Not yet registered? Create a OverBlog!

Create my blog

How to build a shed

Need extra storage in your garden? Then why not build a shed? While this may sound a little daunting at first, building a shed is not as difficult as it sounds. Here is a guide on how to build the basic structure.

The floor frame

You can decide on the exact size you want for your shed so take the measurements here as a rough guide. Cut two pieces of 2 inch by 2 inch timber into 10 ft strips for the sides. Cut a further six pieces of 8 ft in length and make the frame much like the base of a bed. Lay two 10 ft pieces of timber on the ground 6 feet apart and place the frame on top. Fix securely with screws. Cover the frame with 3/4 inch (20mm in metric measurements) plywood.

The walls

Construct the walls 8ft high using 2inch by 4inch lengths of timber. Construct the walls in criss-cross style using four strips for the horizontal beams. For the sides, use five vertical strips. For the back, use three and for the front, use two leaving space for the door.

Fix the wall frames to the base

Now lift the wall frames up and secure them to the floor using screws or nails. Brace each side together using angled joints.

The roof

For the roof, cut 12 rafters of 5 ft each from 2 by 4 timber. Join 6 rafters, cut at an angle at one end, to a 10 ft piece of 2 by 8 (roof beam) at equal intervals. Do the same with the remaining 6 on the other side. Make 2 beams supports using two 14 inch cuts of wood that sandwich an 11 inch piece. Fix the beam supports in the top-middle of both the front and back walls so that the roof frame will sit on the walls at an angle of approximately 20 degrees.

Cover with plywood

You can now cover all the walls and the roof using panels of 12 mm or 1/2 plywood. Cut out a square for a window if so desired on one of the two sides. The hole should be slightly larger than the size of the window you will be using.

Finish the roof

Cover the roof with an appropriate underlay before fixing up the corrugated iron. Fix the iron to the roof frame using appropriate roofing screws.

Finish the walls

You can now finish all the walls in whichever way you wish. You could leave things as they are and simply coat the walls with protective varnish, or you could choose to add cladding for extra protection first. You could even line all the walls with further corrugated iron for total security and strength.

Same category articles Do-it-yourself & Construction

How to install a mixer shower

How to install a mixer shower

Installing a mixer shower is not as complicated as it seems. There are no electrical connections to figure out, but a solid understanding of how mixer showers work is vital. Find out how a mixer shower operates and how you can install one as a DIY project.
How to install a built-in wine cooler?

How to install a built-in wine cooler?

You don't need to have a basement or cellar to have wine storage. You can convert any area of your home, including a closet, into a place to keep your wine. To do this, you need a space that you can close up. Keeping the area at the right temperature and moisture level is possible with a few added pieces of equipment.
How to make an easel

How to make an easel

While there are several types of easel, including table top easels and rigid floor easels, in general the most common type of easel is a free-standing adjustable type that comprises three legs and a cross beam where the painting surface can be mounted. Usually constructed from wood, home-made stands are fairly straightforward to put together. Here is how to make an easel in a few steps.
The pros and cons of an attic conversion

The pros and cons of an attic conversion

Many people decide that a home extension is a good idea when buying a new home that they want to make bigger or when trying to add value or space to a pre-existing home. If you have a loft, then one of the best ways to add space is a loft conversion. If you have loft ideas, the next step is to consider the attic design/loft design and get some loft plans drawn up.