How to Frame a Garden Shed

Framing a shed for your garden can be an easy building project if you follow a few simple instructions. Before you begin any building project, obtain the necessary permits and follow the building codes for your area. The materials and instructions listed here are for framing an 8-square-foot garden shed with a flat roof and one door. Adjust the sizes as needed to frame your garden shed.

Things You'll Need

• Wood stakes
• String
• Measuring tape
• Four 6-inch-by-6-inch-by-8-foot treated wood corner posts
• Five 4-inch-by-4-inch-by-8-foot treated wood corner posts
• Post hole digger
• Shovel
• Concrete mix
• 12 2-inch-by-8-inch-by-8-foot treated wood planks
• 11 2-inch-by-4-inch-by-8-foot treated wood planks
• Six L-brackets
• One 4-inch-by-4-inch-by-3-foot treated wood plank
• Drill
• Small drill bit
• Screw driver
• Deck screws

Instructions

1. Mark the layout of your garden shed with stakes and string. Dig an 18-inch hole for the 4-by-6-by-6 corner posts. Measure 2½ feet from each corner post of the wall where you will place your doorway. Dig an 18-inch hole for each of the two 4-by-4s that will support the door. Measure 4 feet from the corner post of the remaining three walls and dig an 18-inch hole for each of the three remaining 4-by-4-by-8 support posts.

2. Stand the posts in the holes and stake them for support. Mix the concrete and fill in the holes around the posts. Let the concrete dry and remove the post supports.

3. Attach one of the 2-inch-by-8-inch-by-8-foot treated wood planks to the outside of the base of each wall, running from corner to corner. Drill pilot holes before inserting the wood screws. Attach another four 2-by-8s at the top of the garden shed on the outside perimeter.

4. Attach one 2-inch-by-4-inch-by-8-foot plank vertically to the horizontal 2-by-8 planks you just placed on the top and bottom of the outside of the shed. Place one of the 2-by-4s in the center between the corner posts and the 4-by-4 posts along the three walls with no doorway. For the doorway wall, place one post 15 inches from each corner post.

5. Attach another 2-by-8-by-8 plank horizontally at the base of the wall on the inside of the garden shed, face to face with the plank on the outside of the shed.

6. Attach an L-bracket at the top of each corner post and at the top of the two center 4-by-4 posts on the two walls adjacent to the wall with the doorway. Attach the remaining three 2-inch-by-4-inch-by-8-foot planks to the L-brackets, framing the flat roof.

7. Finish framing the doorway by inserting the 3-foot-long 4-by-4 between the doorway posts, 6 feet above the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use treated wood for any outdoor project.

• Wear gloves when working with wood.