Wood Storage Shed Directions
There are many options for a wood storage shed, depending on what needs to be stored, the configuration of the house lot, the desires of the homeowner, the locale and, of course, the budget. A wood shed can be a simple building to hold small garden tools or a large shed for lawn tractors, four-wheelers and other machines. Building a wood shed is not a simple task, and there are many options to consider before starting work. Begin by checking local building codes and residential regulations; some areas have restrictions on sheds and other outbuildings. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Determine how big the shed needs to be and where it might be located. A 12-by-16-foot shed may not be a good option on a small hilly lot. List all the items that might go in a shed, and determine how much space they will require and how much access will be needed. Study the lot and see where that size shed might fit. Use a tape measure to check potential sites for size. Look for any impediments like big rocks, roots or utility lines. Avoid any steep slopes, but find an area with good drainage in all directions.
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Pick a design. Basic wood sheds are squares or rectangles with gable roofs that have a peak and slope on two sides. Gambrel sheds look like small barns, with tall roofs that have two slopes on each side; these provide a lot of internal space. Saltbox sheds have roofs with a wider slope on one side; these frequently were used on farms for equipment storage, with one side left open for easy access. Make a simple tool shed by building a basic box that's set upright with a door to provide access.
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Plan a foundation, depending in part on the type of shed. Build a concrete slab for the strongest, most durable foundation, which is also the most expensive and most difficult to build. Use concrete blocks or pre-cast concrete piers in a pier and beam foundation. Set posts in the ground in concrete for another pier and beam option. Put very small sheds on a base of compacted gravel.
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Decide how you want to build the shed. You can make it yourself from scratch, to your own design; this will require buying materials, framing walls and a roof and doing a lot of carpentry, just like building a house. You can get plans with complete material lists and specific instructions on how to cut and build various elements, like foundations and floors. You can also buy a kit, with all the components cut and marked and ready for assembly. This choice will depend on your budget and your skills.
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Select material for siding and roofing; this decision will depend in part on whether you are building the shed yourself or buying plans or a kit, but many plans and kits offer options. Wood, cement fiber or vinyl are all good sidings: wood requires painting; cement fiber does, too, but resists rot and insects; vinyl is cheap, durable and easy to install but may not fit with the overall house plan. Shingle roofs with conventional composition shingles or use alternate materials like corrugated metal or plastic (which also can be applied as siding).
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