How to Build a Yard Shed

Yard Shed front view

Building your own yard shed allows you not to be limited to the cookie-cutter models that manufacturers make available. You can make just the right size and shape to fit your lawn or space. Individualize the interior and exterior for storage and looks that you desire. Even the flooring and roofing material can be specialized for your own personal taste and use. Building it to match the appearance of your home is also a nice touch.

Things You'll Need

• Lumber of assorted sizes
• Nails of assorted sizes and types
• Lag bolts
• Measuring tape
• Circular saw
• Level
• Concrete piers or slab
• Shingles
• Vents

Instructions

1. Pick a location in the yard to place the shed. The more level the ground the better. Place stakes in the ground at the proposed corner locations.

2. Determine the size of the shed. It is easier to build and saves materials if you use even measurements for the outside dimensions. Because plywood flooring, decking and siding comes in standard 4 ft. --- 8 ft. sheets, a building 8 ft. --- 16 ft. will have less scrap material than a 9 ft. --- 15 ft. building.

3. Use a concrete slab for the foundation and floor of the shed. Unless you are experienced with concrete, hire a contractor to pour the slab. It is important that the slab be square when finished. Test it by measuring from corner to corner diagonally, the distance should be the same.

4. 

   Assemble the walls before lifting them in place. Place studs on 16 inch centers and an extra stud in the corners 4 inches from the end. Build one wall at a time and lift it into place. Use pressure-treated lumber for all bottom plates. Use one treated 2" --- 4" for the bottom plate and two of regular wood for the top plates. Overlap the top plates at the corners to tie the walls together. Use a level and braces to hold the walls before nailing in place. Drill holes in the bottom plates and the concrete every 3 feet and place lag bolts to hold the bottoms in place. See illustration for wall construction.

   Place the external siding on the walls after the walls are raised. Any type siding desired can be used. Place the bottom of the siding to cover the bottom plate and extend down past it for two inches to keep water out.

   Leave a three foot opening for the door. Hang a prefabricated door with frame in the opening after the roof is finished.

5. 

   Build a roof rafter system or order trusses from your local building supply store. Trusses are placed 2 feet apart, but rafters are placed 16 inches apart. Trusses are assembled at the factory and delivered to your lot. You supply the measurements depending on the pitch of the roof and the length of the overhang you want on the sides of the shed. Trusses are assembled with the rafters, braces and ceiling joist as one unit. A roof rafter system requires you to cut the angles and place the bracing as needed.

6. Cover the rafters with plywood, roofing felt and shingles. Directions for applying the roofing felt and shingles are included on the packaging at your local building supply store. The overhang and fascia can be left open for ventilation or covered if desired. If the soffit area is covered, leave vents for air circulation under the soffit area.

Tips & Warnings

• A detailed set of plans will greatly aid this project. Providing electrical service to the shed is also a convenience. Use galvanized nails for the nails that touch the concrete. this will avoid corrosion.

• Always take safety precautions and wear proper safety equipment while operating machinery or using hand tools.

References

• Ed English; Author; English Explorers LLC; Lawrenceville, Georgia

Resources

• Popular Mechanics.com -- Secrets to building a Better Shed