How to Build a Storage Shed: step 1 Building The Storage Shed Foundation

How To Build a Storage Shed / Garden Shed

These free shed plans are for a 8x8 barn style storage shed, garden shed. Once you have decided on the type of storage shed , you will need some storage shed plans.

If you have decided to build an 8x8 gamrel roof storage shed take a look around at my free storage shed plans. If you decide to build this type of storage shed, start by cutting all your material then assemble your shed.

If you are looking for something different, you may want to check out this site, Sheds software from Big Hammer I have not bought this software, but it looks nice and would like to try it.

I hope this blog helps you building your storage shed / garden shed. I have put lots of pictures, and will try to explain the steps, to build this 8x8 gambrel roof storage shed.

Foundations

The most common storage shed foundation are the wooden skid and the concrete slab.
I built this storage shed on a skid foundation, it's easier and cheaper to construct, and it allows you to move the storage shed if you need to.
How to build a storage shed
Material for the foundation.

2- 4x4x8 treated pine for the skids.

2 2x4x8 treated pine for bands.

7 2x4x93" treated pine for floor joist.

2 3/4" plywood 4x8 for floor decking.

I measured 7- 2x4 to 93" for floor joist and 2- 2x4x8 for bands.

I cut 7 -2x4 to 93" for floor joist and 2- 2x4x8' for bands

Position your joist approximately 16" apart.
Nail through the bands and in to the end of the joist.

Position your skids so joist hang over about 16" beyond the skids. I will be setting my storage shed on concrete bocks. If you want to set it down with no concrete blocks you should prepare a gravel base. To do this remove 4"of soil in an area about 12" wider and longer than your dimension of the storage shed. Fill in the area with 4" of compactible gravel. check for level using a 4 foot level and 8 ft long 2x4. rake until it is fairly level. Tamp the gravel using a hand tamper, check for level, add or remove gravel until the surface is level.

Tonail the joists to skids.

Level the floor, lift the frame where it's low, add treated 2x4 or whatever you need to get it leveled.

Measure diagonally across the floor to square it. Shift the frame until both sides measure the same both ways.

Lay your plywood and nail it.

- Glossary of Terms -

auger - A tool for drillingholes in wood, consisting of a bit with a spirally inclined plane and a handle.
baluster - A rod supporting a stair or porch railing.
bar clamp - A long metal bar with an adjustable clamp.
batten - A strip of wood, or a board, used to bridge or seal a gap between two other boards.
beveled cut - An angle cut.
bit- That part of a drill or auger which actually makes the hole.
block plane - A small hand tool used to shave off or smooth lumber.
box nail - A thin shanked , flat headed nail.
centers - The measured distance between the center of one stud or joist, rafter, etc. and its neighbor.
chalk line - A string coated with chalk dust, used to mark long, strieght lines.
chisel - A straight or beveled edge tool used for paring wood.
combination square - A 12 inch long measuring toolwith a sliding head, which can be adjusted at different lengths. The head has one at a 90 degree -right- angle to the blade and the other edge at a 45 degree angel.
common nail - A flat headed nail with a heavier head and thicker chank than a box nail.
counterbore - To bore a hole in order to recess a screw head. The hole is often filled with a wooden plug.
countersink - To drive a nail or screw until the head is below the surface of the wood.
finishing nail - A headless or nearly headless nail.
gusset- A flat brace joining two boards, often a triangle of plywood joining two rafters at the roof peak.
jamb - The inner framework of a door facing the edge of the door.
rafter - A timber extending from roof peak to wall top.
skid - A foundation board for small building, like a little storage shed or dog house
wood clamp - Two wooden jaws with a adjustable threaded steel rods running through them.