How to Build a Shed Ramp
A friendly word of advice: if your shed sits up on a concrete slab, make sure you build a shed ramp before you bring home a riding lawn mower. Otherwise, the mower sits out in the rain while you try to figure out how to build your own ramp, or you give in and buy a flimsy metal one.
Fortunately, building a shed ramp is not too difficult. Once you figure out how much material you need and build a place your ramp can attach to, you can easily assemble a ramp in an afternoon.
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Things You'll Need
- 2"x4" pressure treated lumber
- 4"x4"s, one for every 12 inches the ramp is wide
- ¾" pressure treated plywood
- 2 inch nails
- Deck screws or fasteners
- Saw - circular saw is easiest
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Drill
- Drill bits for wood and possibly metal
- Hammer
- Paint and sand, nonslip rubber, or asphalt shingles
Instructions
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First, you need to build a lip to attach your ramp to. If you have a metal shed, you'll need to use a special drill bit.
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Cut a 2"X 4" pressure treated piece of lumber to be slightly longer than the door opening. Attach it directly under the door. To do so, first drill 3 pilot holes through the shed, one on each end and the middle. Then, line up the 2x4 with the holes, and drill pilot holes slightly smaller than the screws you are using. Finally, screw the lumber to the shed.
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Next, you need to measure to determine the length of your ramp. A ramp should incline no more than 3 inches per linear foot. So if your shed is 6 inches off the ground, you will need a two foot long ramp.
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Determine the width of your ramp. You want to use a pressure treated 4"x4" at least every 12 inches (if not more, for extra sturdiness). If your ramp is three feet wide, you will need 4 4"x4"s.
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Cut your 4"X4" to the length you want the ramp to be. If you want, you can angle the ends of the ramp at 45 degrees in order to make it lay flat to the ground. I've found it easier to dig a small hole and implant each of the ends. They then sink in with time.
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On the other end, you need to notch it in order to attach it to the 2x4 on your shed. First, cut the wood at a 45 degree angle. Then, measure in 2 inches from the point and ½ inch down. From this point, draw a straight line down, as well as a straight line across to the pointed end. See the picture for help. Cut on these lines.
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Place the notched ends of the 4x4s over the 2x4, making sure to keep them no more than 12 inches apart. Attach with nails or screws. The other end of the 4x4 should rest on the ground.
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Place plywood over top of your ramp skeleton. Cut it to fit, if necessary. Attach with nails down the length of the 4x4.
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Finally, you can make your ramp nonslip in a variety of ways. You can paint it, and while the paint is still wet, sprinkle sand on top of it. You can attach nonslip rubber or asphalt shingles to it.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also treat the ramp to make it last longer. Finish it with deck sealant.
If you don't want to use plywood, you can also use ¾" thick strips of wood. Just cut them to length, and nail or screw them in along the length of the 4x4.
Screws are harder to attach (you have to drill pilot holes), but they seemed to be a little sturdier for us. To drill a pilot hole, use a drill bit slightly smaller than the screw size you are using.
Don't cut your fingers off with the power tools. It hurts.
Resources
- Photo Credit geocam20000
