Building a shed can be easy and quite satisfying if done right. By starting with some organization and planning, this can become a great project for you or you and your children or friends.
To start, you need to decide what you need in a shed. Do you just need a small storage space or are you looking for something that will double as a storage center and a workshop? These questions alone will enable you to decide whether or not to build something big or just go purchase a small storage box.
Once you have your needs decided, you then need to decide what it will look like and where it will go on your property. Most people skip this step and end up not liking their shed or not liking where they place it. Taking an hour or so to consider this may save you years of discontent with your shed.
There are many styles to choose from, just go to any website that has blueprints and you will probably be able to find a lot of different styles. Begin to look through these and decide what looks right for you, what works with your land and what will look good with your house.
Once you have decided where it will go and what it looks like, not you need to get your materials figured out so you can get estimates from a few different lumber yards. Don't assume the Home Depot or Lowe's will be the cheapest or the best, sometimes the local lumber yard will do better on framing lumber that any large scale business could ever do.
To get this list, you need to figure out some details about how you intend to build. Are you going to put this on a concrete slab or are you going to do the traditional wooden floor joists? Are your studs going to be 16" on center or 24" on center? Is this storage shed large enough to make trusses economical or are you going to field frame the roof system? Lastly, will the exterior match your home or are you going to finish it with something different? Get these questions answered prior top going out and getting bids on your framing as this will make it easier for you to get accurate quotes.
If you just don't want to or don't know how to estimate the materials, don't worry, most local lumber yards will help you do a material list. Generally, they will take your ideas or plans and contact you within a few days to let you know what materials you need and how much it would cost you to purchase it from them. You can then take that list and check their prices with other stores.
Now, once all the above is done, your lumber is delivered or somehowbrought to your home, you can begin to build.
If you chose a concrete slab for the floor, then you should have had someone pour that slab already so you can start to build. If your using the wood floor joist system, then you should have already laid out your floor and put in place your footers. Remember, the wooden joist shed needs to breath underneath, and should have some plastic with pea gravel on top to help with moisture issues. It should also have some lattice or similar to keep rodents and such from underneath. If you go with the concrete slab, your initial wall plate must be pressure treated, in order to keep the wood from rotting. The rest of your wall can then be regular framing.
Once your floor is down and covered with the floor, generally 3/4" plywood, you then need to layout and build your walls. Generally, studs are at 16" on center, but can be 19.2" or even 24" on center depending on the size of structure. If you are using any windows, make sure to find out what their rough openings are so your holes will be the correct size, the same goes with the door. Also, remember to put in some kind of header above your windows and doors, this way you won't have to replace your windows in a few years because a wall sagged. Always put double studs on each side of the openings, as this way you have the proper structure.
You corners can be done many different ways. I am personally comfortable with putting two studs together with about an inch of space between and the butting up a single stud on the opposing wall. Should you ever want to do drywall or some other type of interior finish, this will make it much easier. Also, make sure you double plate the top plate, as this adds extra strength.
Once your walls are laid out, built and upright with proper bracing, you can begin to put on the trusses or rafters. These are laid out simply, usually 16" on center for rafters and 24" on center for trusses. Rafters will have to be cut individually, with a ridge board at the peak to nail to, where as trusses will just be lifted and set into place. They will then be nailed to the top plate and brace at the underside to the top boards to give stability.
After the main framing is done, you then put the shell on, or the exterior sheathing, generally plywood or OSB. Prior to putting on any siding, you should install your windows and doors. Once this is done, you can then put on your siding and roofing. Remember that your roof should have felt paper, at least 15 pound felt paper under your shingles.
Now, you can step away and look at what you have created. Hopefully, you have done a good job and will be pleased with your choice for years to come.
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