Summerhouse and wind

[leigh davis]

Hi

In September I had a national shed company put up a summerhouse in the back garden in quite an exposed spot. It's very high winds tonight and when I went in to it earlier the sides were creaking and there was a lot of movement with each gust of wind. It seems the wind is hitting the front of the house head on.

I'm wondering if all this creaking and movement is normal. It's a bit frightening as the neighbour's conservatory is directly in line with it and I'm thinking the worst.


Thanks a lot.

 

[conny]

Who chose where to site it? You or the constructors?
Did you know before it was erected that you are subject to high winds in your garden?
What is the summer house constructed from? Plastic/timber/wooden framework and sheet material covering?

We need much more information, (and possibly pictures), before being able to comment.

 

[scbk]

Most standard sheds/summerhouses aren't exactly over engineered.
You could probably strengthen it with a bit of diy. More screws, few angle brackets etc

 

[leigh davis]

Most standard sheds/summerhouses aren't exactly over engineered.
You could probably strengthen it with a bit of diy. More screws, few angle brackets etc

Yes. That's what I was thinking. Although frightened of making it too rigid in case that's even a bigger problem when the wind hits it, of that makes sense. Thanks for your reply.

 

[leigh davis]

Who chose where to site it? You or the constructors?
Did you know before it was erected that you are subject to high winds in your garden?
What is the summer house constructed from? Plastic/timber/wooden framework and sheet material covering?

We need much more information, (and possibly pictures), before being able to comment.

We chose the site because it was the natural spot to place, it was either there or nowhere sort of thing. It's my fault, it's taking quite a battering tonight and I should have had the foresight. It's a typical £2000, 14-ft wood construction. I've uploaded images. Thanks for replying. Any advice would be great because I'm quite concerned after tonight. Thanks.

 

[scbk]

You might not like the look, but some diagonal bracing inside would add strength. Even lining the insides with ply/osb and lots of screws/nails.

 

[conny]

It looks substantial enough to stand up to fairly tough weather but I agree with scbk, a bit more internal strengthening never goes amiss. I'd also advise waterproofing the outside to help prevent that seeping. Wood will often creak, (it's the nature of the beast as the saying goes), because it expands and contracts with changing temperature and humidity but unless we get a hurricane/tornado I don't see it blowing down any time soon.
It looks lovely by the way.

 

[leigh davis]

It looks substantial enough to stand up to fairly tough weather but I agree with scbk, a bit more internal strengthening never goes amiss. I'd also advise waterproofing the outside to help prevent that seeping. Wood will often creak, (it's the nature of the beast as the saying goes), because it expands and contracts with changing temperature and humidity but unless we get a hurricane/tornado I don't see it blowing down any time soon.
It looks lovely by the way.

I'd hope so. It being a national company you'd think they would get lots of complaints and problems if their products broke regularly in our winds. It has survived the night. But hell, it wasn't half rocking back and fore. I guess it's a big front surface area for the wind to catch. Yes, waterproofing and strengthening is the way to go now. Thanks for your replies, it's much appreciated. Especially the 'it looks lovely' quote, I've put a lot of effort into the garden this Summer and it's been flipping hard work. Lol. - Thanks again.

 

[leigh davis]

ou might not like the look, but some diagonal bracing inside would add strength. Even lining the insides with ply/osb and lots of screws/nails.

Yes. I think it's all about making it as strong as possible now. Last night was really stressful seeing it sway and creak under the strain like that. Lol. Thanks for your advice, it's much appreciated. Off to Wickes now, I guess. Lol. Thanks again - Leigh.