Purpose

We’ll start with why having a wooden shed is important. Sheds are an excellent way to store the overflow of items that won’t fit in your garage or is keeping you from being able to park your car where it should be.

Beyond simply storage, wooden sheds can be made for a wide variety of purposes. If you have a pool in your back yard, a shed can be made for the purpose of being a pool cabana. Pool cabanas can be used for storing pool equipment, pool toys, snack, drinks, etc. It can also be used to store away your pool chemicals that are otherwise dangerous to keep near your main house.

Wooden sheds are also commonly used as garden sheds for use near or in the garden area. No more going back to the garage to grab your gardening tools.

Some other common purposes for sheds are playhouses for the kids, retreat or small guesthouse, woodworking shop and artist studio. You are only limited by your own imagination.

Construction

Now let’s discuss how wooden sheds are made. Perhaps the easiest method is to build one from a kit. There are several companies that offer many different styles of shed. Some of these kits come with the walls and roof components already made so all you have to do is bolt them together. Others come with all the pieces cut to size so you’ll have some more assembly to do for yourself.

Another option is to build from scratch. The best starting point is to look online for a good set of shed plans. Once you find the set of plans that fit your requirements, you’ll need to take the materials list to the supply store and purchase all the pieces for your wooden shed.

You can build your shed on a concrete slab or build a wooden frame for your foundation. Wooden frames have the advantage of being able to move the location of your shed easily. They also come as an option that you can purchase from the wooden shed kit manufacturer.

These are just some of the basics to get you started. You’ll find there are a lot of advantages to having your own wooden shed and hopefully this article has inspired you enough to start researching more options.

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Once the foundation is ready, you are ready to start framing. You will either be following a set of plans and cutting the framework yourself or if you purchased a pre-cut wooden shed kit, you will use the provided instructions and start laying out the pieces.

Now that the framework has been completed, you will have to cover the outside walls with some type of siding. You could use a wood such as cedar, which has a natural resistance to bugs and decay. Another option is plywood siding also known as T1-11. T1-11 is a plywood with vertical grooves cut into it to give the appearance of individual boards. Like cinder blocks, T1-11 is readily available from your local building supplier. You could also choose to cover your wooden shed with a siding made from compressed wood fiber. Two such products are called Duratemp and Smartside. Most contractors prefer these products over T1-11 because of its longevity. These are purchased with pre-applied paint that makes them virtually maintenance free. Be sure to paint any cut edges to protect the exposed material from the elements.

As with the siding, there are also a few options for roofing materials. The most common is asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive, fast and easy to install, durable and come in a wide variety of colors. Cedar shingles offer a great look to your shed as well as being a durable roofing product. Cedar also handles wind and hail quite nicely and has been a time-tested product. A third option for your shed’s roof is metal. A metal roof is a more expensive route initially, but is worth the price for its longevity. Metal roofs can last 50-60 years or more. They also come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Some shed owners have also used corrugated sheet metal to top off their wooden sheds.

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Size

You should start by accessing your storage needs. A small wooden shed isn’t going to work well for you if you fill it completely full just so you can make room for the car to fit into the garage. Try to buy a wooden shed kit that will be large enough to grow into. The amount of space your shed will take up out of your property is also an important consideration.

Location

If your shed kit is strictly for storage, as opposed to a work shed, pool cabana, playhouse, etc., then you should probably locate your shed in a place that isn’t too visible from your porch or deck. Usually, storage sheds aren’t overly attractive as they are made for the specific purpose of storing items in and keeping unwanted intruders out. For the most part, they don’t have any windows or fancy trim.

On the other hand, if your wooden shed is to be used for another purpose, such as a garden shed, then you won’t want to hide it off to the side of your house. It should be located near the garden and have an attractive appearance.

Base

Another consideration will be what type of base your shed will sit on. Typically, this would be a wooden frame that you can purchase separately from the main shed kit or build yourself from scratch. The advantages of a wooden frame base are the ease of building, cost and flexibility. Wooden bases can be used as a skid to make relocation of your shed possible without having to tear it down.

The other alternative is to pour a concrete slab for the base of your wooden shed. This is a great option if you know the location of your shed is permanent.

If you have a few basic construction skills, about one weekend of time and the desire to have an attractive wooden shed in your own backyard, then a wooden shed kit is the perfect solution for you.

