Stage Two – The Floor

This post takes you through Stage Two of converting my old Garden Shed to a fully conventional and living Summerhouse.
Today I decided I would do the Floor. Again this took me slightly longer than expected, about two hours, but it was certainly worthwhile as the results are quite spectacular.

I started by levelling out the Floor in preparation for the foundation and joists. The old floor is made out of dirt, so a perfectly flat surface and firm foundations were the key issue.
I managed the levelling using a Pick Axe and Garden Rake. This proved quite a task, but the thought of sitting in the Summerhouse on a mid summers evening spurred me on considerably.

For the foundation I used a Pallet which has remained dormant next to the Compost Heap since 1998. The benefit of this is it will assure good ventilation underneath and strengthened even further by all the tiny holes all over the wood itself.

Once I’d got this in place, I used some roof tiles, fallen during the recent Storm, to do some fine adjusting and went ahead with nailing the Plywood for a finished surface. This was really the reason for the extra time spent, I actually had to saw the Plywood to make it fit.

Once this had been done, all there was left to do was attention to some detail. Finishing design features include; Bricks around the edge for the Retro Rustic look, a 50lb Weight over the soft old dirt where the cats would probably relieve themselves and a Shelf.
The shelf looks quite good and will benefit smaller people as it’s only 8″ above the floor.

With only the painting of walls and a few decorative features to do, the Summerhouse should be complete well in time for the warmer days, about September.

I would always fully recommend building one yourself. The enjoyment you get through creating a custom built building which has your name written all over it is extremely theraputicand leaves something about you when you are no longer, a kind of timepiece and everlasting Talisman.

I should add that this natural ability has been passed on through generations. My Great Great Grandfather, Charles Fowler designed Sion House Conservatory and some other place called Covent Garden. I’m sure he would be very proud of me.

As he always said, “If a jobs worth doing, think about it”. But if you want to buy one….