Need wood shed needs repair advice

[WannaFly]

I have a wood shed similar to:
http://www.shedcityusa.com/riverside.htm

The problem is that the bottom foot of each of the panels is severely rotted. I've thought about replacing the entire panel, but it just seems to be a waste. Any suggestions on what would be my best bet to replace the rotting wood so that it does not get worse?

I've considered cutting the bottom 2' off and replacing it, but what about sealing where the old and new woods join, wont that be more susceptible to rot in the future? Also, how would I cut it - from the inside form stud to stud, what about in between the studs?

The structure is in good shape its just the outside paneling that is bad.

 

[steppinthrax]

I have a wood shed similar to:
http://www.shedcityusa.com/riverside.htm

The problem is that the bottom foot of each of the panels is severely rotted. I've thought about replacing the entire panel, but it just seems to be a waste. Any suggestions on what would be my best bet to replace the rotting wood so that it does not get worse?

I've considered cutting the bottom 2' off and replacing it, but what about sealing where the old and new woods join, wont that be more susceptible to rot in the future? Also, how would I cut it - from the inside form stud to stud, what about in between the studs?

The structure is in good shape its just the outside paneling that is bad.

Your talking about repairing a T1-11 panel????? Just buy a new panel from HD.

 

[bignateyk]

You would be fine to cut off the bottom 2' and replace it if you aren't as worried about aesthetics. It probably won't look as good as if you just replaced all the siding.

Just make sure you paint the parts of the siding that are facing up and down, and then caulk between the joint, and then paint over the whole thing.

If it were me I would just replace all the siding.. that stuff is pretty cheap, and it would probably actually be easier than cutting off 2 feet of it and replacing it.

 

[WannaFly]

steppingthrax: Yes - I guess T1-11 is the proper type.

I think home depot had the panels for about $32 each, and i think I calculated my shed would need 7 or 8 of them. that's nearly $250 just for the siding. Like I said, it might be worth it and it might be easier.

bignateyk: Thanks for the information, I know you are right it might be easier to replace but I just want to consider all options. If I replace, I think I'll have to replace all the trim work also since it will need to be removed.

 

[bignateyk]

I'm not sure what I would do to cut it. Probably try a circular saw set to a really low depth.

 

[DrPizza]

I helped a guy repair a building years ago. The repair is still holding just fine.

Get pressure treated wood, a wide enough piece to cover the bad section. If you could get 1x*, that would be best, but you'll probably end up having to purchase 2x*. Either 2x8, 2x10, or possibly even 2x12.

Tack the wood up against the side of the shed so you can draw a straight line where it needs to be cut. We actually then raised it up above the cut by the width of the foot of the circular saw & used it as a straight edge. Set the depth of the saw to the correct depth. Cut through the T1-11, and rip it off.
Before you replace that section with your pressure treated lumber, liberally apply some sort of caulk to the top edge where it'll be pressed against the existing T1-11. Nail it on, done.

If after you've exposed the 2x4's or whatever it's framed out of, you see a lot of rot to those, just sister in a few sections of 2x4 pressure treated lumber there too.

 

[bctbct]

google "z-flashing"

 

[IronWing]

I replaced similar siding on a workshop by cutting off the old, putting on the new, painting, placing trim pieces over the joints, and then painting and caulking the trim. I used a circular saw to cut off the old sections as you suggest. In my case the original siding was installed when the workshop was built and was sandwiched between 2x10 roof beams. To R&R the whole panels would have required the dis-assembly of the entire structure.

 

[Numenorean]

Here's a tip. Put your shed on a concrete slab so it doesn't fucking rot in the first place.

 

[steppinthrax]

steppingthrax: Yes - I guess T1-11 is the proper type.

I think home depot had the panels for about $32 each, and i think I calculated my shed would need 7 or 8 of them. that's nearly $250 just for the siding. Like I said, it might be worth it and it might be easier.

bignateyk: Thanks for the information, I know you are right it might be easier to replace but I just want to consider all options. If I replace, I think I'll have to replace all the trim work also since it will need to be removed.

If you use paper faced T1-11 or composit (AND SEALED IT) you should be fine. Paper face or composite I think runs around 17 or so a sheet

 

[0roo0roo]

32 dollars for fiber or plywood board?
wtf.

course if you want a perfect looking repair thats the price you pay. otherwise you can just improvise.
pressure treated wood holds up way better but you'll have to decide where you can make it look ok.

 

[WannaFly]

DrPizza: That sounds exactly what I want to do - thanks for the info.

IronWing: Good idea about adding a trim piece. I might try that also.

Numenorean: The shed was there when I bought the house and is already on a concrete slab, raised above everything else. I don't know how it rotted, I guess the shade and humidity in florida will do that?

I've seen z flashing and might use that also.

Thanks for the advice and discussion everyone - for 2 sides of the shed it faces a fence about 4-5' away, so I dont mind a 'sloppy' looking repair because I am the only one that ever sees those sides (when I mow the lawn). The 3rd side is the worst and faces the porch so I might replace the entire board, but I looked and that will require removing all the trim work on that side.

 

[paperfist]

Screw a straight ( lol ) 2x4 below the area you want to cut using it as a guide to cut across the T-111, set the circular saw to the depth of the T-111 and cut out all the bad pieces.

Might look a little goofy, but better then two joined boards, but you can use some of that 2x3 PVC board to run over where the two pieces of T-111 meet and then paint them to match the shed.