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My spring project is to build a garden shed roughly 9′ x 12′, to store mostly garden tools, a lawn mower, snowblower, a wheelbarrow, and a few of the kids toys. I’d like to build a shed that has a is not your average box. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
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Check Zoning if you're in a city or have a pr*ck for a neighbor. Around here, anything over 100 s.f. needs a foundation and a permit. After that, sky's the limit. Best of luck. Complement the house.
*Here is mine, 8X12 to keep it under 100 sf. It's fairly average, but it pleases me. It was built using a lot of recycled lumber (even the door is a recycled firedoor). I am building an additional shed this spring too. My local Contractors Warehouse is closing, so I bought a truckload of cedar bevel siding and boards there cheaply. I am going to build a small hexagonal shed for storing the grounds equipment etc. I have a few details to work out, such as the best way to frame a hexagonal floor, and what proportions will look best. It will have a 5/4 thick cedar plank door, possibly cedar shingles, cupola for sure, a small window, and some as yet undertermined features. Check out "Building Great Sheds" by Daniel Truscott, or "Building Backyard Structures" by Paul Levine - Sterling Pub. Co., or "Sheds the Do~It~Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders" by David Stiles. These books will give you some ideas, but a shed is so fun to design that you will want to build it to suit yourself. I suggest you avoid concrete pads and sizes over 100 sf to minimize legal problems.
*Is this 100sqft limit more or less universal (same limit in urban areas here, BTW) ?
*Mark, do those books have a section on arbors? I have a project comming up in the spring, and they want to see why I can come up with vs. a kit. If you have the books on hand, let me know. Thanks, Jeff
*Some of the nicer sheds or outbuildings I've seen are ones that are built in the style of, and with materials that match the main house.In my town I can somewhat skirt the footprint issue by not sinking anything into the ground.I ended up digging holes (about 12" diam by 30" deep)for the posts to sit on and filled those holes with concrete. On each concrete pad I set a PT 4 by 4, tall enough to hold the platform assembly roughly 12" off the ground. I used PT joists for the platform assembly, then conventional stick framing to the ridge.Be realistic about what you're actually going to store in the thing. You'll never have enough space. Consider a door on the front and one on the back to eliminate the need for a center path through the shed...that depends on what you're planning on storing and shed location, though.Wide enough front door?...ramp or steps? Is the door going to swing in and take up floor space, or swing out...if out, watch the hinge pins for security.Watch the setbacks, and as Calvin wrote, get everything signed off to appease the neighbors.
*Mongo has some real good practical advice. I also liked what Mark said about being fun to design and build -- exactly.Light or lack of same in these sheds without electricity is usually an issue. Taking security into account, an extra window, skylight or even a glazed belfry could be useful. A barn roof with or without a minidormer can be fun to build and really will increase usable space unless you build higher than wide. What a good chance to mess with some design software on the computer. Buy in increments so your wife doesn't see one material bill cause we all know it's gonna cost a bit more than it seems it should. But so do movies and concerts and their not as much fun either. Good Building,Jim Malone
*Phill - I believe that some places place the limit at 120 sq ft. If I remember correctly, that was suggested in one of the model building codes that I read years ago and was also the rule where I lived in California. In the Columbia Gorge, the limit in the Scenic Area where I now live is 60 sq ft. There is an article on building your own shed on the Popular Mechanics site at:http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/homei/9506HIHIBM.htmlThere are also a number places that sell plans for sheds on the Internet at various prices. Just do a search in your favorite search engine on "shed plans" or something similar. Most of the DIY oriented magazines have shed plans so you might check your local library for back issues of Home Handyman or whatever.
*Jeff, the books I have here are mainly on sheds, no arbors. I have seen some good books on garden structures, but can't recollect the titles. The books I have here are from the local library, maybe you can check yours to see what they have.
*Now that Japanese gardens are all the rage, I've seen a few sheds that look like miniature tea houses or pavilions. These are certainly a lot more interesting to look at than the small agricultural looking buildings that were the past trend. Maybe looking around the world for architectural inspiration is a good idea.
*The one we are building (presently enclosed to felt paper and roofed) is 16 x 24, designed to be compatible with the house and garage (circa 1932). It has a potting room (8 x 16) and lawn tools/mower area (16 x 16).Other features include reclaimed doors and windows from the 1930's, 'barn' doors with a hood on decorative brackets and a lumber storage loft (pull-down stair human access, operable end louver lumber access from the exterior). Floor is a turned-down slab (16 CY) with a ramp out the end 'barn' doors. Will have power and lights.I can post drawings if there is any interest after I get my scanner, photos after painting in April (?).Our attempt at Fine Shedbuilding, c. 1930.Jeff
*Hey Jeff, when can I move into the shed ?
*Bob,I built a 10 x 14 shed five or six years ago. Initially it was just for storage, then it became a real small shop, after I started working out of the house I converted it into a office (doghouse when my wife is mad at me). Cable TV, computer, phone etc.I used clear Corrugated pvc (not fiberglass) in the center of the roof for natural light, poor mans skylights. When it was a shed/shop I had a 42" x 90" opening for a door, I used barn door hardware so that you have full use of the opening to move stuff in and out. When I converted it to an office I replace the sliding door with a normal door.If you didn't like the idea of the skylight you could also do a dormer. On another thread awhile ago someone had posted a link to a small cabin plans site http://www.grove.net, you might check that out.Scott
*Gardener's Supply in Vermont sells a nice looking sun shed with "windows" in part of the roof, for light and even growing if you want. Expensive, but you might like looking at the pictures and descriptions for ideas. I finally decided against one. http://www.gardeners.com , shed department.
*If you're willing to side it and trim it, tomorrow!It's been pretty comfortable to work so far with a 30K Reddy heater.BYOFGP (Bring your own five gallon pail ...)
*I'm in the final stages of building a 5 sided 170 s. ft Garden shed/cabana/storage shed/shop. It was sold in kit form from Summer wood in Canada (see http://WWW.summerwood.com)It has been a fun project with very little difficulty. Generally they have been great to work with, quick delivery, quality materials, adequate instruction manual etc. look at their web site even if you just use their ideas.If you decide to go this route email me for things the instruction package dosen't say.
*Here's a photo of my last summer's project, its a traditional saltbox shed measuring 10'x14', clad with white cedar shingles on the sidewalls and red cedar shingles on the roof. The front doors are T1-11 that I plan to replace eventually with shiplapped planks using clenched nails. One reason for building the shed was I wanted to showcase the beautiful hand forged strap hinges (bought on eBay). No foundation, it rests on concrete blocks because I might be moving it to another location eventually. It makes a nice storage space for the garden tractor, bicycles, and other stuff. Done in about six weeks time, some in the pouring rain to stay on schedule!
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My spring project is to build a garden shed roughly 9' x 12', to store mostly garden tools, a lawn mower, snowblower, a wheelbarrow, and a few of the kids toys. I'd like to build a shed that has a is not your average box. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.