How to Build a Cheap Storage Shed

Some people find their garage is so full that they can't even park their car in it, between power tools, automotive tools, lawn-care and gardening equipment and all of the junk that won't fit in the attic. The solution to this accumulation of stuff may be an outdoor storage shed. One of the easiest sheds to construct is a pole barn structure. Most pole barns can be built without infringing on city building codes.

Things You'll Need

• Mallet
• Stake
• Tape measure
• Carpenter's triangle
• Chalk line
• Post hole diggers
• Gravel
• Liquid level
• 1 sack of concrete
• Wheelbarrow
• 6 4-inch-by-4-inch posts
• 6 2-inch-by-4-inch boards (grits)
• 6 2-inch-by-4-inch boards (purlins)
• 4 2-inch-by-4-inch boards (stringers)
• 3 roofing trusses
• Metal siding
• Metal roofing
• Metal roofing caps
• Caulk
• Hammer
• Nails
• Wood screws
• Electric drill
• Storm clips
• Gate

Instructions

Lay out your Building

1. Hammer your stake into the ground to mark the spot for the first post. Tie your string line to this.

2. Place the carpenter's triangle on the ground so the corner touches the stake. Position each arm of the triangle so that it is in line with the sides of the building.

3. Use the chalk line and measuring tape to measure out the width of the building. Align the string with the side of the triangle. Place a stake in the ground at the end of the string and measuring tape. Snap the chalk line to mark the side of the building.

4. Measure out the length of the building with the string line and measuring tape. Align the string with the side of the triangle. Place a stake in the ground at the end of the string and tape. Halfway down the length of the tape, place another stake to mark the midpoint of the building's side. Then snap the chalk line to mark the building's side.

5. Place stakes for the midpoint and remaining corner for the building's other side. Using the stakes as guidelines, mark the final two sides with the chalk line.

Set the Posts

1. Dig your post holes over the spots where the stakes are. Your post holes should be one-fourth as deep as your posts will measure from the ground to the rafters of your shed.

2. Fill each post hole with gravel to a depth of 2 inches.

3. Set your post ends in the gravel. Brace with 2-inch-by-4-inch boards. Use a liquid level to set posts upright.

4. Mix concrete in a wheelbarrow and fill the post holes with concrete mixture.

5. Allow the mixture to cure for 24 to 48 hours.

Raise Your Shed

1. Lift stringers to the outside top of each pole. Test that they are straight with the liquid level. Nail them in place. The stringers should form a box around the perimeter of the shed.

2. Lift trusses to the top of poles above the stringers and nail them in place. Nail purlins into place down the length of the tops of the trusses.

3. Nail the grits into place across the outside of the posts. Start with one set at ground level, and then place another halfway between the first set and the stringers. Add more sets as needed. Do not attach grits across the front entryway.

4. Attach tin roofing to the roof purlins using roofing nails, overlapping the ends and caulk. Attach metal roofing caps to the roof ridge.

5. Attach siding to the grits using wood screws. Hang your gate to the corner post next to the front entry, and the gate latch to the other post.

Tips & Warnings

• Always consult the city you live in and obtain proper permits before building a pole barn or storage shed.

References

• Build a Pole Barn for Animal Shelter: I Built A Pole Barn For Under $3,000
• Pole Barn Kits
• How to Build a Pole Barn

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Build a Pole Barn the Easy Way