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How-To

How to Build a Garden Shed: Introduction

In this video series you’ll see the step-by-step process as we fabricate and assemble all the parts of this garden shed including the tips and techniques you’ll need to know to build one for yourself.

Backyard sheds are a popular do-it-yourself project.  They’re relatively quick to build and have a little taste of everything from framing to finish.

Not surprisingly, there’s no shortage of information on the topic, and a lot of it is pretty predictable.  So, when our colleagues at Fine Gardening asked us to design a shed for them, we decided to build something a little different.

This shed has no stud walls, no asphalt shingles, and not a single sheet of plywood or OSB anywhere.

From the solid plank floor… to the Timber-Frame look we got back to the basics without the expensive materials or high skill level required for true timber frame joinery.

We also kept an eye on style with real-wood clapboard and traditional board and batten siding separated by a continuous sill.

The roof is a combination of traditional cedar roofing laid over skip sheathing… And clear poly-carbonate panels.

And, to let lots of light in, we utilized bargain-priced windows we found at our local lumber yard.

In this video you’ll see the step-by-step process as we fabricate and assemble all the parts of this garden shed including the tips and techniques you’ll need to know to build one for yourself.

BONUS FEATURES:

  • Article:  Read about the complete shed project, including tips and tricks for a perfect build
  • 3-D Model:  Download the free SketchUp digital model(Free SketchUp software is required for viewing)
  • Rafter Jig:  Print and use this jig to cut the rafter tails

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Videos in the Series

  • How to Build a Garden Shed: Introduction

    In this video series you’ll see the step-by-step process as we fabricate and assemble all the parts of this garden shed including the tips and techniques you’ll need to know to build one for yourself.

  • How to Build a Foundation and Frame a Floor for a Garden Shed

    Construct a sturdy platform for your outdoor storage space out of compacted gravel, concrete blocks, and pressure-treated 4x4s

  • How to Frame Garden-Shed Walls with Half-Lapped 4X4s

    For the walls of this shed I wanted to continue the same timberframe look without the complicated joinery. So, just like with the floor frame, I relied on half lap…

  • How to Frame a Garden-Shed Roof and Install Skip Sheathing for Cedar Shingles

    The half laps at the top of the roof rafters are basically the same as the half laps used for the floor and walls, but they are set on an…

  • How to Install Cedar-Shingle and Clear-Polycarbonate Roofing on a Shed

    Follow along with custom builder Justin Fink as he finishes each side of this simple shed roof with different materials.

  • How to Install Garden-Shed Windows and Doors

    Tack the windows in place with screws before you check for level and permanently fasten them

  • How to Install Corner Boards, Skirtboards, and Clapboards on a Garden Shed

    Add furring strips and assemble your cornerboards first to make this siding and trim job go smoothly.

  • How to Install Board-and-Batten Siding on a Garden Shed

    First install the blocking, and then nail on the boards and battens.

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About This Video Series

Backyard sheds are a popular do-it-yourself project.  They’re relatively quick to build and have a little taste of everything from framing to finish. Not surprisingly, there’s no shortage of information on the topic, and a lot of it is pretty predictable.  So, when our colleagues at Fine Gardening asked us to design a shed for them, we decided to build something a little different. This shed has no stud walls, no asphalt shingles, and not… More about this Video Series

View Comments

  1. TinyHouseCult | Aug 02, 2018 03:46pm | #1

    It's a great project! Thanks to Justin Fink and Rodney Diaz for making it. I'll be attempting this as my first big woodworking project.

  2. elpanson | Feb 12, 2019 12:45am | #2

    Soooo you make a shed design that 95% of the viewers will never use? How about a simple 12x16 gable roof style shed that we can all and probably learn from?

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