How to Build a Garden Shed

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Choose and measure your garden shed's location.

   It should ideally be on level ground. , Dig a shallow hole for your first block's location.
   
   Use a hand tamper to make the soil level and compact.
   
   Add 2 or 3 inches (5 or
   7.5 cm) of gravel to the hole.
   
   Set a 4-inch-thick (10 cm) concrete block into the hole.
   
   The gravel will help prevent any rainwater that could run under the shed from washing away loose soil.
   
   Continue placing 4-inch (10 cm) concrete blocks in this manner in evenly spaced, straight rows.
   
   The number of blocks you need and their spacing depends on your shed's dimensions.
   
   Stack 2-inch-thick (5 cm) blocks on top of the initial concrete blocks to level the foundation as necessary. , The number and length of pieces you will need depends on your shed's dimensions.
   
   The 2 by 4-inch (5 by 10 cm) measurements refer to each board's width and depth., Each frame should have a slanted top and a center board as a crosspiece.
   
   Assemble the frames with 3-inch (7.5 cm) deck screws., They should stand vertical and be spaced next to each other like a series of partitions., Nail the boards along the fronts and backs of the frames., The doors will be placed under the lower side of the shed's slanted roof.,, Add an extra 3/4 of an inch (1.9 cm) to your floor measurements to let the plywood line up against the 1 by 2 (2.5 by 5 cm) boards., Screw the plywood into place., Screw them into position.
   
   The crosspieces will support shelving in the shed., Secure the shelves inside the shed with screws., Use boards with tongues and grooves in them to lock them into place more easily., Use 1 5/8-inch ring-shank siding nails.
   
   Apply constructive adhesive to better secure the cedar planks to the framing if necessary.,, Nail more tongue-and-groove cedar boards to the angled top of the frame.
   
   Let the cedar roof hang down the sides and front of the shed., The height of the doors should reach the bottom edge of the 2 by 6 (5 by 15 cm) header board.,, Use strong hinges to attach the doors to the shed.
2. 2

   Step 2: Use solid concrete blocks that are 4 inches (10 cm) and 2 inches (5 cm) thick to build a foundation for your wooden shed.

3. 3

   Step 3: Get 2 by 4 (5 by 10 cm) wood pieces.

4. 4

   Step 4: Build 3 identical frames using some of the 2 by 4s (5 by 10 cm).

5. 5

   Step 5: Arrange the 3 frames in a row.

6. 6

   Step 6: Nail additional 2 by 4 (5 by 10 cm) boards across the top and bottom of the frames to connect them.

7. 7

   Step 7: Nail 1 by 2 (2.5 by 5 cm) boards around the front of the wooden shed's door area.

8. 8

   Step 8: Drill holes and screw a 2 by 6 (5 by 15 cm) header board across the front of the shed.

9. 9

   Step 9: Measure and use a jigsaw to cut the shed's floor from a large piece of plywood.

10. 10

    Step 10: Fit the plywood around the frame by notching it.

11. 11

    Step 11: Place wood crosspieces in the shed's middle and right frames.

12. 12

    Step 12: Measure and cut shelves from the remaining plywood.

13. 13

    Step 13: Get enough cedar wood boards to cover the shed's exterior.

14. 14

    Step 14: Nail the cedar wood boards around the frame and fit them together to form the shed's exterior.

15. 15

    Step 15: Use a circular saw to cut the tops of the cedar boards to be even with the frame's height.

16. 16

    Step 16: Make a roof for the shed.

17. 17

    Step 17: Cut cedar boards for the shed doors.

18. 18

    Step 18: Hold the doors' boards together with 1 by 3 (2.5 by 7.5 cm) strips of wood screwed into the backs of the shed doors.

19. 19

    Step 19: Put a 1 by 3 (2.5 by 7.5 cm) frame around the front of each cedar door.

Detailed Guide

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