Introduction
Building your own storage shed can be a rewarding experience. It’s not as hard as you think, and it’s a great way to get your hands dirty on a project that’ll make you proud. But, if you’re new to the world of home improvement, the idea of doing this yourself can seem daunting. Not only are there practical issues (like planning the construction, gathering materials, and wrangling contractors) but there are also lots of things to organize once you build the thing! To make this process easier for you—and less frightening—we created this blog outlining how to approach building a storage shed from start to finish.
Location, location, location
The first step in planning your shed is to select a location. This may seem like an easy task, but the more you think about it, the more complicated it becomes. There are many factors you should consider when choosing a spot for your new storage shed:
- Convenience: You want to be able to get to and from your shed easily with as little hassle as possible. You also don’t want your neighbors or passersby to have trouble finding their way around. It’s helpful if you can park near the entrance and unload your supplies without having them roll away while they sit there waiting for you!
- Comfort: In addition to accessibility, consider how comfortable it will feel living next door (or across town) from someone who has one of these things sitting on their lawn every day like some sort of metal monstrosity ready at any moment just waiting for someone dumb enough coming over wondering what exactly this thing might be so that they can sneakily take pictures before running back inside because no one wants people knowing what those darn weirdos over there are doing behind closed doors all day long…
To build or not to build
So, you’ve been thinking about getting a shed. Or maybe you already have one. You might be wondering: should I build my own? Or should I buy one? Should I hire someone to build it for me? And if so, who?
Here are some things to consider before starting your project:
- The benefits of building your own vs buying one: You’ll save money and have an opportunity to customize the size and shape of your storage space exactly as you want it. This is especially true if you’re working with reclaimed materials or building from scratch on your property—you can make sure everything fits perfectly!
- The benefits of building your own vs hiring someone: It may cost more than hiring someone but will give back many times over in terms of skill development and satisfaction when done right (and done well). Hiring professionals can also lead to problems with quality control; even if they do good work at first, there’s no guarantee that they’ll stay qualified down the road—though some organizations offer training programs for employees who want them!
Planning your shed
Before you start building your shed, I would highly recommend planning it out. This will save you time, money and frustration later on in the process. The best way to do this is by drawing a floor plan of your yard and where you want your shed to go. Here are some things that need to be considered:
- Size of the shed – How big do you want it? Is it going to store things outside or inside? Will this be enough space for what you need?
- Location – Where will the best place for this shed be? It should not be near any trees or branches because this could cause damage during windy days/nights…and vandals may also use these as entry points into other parts of your home too! You don’t want all that hard work going down the drain! Also make sure there aren’t any pipes or sprinklers buried underground in certain areas before digging up dirt so they won’t accidentally break when digging around them either…[more details]
Foundation
The foundation is the base of your shed, so it’s important to get it right. There are several ways to go about building a foundation depending on your needs and level of expertise.
- If you are a beginner, we recommend starting with an existing concrete slab or even just leveling dirt with some gravel for drainage purposes. The advantage of using this method is that it’s easy and inexpensive but can sometimes result in uneven floors which may cause problems later down the road when placing heavy items inside the shed (like tools).
- If you want something more substantial than dirt or gravel, we recommend digging out two feet of soil below where you wish to place your shed and then adding cement blocks as support structures under each corner post location (see diagram above). After they are thoroughly set up over night, fill up any extra gaps with expanding foam insulation before adding earth back into surrounding areas so that there won’t be any issues during construction later on down the road!
Flooring
Flooring is one of the most crucial parts of your shed. The floor will act as a base for your shed, preventing it from sinking into the ground and ensuring that it stays sturdy. A well-built floor will also help you keep your belongings safe by keeping out moisture, rodents and insects.
The ideal type of material for a shed floor depends on where you live: if you have a lot of rain, concrete or asphalt will be best; if not, wood may work better because it prevents rot from setting in easily. Whatever type you choose to install should be level with no bumps or dips in order for everything else about building your shed to go smoothly later on down the road!
Walls & Siding
- What is Siding?
Siding is the outer wall of your shed. This can be in the form of wood, metal or another material. Typically, you will have siding on all four sides of your shed plus a roof overhang to keep water off your structure.
- Types of Siding:
There are many different types of siding available for sheds including: cedar lap siding, vinyl clapboard and composite materials that resemble wood in appearance but are made from recycled plastic and other materials. The advantages and disadvantages vary depending on the type you choose so it’s important to do some research before deciding which one suits your needs best. It’s also important to consider installation methods as some require more skill than others do so if this is something new we suggest taking a class at Home Depot or Lowe’s before building anything yourself!
Doors and Windows
In the world of storage sheds, doors and windows are important. They should be easy to open, close, clean and ventilate. The best storage sheds incorporate all of these things into their designs.
Here are some important considerations:
- Doors should be made of sturdy material that can withstand weather conditions and rough handling by the user. Lighter materials like aluminum or plastic will not hold up as well over time. They also tend to be more expensive than wood or metal doors (though prices vary widely depending on materials used).
- Windows let light into your shed so that it doesn’t get too dark inside when you’re working on projects inside – this makes it easier for you to see what’s going on in there! You have lots of options here – from large panes of glass with fixed frames all around them (which looks nice but might get really hot if there isn’t enough ventilation), through small openings covered by sliding panels made out of acrylic plastic sheets (which won’t let in much light but are good at keeping out bugs!).
Building your own storage shed doesn’t have to be scary.
Building your own storage shed doesn’t have to be scary. You can do it yourself and save money, which will make the whole process more enjoyable. Building a shed is also a great way to get rid of all your junk that has been sitting around your house for years collecting dust.
There are many reasons why it is good for you and for society in general if you build a storage shed:
- It will be cheaper than hiring someone else (unless you’re extremely wealthy).
- You can customize your storage shed exactly how you want it so that it fits your needs perfectly. The size, shape and color of the materials used can all reflect what matters most to you when storing stuff away from sight.
Conclusion
The most important step when planning your shed is to be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Having a clear understanding of your limitations will help you make the best choices for your project. You also want to be sure that your plans are in line with local building codes, so check out our guide on how to find them before getting started! We hope these tips have been helpful as we wish you success on this journey towards building an amazing new space!