subject: How To Build A Shed? [print this page] A shed is a great way to expand the storage space of any home. There are several different kinds of sheds, some are factory made and will merely to be set up and installed based on the instructions of the design. However, for more skilful and motivated persons, creating a shed from scratch may be more ideal. It is a relatively easy project for a person with satisfactory carpentry experience to do and may actually take just a day to complete.
The timerequired will undoubtedly be lessened if the aid of an additional person is utilized. A simple shed will not require an elaborate design, nonetheless you should consider precise details before beginning this project. These should include the kinds of materials you wish to use and the overall support structure of the shed, i.e. whether it will specifically be held in place with foundation or built to be mobile. If constructed properly your shed will not simply be ideal for storage but an attractive addition to your current outdoor space.
Required Tools
Hammer
Saw which should be circular or crosscut
Framing square
Screw driver
Stakes
Line and Level
Measuring Tape
Shovel
Required Materials
Treated lumber in a variety of pieces: 2x4s, 4x4s, 2x8s (and extra sizes for the joists, beams, rafters and skids).
Treated plywood may be optional depending on the design.
Cable tie downs and wooden skids (for mobile sheds)
Concrete/Compactable gravel (for foundation)
Roofing material:
This will depend on the style you choose, it may be shingles made from wood or fibre glass, aluminium sheeting, clay tiles, etc. Additionally wood sheeting for foundation of the roof structure and a few metal pieces for support.
Doors
Windows
Nails
Hinges
Screws
Wood glue (optional)
Paint
Wall Studs
Cladding Boards
Instructions
1. To begin you should create the foundation. The foundation of course will be dependent on the type of shed you have chosen to build. For a shed that will be cemented to the ground you will have to use your concrete or compactable gravel at this point. Mix the concrete with a shovel and pour it into the space you have alloted for building your shed. For the compactable gravel, prepare and then layout to fill the complete area as you would with the concrete. For a shed that requires no foundation you will start by fixing your skids in position with hammer and nails.
2. Construct your flooring using the lumber you have bought to do this. If you were utilizing a concrete base it may be possible to tile the floor for more posh designs or leave it with only the concrete base as a kind of flooring, this can be made more stylish with paint or any other way of adding colour to the concrete. For wood flooring you will create the frame of the flooring with pieces of wood spaced at a specific distance apart according to with your design, secure these in position with your hammer and nails. Place the plywood over this floor frame utilizing a drill and screw or hammer and nails depending on the method of your design.
3. Construct your wall frames. You will need to measure these correctly utilizing your line and level, measuring tape and framing square. Attempt to be as accurate as you are able to ensure that the structure will be sturdy. Cut the sections of lumber using a saw or power saw. You will first need to install the wall studs and nail them in. You may position them at 2 feet apart. This should allow greater ease of putting in the 4 foot cladding boards that will be utilized during building of the walls. Once the structure is created you may go ahead and install the wall frames, an assistant would make this task an easier one. You should drill these pieces in place securely so that they will not come apart as soon as you start utilizing your shed. Nail the corner studs in position thereby completing your wall.
4. Now you need to create your roof. This will commence by using your biggest piece of lumber to create a single roof beam which will be placed above two supporting structures. You can then designate sections for the end rafters, which should allow four at the rear and front positions. You will then cut smaller pieces to make smaller rafters to finish the foundation of your roof structure. Ensure that you use your level at this point for greater accuracy. You can then put up your ply-board over the now complete base structure. When this has been nailed in you may then add your cover over roofing material to finish the job. You may want to consider priming your roof with paint or another form of water proofing material before putting on the final layer of roofing material.
5. You can then put in your doors and windows by cutting out spaces for them and putting them in place with your, hammer, wood glue and hinges. You may possibly only need one door and quite likely no more than two windows depending on the design.
6. You can now paint your shed and install a few shelves and cabinets for storage.
Tips and Warnings
Make certain the materials you use are durable and will not deteriorate once they are exposed to the elements.
When working with power tools be certain that you are not near any sources of water to avoid electrical shock, this is particularly important if you are working within rainy periods.
To aid the design phase think about utilizing plans that may be found at hardware stores or even via the internet to make building a lot easier.
Make certain you have meticulously planned your building requirements, i.e. ensure you have acquired all the needed materials and tools before you begin constructing your shed.
Buy extra to avoid any delays that may arise because of insufficient materials. Some stores may allow you to return the materials within a specified time, thus eliminating the possibility for wastage.
If you will be running electricity into your shed, consult an electrician to avoid any foreseeable post-construction electrical problems.
