4 Functional Tips to Help You Design Your Fist Machine Shed
Farm machinery and the various types of equipment used on your farm, or your agricultural business is an enormous investment. Adequate storage is required to keep your machinery operating optimally.
The best way to create this type of storage is to invest in one, or even two machinery sheds designed with your equipment needs in mind. Having your equipment stored in one easy-to-reach space is not only convenient but also streamlines the process of fetching and parking the machines you use every day.
Pointers that Make Shed Selection a Breeze
Advancements in the shed industry have indeed made it easier than ever to install a storage shed just about anywhere. However, there are still some pointers you should consider before making the final decision. We’ve compiled a list of the steps that will help you design the right type of shed for your unique needs.
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Consider the Location
The old real estate term of location, location, location doesn’t only apply to homes and commercial properties. When it comes to your shed, you will need to choose a location that is easy to get your machines in and out of. The goal of adding a shed is to make your work process smoother, not more complicated.
For starters, consider the direction of prevailing winds. Ideally, you want a shed with doors to be facing away from the general wind direction to minimise the risk of wind damage. If you live in an area prone to cyclones or strong winds, be sure to opt for materials with a Category 2 Wind Rating.
Secondly, look for a space where you can build a shed big enough to easily manoeuvre machinery in and out of the shed. You should be able to do this without having to first move other machinery around.
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Review Your Storage Needs
The next step is to consider all your current and potential future storage needs. This will help you identify whether you only want a machinery shed or if you want to extend the structure to make space for other functions.
Do you want to use part of the shed as a workshop? If so, this may require a section of the shed to be closed off with a lockable door. With the many customisable features available, you can add anything from a concrete floor to sliding doors, skylights, and even insulation.
Keep in mind that if you’re going to store machinery and hay in your shed these items shouldn’t be in the same space. Bales of hay or fodder can easily become a fire hazard, so it’s a good idea to create a separate storage area for hay. You can also build a three-sided hay shed next that functions separately from your machinery shed.
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Design Your Shed
Once you know exactly what you want to store in the shed, you can start designing the type of structure you want. Here you can opt for a 3-sided design that you can drive your machinery into and park it as needed.
An alternative to this is a drive-through machinery shed that makes it easier for you to store your vehicles and drive out in the morning. Eliminating the process of driving around to the shed to get in and out is super convenient!
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Choose Your Customisable Options
One of the top reasons that machinery and hay sheds are so popular is that they can easily be customised to suit your exact needs. This can vary from the clearance height of the roof for larger machines to adding extra parking bays to accommodate other vehicles.
Always opt for an installation company that offers you a variety of customisable options. The most significant should include the following:
- Doors to accommodate the size of your shed
- Sliding glass doors if you’re going to convert a part of the shed into a workshop
- The use of concrete or natural flooring
- Fibreglass skylights
- Insulation
- Windows
- COLOURBOND cladding in a wide range of colours to match existing architecture
- Roof ventilation
- Personal access doors
- Roller doors in manual and motorised options
Another pro tip from our experts is that you should always opt for Australian-made steel. Top quality, galvanised RHS steel is strong, durable, and built to last a lifetime. If you don’t have an out-of-the-ordinary design request, you can also choose from a supplier’s existing range of designs to find one that suits your current storage requirements.
Design your shed in such a way that you can easily extend it when your farm needs change or your business grows. This can also include potential machinery upgrades in the future.
Final Thoughts
Taking our guidelines into consideration will make it considerably easier for you to identify the type of shed that you need and also where to place it. Keep in mind that a strategically placed shed will go a long way toward making your day-to-day running operations so much smoother. Additionally, opting for a shed design that can be altered or expanded as your business or farm grows is always a huge advantage!
