How do I Build an On Site Storage Shed?

Building a simple storage shed is easy if you have a basic knowledge of carpentry and wood.

Anyone with basic carpentry skills and a knowledge of the types and properties of wood can construct a simple storage shed to safely store tools and lawn equipment, for example. Build portions of your shed using treated lumber, making sure that all walls are plumb and all edges flush. This ensures that whatever you choose to store inside your shed stays dry and free from water damage. Building your shed on skids is another good idea. A shed built on skids can be moved if need be.

Things You'll Need

• Treated and untreated lumber
• Treated and untreated plywood
• Underlayment
• Shingles
• Siding
• Door frame and door
• Nail gun
• Nails
• Screwdriver
• Wood Screws
• Level
• Plumb line
• Saw
• T-square

Instructions

1. Build the floor first. Lay your skids and construct the frame of the floor on top using treated lumber cut to length. Ensure your corners are square before nailing or screwing them together.

2. Cover your floor with three-quarter inch treated plywood or lumber, and nail it into place.

3. Frame out your walls. This is easiest to do on level ground. Place studs two feet apart and use blocking in between to give the exterior walls something to adhere on to.

4. Raise your walls and nail them together at the corners. Walls must be plumb or exactly vertical and all edges flush with the edges of the floor. Corners must be flush before you nail them together.

5. Cut your roof support beams and secure them in place at the top of the front and rear walls. Measure and cut your roof beam to fit in between the support beams and nail it into place.

6. Cut your rafters and nail them to your roof beam and the tops of your walls, spacing them evenly apart.

7. Nail on your roof sheathing, usually half-inch treated plywood.

8. Cover your exterior walls with lumber or plywood. If you are adding siding, you will not need treated lumber to complete this step.

9. Cover your roof and walls with an underlayment like asphalt felt paper to prevent the wood from rotting.

10. Apply shingles to the roof and siding to the exterior walls of your shed.

11. Frame and hang your door. If your measurements have been true and everything is plumb and flush, the door will fit easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you have built your basic shed, you may want to wire it for electricity. One great option for supplying energy to a storage shed involves installing solar panels. If this is an option you might want to pursue down the line, be sure to build your shed in a position to take best advantage of direct sunlight.

References

• Buildeazy.com: Build a Storage Shed
• Askthebuilder.com: How to Build a Shed

Resources

• Wooden Sheds: Types and Uses