How to Build a Storage Shed: Building your own Storage Shed

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.

Building your own Storage shed
BY: Daniel Lazaj

Building your own storage shed can be a very uniquely satisfying process, not to mention the money you can save by building your own storage shed. Building a storage shed is alot easier than most people think. Building a storage shed does not require alot of skill, as much as patience. Measure twice and cut once, means be patient, take your time, and don't hurry. If you can use a hammer, saw and can follow step by step instructions, you can build your own storage shed.

There are only a few common tools that are necessary to build a shed. Some of the tools require to build a storage shed would include a hammer, hand saw, measuring tape, pencil,rafter square, level, drill, and my favorite the miter saw. Precise cutting is made alot easier with a miter saw or a table saw. The cuts are made more quickly than by hand.
If you need to buy tools buy them as you need them and avoid getting tools that you don't need or ones you will find you will never need.

Check and level the floor by laying a straight board on the ground and then a carpenter's level on top of it. Next you will neen to choose your foundation type. The most commonly used types are the wooden skid and the concrete slab. A wooden skid is cheaper to build and it allows you to move the storage shed. If you build a wooden skid foundation, you should prepare a gravel base. The gravel provides a flat stable surface that drains well and helps keep the timber dry. To prepare your gravel base, remove 4 inches of soil in an area about 12 inches wider and longer than the dimension of the storage shed. Fill the area with 4 inches of compactible gravel, rake the gravel and then check it for level using a 4 foot level and straight 8 foot long 2x4. Rake until it is fairly level. Tamp the gravel using a hand tamper. Add and remove gravel until the surface is level.

Most of the framing can be done with a miter saw. The nails used for the framing are called common nails. These have a larger diameter than box nails, making them stronger.

The roofing typically follows the framing. Roofing includes installing the roof sheathing, facia boards, and shingles. The most commonly used materials used are asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are the most durable and low maintenance material available for your storage shed.

Plywood siding is the least expensive and easiest to install. The most common is the T1-11. It resembles vertical board siding and has a lip edge that forms weather proof verticle seams to protects the siding. To protect the siding from the elements apply protective finish, stain, paint, or varnish as soon as possible.

Install the trim to cover the storage shed seams and cover gaps around windows and door frames. This will weather proof as well as give it a decorative look.

I have built many do- it- yourself projects. My most recent was a storage shed. Other outdoor projects I have built include gazebo, tree hose, outdoor chairs, benches and tables. You can see my most recent project here Free storage shed plans
This blog will take you through the process of building a storage shed, price estimate for material. I have also added a material list and a cutting list. http://mystorageshed.blogspot.com

- 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.