I have a really nice house (about 1600 square feet), but it has no basement and attic and five people living in it, so it can storage is an issue.  We do have a garage that is packed full of stuff, but that is starting to get old.  I would love to actually park my car in there at some point soon.   So I started thinking about building a wooden shed.

I looked into buying a used wooden garden shed, but no go… I couldn’t find any that were in good enough shape that I would want to go with them, but I could see this being a great option if you could find one in nice condition.

When I started looking around at wooden garden shed plans, I couldn’t help buy notice how expensive some of them were.   I was amazed.   The free plans out there are usually not detailed enough for me and it is not unusual for a good quality shed plan to cost $20 or more, and while that is not bad (and building will save you a ton of money), I really wanted more for my money.

That is when I started looking for woodworking plans online and I came across this site called woodworking4home.com.   This site has a product that has amazing value.  There are 14,000 woodworking plans and projects for just $49.oo.   That is pretty amazing.  One of the best things for me about this particular product is that it brings building wooden storage sheds and many other projects down to my (beginner) level.   I like that a lot, because it will save me a ton of money in the long run.

Another thing that really impressed me is that this  woodworking4home.com membership is only a one time fee and has a money back guarantee.  That way if you buy it and don’t like it, it is OK.     But in all reality, with 14,000 plans you may never need another woodworking book, guide or manual again.

So I am looking forward to saving a bunch of money because I’ve looked at wooden sheds for sale and they are expensive.  Instead, I can just pick from the 39 different shed plans at woodworking4home.com and build one myself (if I was buying that many plans individually, I would hate to think what it would cost).   Next project…. a fence. 

The material you choose for your shed will affect it’s look and performance, so you want to choose carefully.  Metal sheds are no better or worse than wood sheds.  Whether they are better for you depends on your needs and desires in a shed.

Get a quality metal storage shed.

If you are going to go the metal route make sure that you get quality.  You will want your shed to be made of galvanized steel – which is extremely low maintenance and easy to care for.  Having a low maintanence building and a low initial cost is the main reason that people choose metal sheds over wood sheds.

The best metal sheds don’t rot or rust and are vermin resistant.  A good quality metal shed will last for many years.  Pay a little extra upfront.  It is worth it.

Get the right foundation.

Never put  metal sheds directly on the ground.  The easiest foundations are concrete blocks or large patio bricks.  Another option is to pour a concrete slab.  Your shed will last much longer if you have a foundation for it.

Beware of the looks.

Take a look at all of the metal sheds for sale.  In my opinion they never look as nice as wooden sheds, especially if you decide to build your shed yourself.   But many people find that the ease of maintenance on a metal shed is worth giving something up in the looks department.  If you want to match your shed to your house then you really should go with a wood shed.

Make sure you get the right size.

One of the most common complaints that people have about sheds is that they don’t get a big enough size.  It is important to get the right sized shed for your needs, and it is very easy to underestimate.  So estimate what size you need and then add 30 to 50%.  You will be happy you did.

Get the right shed for your needs.

A shed is a pretty large investment.  Before you buy or build your shed, whether it is wood or metal, you will want to be sure that you are getting the right shed for your needs.  Think about how you will use your shed and what you want to store in it.  Decide what you want it to look like and if you prefer super low maintenance metal sheds over their better looking wood counterparts.   Ultimately, what you choose comes down to what you are looking for and what you need.

If you are considering building your own shed, then you will need a good quality set of shed plans.  There are tons of shed designs to choose from, and finding the right shed plan for your situation doesn’t have to be difficult.   Here are three guidelines to help.

Know what you are using your shed for:

When you looking at purchasing storage shed building plans, you need to know what you are going to use your shed for.   Many times ordering a package of shed plans is your best option.  That way you can look through them and pick the design that will suit you best.

Some people use sheds as workshops, sometimes they are used as garden prep  areas, and sometimes they are used for storage.  Carefully think about your needs and build your shed accordingly.

Get shed building plans that reflect your style.

