Are you looking forward to building a shed that stands out in your garden as an outlet, a mini shelter or as an open sit out? Well, do you really think that you’re capable of building it on your own? Do you think by adopting the DIY method, you can be benefitted from the premium wood rather than approaching a woodworker? Yes! You’re getting it right. Yes, you can build a shed all by yourself by doing the right plan and by working on it all by yourself. It is suggested to notice that the building of a shed involves some time and effort without which, you can’t afford one. The materials and the construction costs, however, can be saved if you prefer buying prefabrication.
Where to start in building a Shed Project?
As someone who has built more than a couple of wood sheds, the two most important things that should be considered for a wooden shed are space planning and the location of the shed. Refrain yourself from thinking about the character, style, design or the colour of the shed if you are a beginner. All of these things come later in the picture when you experience yourself with the building of more than two wooden sheds. Don’t waste time over ready- made sheds, free shed plans or kit sheds because most of them lack the intricacy and even if they confront a problem no proper customer support is provided to give you the right solutions. Therefore, you need to start by question-answering few things and then reviewing best shed plans.
How do I start building a Shed Project?
It is mandatory to note that framing a shed is not as difficult as it appears given the right materials and right construction techniques. The key points of the shed project are planning it in the right way, and all that has to be done way before you have started the construction. A wrongful planning might cost you both time and money and therefore make sure that you have minimal errors while you’re planning for the shed given the correct selection of materials, right construction procedure. You can check some great shed plans in the Ryan Shed Plans which is probably the best power packed resource for DIY enthusiasts.
Requirements for building a Shed Project
Local Bylaws
Local requirements should be taken care while you’re planning to build a shed project given that the codes and ordinances are taken care. There will be certain restrictions like placement, square footage area and height of the municipalities as you have to apply for the permit once the design is done.
Dead Restrictions
It is to be taken care if your shed type has elements that can restrict the location of the shed. Are you planning to place the shed as a part of your property with the right of way and also without any restrictions on the utility access? The last thing that you want is to have a neighbour as a pain in the ass.
Environment Factors
Evaluation of the microclimate is important in defining your shed location. It includes the shading effects of shrubs, evergreen trees and also the angle of sunlight. The landscape also plays an important role, how they act in different seasons, the drainage conditions, the temperature, the prevailing wind and the enclosed shed.
Shed Functions
Coming to the actual part, it is important to understand the functionality of your shed like what you want your shed to do. Will your shed be used for gardening, for storing household things, for securing the lawn tools or for seating? Do you want the electric power to be supplied? What type of shelving or seating units do you need in the shed? All these things have to be taken care as you plan the shed.
Plans
It is important to get yourself a grip of all the plans and techniques before you plan the shed. These techniques can be learnt by studying the existing sheds. Ask the neighbours, if your planned design is okay and if they can get along with it, given that it is placed in your vicinity before you study more about framing and materials.
Budget
You must estimate the amount that you have to spend on the shed before you proceed with the construction. Start with determining if you want to build the shed all by yourself? Have you purchased all the materials that are required for the shed? In case if you need heavy tools to complete the shed, where and how are you planning to rent them? While deciding the budget, it is recommended to set a range with both upper and lower limits so that you can wiggle in between.
Materials
While there are many sources to avail the materials, you need to find the best that offers the identified materials. Once you have identified the materials, make a bill of quantities so that you can approach a dealer in order to get them at the optimised rate. Consult the dealer and stock all the available materials before you make the purchase. If you want to make the special order, check which dealer can deliver all the materials to the site, directly.
Prefabrication
Most of the materials that are used in the shed construction are pre-fabricated. However, you need to be careful while using few materials like the metal sheds, for example. The metal sheds are subjected to wind damage when exposed to strong windows, and they have a short span relatively when compared to the wood sheds. Also, they are under the risk of rust, and they look bad even after the next day after building it. Therefore, you have to be careful about the prefabricated use of metals.
Shed Location
Before you decide the location of the shed, know about the traffic flow of the backyard where you use the shed. By drawing the basic circulation, you can build the priorities for the location of the shed. Also, you need to decide whether you want a ramp or not so that you can decide its position and the movement of the tools, to and from the shed. It is recommended to create a site plan on your own with the exteriors and the landscape so that you can have a clear view of the location.
Precautions to be taken while building a DIY Shed Project
Now that you have a fair idea about the area of the shed grab a chair and start picking up the right location. Don’t take decisions very lightly. The location has to be likely levelled and should contain water drainage facility as well. The spot should be very compatible with the surrounding landscape. Avoid areas which are low lying and which collects water because moisturisation rots the premature wood and rusts the hinges. It also develops a mildew and promotes the growth of mould.
Even though it is a DIY project, remember that you don’t have to do it all yourself because even a pro can’t work on it. You can take the help of a landscaper to level the location, get an outsource to lay the foundation and the trusses to be done by the local truss provider. You can have the shingles and hinges installed by a handyman. Building a shed usually involves a lot of work, but by inscribing little fun elements, you can turn into ultimate fun including few pros and cons. By taking a helping hand of someone you love to spend time with, you can even make the project exotic.
