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Discussion Forum

My christmas project

Sailfish | Posted in General Discussion on December 21, 2004 04:41am

I decided to start building a shed last Thursday. Our house is about to undergo major renovations so I figured having the extra storage space would come in handy.

The goal was by today the roof was to be dried in. Somehow my schedule is off.

Anways, here’s the progress so far, I should get the framing done today:

 

—————————————————————————–

“Never mind the trees, their bark is worse than their bite”

 

http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    G80104 | Dec 21, 2004 05:03pm | #1

    Keep up the good work, & post more photos as you go. Their is another guy here (I wont name names) who is also building a shed. At the rate your going you should catch up with him by Thursday.

                                          Happy  Holidays!

  2. MojoMan | Dec 21, 2004 08:24pm | #2

    Life sure seems simple down there in Florida (Until a hurricane relocates your shed to Kansas, of course.) Where I live, I'd have to get a permit, stay at least 10' from the property line and then, I'd have to dig down 4' through hard stoney soil for the footings.

    It looks like a fun project. Better hurry! Only five more building days 'til Christmas!

    Keep the photos coming!

    Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

    1. User avater
      Sailfish | Dec 22, 2004 04:03pm | #3

      Thanks for all your comments.

      I framed the walls yesterday. Everything appears to be going ok so far. I have one issue with the corner closest in the picture. Seems the 2X floor plate was twisted (not warped). I should have replaced it, but I didn't notice it until I got almost all the studs nailed in (I was lazy and cheap). When I stood the wall it was elevated a good 3/4". Today i'll try to drop it down with a sledge.

      I've never really built anything by myself, so if you guys see any major flaws or have some  tips in the next phase i'd appreciate it.

      I thought our city code was strict. We are allowed to build a structure 3 feet from either property line, can't be over 15', the roof cannot be 7' from the existing structure, and I think the size can be something like 600 sq ft (maybe more I was shocked when the guy told me), can't have power or water. If you want it on a slab, the same rules apply, except you have to have a permit for the slab.

      Looks like I will not be able to finish my christmas project in time. I won't be able to resume until a week from Friday :-(

      It will give me some time to design the roof system. I'm going with 2x6 and a 6-12 pitch. I think thhat should give me about a   4' rise on this 12 x 15 structure.

      As stated previously, all comments positive or otherwise are appreciated.

      Merry Christmas all!!

       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

      "Never mind the trees, their bark is worse than their bite"

       

      http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

      1. rez | Dec 22, 2004 04:53pm | #4

        2x6 ceiling joists? A lot of room waiting up there for storage.

        Next time add a foot to the height off the ground and add a vapor barrier. Good place to store lengths of lumber.

        Like it. It's a sweet shed. Keep the pics coming. 

        1. User avater
          G80104 | Dec 22, 2004 04:58pm | #5

          Rez,

                     Anyway you could link the Sailfish to to the Spaceship thread? I think it started @ #44541.1  Be some good info for him. I am just a dumb carp or I would post the link.

                                                       Greetings Seasons !

          1. rez | Dec 22, 2004 05:11pm | #7

            G80104 :        ...just a dumb carp...   ya right lol

            Sailfish: A while back this thread was running and had some nice structures in it.

            http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=44541.1

            Now if we can get UniqueSheds to start posting some pics we'd be sailing sweet winds.

            Cheers 

          2. rez | Dec 22, 2004 05:37pm | #8

            Someday I may acheive the status of carp.But for now I've got the dumb part covered pretty well, especially in regards to computer stuff.One year I learn how to post pics.Another year how to cut and paste.

            For what it's worth I'll expound on this year's great learning curve for everyone's future reference.

            How to post a link:

            Left click and drag the mouse cursor across the message number in the upper right corner of the post.This will highlight the number in blue.

            Then release the left click and click right on the mouse and it will open up a window to scroll down until you can right click on 'copy shortcut'.Clicking on that will lock the shortcut number address in the browser.

            Then you can drop that shortcut into an email or post by right clicking the mouse which opens another window to scroll down and left click on the word 'paste'.

            browser is defined as that mysterious land between the mouse and the monitor.

             

            Edited 12/22/2004 9:41 am ET by rez

            Edited 12/22/2004 9:49 am ET by rez

          3. User avater
            G80104 | Dec 23, 2004 04:03am | #12

            Rez,

                            Thanks for the education.  I need to take a class or something to get better with the puter!

                                                         Holidays! Happy

          4. User avater
            Sailfish | Dec 30, 2004 12:41am | #13

            Well I had planned to finish the next 4 days (starting tomorrow). I hit a snag.

