The Shed Project

We have a small 3’x8′ shed on the side of the house, it’s worked well for a number of years for us, but with the extra vehicles we now have and increased use of the garage as a shop, more things need to be stored in the shed.  The current one is just too small.

The new design is 8’x10′ with 7′ high wall (higher at the roof peak)… to get started a permit was applied for and once approved the area was cleaned up and the staked out so that JULIE could mark the buried utilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next part was digging the piers… the village requires 42″ deep holes.  The first 6-8″ was no issue.. but the clay was rock hard.  Even a two man post hole auger could not get through it.   There was various debris including bits of cement, rock fill, plywood and metal bit (used for foundation form) in each hole, slowing the progress even further. In the end a post hole digger and digger bar were used, it took about two hours per hole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The holes finally dug, but just to double check location, the frame was laid over them.  Next stakes and strings were used to make a level line and set the location for the Quik-Tubes.  The highest point was located and used as a reference for the other three holes.  Each tube was placed in the hole, marked at the string height and cut using a hand saw.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using the formula that is shown on the tubes, many, many bags of concrete were mixed and carefully poured into each hole.  The top was leveled off and a galvanized post base was inserted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally some construction can begin!  The floor of the shed was assembled completely of pressure treated wood, the 2×6’s and the 3/4 plywood base.  The rim was doubled up, screwed and glued together.  Joist hangers were utilized for the joists that were placed 16″ on center.  The plywood deck was also glued and screwed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the deck portion complete, the next step was to assemble the walls.  Another pile of materials was purchased and stored in the garage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wall assembly was straightforward, but took longer than expected.  Standard 2×4’s were used, standard eight foot length.. since the wall were only seven foot high, it would have been more cost effective to by the seven foot long 2×4’s.. not sure why I didn’t.  The siding is LP SmartSide, it’s OSB, but pre-primed and resists decay and insects.  Glued and nailed the sides on, then laid another plate around the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walls complete, time to focus on the roof.  The trusses were made from the same 2×4 material, with 1/2 plywood gussets, all glued and screwed together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trusses were installed using 4″ coated deck screws, once in place then cross 2×4’s were installed and the 1/2″ OSB roof sheathing was glued and nailed on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now it’s starting to look like a shed!  Continued with the roofing, now the OSB was finished and the ends were sided.  The next step was to install some ice and water shield that was extra from other project.  Not enough to cover the entire roof, but enough for the lower part on both sides.  Tar paper was used on the upper portions.  Cedar 1×6″ was used for the facia, and aluminum drip edge was installed all around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last step for the roof is the shingles, 25 year 3 tab, basic shingles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last step for now, as it’s winter and too cold to be working on this project, is the doors.  Made from 2×4’s, glued and screwed, and the same siding at the rest of the shed.  Trimmed out in the 1×6″ cedar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the spring the trim will be completed and the shed will be painted.  Also, the solar panels (for lighting and running the weather station and webcam) will be installed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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