Permit Grant for the Shed Project
The whole building process right from taking the permit can be intimidating given that you had nothing to do with the building codes, setbacks, bylaws and the planning permits. During the review, your house will be visited by the Inspector when you have to approve the shed location. Make sure you ask all the questions to avoid the violations.
If you’re looking forward to acquire a permit for the wooden shed, it is mandatory to submit all the plans with details to the building department to gain the permit. If you don’t know how to draw the plans, you don’t actually have to hire a designer to do that. You can ask an architect to do it for a small pay or a wood shed planner who is experienced to draft the plan.
However, you need to have a look at the already approved plans in order to get cues from the plans to acquire the overview and make changes from it. It is also important to create a site plan which shows the property, the house, the shed location, the landscape and the exteriors including the existing structures like retaining walls, fences and also the pool. You should submit two different sets of these plans for the approval.
Choosing the Perfect Shed Design
Step One: In most of the cases, the storage space is the main reason for deciding the design of the shed and it only requires a little planning. A smaller 4’*8′ is adequate for sufficiently storing the larger items like the riding mower, the push mower, the hand tools and the boat. If you want to keep the fireplace, you should also plan it and also items that you want to include in the future keeping the future expansion in context.
Step Two: Is the shed used for the diurnal activities, the day activities or the night activities alone? Make sure that you go through them and after considering that you will be deduced to few styles with different options, walkway styles and spaces with innate interior access as well. In case if you want to use the space for the night, adequate lighting should be provided. Care should be provided for the provision of sunlight, the interior power and possibly for other lighter sources.
Step Three: Question yourself, how crucial the appearance and style of the shed is, to you? Remember that if you build something even in the backyard, it will totally detract the appearance of the home and will even affect its value. Therefore, it is important to consider what you are using because using inexpensive materials might be preferable, but it will make your house look cheap. By using prefinished or natural woods, you can add character and value to the property.
Choosing the Roof design of the Shed
Pent Roof
The classic look of this roof reminds you of the western countries that have roof angles which slope downwards either from the front to the rear or from the rear to the front. If you’re living in snowy areas, increase the slope of the pitch so that the snow slides off very easily.
Lean-To Roof
Built against a structure, the lean-to sheds are attached to the house and are quite effective. These are easiest to build with three normal sides and a pitched roof. This design is good if your shed is close to the fence, a wall or the building itself. The slope will be assisted b the roofing material, limitations and local codes.
Gable Roof
The gable roofs are known to provide abundant space with the rafters, and they will look extremely good to fit all the home styles. The Gable roofs are built by keeping the both sides equal in shape and length with a single side sloping down from the ridge. The angle might vary from say 20-70° and the steep allows the trees and snow slide the surface off with ease.
Barn Roof
While this roof is too difficult, the barn roof is easier to make than you have imagined and would give additional value to it. If you have back home at the countryside, barn roof is what you should desire the most. A gambrel barn roof is similar to the shape of Liberty Bell. To be authentic, you can use rafters or same length with an equal joint angle of 22.5°.
Saltbox Roof
Similar to the Gable Style, it has a peak with two sides. The only difference is that these sides are not exactly equal in size where one side is kept short, and the other one is longer and steeper. The main roof upside can be hold up to add resistance to snow and heavy winds.
Step-by-Step procedure Pier Foundation & Floor
Start with building the pier foundation and a floor framing with pressure treatment. The plywood sheeting can be nailed down in order to make ready for the walls.
Before you frame the wall, take the advantage of the flat provided and open the floor for the creation of the trusses. After framing the wall, nail the diagonal boards to the wall square to maintain the square size.
Have doors and windows, prefabricated to assure that the openings for them are drafted right. After framing the walls, bring the trusses upside down and inside out to set them on the top of the walls.
Use a shifted pole to rotate the trusses and then lean them in the place. Once the trusses are ready, slide them and nail them in a place. Use wood drops to keep the truss in place after you nail it in the position. The trusses are now ready for windows and sliding.
The upper area of the wall is easy and can be nailed to the place without the sheathing. Nail the corner of the openings from inside by marking it for cutting the openings. Finish up working with the windows, trimming and the doors. All you have to do is work with the roof, in order to get done.
Conclusion
To conclude, there are a couple of things that are to be taken care before you get done. Check with the Register of the office for any restrictions during the planning, before the construction. Store the materials inside the garage or the tarp without opening them to the weather. Wood, when made contact with the ground is resistant to decay and can be pressure treated as well with the “end-cut” solutions. The fasteners, nails and hangers must be galvanised and hot-dipped given they are made of stainless steel and if they are made from specified wood, preservatives should be used.
If you have built the shed on a levelled platform, place the cloth between the shed and the group in order to keep the critters away. This will also allow air circulation beneath the shed. Build with safety and security by installing heavy latches, strong locks. Add a ramp for a stumble-free access. Have a maintenance plan for regular maintenance to ensure that the screws of the doors and windows are weather-proof and tight. The load ratings of the snow will also be kept in check with respect to geographical location. If you get wet and heavy snowfall, it is also advised to sweep all the snow right off the roof.
Given that, building a DIY shed is a very good woodworking project that also gives you confidence and experience on building in the right way. If you have any doubts regarding the installation and construction of the sheds, comment in the below section so that we can give you few tips to ease the construction.
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