Do it yourself

How to Build a Backyard Shed

You can’t beat a well-designed shed for organizing the backyard and storing gardening equipment, bicycles, and outdoor furniture. This project outlines the steps to building a garden shed with convenient storage space.

Difficulty level: Pro

Duration: 1 week

Codes and Regulations

Every municipality has its own codes and zoning regulations. Contact your local building department to find out if you need a building permit.

Review our guide: Plan a backyard storage shed. The guide explains what you need to know about soil conditions, obstacles such as trees and fences, and the importance of respecting property lines, easements and encroachments.

Material

9 - 4" X 8" X 16" Concrete Blocks 3.25 cubic yd - 3/8" Crushed Gravel Joist Hangers Treated Wood 5/8", ½" Plywood Floor Sheeting 7/16" X 48" X 96" OSB Sheets 50-lb Asphalt Paper Roll Asphalt Shingles Galvanized Flashing Aluminum Face-drip Moulding Aluminum Soffit Vinyl Horizontal Siding 7 lbs. - 3 ½" Common nails, bright 1 lb. - 2 ½" Box Nails, coated 1 lbs. - 1 ½" Roofing Nails 1 lbs. - 1" Nails for Vinyl Siding 1 lbs. - 1" Nails for Vinyl Soffit/Fascia Window Exterior Door

Build the Foundation

This shed needs a flat, level base that drains well. Our guide How to build a solid foundation for your storage shed outlines several choices, including a simple and affordable option: a foundation of concrete blocks set directly on a gravel bed.

Build a storage shed set on a concrete block foundation

Build the Floor

1.1 - Install double 2x6 ribbon and end joists to form the floor.
1.2 - Make sure the beams are square and level with each other.
1.3 - Nail 2x6 joist hangers every 12" on centre.
1.4 - Insert the joists and nail.
1.5 - Add 2x6 staggered cross-bridging or blocking between the joists to strengthen.
1.6 - Orient 5/8" plywood sheets perpendicular to the joists covering the entire floor and nail.

Pro Tip

To strengthen the floor, apply construction adhesive to the joists before you lay down the plywood.

Build the walls of the shed on the floor with door and window openings

Build the Walls

2.1 - Using your plan, mark the door and window openings.
2.2 - Assemble the wall studs, structural components, and wall plates. Nail each 2x4 stud at both ends and every 16". If the wall has a window or door, the opening should include a king stud to support the window or door header. To build the header, attach a 2x4 to one face of the wall and a second one to the other face.
2.3 - Install the 7/16" OSB panels on the wall framing.
2.4 - Erect and plumb the walls.
2.5 - Install temporary bracing for each wall.
2.6 - Check the walls again to ensure they are plumb, level, and square.
2.7 - Where two walls meet in a corner, nail together.
2.8 - Join the top plate from one wall to the other by staggering the joints.

Roof of a garden shed under construction

Build the storage shed rafters, roof trusses and assemble.

Build the Roof

3.1 - Cut the rafters and install in pairs according to the plan.
3.2 - Mark the ridgeboard and the top plate every 16", the location of the roof trusses.
3.3 - Check again that the walls are perfectly straight. If necessary, push or pull them into alignment and brace them.
3.4 - First install the roof trusses at either end of the shed. Secure the rafters in pairs on a ceiling joist. Retain a 1½" space at the top between the rafters to insert the ridgeboard. Secure the perpendicular studs between the joist and the rafters. Install the trusses on the top plate and support temporarily. Insert and secure the ridgeboard between the rafters.
3.5 - Nail the ceiling joists to the top plate, the bottom of every rafter to the joist, then the top of the rafter to the ridgeboard.
3.6 - Secure the sub-fascia to the rafter ends.
3.7 - Sheath the structure with plywood, taking care to stagger the joints and align them with the centre line of the roof trusses. Leave 1/8" clear at the joints to allow for swelling.
3.8 - Nail aluminum drip mouldings along the perimeter of the roof.
3.9 - Attach one strip of roofing felt paper along the roof's edges and install the shingles, finishing with a ridge cap.

Finish the backyard shed exterior

Finish the Exterior

4.1 - Install the door in the opening according to the manufacturer's specifications.
4.2 - Install the window according to the manufacturer's specifications.
4.3 - Install all the decorative trim ahead of the exterior siding.
4.4 - Install the vinyl siding.
4.5 - Install the aluminum fascia, the mouldings for the soffit and then the soffit.
4.6 - Caulk around the door and window and anywhere else water may penetrate.

How to Build a Backyard Shed

Build the Foundation

Build the Floor

Pro Tip

Build the Walls

Build the Roof

Finish the Exterior

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How to Build a Backyard Shed

Build the Foundation

Build the Floor

Pro Tip

Build the Walls

Build the Roof

Finish the Exterior

Suggested products

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