I need to build a shed/barn for storage of yard stuff and miscellaneous boxes and bins at our new house. Plan is to disassemble the old shed at our old house, which the new owner (my brother) doesn’t want, it is 16×16 with a 3/12 pitch truss roof and lexan clear roof panels (Suntuf).
Problem is that this shed has had varmint problems. Mice, chipmunks and birds, to name the big ones, and I had a whole sheet of birch plywood eaten by carpenter ants two years ago. Right now it’s kinda junk, so anything can get in. I have to reuse as much materials as I can to build the new one, but it has to be essentially critter-proof. The floor of the old one is 3/4″ T&G OSB (not Advantech – shed’s too old) over a frame of 2×6 PT (again, not ACQ – too old) at 16″ O.C. The floor is solid but maybe bugs could get in from underneath.
I need ideas on making this thing as impenetrable as possible. My first thought was a concrete slab as opposed to a wood floor system on piers, but I don’t know if that will make that much of a difference. I do plan on putting in a couple of fixed windows or maybe cheap vinyl operable windows (for ventilation) and a traditional roof ssystem (plywood, tarpaper and shingles). The roof will be completely rebuilt, I’m planning on a 9/12 pitch with rafters and collar ties to match our house. I want additional storage in the “attic”. I could use some ideas on siding, sheathing and sealing this thing to prevent bugs. I think I can keep the bigger stuff out.
Replies
I recently did something simlar, and from my point of view, a slab is much easier to critter proof. I used a felt and metal break on a stem wall to keep out termites, and sealed walls best i could to keep out other critters. That said, mice will find a way in if there is anything at all to eat, and there always is. It sounds cruel, but I really recommend glue boards. Nasty way to die, but you always find the little buggers. Good luck.
A slab and metal barrier as the previous poster suggested. Use pressure treated plywood for, at least, the 1st couple feet of the sheathing; Overhang the edge of the slab an inch after spreading a heavy bead of polyurethane adhesive caulk to form a seal between the concrete and the sheathing (I would use something like Vulkem 921).
Use Fiber Cement soffet panels to enclose your soffets after covering the vent holes on the upper side with fine, galvanized steel hardware cloth to keep the ants out. (you can attach the hardware cloth to the fiber cement with a hot glue gun (use the higher temperature yellow glue sticks).
Side the building with 4' X 8' wood-textured fiber cement panels. You can attach wood batts to these if it fits the design to have a board and batt finish.
Use a screened ridge vent and/or screened louvered gable vents.
Install a swinging, exterior steel door or a properly installed overhead door that will close tightly and securely. Avoid sliding doors. (can be made to close tightly, but are normally aren't).
Caulk all seams at soffets, exterior walls and trim with a good polyurethane caulk. Do the same with any utility penetrations if necessary.
Sounds a bit daunting, maybe, but in reality, pretty straight-forward.
Do you have power? I have an ultrasonic emitter in my barn that seems to be working. It also produces an audible chirping that supposedly annoys the hell out of varmints. I know it annoys me when I go in there!
Keith
Get a dog, I would suggest a minatur dauschund, I got no critters in my backyard any more but can't keep the dogs from breaking out any more.
Perfumed dryer sheets are highly recommended to keep mice at bay.
There is something about them that the mice don't like.
You do have to renew them from time to time .
I have fiends who store old cars in barns and this has been a winner for them.
....Old car fiends.... I wonder if Frenchy is one of those...:-)
Moist certainly , and he needs the dryer sheets as well. ;-0
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.