How to Build an On Site Shed
Many backyard sheds are built with a concrete foundation, but this isn't practical for temporary purposes. If you need an on-site shed to temporarily store equipment and materials, there is a shed plan that will work. The plan is just like any other shed project, but you will substitute the concrete foundation for a wood foundation and add a simple roof. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Gravel
- Hammer
- Nails
- Bolts
- Metal clip angles
- Three wooden 4x4s
- 2 by 6 floor joists
- Wood boards
- Lumber
Instructions
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1
Excavate the area for the shed by lightly digging up the soil and removing any grass or foliage. Then cover the area with a 4-inch layer of gravel.
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2
Lay three 4 by 4 wood skids running parallel to each other over the layer of gravel. These skids will serve as the foundation for the shed. Lay one skid directly in the middle of the site. Then lay the next two close to the end of the excavated area.
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3
Cover the wood skids with several 2 by 6 floor joists. The joists will be installed perpendicular to the skids. The number of joists you install will depend on how large the shed is. The 2 by 6 joists should be longer than the wooden skids, and hang over the sides of the two skids closest to the ends. Nail each joist into the skids by using metal clip angles and nails. The clip angle will hold the joist and skid together when they are nailed in place.
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4
Lay flat wood boards over the joists for the floor. Nail the flooring down and into the joists below.
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5
Now begin creating the frames for the side and back walls. To construct the frame, you will nail a series of wood studs in between a top and bottom wooden plate. Make sure that the walls are the exact same length as the wood foundation. If you would like to have a window on one of the walls, leave room in the frame for a window. However, this is not necessary for a temporary structure.
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6
Take the finished walls and raise them one at a time. Then bolt the bottom plate into the shed floor until the wall is secure. Continue with the next walls and secure those to the shed floor. Make sure that each wall is secured to the next with nails or bolts. For the front of the shed, create a similar wall frame, but leave an opening for a door. Add the door of you choice.
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7
Finish off the framing by covering it with wood panels. Nail the wood panels to the outside of the shed until the structure is covered.
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Add a flat roof to the shed by laying a series of wood rafters over the top of the structure. Nail the rafters into the top plate of each wall. The roof can be covered with shingles or left as is.
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Tips & Warnings
A flat roof is not ideal for most sheds because rain can accumulate and create dry rot. But if the shed is only up for a short period of time, a flat roof works fine. If you would prefer a sloped roof on your on-site shed, find instructions for installing an A-frame roof.
Once you are finished using this shed, it can easily be taken down by removing the nails and bolts, and removing the wood frames.
