How do I Build a Metal Mini Storage?

Metal sheds are a way to gain additional storage for things such as lawn mowers and yard maintenance tools. Metal sheds can be bought as do-it-yourself kits at many home improvement stores. Assembling the metal shed requires a few basic tools. Sheds can usually be completed in a weekend with a little help from a friend for some of the heavy lifting that can be needed during construction.

Things You'll Need

• 8-foot by 8-foot metal shed kit
• Concrete
• 2-inch by 4-inch lumber
• Straight edge trowel
• Drill
• Masonry bit
• Rivet gun
• Door
• Door handle

Instructions

1. Prepare the ground where the shed will be located. Metal sheds require a solid foundation for the supports to be bolted to. A concrete slab is the best foundation for this purpose, but prior to pouring the concrete, the ground should be leveled and any large rocks or sticks should be removed.

2. Build an 8-foot by 8-foot square out of 2-by-4 lumber to be used as a concrete mold for the foundation of the shed. Place the square over the prepared ground where the shed will be placed.

3. Mix up the concrete according to the directions on the bag of concrete mix. Pour the concrete into the mold until the concrete reaches the top of the mold. Smooth out the surface of the concrete with the straight edge of a trowel. Allow the concrete to dry completely.

4. Position the base pieces of the metal frame along the edges of the concrete slab. Use a drill with a masonry bit to pre-drill the holes where the bolts will be placed to secure the frame of the building to the concrete slab.

5. Secure the base of the frame to the concrete slab using the bolts that were provided with the metal shed kit.

6. Assemble the wall frames of the shed. Install the corner braces at each corner using the hardware included with the kit. Install the wall studs next along the length of the foundation base. Attach the top wall brace to the top of each of the wall supports.

7. Attach the metal siding to the wall supports with the rivets included in the kit and a rivet gun. Holes will be prepunched in the metal siding where the rivets will be placed and into the holes of the wall supports behind the metal. Position the piece that is precut for the doorway at the front of the building.

8. Assemble the door frame pieces and attach it to the base frame where the door is located. Use rivets to secure the metal to the door frame supports.

9. Assemble the roof supports according to the instructions of the kit. With the help of an assistant, lift the end roof supports in place and secure to the top of the wall frame with the bolts and nuts provided in the shed kit. Tighten the bolt with a ratchet wrench. Repeat this process for the rest of the roof supports.

10. Lift the roof panels on top of the roof supports and secure them in place with rivets that were provided with the kit and a rivet gun. Have an assistant help to hold the roof panel in place until enough rivets have been installed to support the panel while the rest of the rivets are installed. Overlap the edge of the next roof panel on top of the edge of the previously installed roof panel. Repeat the process of installing the rivets. Continue this process until all of the roof panels have been installed.

11. Position the roof cap pieces across the top of the shed roof. The roof cap will seal off the roof while allowing light to shine into the shed. Overlap the edges of the roof cap pieces to prevent water from leaking through the pieces. Secure the roof caps into place with rivets and a rivet gun.

12. Hang the door on the door frame and install a door handle.

References

• Secrets of Shed Building: Metal Sheds-Everything You Need to Know
• Todd Krueger, owner; Working Hands Carpentry; Elkton, SD