Saturday, July 28, 2007

Garden Storage Shed

After leveling the dirt roughly lay the foundation (pressure treated 4x4's) and make sure that they are absolutely level. By the way, I downloaded plans from the internet by Googling the demensions I wanted and the word 'Garden Shed Plans'. I got my plans from L&R Designs LLC for a 6x12 feet shed in 2005. Check with your local city codes to make sure you are legal with the location, the height and depending on the size, if you need a permit.
Make sure you 'paint' the bottom side of the flooring (3/4" CDX plywood) with wood preservative to prevent termites and wood rot.


Here the back-wall had been fabricated first and then erected in place, because of the proximity of the wall. I decided to use cement based panels for siding to make make the shed more resistant to the elements. That's me with my son Tason who helped me raise the back and side walls which were surprisingly heavy!



Here I have framed the outside wall in place since there was no access limiting yard wall in the way. The window we picked up used at a place were they sell surplus building material.




The 'Hardi Panel' siding is on and it starts looking like a shed already!




To my great surprise I discovered that I did not picture document the construction phase of the roof! So here is the next best thing... Yep, pictures of the roof so you can see how it is constructed.

The plan called out for a 2x8 Ridge Beam, but I used a 2x4 as you can see. The rafters are nailed to the Ridge Beam with four nails, two on each side. So as you can see I did not follow the plans recommendations of using special hangers and hurricane clips etc... For my needs and where I live this is strong enough

This is one of the 2x4 pieces between the rafters called Soffit Caps. It closes the gap between the roofing and the top of the side walls.

Yours truly just installed the work table by the window, supported by iron tubing at the bottom.


My wife, Dorothea, happy with the new shed. Note the shelving for the big stuff, and how all the garden tools are hung on nails at the left wall.

My mother finally came out of the house to inspect and see if all that hammering noise she listened to was worth it.


I guess that smile means it passed inspection! I'm doing final adjustment to the door, which we also picked up cheap at a building surplus store.


Well, that's it folks. I hope you enjoyed watching the progress on how the shed was build as much as I enjoyed building it!