What Are Tanalised Sheds?
The garden shed is of course a staple in almost every British garden. They’re the go-to choice for any bidding gardener and there’s no guessing why really. After all, they’re convenient, strong and large enough to store all of your tools or anything else you need to complete your garden maintenance. Admittedly there are those who say a garage is a better fit as its brick walls can last longer and withstand far more force and potential damage than the honest wooden shed. However, there are few who argue with the fact that garden sheds are easily the best value for money when it comes to outbuilding storage.
History of the shed
The principle of the shed as an outbuilding for storage purposes as you might imagine goes back a fair while in history. The ancient world first used outbuildings for these methods in both the Egyptian and Greek empires. These buildings were often seen storing tools, grain and other small objects which were perhaps safer stored away from people’s main living areas. What’s more, large construction sites such as the Great Pyramid of Giza or the Parthenon in Athens all used buildings similar to the modern shed to store their tools.
After the ancient civilisations first started using the shed for storage these small outbuildings really grew in popularity across the continent. Soon you could find buildings that at a quick glance would look exactly like the modern shed all over Europe. In fact, they were so popular that even after the Roman Empires’ collapse and subsequent dark ages in western Europe the shed remained a popular building.
As for the word shed, this has a slightly younger origin than the ancient civilizations of the Greeks and Romans. As many of our readers might expect the word is of English heritage and comes from old English in the 15th century. At least this is the first time we have a record of the word being used to describe an outbuilding or small structure. In fact, it was 1481 in a small manuscript which read “A yearde in whiche was a shadde”. Shadde was the Anglo-Saxon word for cover and it’s easy to see how this word slowly developed into the word shed we see today.
Sheds have of course only grown and grown in popularity since the ancient world and now it is almost more unusual for a garden not to have a shed somewhere on its grounds. Of course, it’s no wonder why they have become so popular. What is so brilliant about the shed is just how easy they are to secure. After all, if you have a well-built shed with a strong foundation and sturdy frame there’s no reason why you can’t make it incredibly strong. All you need is a high-quality padlock and some strong hinges.
Once you have fitted these items then you’ll have a structure that will be impossible to infiltrate without using destructive force. Of course, if thieves have to use force to enter a building this makes it much easier to track them down so you will have a much better chance of reclaiming the contents of your shed.
What is tanalised timber?
Clearly then there is a rich and extensive history of sheds in both the modern era and ancient history so what makes modern sheds so much better and how do they last for so long? In short, the answer to that question comes in the form of tanalised timber. This refers to wood that has been chemically and environmentally treated to make the timber stronger and also last much longer than regular wood. So how does this process actually work and why does it make your wood so much stronger?
In essence, a series of chemicals are injected into the wood which makes the wood far more resistant to the weather and environmental factors which may make the timber age faster. However, when you break the process down it is in fact a little more complex than this. The wood is first lowered into a pressured and vacuum-sealed area. This container must be vacuum sealed to ensure as much of the chemical solution finds its way into the wood as possible. Furthermore, the area must be sealed so that none of these potentially harmful chemicals reach any nearby workers or onlookers.
Now because of the high vacuum pressure within the tank when the chemicals are sent into the tank they are forced into the wood with incredible force. This means almost all of the wood is chemically protected. In fact, the solution will be so deep into the wood that you may find some of the solution several millimetres within. You may now be asking, what is this chemical solution?
The main chemicals involved in the process are copper and biocide. Naturally one of the biggest dangers to any form of timber is decay from age. Wood is one of the most diverse and convenient materials on the planet though unfortunately just like many natural resources it suffers in the hands of time. A small amount of copper injected into wood will prevent issues such as decay and stop infections from insects infiltrating the timber.
Biocide on the other hand is added to wood for a different protective reason. Mould and rot are two of the other key issues which builders have struggled with for hundreds of years. After all, the reason why we don’t see the remains of Anglo-Saxon Britain littered across the country is in part due to the effects of wood rot. Many of the homes during this period were simple timber framed structures and after hundreds of years, these beams and pillars simply rot away into the ground. Biocide helps to prevent rot and mould from entering the wood which drastically increases the longevity and strength of the material.
So, tanalised timber is a fairly vital treatment then if you want your garden shed to stand the test of time. After all, these structures often get the full force of our glorious British weather! With a shed that has been tanalised you can certainly trust it to last far longer than any wooden structure that hasn’t been treated.
What are the benefits of tanalised timber?
As we have already discussed prior to the introduction of wood treatment many of our wooden structures across the country suffered from devastating weather damage. You only have to look at some old farmyard barns for example to witness the effects of wood decay first-hand. It is vital then, for a variety of reasons, that you protect your shed or outbuilding with tanalised timber. So, what are some specific benefits of treating your wooden structures?
Of course, one of the main benefits is that your building will last for much longer than it would have without any treatment and that means you can enjoy the benefits of a shed for years to come. What’s more, having a shed that will last longer will drastically increase your shed’s value for money and safeguard your investment.
There is another major benefit and perhaps surprisingly it involves your health. Mould and dampness can both be incredibly damaging to your lungs and overall well-being. So, having an outbuilding that is mould free is extremely beneficial. One final benefit is with a tanalised shed is you may be able to use the structure for more than just storage. As the building is so weather resistant you might want to transform your shed into a games room or home office!
One thing is for sure, if you’re in need of a new garden shed then we can help. Our sheds are all built to an incredibly high standard and whatever your needs we have something that will suit you. Whether it’s a summer house for those warm summer afternoons or a large shed to store your gardening equipment we’ve got you covered. Our sheds are tanalised so you can rely on them to stand the test of time. It’s safe to say then that with our sheds your investment will be safe and worthwhile. Contact our experienced staff today to find out more!