Building a Shed...

jeff88 · 07-25-14, 02:46 AM

Recently moved and needed some extra space, so we decided to add a shed.

Local code limits a shed to 120 sq. ft. without needing a permit.

Some plans for it our to add a small "closet" to put my hockey gear so it can ventilate without stinking up the shed (or more importantly the house). It will have a vent along the wall to allow for circulation.

I also want circulation in the main portion of the shed without taking up roof space so I found these ridge vents that attach right at the ridge and only take about 6" away from each roof. I'll also add some vents in the walls for the "air in".

Eventually I might add in a small solar system. I only need one to power some lights for the inside, but I have a pipe dream of putting enough panels/batteries to charge an electric car (if I ever bought one).

jeff88 · 07-25-14, 02:57 AM

I was going to enlist the help of my gf for certain parts (like raising the built wall), but a few days ago she told me she wants to help build it. So a little help from the better half and away we go!

Started on the floor frame yesterday. Showed my gf how to screw it all together. Asked her if she wanted to cut down the pieces, but she declined. After a few cuts, she decided she wanted to give it a try. A quick lesson and poof!, she was doing everything!

Half way through!

Almost finished! Just need to add the small vertical pieces like the ones in the first row.

Next step is to get the vertical pieces in and put the frame on a bunch of these:

The plan is to put one on each corner and half way between each corner on each side. I will also put some in the middle to support the joists. I'm thinking every other or every third joist will get a concrete block so the middle will be well supported.

After I set it up on the blocks, I am going to staple in some chicken wire or something similar on top of the frame and then wrap it around the side and set the blocks on top of it to keep all of the critters out.

jeff88 · 07-31-14, 11:05 PM

The shed had to take a seat on the back burner for a few days, but I got a chance to continue today for a few hours. Finished the support joists and locked the frame into place on the concrete blocks.

Tomorrow I have a friend who will be helping me move that purple flowered shrub which will be in the way.

Tomorrow, if I get home from work while it is light out, I am going to install some chicken wire from the top of the floor frame to underneath the concrete blocks (essentially, any open space that will be under the shed). I don't want any critters to get in there.

More to come!

Daox · 08-01-14, 12:24 PM

Looking good so far.

jeff88 · 08-08-14, 12:31 AM

Thanks Daox!

Got some more work done the last couple of days.

One wall up!

Two walls!

And an extra! Assistant... err... girlfriend making her cameo!

jeff88 · 08-08-14, 12:36 AM

Does anybody have an idea of how to put a wall/barrier/skirt around the bottom exterior of the floor frame?

I want to keep the critters out, but the chicken wire idea I had isn't going to work. Since there is no support to keep the bottom of the chicken wire down, a lil friend can just crawl underneath it.

I've considered using the lattice that they put on top of fences, but not so sure that will work.

Any ideas?

jeff5may · 08-08-14, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff88

Does anybody have an idea of how to put a wall/barrier/skirt around the bottom exterior of the floor frame?

I want to keep the critters out, but the chicken wire idea I had isn't going to work. Since there is no support to keep the bottom of the chicken wire down, a lil friend can just crawl underneath it.

I've considered using the lattice that they put on top of fences, but not so sure that will work.

Any ideas?

What do you plan on sheathing the shed with? If you're planning on using siding or corrugated metal, you can run it all the way to the ground. If you want it to look snazzy, get some base channel and screw it to your concrete piers with tapcons. Or you could screw it to the slab. Trailer skirting or underpinning goes on the same way. Wood siding will need extra purlins to hold nails.

Lattice or hardware cloth works the same way: run some angle or channel between piers at ground level ( 1 x 1 x 3/16 aluminum or steel), corner out and down. notch at piers, screw to piers. Either fasten the lath to the outside of the metal or sandwich it in between the metal and your piers. Each way has its own distinct look, you might want to mock up a few feet each way and see what looks better to you before you build the whole thing. Definitely worth a couple extra minues to consider, cuz it's the little details that make your stuff pop (or look like crap).

jeff88 · 08-13-14, 11:40 PM

Was able to get a little more work done today.

Started with getting the back wall into place.

Then the front wall/doorway.

Also got the paneling on the front wall up.

You can also kinda of make out the chicken wire I stapled to the floor frame and held down on the bottom with some bricks. I have more bricks, so I will probably add more just to help weigh it down some more.

I also realized today that I accidentally made the length of the shed (from door to back wall) about 3.5" too short. It's not a big deal since I'm sizing everything as I go, but the few extra inches would have been nice when I pack it in.

More to come!