Whatever shed you choose to build you want to make sure it reflects the style of the house that you live in.  You want your shed to blend seamlessly with your property.   A lot of times this is in the details.  Match the trim and colors to what is on your house and you should be good to go.

Get a plans for sheds that are geared toward your level of expertise.

Even though your shed should match your house, you don’t want to kill yourself.  Make sure that your shed plans match your ability to build them.  They should also be fairly detailed and include a supply list to make it as easy as possible to build your shed.  If possible get your lumber precut.  That will make the job much easier, and most home improvement stores do this for a minimal charge.

Enlist help.

Assembling your shed from shed plans is really a two person job, so enlist help.  Get everything together and serve pizza, then have your friends come over to help you build your shed.  It’s kind of like an Amish barn raising, but on a much smaller scale.

Getting the right shed plans doesn’t have to be difficult.  Just keep in mind what you are using your shed for, match the design to your house, and keep it within your skill level.   If you do these three things you will have a project that you can complete in a weekend or two and you will have a garden building you can enjoy for many years to come.

Wooden sheds are a fun do it yourself project, but buying them is easier (in most cases), so which way do you go?  A lot of what you choose to do depends on your level of expertise with building projects and how much time and money you have.

The case for building.

If you have a weekend or two of time and like to do things on your own, then you will probably want to build your shed.  When you build your structure, the best way to get what you want is to buy a set of shed plans.  This way you know exactly what you need to get as far as supplies go and you know how to put it together.

There are also wooden storage shed kits on the market that allow you to buy everything in one kit – hardware, lumber, shingles, and plan.  This is a great medium step in between buying a storage shed and building one.

The case for buying.

If you have more money than time, then you may want to buy a shed.  There are many nice wooden sheds available to order online, or you can find them locally.  Buying a shed is much quicker than building and the results are instant.

Another good option if you want to buy a shed is to look for used wooden sheds.  Just be sure they are no rotted out boards before you take a used shed home.

A few things you should know about wooden storage sheds whether you build or buy.

When you are installing a shed or building from a shed plan, you need to check with your local building code and association rules to see what types of sheds are allowed.   Different communities allow different types of sheds and some don’t allow sheds at all, so it is always good to check the rules before you start.

Another thing that you should consider when putting up a wooden shed is the foundation.  If you lay a concrete foundation for your shed, it will last much longer than if you build it directly on the ground.  Pressure treated lumber will also help keep your shed looking nice for a long time.

Finally, when you go to paint your shed be sure to use primer first and then paint, and always use oustide (never indoor) grade paint.   Latex paint workds great and will wear well as long as you use the primer step.  When you are staining, you also need to use exterior grade stain.

Sheds are versatile structures that can hold a lot of outdoor type of equipment.  You can use them as workshops, gardening centers, bicycle storage, or playhouses.  The uses are really only limited by your imagination and the design of the wooden shed.

I’ve had some time to do some reading lately and I’ve managed to come across a few really interesting posts that I thought I’d let everyone know about. Check em out and let me know your thoughts on some of the topics they talked about within -

My Garden @ House n Style Blog Archive Tips and Ideas For …

Storage sheds are pretty simple to build, but if you feel it is beyond your carpentry skills, consider hiring a local handyman. Building a storage shed is a rewarding experience in many ways, but before we get too carried away with …  Read More…

Tips and Ideas For Outdoor Storage Sheds | Information Solutions

Storage sheds are best built some distance away from the main building. Storage Sheds – Choosing the right shed constructing your own shed or buying a prefabricated storage shed kit can be daunting. There are many styles, material, …  Read More…

Building a Shed

Coming up with the design will help you answer a lot of questions before you begin building a shed. For example, there is the matter of siding for the storage shed. Do you want to go with aluminum siding, wood siding, or brick siding? …  Read More…

Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.

Have a great day!