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Start by assessing how you will want (or need) to use your shed. A couple of possibilities include storage or even your own mini retreat in your backyard. The size of your wooden shed is also an important consideration that you should keep in mind. It’s a lot easier to determine your shed’s size once you know its purpose.

Now is a good time to start your online research, and a great place to start is by searching for images of wooden sheds. There are hundreds of photos online that will give you a good idea of what other people have built. Once you have a few of your favorite shed photos selected, you can now search for downloadable shed plans. Some you can find free of charge but most will cost you $5.00US (which really isn’t that much).

For a really inexpensive option for wood, used wooden pallets work great. Some very creative shed enthusiasts have actually built complete wooden sheds just from the boards of old pallets. Look for companies that throw them away on a regular basis. If you ask, they will probably let you have them free (if you don’t go overboard). If you don’t feel comfortable asking or you just can’t find a company that is throwing them away, you can always purchase them. The cost runs around four US dollars per pallet.

You will have to be a little creative yourself if you build a shed from pallet boards since there are no existing plans available. It is very possible that the only items you may have to purchase are the hardware and materials for the roof.

It can really pay off to be resourceful. A “new” wooden shed is just a weekend away.

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Using wood over other materials (like metal or plastic) has many advantages. They blend into the environment better and have a very natural and comfortable feeling to them. They also provide better insulation which, in the winter months, protects you and the items you store in it.

Size is one of the first things you should think about when you are considering a wooden shed. Knowing what you are going to put in it will help you make this determination. Leave a little extra room to grow for some more items you may not even be thinking about right now. Just don’t use the extra room to store a bunch of junk you will probably never use in the future. That’s what the garage is for – just kidding.

When you are planning your shed, think about the height you will need as well. You may want to add shelves higher up or put items in the rafters for less frequently used items. See Organizing Your Wooden Shed.

Some garden sheds come with more than one room, which is perfect for use as a retreat, pool cabana or playhouse for the kids. However, its not necessary to have a multiple room wooden shed if you plan to only use it for storage.

Next, another important consideration is the type of floor your shed is going to sit on. Many garden shed kits have an optional wood floor that you build on a frame. The frame or “skid” allows the shed to be moved quite easily to other locations by simply sliding it.

Just like a house, you can pour a concrete slab for your shed. This is a much more permanent option, of course. Once you are finished with your shed, you have the option of staining the concrete, covering it with a flooring product such as carpet, painting it or leaving it bare.

There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of design options available to you today on the internet. And, the best part, they come in a wide variety of sizes. But if you really want a custom shed then you’ll have to start with a good set of garden shed plans and at least one solid weekend of time. It won’t be long until you have a new shed building in your own backyard.

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You will have to start with a clean slate. Once you have everything removed from your wooden shed, make sure all the corners are vacuumed and that there is no more debris left inside.

Most wooden sheds will have a lot of character with the exposed studs and you should use that to your advantage. If there is no apparent rot, you can add a light stain to the wood or simply add a water sealant that will bring out the wood’s natural beauty and give it a finished look.

You can always paint the walls as well. Try to keep with lighter colors since the space is so small. Be sure to use a primer first, otherwise, the paint will be soaked up by the wood.

Follow the steps as described above for a shed that is on a wooden floor or “skid”. But, if your shed is on a concrete slab, then you can either leave it the way it is or you can choose to stain it. You can really revitalize an old worn floor with stain and since wooden sheds are so small, it shouldn’t be a problem to handle the job yourself. However, it is best to use a professional for best results.

Its just as important to clean up and paint the outside of your wooden shed as well. Keep water from coming in by caulking around any spaces or cracks. This may be fine for storage purposes but since this will be a livable space, you don’t want any moisture to come inside.

Now that you have completed the shell, the fun part really begins. Add your own personal touches to the space depending on what you intend to use it for. A great starting point is to add the more permanent items like shelves and pegboards.

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If you decide you aren’t ready to build a wooden shed from scratch, then you should consider purchasing a wooden shed kit. They take a lot less time to build (once its delivered) and they require less carpentry skills which makes this the perfect way to go as a first-time woodworking project.

Wooden sheds are best placed in plain view from your windows because you will want to take advantage of their natural beauty. The foundation should be flat but slightly sloped back towards the rear of the shed for proper water drainage.

