Learning What it Takes to Build Sheds
These extremely versatile outbuildings have been a fixture in many a backyard and are also very utilitarian in nature.
For a fact, there are a wide variety of enclosures that go by the name of shed, just as there are a wide variety of ways to go about building them.
The more intricate and involved outbuildings may even have a concrete pad that serves as the foundation, while most will be built to sit on the plain ground (anchored into it, of course) or on top of a wooden frame-type base.
Most every foundation will need to be anchored in some way or another, as the smaller ones might be susceptible to wind damage.
At any rate, it doesn't cost much more to purchase and anchor kit and then install it.
After considering that, the next thing to be considered is the style or type of shed to go into the backyard.
Several popular types have been around for many years.
The easiest and most common storage shed to build is the gable type.
It is instantly familiar as looking like a miniature house, for the most part.
It will have a roof that slopes downwards in equal lengths on both sides, for one.
Also, the two sides (left and right) will be longer in length than the front and back.
This shed is very easy to build, and many plans exist online.
A very popular and attractive style is known as the gambrel roof shed, which is usually 8' x 8' square.
Picture any barn to get an idea of what it looks like except that it is greatly reduced in its dimensions.
This one can make for a good do it yourself project and the man-hours and money needed to build it is usually less than $600.
There are certain tools that need to be used when building a shed.
Tools needed fall into two categories; power tools and manual tools.
For sheds there are several of both that will be required.
Manual tools include hammers, levels and hand saws, a chalk line and a tape measure and also a rafter square.
Power tools will include a jig saw and power miter saw along with a reciprocating saw and a power drill, all of which can be purchased at any home improvement store.
Most any shed should, in fact, be built onto a foundation, so this item should be the first thing constructed.
The simplest foundations to build are wood-type frames that are cut and fitted and then nailed together in such a way that the rest of the shed can sit nicely on it.
Once done, build all side walls first, followed by the roof and then front and back walls.
Lastly trim and shingles.
Learning what it takes to build sheds isn't very difficult at all, and there are literally dozens of quality websites online where one can look at their construction and then download complete plans for little or no money at all.
These projects make for great do-it-yourself activities and can usually be completed over a single weekend as long as one is adept at using power tools correctly.