How To Build A Lean-to Storage Shed

Let’s begin with the materials list that you’ll need to build this shed :
- Pressure treated skids (4×4)
- Pressure treated floor joists (2×4)
- Exterior grade plywood flooring 3/4”
- Top plates, bottom plates, studs, header, trimmer studs, cripple studs, rafters, subfascia (2×4)
- T1-11 exterior siding 5/8”
- CDX roof sheathing 1/2”
- Fascia (1×4)
- Corner and door trim (1×3)
- Drip edge and 15 lb roofing felt
- Asphalt shingles
- Galvanized nails
- Door hinges and latch
- Paint or stain

Step.1.FRAME THE FLOOR
Cut two pressure treated 4 by 4s to 5 feet long for skids.Do the same with two pressure treated 2 by 4s for the rim joists.Cut six floor joists to 45 inches long and position them between the rim joists, 16 inches on center; secure with 16d nails.Place the frame on the skids, shim it level as required, square it up and toenail the floor joists to the skids.Cover the frame with 3/4 inch exterior plywood.

Step.2.BUILD THE WALLS
For the back wall, you must cut 6-foot-long top and bottom plates and lay out studs 24 inches on center.The wall studs are 8 feet long, with their top ends angled at 18 degrees.Build the back wall and nail to the floor frame, bracing as necessary.
For the front wall, cut the top plate 6 feet long and two bottom plates each 1 foot long.Mark a 4-foot-wide door opening and the stud positions.Cut four wall studs to 81(1/4) inches long, plus two 71(1/2) inch long trimmer studs.Also cut two 51-inch-long 2 by 4s, plus a same size strip of 1/2 inch thick plywood as a spacer, and nail them all together for a header.Assemble the wall and attach the header, then add four criple studs on top as shown on the facing page.Secure the front wall to the floor and brace as needed.
Build the side walls with 41-inch long top and bottom plates and 81(1/4) inch long studs.Attach them to the floor.When the wall sections are square and plumb, nail or screw the corners together.

Step.3.FRAME THE ROOF
The roof framing consists of 2 by 4 rafters that rest on the front and back top plates.Cut four rafters as shown on the facing page.Toenail them to the top plates every 24 inches.Then cut a 2 by 4 gable stud to fit between the end rafter and the top plate of each side wall.Next, cut the 2 by 4 subfascia to length and attach it to the front ends of the rafters.

Step.4.ENCLOSE THE WALLS
Next cut pieces of T1-11 siding to cover the front and the sides; save the cutouts to make the doors.Position the siding flush with the bottom of the rim joists and attach it with 8d galvanized nails every 8 inches or so.

Step.5.INSTALL THE ROOF
Use 1/2-inch CDX plywood to sheath the rafters, using 6d nails.Cut the side (or rake) trim to cover the exposed edges of the roof sheathing, and attach.Also cut and install the front fascia, aligning its bottom edge with the bottoms of the side rakes.Install drip edge and 15-pound roofing felt, and apply the shingles.

Step.6.ADD DOORS AND TRIM
Using left-over siding scraps, build a pair of doors to fit the opening, trimming them out with 1 by 3s.Cut and instal 1 by 3 trim along the shed’s front corners and back edges, then around the top and both sides of the door opening.Prop the doors in the opening with wood shims or blocks and check the fit; they would be snug on the side and have about 1/2 inch of clearance top and bottom.Finally attach, the doors with strap hinges and add a door latch.

RESUME : The floor frame for this small shed will rest on pressure-treated skids instead of a fixed foundation.If your site is sloped or has poor drainage, first excavate soil to a depth of 4 inches and replace it with gravel, then place your skids and floor atop that.Next, frame the walls and roof on top of the level platform and enclose them with plywood siding and asphalt shingles.Finally, build and hang a simple door and tidy things up with a little trim.

PS : Enjoy your new lean-to shed.

By: Paul Wakins

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

So … do you want to learn more about outdoor sheds ? eCopyus can help you with free knowledge
about storage sheds, gazebos or garages.Also we can help you selecting the best Arrow Sheds for
your home or business.

