Part 2 - How to build a shed

The enthusiastic handyman can easily build a shed. Whether you build from a kit or from scratch it isn't that difficult. Only a few basic building skills are necessary and a good idea about geometry. All you need for tools are a hammer, saw, screwdriver, measuring tape, drill and level. Other materials include your lumber, shingles, roof, door, hinges and window(s).

If you choose to use a kit these shed kits include all the frames, siding boards, doors, windows and other fixtures that go into building the shed. Kits generally come in three material choices: wood, poly vinyl carbonate, and metal. Building a shed from a shed kit saves a person time and still very satisfying.

The first step for building a shed is marking the site. Carefully mark out in an outline a perfect square (or rectangle) on the ground. Check by measuring the diagonals and verifying that they are equal in length. A shed doesn’t need a very strong foundation. A simple layer of concrete is fine. However, if you live in a cold area where the ground freezes than the layer of concrete should be thinner. Make sure your shed is secured to the ground, if you don't have a foundation, so that the wind won't blow it away.

The second step framing. It is very important that your framework is square and not angled. Check and double check with your level that you have perfectly horizontal and vertical angles. Some supplier can provide ready-made frames that can be fixed with screws. Once your framing is done, the siding boards go up next. The most demanding aspect of building a shed is erecting a perfectly aligned frame. After the sideboards are finished the doors and windows go into their allocated places and are secured with the appropriate hinges and screws. The final step is the attaching of the roof. There are many roof styles to choose from but a flat or a sloping roof is easier to attach than a shingled roof.

After your shed is finished being built you can choose your paint or stain and beautify your shed. Other ideas are window boxes, shutters, climbing plants and any other garden ornament.

So now you can teach your own class on 'how to build a shed'.

For more great ideas on sheds check out our great links on the far right.

also see part 1: how to build a shed

page topic: how to build a shed part 2