How to Build a Shed Frame

Building a shed frame is the basis for any type of shed you plan to build. Once you have the frame built, you can decide the type of walls, doors, and roof you want to add. You can also decide whether you want to add a floor or not. Other than specifying the height of the corner poles, you can use these basic directions to make a shed as large or as small as you like.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• post hole digger 4 by 4 posts cement measuring tape 2 by 4 boards roof trusses nail gun

1. Level the ground before you begin. Not leveling the ground ahead of time will cause your floor to be uneven, which can lead to a wide variety of problems with the overall structure and usability of the shed.

2. Dig 36 inch holes with a post digger. The holes will mark where you want the four corners of the shed to be. Make sure the corner posts create a straight line from each other. The corners should either create a square or a rectangle depending on the size of the shed, with four 90-degree angles.

3. Put 4 by 4 posts in each hole, and fill the hole with cement to ground level. Allow time for the cement to dry. This will be at least one full day depending on the weather. The height of the posts will depend on how tall you want your shed to be. The height of the posts will determine the height of the walls since the roof will sit on top of the posts.

4. Nail up 2 by 4 boards every 16 inches starting at the ground and working your way up the posts.

5. Nail 4 by 4s around the perimeter of the shed on top of the corner poles. These boards will create a ledge on top of the walls. This will be what the roof sits on.

6. Buy pre-made roof trusses. Attach them to the top of the shed by nailing them to the 4 by 4s you attached in Step 5. Adding the roof trusses will complete the frame for the shed.

Tips & Warnings

• Leveling the ground can take time. Be sure to start this project well in advance of when you would like it to be done. Buy all of your lumber ahead of time so you don't waste time running back and forth to the lumber yard. If you decide you want a cement floor, you'll want to consider putting the floor down before building the frame to allow yourself plenty of room.
• Although possible, this would be a difficult project for one person. It may be best to have someone available to assist you in building your shed.

Resources

• tips on storage sheds