Backyard Shed Project Guide

How to build a shed?  Easy you put up four walls, add an opening to get in and out with, perhaps a hole in the wall for light and don’t forget to put a tarp or something on top to keep the rain out.  No problem.  Well in real life it’s not quite that simple.

It is true that there are four major components to any build a shed  undertaking.  A floor, walls, a roof and some way to get in and out. Anything beyond this basic group is just icing on the cake.  The two main models of floors are a framed timber floor either set immediately on the ground or set on concrete piers.  If you choose this type of floor the concerns here are the amount of rain or snow you may get through the year.  In climates where there is a lot of flooding rain then you would want to increase your floor up off the ground to keep running drinking water from entering.  This not only protects the shed contents it also protects the floor itself.  Access to the shed would then be made utilizing a ramp.

Another type of floor for a shed which is a little more costly but has a longer permanency is the concrete slab.  If this is your preferred floor surface make sure that the slab is stage over the entire surface are with the exception of a 3” to 4” border around the entire slab that is slightly sloped away from the building.  This implies correctly that a slab should be poured that is around 8” wider than the structure itself.  The variance to this type of slab is one where when the structure is made where the siding will come down over the edge of the slab a little ways and Thus supply rain runoff protection.

Assuming that you are going to use a framed construction technique you would then format the four walls and frame them up. Remember to put in the extra bracing for the doorway and any windows and proper corner bracing.  Follow your set of build a shed plans as they have been intended and tested for maximum overall performance and minimum cost.  Now increase the four walls one at a time securing them to the floor surface and then to each other as they are elevated.  Make sure to put in bracing to supports to prevent the initially and second walls from falling down till both end of each wall is secured to the two adjoining walls.

Once the walls are up you now add the roof framing.  This can be something as simple as a flattop roof or a compound roof with rafters or trusses.  After the final frame work has been completed start applying the siding and roof sheeting.  Make sure that the siding is plumb and that the edges meet on a stud.  Fasten securely to every stud at a rate of a fastener each 8 to 10 in. in the middle and each and every 4 to 6 in. along the edges.  Add the roof sheeting and secure in the same manner.

Cover the roof with proper asphalt shingle material, add the door and any windows.  Apply any trim.  Paint to protect the wood and fill it up and enjoy.  To build a shed you only need a good set of build a shed plans, some time and a need or desire.

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