Exterior storage sheds have become an integral part of the Canadian lifestyle. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that garden sheds are a staple of Canadian culture. From clean storage areas to isolated offices, playhouses, workshops, studios, and even she-sheds, this marvelous modular unit can be transformed into anything and everything.
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Boasting immense versatility and cost-saving, storage sheds are a perfect way to fulfill any space requirements. However, these benefits do not come without a setback. Nothing beats a garden shed vogue except its famous enemy – mould.
Not only does mould weaken a structure, but it also results in a foul smell and destruction of the overall appeal and visual enticement of a shed. Since winter is just around the corner, mould and its companions are prepared to invade every household. The cold and snowy weather provides a lucrative amount of moisture, creating the perfect atmosphere to boost mould breeding and growth.
Now the million-dollar question is, can we prevent mould attacks in a shed? Certainly. As professional shed builders, we shall use this blog post to provide you with some tips on how to prevent mould growth in your storage shed.
Storage Shed Quality Matters The Most
Your shed’s proneness to mould, mildew, and other such organisms primarily depends upon the quality of the material it is made from. The second major role players are the construction and installation techniques.
A garden shed constructed from high-end material with an optimal coating is least permeable to moisture and other external elements. Likewise, if experienced and reliable hands build your shed, the chances of having air gaps and misalignments leading to moisture infiltration are low. In all honesty, the manufacturing process of your shed is your primary and most important defence lawyer against mould and mildew.
If you pay the least attention to the manufacturing process of your shed but take generous preemptive measures to prevent or subdue mould growth, your chances of success are quite grim. So before anything else, ensure that the shed builder you choose has what it takes to ensure that you obtain the best experience in terms of both material and construction quality.
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Strong Foundations Boost Structural Integrity
As mentioned earlier, proper installation is also a major role player in defending your shed against mould. At the point of installation, it is important to understand that moisture does not only seep in from the atmosphere through gaps between walls. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, the underground mixture also finds its way into the base and walls of a building through capillary suction and vapour diffusion.
Although the study above specifically refers to basements, the same fundamental principles apply to storage sheds and garages as well. This moisture, in alliance with its favourite companion mould, collectively weakens a shed’s structural integrity.
However, if you spend ample time laying down a good foundation made of wood, concrete, or any other good material, you can easily avoid this problem.
The Drier, The Better
In winter, people do everything they can to keep their toes from freezing and falling off in the bone-cracking weather. However, they sometimes forget about the fact that warmth, in the presence of moisture, acts like a catalyst for mould growth.
So this winter, ensure that before you make heating arrangements for your shed, make sure its interior and the items stored in it are completely dry. If you use the shed to store pool accessories or plant watering tools, get rid of all the moisture before storing them.
Proper Ventilation Makes A Difference
In an attempt to prevent moisture from entering your shed, do not hinder proper ventilation. Inadequate ventilation, in actuality, boosts mould breeding. Now you may ask, “how do we prevent moisture but let in the air?”
In this regard, your best options are to construct vents in the appropriate areas. You should have gable vents, ridge vents on the roof, and soffit vents under your shed’s eaves. Often your shed builder will take care of these aspects if they are professional enough.
Stahl Strutures offers a number of customization options for your convenience.
Regulating Humidity Is The Key
Besides manual attempts to keep your shed’s interior dry, you can also use artificial means to regulate humidity. You can use dehumidifiers to help keep humidity levels in check.
About Stahl Strutures
From portable garages to prefabricated cabins and high-end garden sheds, Stahl Strutures proudly meets all your storage and modular building needs in Edmonton. Contact us now to get the perfect portable building.