Introduction
If you need extra storage space in your garden for tools and gardening supplies, you may want to consider building a shed. A shed will keep your tools safe from the elements and provide much needed additional storage space for other items such as lawnmowers, power tools, ladders, etc. Here are some of the things you will need to build a metal shed:
Measure the area where your shed will be built and mark the corners.
- Measure the area where your shed will be built and mark the corners.
- Take note of the measurements to make sure you have enough space to fit your shed. Make sure there is nothing obstructing the area where it will be built, as this could cause problems with construction later on. If possible, level out any dips or bumps in the surface before proceeding with building your metal shed.
Install the posts, using concrete to set them in place.
Install the posts, using concrete to set them in place. Make sure the posts are level and plumb by using a level to check that they are level and using a plumb bob line (a string with weights attached) to check that they are plumb.
Cut your joists to be slightly shorter than the width of your structure.
- Cut your joists to be slightly shorter than the width of your structure.
This will make it easier to install your roofing material and it will also make your structure more stable.
Cut two more lengths of 2×6, these will be the floor beams.
The next step is to cut two more 2×6 pieces of wood at a 45 degree angle. These will be your floor beams. The length of these beams is determined by the height of your walls and the size of your door frame. You should measure from the top of one wall to the bottom, add 6 inches for a standard shed door opening, then add another 4 inches for clearance between the floor and ground level (this will allow you to easily sweep dirt out from under your shed). To make things easier, write down these measurements so that you can cut all four floor beams at once.
Once all cuts have been made, lay out two 2x4s parallel on top of each other and place a floor beam on top with one end flush against a wall corner post as shown in Figure 1 below:
Take your piece of tin and cut it to size leave approximately 1/2 inch on all sides for the overhang.
Cut the tin to size. You’ll want to use 1/8 inch or 18 gauge metal for this step, which is something you can purchase at many hardware stores. To cut the metal, use a tin snips—a tool that looks like scissors but with sharp blades instead of rounded ends. The blades will cut through the tin easily, creating a clean edge that won’t need any additional work done on it.
Make sure to leave approximately 1/2 inch on all sides for an overhang where the wood meets up with your roofing material.
Screw down three sides of the metal, leaving one end open and approximately 4 inches up from the bottom of the other three sides.
After you’ve laid out all of your pieces, screw down three sides of the metal, leaving one end open and approximately 4 inches up from the bottom of the other three sides. This will allow for easy access to all sides of your shed.
Cut two pieces of 2×4 and nail them against the inside edge of two opposite corner posts, flush with their tops so that they will support a rafter.
Cut two pieces of 2×4 and nail them against the inside edge of two opposite corner posts, flush with their tops so that they will support a rafter. .
Measure the width of your shed and cut two 2x6s to this length. The pieces should be wide enough to span across all three sides of the building. Lay these boards flat on top of each other in their final position on top of your frame and mark where they should be connected together with nails or screws.
Set a rafter into place with its tail out over the front wall and its front end resting on top of the back wall top plate.
The next step is to set the rafters in place. You’ll want to make sure they are level with each other and that they are also level with the top of the walls. To do this, you can use a square or even your hands to measure where it should go and then secure it in place using 16d nails.
Nail through each truss and into each rafter with 16d nails to hold them in place securely.
Now you’re ready to nail through each truss and into each rafter. Nail every truss and rafter with 16d nails, using a hammer and a pneumatic nail gun if possible.
Attach a drip-edge flashing along all eave edges of your roof before you install your new roofing material.
Drip-edge flashing is a strip of metal that is used to prevent water from leaking into the structure. It can be purchased at most hardware stores and installed in less than an hour.
Takeaway:
The takeaway from this article is to build your own metal shed using wood and metal materials. For more information on how to build a metal shed inexpensively, please contact us.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy the process of building your new shed and that it serves you well for years to come! Good luck!