A garden shed is an easy project that anyone, regardless of experience in woodworking or construction, can do at home. It provides extra storage space for your outdoor tools and other stuff that may be cluttering your garage or attic.
Procure Your Building Tools
Before you begin, you first must gather all the tools and materials you need to build a shed. You probably already have a lot of the items you need such as measuring tape, level, clamps, claw hammer, framing square, and fasteners (nails, screws, etc.). Other equipment like a cross-cut saw, jab saw, and electric drill you can borrow from friends and neighbours.
This is also the time to decide which materials you will use. Most likely, if you have a limited budget or have no prior experience in construction, your shed will be made of wood. Choose lumber that will not warp when exposed to moisture since the structure will be left outside. You may also decide to use corrugated roofing sheets which will be easier to install even for beginners.
For how much lumber you will need for the project, it is difficult to say. Talk to your local lumber yard attendant to get estimates. Simply make sure that you have an idea of how big you want the shed to be before you go so they can give you a more accurate recommendation.
Build a Strong Foundation
Like any building, your shed needs to have a strong foundation to stand up and last for a long time. You can choose to have either a concrete or wood foundation. A concrete foundation may be required if you are building a bigger garden shed since it is more permanent. A wood foundation will be more ideal if you are building in an area that is not level or difficult to access.
Be Precise
A measuring tape and a pencil will be your best friends when you build a garden shed. You need to measure and mark extensively in order to make sure that every part fits the way you want them to. Do not be tempted to cut corners and be sloppy; you will give yourself a harder time placing walls, doors, windows, the floor, and the roof if your measurements are crooked.
Simplify Roof for Beginners
For many, framing the roof is the most challenging part of a DIY garden shed. A gable roof is by far the most common because it is friendlier for those attempting it for the first time.
A gable roof consists of evenly-spaced rafters that are nailed to the top plates and the ridge boards. You may want the rafters to hang a few inches beyond the ridge in order to protect the walls from moisture when it rains.
Do Not Rush It
Two experienced carpenters will need an entire weekend to construct a garden shed. For someone who does not have extensive experience, the project will take a little longer.
Do not rush it; if you do, you risk the integrity of your garden shed. You do not want a moderately-strong wind to blow your garden shed out of the ground.
Once you have a garden shed, you still have a bit more work to do. Go inside and plan what kind of shelvings and bins you need to attach to the interior. You may also want to paint your new storage space. After that, you can start using it and pat yourself for a job well done.
