Table Of ContentThe Complete Guide to
ShedS
2nd edition
• Utility
• Storage
• Playhouse
• Mini-Barn
• Garden
• Backyard Retreat
• More
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOtA
www.creativepub.com
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Contents
The Complete Guide
to Sheds
66
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Choosing a Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Building Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Choosing a Site for Your Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Anatomy of a Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Lumber & Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 2222
Building Foundations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Ramps, Steps & Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
2299
3322 4422
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Contents
(Cont.)
4488 5599
Shed Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Lean-to Tool Bin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Simple Storage Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Modern Utility Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Service Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Timber-frame Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94 7700
Salt Box Storage Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Mini Garden Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Clerestory Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Sunlight Garden Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Gambrel Garage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
110066 112299
Convenience Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
114433
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118866 118877
Rustic Summerhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Gothic Playhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Metal & Wood Kit Sheds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Shed Maintenance & Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Paint a Metal Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
Jacking Up a Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240 220055
Install Wooden Barn Doors on a Steel Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
Replacing Rotting Siding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Installing an Anchor Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Resources & Photo Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Metric Conversion Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
221188 221199
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
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Introduction
Few spaces are as useful and enjoyable as the contemporary backyard shed. Yes, you can store your tools and
lawnmower in one, but imagine how a shed might enrich other aspects of your life—what if you had more
space for your favorite hobby, or another place to relax? Often, those qualities are found in the same activity, and
a shed can be customized to suit that activity and act as a natural extension of your personal style, expression, and
habits. Some simply like a few hours’ bustling in the garden and a handy place to store their materials; others see
their sheds as sacred and beloved environments to create and express themselves, an open invitation to get out
and play. How will you use your shed?
The custom buildings in this book are intended to get you thinking about how your shed might be conceived,
built, and eventually outfitted with whatever fits your scope and style. The sheds featured here are meant to be
versatile, practical, and adaptable, as well as serving as handsome additions to your house and home. In terms of
property value, a shed can either be an asset or a liability. Nobody wants to see—much less buy—a rusty, ill-used
and dilapidated shed, one with jilted doors hanging by a hinge, propped up on sunken concrete blocks. With a
little planning beforehand, your shed will never suffer the same fate, standing tall and functioning well for years
on end. A well-built shed can evoke the house it stands near or act as a private cabin or playhouse. A good shed
appeals to its environment and complements your interests, hobbies and styles.
When it comes to actually constructing your shed, you can do it in one of two ways: build it from scratch in
true DIY fashion, or buy a kit shed for easy assembly. This book covers both options. Each of the custom shed
projects features a complete set of construction drawings and photographs, a detailed materials list, and step-
by-step instructions and photos for building the shed of your dreams. For those who prefer a prefabricated shed,
there’s a full section of what to consider when choosing a kit shed, as well as instructions for the basic steps of
two popular projects.
Not everyone comes into a shed project with a scuffed tool belt and an outfitted work bench. No matter—the
Building Basics section of the book walks you through the entire construction process. It will also help you
choose the right foundation for your shed and give you the knowledge to make custom substitutions to the
projects as shown. Many shed kits also involve a fair amount of freehand work, so you’re covered even if your kit
comes without roofing or a floor.
One of the best aspects of building a shed is that it doesn’t disrupt the daily life in your home; there’s no need
to rearrange the furniture on a daily basis, much less sweep out the sawdust. So take your time, enjoy the process,
and think about the future of your shed and how you’ll use it—it might just become your home away from home,
not more than a few yards away.
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Choosing
a Design
The purpose and variety of sheds is as different
as the people who build them. Storage shed or
man-cave? A place to play or a place to study? Ask a
dozen different people about how they’d use a shed
and you might hear a dozen a different answers. How
you use your shed will directly impact its construction
and overall style. A shed doesn’t have to be just a
building in your backyard; it can be an opportunity
for personal expression. In other words, each shed
was built by someone, in a certain place for a specific
reason, something to match their personality and
ways-of-being. Or doing. Or living. That’s what sheds
are all about. One unsung trait of sheds is privacy—
the ability to get away from it all, even in your
own backyard.
Like most buildings, your shed’s form follows its
function. Answering why is a key factor in determining
the scope of your shed. From floor space to headroom,
natural lighting vs. electric lighting, storage vs.
living space, level of security, amount of privacy, and
certainly price—all these factors are decisions to make
before pounding the first nail.
Once the why has been determined, the next
question to answer is how: a wide variety of styles,
features, and materials are at your disposal. Will your
foundation be wood or concrete? Will the exterior
complement or contrast with the environment?
Possibly the most important decision to make is the
manner in which your shed will be built—some may
enjoy the relative convenience of a kit or contractor to
help with their shed. Others will seek the satisfaction
of building the whole shed from the ground up in true
DIY fashion.
Wherever you decide to place it and however you
decide to build it, the following pages will help you
plan for your best shed, whatever its purpose may be.
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This graciously ornamented shed is easily built from a panelized kit. Special details like the dormer appear to be the work of a
highly skilled carpenter but can actually be created by an ambitious do‑it‑yourselfer.
This inviting sunlight shed combines the utility of a Some sheds defy easy categories; part Japanese
storage shed with the floral beauty of a garden shed. Clear pagoda and part Mississippi riverboat, this hybrid shed
polycarbonate roof panels work from the spring thaw through features unique architectural details and a bold paint
the late fall, filtering light onto the plants below and infusing job. A water spout attached to the back gutter powers
the shed with a warm, natural glow. The Dutch doors add a glass jug‑tipped waterwheel, while a little bonsai‑style
further charm to an already delightful shed, and a small ramp hedge trimming complements the Eastern aspects of this
makes wheelbarrow access a breeze. wondrous outbuilding.
10 ■ The CompleTe Guide To ShedS
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