Once you’ve found the best location for your shed and properly prepped the site, simply stake out where the four corners of the shed will go and tie strings between the stakes. Make sure to use a level along the strings. For this, you can purchase a very inexpensive level that has a hooked wire that you attach to the strings.

The best permanent solution for a foundation is to pour a concrete slab. But, if you decide to build your shed on a wood foundation or “skid” you’ll have the advantage of being able to move your wooden shed since its not permanently set in one place. The boards act similar to the way the rails of a sled slide across snow.

The best material to build your wooden shed is arguably cedar. Cedar is a hardwood that has natural rot resistant and insect repellent characteristics.

You’ll want your shed to last a lifetime – and it should! Make sure you use quality materials and keep them protected from the elements with a good water sealant. With proper care and upkeep, your shed will bring you years of enjoyment.

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You don’t have to be a pro to build a quality shed.

The next option you have is to purchase a pre-cut wooden shed kit. These kits include all or most of the materials you need to build your shed. And, since the pieces are pre-cut, all you need to do is follow the instructions and put it together – just like a puzzle. This method still requires some basic tools though such as a hammer, screwdriver, and level, but you won’t need as many tools as you would if you built your shed from scratch.

On the other end of the spectrum, you could hire a reputable contractor to build your shed. Contractors are able to handle certain aspects of construction that you may not want (or should not) tackle yourself (such as pouring a foundation if necessary or installing wiring for electrical outlets and lights).

Your decision may ultimately be based on the comfort of your skill level versus the comfort you have with your pocketbook. If you’ve never done any construction before, wooden sheds make a great first-time DIY project. And, as long as you go over safety rules and how to properly use construction tools, you can even get your kids involved.

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Set Your Goals

Having a game plan for building wooden sheds will make all the difference if you are to have a shed you want to be proud of. A great starting point is to determine what it is that you want the shed to be used for in the first place. Using this as a starting point will definitely help you determine the location and size of the shed. A good exercise is to ask yourself questions, such as, “can I free up some valuable garage space by making my shed a workshop that stores all my tools for woodworking? Or, will my shed be of better use next to the pool as a cabana for my pool chemicals, toys and supplies?” Write all these questions down to help you determine the best use for your new shed.

Pick the Right Plans

When you go to purchase a set of shed plans, they should be easy to follow. Try to find an example drawing before you spend money on any set of plans. Exploded diagrams and plenty of photos and illustrations are common in better quality plans. Easy to follow diagrams are the real key to being able to build the masterpiece you are wanting. At the least, your plans should have a complete list of materials. To help make your search easier, we recommend MyShedPlans for the best and easiest shed plans available on the internet. Find out more on this incredible package by clicking HERE.

Make it Square and Level

By making everything level and square, any handyman knows that building wooden sheds goes easier and faster. And, it makes all the difference between a wooden shed you want to show off and your average shed that just sits on the side yard of your house. Try to use woods that resist rot (mold) and insects naturally, like cedar or redwood.

Using this plan, you should have a wooden shed that you can be proud of for years to come.

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Let’s start with an outlined step-by-step process. Since this is a basic overview of the construction process, feel free to research any unanswered questions you may have as there are plenty of articles written on this subject.

Step 1 You should start by assessing your specific needs. How will you build the shed? You can either build from a set of shed plans, buy and assemble a wooden shed kit (which is the easiest and fastest method), or you can use special software and design your own custom shed.

Step 2 Now choose carefully where to locate your wooden shed. You may want to build your shed on a wooden frame or “skid” just in case you want to move it to a different location. A skid frame will allow you to slide the shed to another spot. Its also less permanent and easier to make than pouring a concrete slab. Be aware and research any zoning restrictions you may have on your property.

Step 3 In this step, you will prepare the site for construction. Start by removing all the large objects (if there are any) like plants, rocks or debris. Make the site flat using a shovel and rake. There should be a slight downward slope going towards the rear of the shed so rain water will easily flow off and not puddle under the shed. Its important to take extra time to make this right so you can avoid any headaches later on.

Step 4 Time for the fun part – actually building the wooden shed. Assuming you are building from a set of shed plans, follow the instructions for measuring and cutting all the pieces. Your plans will also show you step-by-step how to put the shed together.

Step 5 Adding all the details and options is the last step. You may choose to add some fancy trim or heavy duty hardware. These are the type of things that really make your shed a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Now that you are finished, the real satisfying part is the feeling you get knowing you built a great shed that will last for many years all by yourself.

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