I’ve had some time to do some reading lately and I’ve managed to come across a few really interesting posts that I thought I’d let everyone know about. Check em out and let me know your thoughts on some of the topics they talked about within -

My Garden @ House n Style Blog Archive Tips and Ideas For …

Storage sheds will come in many styles and sizes for different needs. A garden shed is a simple structure. Building your own shed will be more economical. You will also have more options in terms of design and size. …  Read More…

Finding The Right Landscape Supplies & Garden Sheds Supplier

Watch the television commercials and the ads in the flyers as to when the different garden sheds and home improvement stores are having their sales or specials on landscape supplies. If you are on a really tight budget but have a lot of …  Read More…

Landscaping On Your Own – Garden Sheds

What you must actually do is put together a well though out landscaping design with the right kind of plants that will basically pop out from the background color. You need to also make sure that you have the right kind of landscape … Landscaping is much more then just plants as it is also about the garden decorations, garden sheds and the rocks that you put out. These items also have to be planned in terms of where they are going to go because you just cannot throw …  Read More…

Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.

Have a great day!

Wooden Shed Kits – Common Mistakes To Avoid When Buying A Wooden Shed Kit

If you want to get hold of a wooden shed kit, but you’re looking for further information, then this article was written for you. In particular, we’re going to cover some of the mistakes people make when getting a wooden shed kit. My hope is that by reviewing these mistakes, you’ll save yourself from making them.Mistake Number 1 – Not Realizing why you need a storage shed.Most people fill their garage with their garden “junk”. I’m talking about things such as your lawn mower, perhaps some garden chairs, and other equipment which is better kept in a shed. By getting a nice garden shed, you’ll also be able to park your car in the garage where it belongs.Mistake Number 2 – Not knowing where to get a good deal on a wooden shed kit.Most people simply go to their local garden store and pick up a premade shed, and in doing so, pay hundreds of dollars more than they needed to. Why not buy a kit which you can put together yourself? Most of the time, you can put it together in a day, and you’ll save yourself hundreds of dollars. Everything you will need will come with the kit. All you need is a little woodworking experience and some basic tools like a hammer, a ladder and a screwdriver.Mistake Number 3 – Not realizing how easy it is to build a shed yourself, from scratch.There’s no need to panic! Even if you’re a rank beginner when it comes to woodworking, building a shed is far easier than you ever imagined. You will save yourself hundreds of dollars, too. The basic materials are very cheap. As long as you have a good, step-by-step plan to follow, you will have no trouble building your own shed from scratch.

By: Ryan Carlton

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

If you’re looking for quality shed plans, you should take a look at my blog – where I’ll show the best online resource for downloading high quality shed designs and blueprints. These designs are step-by-step, fully illustrated, and make building your own shed as easy as falling off a log. Click here to go there now.

Garage Storage Ideas: Creating a Garage Storage Plan

Here are a few handy garage storage ideas that will help you to spruce up your garage. Use garage storage cabinets, shelves, and racks to make the optimum use of the space you have in your garage.

Garages these days are no longer just repositories for vehicles, household junk, and unused tools. They are often an integral part of homes, doubling up as laundry rooms, hobby areas, workshops, children’s playing area, and so on. Garages can also double up as home offices. In order to optimize your garage storage, you need to find out what the various options are.

Here are some garage storage ideas that you can use in order to reduce the clutter and find the things you require when you need them:

Garage Storage Ideas

Optimize the Garage Space: One of the best ideas is optimizing the space in your garage for your storage requirements. In order to keep your garage uncluttered and clean there are myriad storage options that are available these days. Begin by categorizing the things you use according to how frequently you use them. For example, cleaning supplies and garbage bags are used frequently whereas the weed trimmer or the lawn mower need not be kept in the middle right in the center of your garage. Garage storage items can range from items that are not used to tools to sports equipment to even an RV or a small boat.

Use Containers to Keep Items: Containers are very handy for stacking items. And if you label them it will save you effort and time later. Bicycles and other paraphernalia like inline skates, bike helmets, and so on can be mounted on a sidewall. You can also install a workbench in the garage if you are into carpentry and such like.