Build a Home Storage Shed
Building your own storage shed is a weekend project and considerably less expensive then buying a premade shed. The majority of the cost is in lumber, assuming you have access to the necessary power tools. The shed can be built by two people, although the more help you have the quicker you will be able to complete the project. The only waiting time occurs while the cement is drying. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure the area you want the shed to be and level the ground to make sure you are building on a flat surface.
2. Dig holes in the corners of your site with a post hole digger. Each hole should be 36 inches deep.
3. Place 4-by-4 wood posts into each hole and then fill the hole with prepared cement. Check the bag for how long the cement has to dry before you can continue with the project.
4. Start at the ground and nail 2-by-4 boards every 16 inches going up the corner poles.
5. Nail 2-by-4 boards to the top of the 4-by-4 posts, creating a rim on the top of the walls.
6. Add a roof to your shed. To do this, either buy premade trusses or nail 2-by-4s every 16 inches across the top of your shed. Then attach a corrugated metal roof or a flat wood roof. If you use a corrugated metal or flat wood roof, nail the roof right to the 2-by-4s you nailed across the top of the shed frame. If you use premade trusses, nail the trusses to the top edge of the frame along the sides. Then nail 4-by-8 sheets of plywood to the outside of the trusses and cover the plywood with tar paper. To shingle over the tar paper, start in the bottom left corner of the roof. Nail down one shingle upside down and a second shingle directly on top of the first. Then start moving left to right and bottom to top, nailing the shingles to the roof.
7. Nail 4-by-8 sheets of plywood to the outside walls of the shed. You can nails these right to the 2-by-4 boards you put up in Step 4.
8. Cut a hole in the front wall for the door using the measurements for the door you plan to use. Once the door hole is cut, frame it in by nailing 2-by-4s to the existing 2-by-4s around the door opening. Attach the door by screwing the door hinges into the frame.
9. Staple Tyvek paper to the outside walls of the shed. Then hang the siding by starting at the bottom of the walls and working your way up to the roof. Each piece of siding will have a tab with nail holes. Put the siding up against the shed and nail in the middle hole first. This will allow you to adjust the ends to make sure it is level before you nail it down. The bottom of the next piece will be J-shaped and will snap over the top of the previous piece. Then nail the top to the wall just like you did the first one.
Tags: 2-by-4 boards, 4-by-8 sheets, 4-by-8 sheets plywood, Build Home, Build Home Storage