Seattle:

ULoop.com - Looking for a little more variety in your housing options? Uloop.com is an online marketplace for students of University of Washington that has a listing of apartments and houses for rent in the Seattle area, as well as summer sublets. Browse through a variety of listing in different Seattle neighborhoods and find a summer rental that is right for you. ULoop also has listings for roommates in the area, as well as a section for carpooling.

Intern Temp Housing - Intern Temp Housing makes the moving process amazingly easy for out of town interns. The website is a virtual service God-send for those looking for short-term housing in the Seattle area. Options on the site allow you to choose the property and furniture package that best suits you and your budget. Facilitators hand pick the communities listed on the site based on location, price, and availability of amenities. They also have furniture and housewares packages set up on their site so you can choose the items you need to fit into your budget. The amenities on the site have fixed prices, which makes it easier to stick to a strict budget. Basic electric, water, and sewer are included in your monthly rental cost, and you may add amenities such as cable, phone, or internet. When you are done picking out the details for your new place, simply reserve your apartment online and everything will be move in ready when you arrive.

Add Character to Your Garden With a Summer House

Summer houses are an excellent way to add a room to a property and make the most of the garden. Planning permission is rarely a concern for timber sectional buildings unless you live in an area of outstanding natural beauty or the site for the summer house is within 20 feet of a public right of way. They provide an excellent retreat for all ages and allow you to enjoy your garden to the fullest extent.

Designs

There are several conventional designs used for summer buildings. The lodge design is characterised by a porch and roof overhang and leaded windows. The Lomond summer house sports Georgian style joinery and a roof tapered on all sides. The Nevis summer house is designed to fit into the corner of a garden; windows on the exposed sides are also leaded. The Balmoral summer house design is one of the most spacious designs as it is also one of the largest. The roof slopes upwards from the double central doors to maximise the height of the room inside. The octagonal design provides unrivalled light by incorporating windows on most sides including the doors. The shape makes for a very decorative structure and wide floor space. Chalet style designs are generally the largest of the standard designs. They are characterised by an L-shaped porch that surrounds two sides of the building. The roof also overhangs the porch completely providing a permanent awning. If you have special requirements or a bespoke design in mind manufacturers are often happy to help you get the exact garden building you are after.

Guarantees

Most summer houses include some sort of guarantee. These generally only cover rot and manufacturer defects within the specified duration. You should attempt to identify these problems as early as possible, preferably on delivery or during construction. Most manufacturers value their reputations for quality so there are rarely circumstances when these issues cannot be resolved.

Other Considerations

It is worth keeping in mind that the customer is responsible for checking if planning permission is required and obtaining it where necessary. If you order a garden building, make sure that there is a clear way for delivery with ample room and ensure that the base site for the summer house is level and solid. It is also important to check whether delivery and construction is included and once construction is complete, exterior wood may need additional weather protection and annual coats thereafter.

Summer Houses Are Great Places to Escape During Warm Weather

If rising temperatures and scorching heat takes away all your energy and makes you feel lethargic and dull, then summer houses are the best option for you to relax. These special houses are roofed structures which provide shady and comfortable accommodation.

There is wide variety of summer houses available in the market and you can make a choice among them as per your needs and budget. Several factors like size, location, need, use and others holds an important place while deciding a perfect summer house for yourself. The purpose and the use of these houses can be different for different people.

If you need a summer house just for keeping your gardening tools and other such things, then you can go for a small summer house with little facilities. If you are looking for these houses as an ideal place to relax and enjoy with your friends and family then their size should definitely be large. You can even make these summer houses more luxurious and pampering by installing facilities like sauna, music system, sound proof system, television and others. It entirely depends upon you how much facilities and amenities you want in your summer house.

These houses are made with special material which can withstand the harsh weather conditions. You can easily get these summer houses either in ready made form or in the form of flat packaging which can be easily assembled at the site. Summer houses come in different shapes and designs which you can decide as per your requirements. These special houses can also be placed in parks or gardens where you can enjoy a cup of coffee with your best buddy.

There are many online stores as well where you can order these houses and they will be delivered right at your doorsteps. So just get ready to beat the heat with these special summer houses.