            Apparently someone complained to the county about my shed. They are sending someone to my house tomorrow with "papers".

            I have done everything I thought that was correct to abide by guidelines in order not to pull a permit. However, I may have built it too big. 180 sq ft versus 150 ( I even wrote down in my notes that I could build to 180). So, lets say I am wrong.

            If I were to move one of the rough framed walls in so as the framed portion of the shed is 150 sq ft, and still leave the same sized deck. Would that count? How do you think they are counting the 150 sq ft? By the shed "footprint"? The framed wall size? Whats under roof?

            I'm still amazed that someone would call this in, in the first place.

            That being said, i would love to hear anyones answers. Thanks-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "Never mind the trees, their bark is worse than their bite"

             

            http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

          5. MojoMan | Dec 30, 2004 01:00am | #14

            I refer to my earlier post:

            http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=51700.5

            Your initial photos seemed to show a shed too close to the property lines. Rules vary from place to place, but maybe not as much as we might hope!

            Good luck. No point in sweating it until you find out exactly what's required. It may not be a big deal to get a permit, but it's usually a good idea to ask first. Let us know what happens!

            Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

          6. UniqueSheds | Dec 30, 2004 01:19am | #15

            Apparently someone complained to the county about my shed. They are sending someone to my house tomorrow with "papers".

            Here in MA you don't need a building permit to build a shed if you are under 120 sq. ft., HOWEVER, you need to pull a permit, yup a building permit, to place the thing on your property!  (I love that one!)

            Each town/city has its own setback requirements and that is what they are concerned about.  You can build it with spit and gum and they will be okay as long as you place it on your property with the right setback.

            -Mark 

          7. User avater
            NickNukeEm | Dec 30, 2004 01:47am | #16

            You can build it with spit and gum and they will be okay as long as you place it on your property with the right setback.

            For some odd reason, here in this little rectangle of Conn., they decided that in order to prevent sheds from flying around like Dorothy on her way to Oz, (the last tornado this town saw was, never., but we do get occassional hurricanes) they have to be anchored to the ground.  Used to be (and I have one) that a shed <200 sq.ft. could float on skids.  Now it has to be connected to earth.  How?  They suggest connecting the shed to two buried logs.  No kidding.  Anything >80 ft2 requireds a BP, anything >200 ft2 requires full comliance with the building code for a residential structure.  There are multiple permit requirements based on sq. footage and height.  None are similar.

            Sometime this year I have to build (another) shed, so it will be 12x16 (192 ft2) with a roof overhang to protect the stuff that won't fit in the shed.  If I can get away with it, which I'm thinking not.

             I never met a tool I didn't like!

          8. User avater
            Sailfish | Jan 23, 2005 02:23am | #44

            Siding is done. I finished making the cedar doors last week.

            I have to finish the posts, and trim them out. A coat of paint, and I will be done!

            Amazing how the Christmas project took me this long to complete.

            But, we finally moved stuff in the upper storage and now we are moving it into the bottom. So far it has remained dry. I think thats a good thing.

             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

             

             

          9. JohnT8 | Jan 27, 2005 06:21pm | #45

            Neat.  I had missed those last two pics when you posted them.  That project turned out really well.

            I still think you should find a use for the 'porch'... if for no other reason than to annoy whatever PITA neighbor caused the porch.

             jt8

            The two most abundant things in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity. -- Harlan Ellison

          10. User avater
            Sailfish | Jan 27, 2005 06:29pm | #46

            Actually we were just talking about the "porch" 2 days ago.

            We had two good ideas:

            1) A fish board. After we get back from an offshore trip, hang all our fish on the metal pegs mounted on the outermost rafter.

            or

            2) Mount all my "trophy's" from deer hunting. I think a few nice racks, strategically placed on the gable end would look fabulous!

            or

            3) All the above

             

            LOL, still haven't ruled out painting the backsides with pink elephants either.

             

            THanks for the nice comments!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

             

             

          11. rez | Jan 27, 2005 07:01pm | #47

            Yes, sweet. Good job.

            Now that you're done with it, looking back what would you do different if you were to do it over again?

            be favorite last wordsI stumped Theodora at trivia. -Jan.2005

          12. User avater
            Sailfish | Jan 27, 2005 07:03pm | #48

            I wouldn't have been so cheap. I would have bought all the lumber new instead of harvesting alot of the lumber from the deck I took out.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "Have you seen my baseball?"

             

             

          13. ThaButcha | Dec 30, 2004 02:19am | #17

            Looking Good! That is one BIG shed! (Ahh! a man's dream)

            Around my parts it can't be no larger then 100 sq.ft. and the set back is 5 ft from the overhangs if any.

