How to Build a Small Metal Shed

Construct your metal shed in less than a day.

A metal shed can provide you with that extra storage area you've been looking for. Most metal sheds are large enough to store lawnmowers, gardening equipment, snow removal equipment and any other equipment that you might use for work or pleasure. Building a metal shed is probably easier than you might think if you use a kit that is available at most hardware stores. With the proper tools and materials, you should be able to construct your shed and have it ready for storage in less than a day.

Things You'll Need

• Metal shed building kit
• Manual from kit
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Screwdriver
• Level
• Utility knife
• Measuring tape
• Ladder
• Pliers, wrench, or nut driver

Instructions

Plan Ahead

1. Check your local building code regulations. Check your safety manual supplied with the kit for any safety warnings that are listed. Make sure that the kit you are using has all of the parts that it lists.

2. Refrain from building on a rainy or windy day. Doing so will result in many unexpected frustrations.

3. Place the kit-supplied base on the site you are building on and ensure that it is square and level.

Assembling the Frame and Sides of the Shed

1. Assemble the floor frame by placing the rear, front and side frames on the base and securing them with screws.

2. Install the corner panels and wall panels. To do this, place each corner panel upright at the four corners of the base, and attach each with a screw to the base and floor frame. Then attach the four wall panels to the four corner panels and the floor frame using the fasteners supplied in your kit. When this step is complete, all of the walls will be installed.

3. Install the wall angles and the door track. Use screws to attach the rear wall angles to the inside top of the rear wall. Do the same for the rest of the side wall angles. Fasten angles to the corners with screws. Attach the door track across the top of the front panels with screws.

4. Install the door frame. Attach the channel that goes on the front wall with screws. Attach the bottom, sides and top of the door frame using screws and washers.

Assembling the Roof

1. Install the three roof beams and the two gables. Attach one gable to the door track with screws. Attach the other gable to the rear wall with screws. Suspend the double roof beam at the top between the two gables, and attach it to the gables by using bolts. This roof beam will form the apex of the roof. Suspend one of the single roof beams between the outer portions of the gables, and attach it to the gables by using bolts. Suspend the second single roof beeam between the other outer portions of the gables that don't have a beam attached, and secure it to the gables using bolts. Once this step is completed, you will have one double roof beam at the apex of the roof and two single roof beams to the left and right of the double roof beam.

2. Attach all of the roof panels to the gables and beams using screws and bolts. Use weather tape to cover the peak of the roof as you install the roof panels. Attach the ridge cap to the peak with bolts. Attach the trim to the outer edges of the roof panels.

3. Assemble the doors and their frames, and attach to the shed. Attach the door handle to the door with nuts and bolts. Fasten any door braces included with screws. Install the doors from the inside of the shed by placing them in the door track and screwing them in at the top of the door slide.

Tips & Warnings

• When you have completed building the shed, it is a good idea to secure the structure with anchors. Anchors will provide the shed with even more stability.

• Always use gloves when building a metal shed. The edges of the metal pieces can be very sharp, easily cutting you if you are not wearing protective gear.

References

• Arrow Sheds Installation
• Secrets of Shed Building: A Shed Need Not be Cold, Damp, Draughty or Rickety