Daox · 08-08-14, 08:51 AM

What about stapling the chicken wire to the underside of your wooden frame (the whole bottom)?

hamsterpower · 08-08-14, 12:14 PM

What about a "belt" of rocks to hold down the wire mesh? Maybe some potted plants?

Why did you use pressure treated for the floor when you built it so far above a hard surface? and why did you use so many cross braces? I would think the floor surface will lock the joists together enough.

One more thing. Most people put the floor surface down before the walls. It makes it a little easier, especially if it's out of square. Like you, I also put the floor of my new shed between the wall for easier replacement later.

07-25-14, 02:46 AM	#1
jeff88 Lots of questions Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 73 Thanks: 27 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Building a Shed... Recently moved and needed some extra space, so we decided to add a shed. Local code limits a shed to 120 sq. ft. without needing a permit. Some plans for it our to add a small "closet" to put my hockey gear so it can ventilate without stinking up the shed (or more importantly the house). It will have a vent along the wall to allow for circulation. I also want circulation in the main portion of the shed without taking up roof space so I found these ridge vents that attach right at the ridge and only take about 6" away from each roof. I'll also add some vents in the walls for the "air in". Eventually I might add in a small solar system. I only need one to power some lights for the inside, but I have a pipe dream of putting enough panels/batteries to charge an electric car (if I ever bought one).

08-01-14, 12:24 PM	#4
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Looking good so far. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-13-14, 11:40 PM	#8
jeff88 Lots of questions Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 73 Thanks: 27 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Starting to Look Like a Shed!... Was able to get a little more work done today. Started with getting the back wall into place. Then the front wall/doorway. Also got the paneling on the front wall up. You can also kinda of make out the chicken wire I stapled to the floor frame and held down on the bottom with some bricks. I have more bricks, so I will probably add more just to help weigh it down some more. I also realized today that I accidentally made the length of the shed (from door to back wall) about 3.5" too short. It's not a big deal since I'm sizing everything as I go, but the few extra inches would have been nice when I pack it in. More to come!

08-08-14, 08:51 AM	#9
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	What about stapling the chicken wire to the underside of your wooden frame (the whole bottom)? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-25-14, 02:57 AM	#2
jeff88 Lots of questions Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 73 Thanks: 27 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I was going to enlist the help of my gf for certain parts (like raising the built wall), but a few days ago she told me she wants to help build it. So a little help from the better half and away we go! Started on the floor frame yesterday. Showed my gf how to screw it all together. Asked her if she wanted to cut down the pieces, but she declined. After a few cuts, she decided she wanted to give it a try. A quick lesson and poof!, she was doing everything! Half way through! Almost finished! Just need to add the small vertical pieces like the ones in the first row. Next step is to get the vertical pieces in and put the frame on a bunch of these: The plan is to put one on each corner and half way between each corner on each side. I will also put some in the middle to support the joists. I'm thinking every other or every third joist will get a concrete block so the middle will be well supported. After I set it up on the blocks, I am going to staple in some chicken wire or something similar on top of the frame and then wrap it around the side and set the blocks on top of it to keep all of the critters out.

07-31-14, 11:05 PM	#3
jeff88 Lots of questions Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 73 Thanks: 27 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	The shed had to take a seat on the back burner for a few days, but I got a chance to continue today for a few hours. Finished the support joists and locked the frame into place on the concrete blocks. Tomorrow I have a friend who will be helping me move that purple flowered shrub which will be in the way. Tomorrow, if I get home from work while it is light out, I am going to install some chicken wire from the top of the floor frame to underneath the concrete blocks (essentially, any open space that will be under the shed). I don't want any critters to get in there. More to come!

08-08-14, 12:31 AM	#5
jeff88 Lots of questions Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 73 Thanks: 27 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks Daox! Got some more work done the last couple of days. One wall up! Two walls! And an extra! Assistant... err... girlfriend making her cameo!

08-08-14, 12:36 AM	#6
jeff88 Lots of questions Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 73 Thanks: 27 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Does anybody have an idea of how to put a wall/barrier/skirt around the bottom exterior of the floor frame? I want to keep the critters out, but the chicken wire idea I had isn't going to work. Since there is no support to keep the bottom of the chicken wire down, a lil friend can just crawl underneath it. I've considered using the lattice that they put on top of fences, but not so sure that will work. Any ideas?

08-08-14, 12:14 PM	#10
hamsterpower Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 142 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	What about a "belt" of rocks to hold down the wire mesh? Maybe some potted plants? Why did you use pressure treated for the floor when you built it so far above a hard surface? and why did you use so many cross braces? I would think the floor surface will lock the joists together enough. One more thing. Most people put the floor surface down before the walls. It makes it a little easier, especially if it's out of square. Like you, I also put the floor of my new shed between the wall for easier replacement later.