            One tip, those braces you have on the outside. Place them on the inside so you can sheath it. I would run them more on a angle too.

            Keep the pics comin and let us know how you make out with the town.

            Lots O Luck,

            Erik___________________________________________

            Common sense is a gift from God that cannot be taught.

          14. scooleen | Dec 30, 2004 02:50am | #18

            lookin good. I built one last year in the country no permit asked, none required (noone around to notice).You asked why anyone would complain? Because that is the nature of people, to complain. Dont let that slow you down none.

          15. User avater
            Sailfish | Dec 30, 2004 05:46am | #19

            i'm "legal" on all setbacks(3'), height(15'), everything apparently except size.

            30 square feet too much, so they say it needs a permit.

            I should find out tomorrow if its the space of the interior that counts or the size of the deck its' on. Or however they measure.

            The  exterior bracing is only temporary. 

             

             

             

             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "Never mind the trees, their bark is worse than their bite"

             

            http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

          16. User avater
            Sailfish | Jan 01, 2005 05:09pm | #20

            OK, the inspector came out and said................................my shed was 30sq ft (180 total)  too large :-(

            However, he did like my construction, and he finds it ironic that "they" can drop a Teds Shed* on a lot, not strap it down or anything and it can be perfectly legal as well. Go figure.

            But nonetheless he said I had to get it to 150 (no permit required). Because to try and get a permit to keep it like it is would be nearly impossible and time consuming. He did say though that the platform I built it on is fine, and in fact not only can I keep the platform, I can still keep the same size roof.

            So I moved a sidewall in 2 1/2 feet to give me exactly 150. I also moved the window to the sidewall where my new "deck" is. I'm not totally please, and unsure what to do with the "deck". But it beats the alternative.

            Since Mr/Ms Busybody Noseyneighbor felt so inclined to call a complaint in, it cost me storage space. So to them I appologize now for having to increase the pitch on my roof. The peak will now be much closer to allowed 15' (I believe a 9/12 may be order). Hey I gotta have the storage.

            I plan on trimming the deck "posts" with cedar along with the edges of the shed. If anyone notices any potential problems with my plan, or would like to offer more suggestions before I side it tomorrow, please don't hesitate.

            Thanks

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

            *(not bashing Teds shed, i'm sure they make a fine shed)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "Never mind the trees, their bark is worse than their bite"

             

            http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

          17. User avater
            MarkH | Jan 01, 2005 05:27pm | #21

            Put some ugly shingles on the backside for him to look at. Use ugly shingles for the back side siding too if you can.

          18. UncleDunc | Jan 02, 2005 02:02am | #22

            And maybe a mural that's definitely naughty but not legally obscene.

          19. User avater
            MarkH | Jan 02, 2005 04:45pm | #24

            I actually have a small chicken house behind my shed with one loud rooster and 3 hens. I believe that probably would be over the top in this case.

            Nobody here minds my rooster anymore, in fact they often ask what happened to him. Just got used to him I guess.

             

          20. User avater
            Sailfish | Jan 03, 2005 06:18pm | #25

            Thanks to assistance from members of the Breaktime Forum I was able to finish building the trusses. Who would have ever thought (certainly not me) that I would ever use inv cos and tangent in a practical application? That math is an amazing thing, I would have loved to been the guy who invented it ;-)

            Seriously though, they took a tad longer to build than I would have hoped. But eventually managed to finish them. Not perfect, but I believe they will suffice. I hope that when i'm finished running all my 1x4 24oc, and get the metal on it won't fall or be blown over LOL.

            Thanks to all the members so far for the assistance and tips.

            And finally to the wonderful neighbor who interrupted my project, this 9/12 roof is for you.

             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

             

             

          21. User avater
            MarkH | Jan 04, 2005 01:50am | #26

            That's a nice classic looking shed.

          22. cynwyd | Jan 04, 2005 06:49pm | #31

            serious business is going on there, smoker next to a grill

          23. User avater
            Homewright | Jan 04, 2005 02:24pm | #27

            How about a hand rendered painting of the view you have from your current residence for the back wall?  Sorry, couldn't resist...  The only way you could 'improve' the fallout from your chosen name is if your last name was Vila.  What a nightmare...

          24. User avater
            NickNukeEm | Jan 02, 2005 04:15am | #23

            Let's see...

            Firewood storage

            Bicycle storage

            Garbage can storage

            Kid's toy storage

            Put a garden bench up and have garden material storage

            Ring it with chicken wire and raise: chickens, rabbits, ferrets, snakes, reptiles of all types, chinchillas, insert favorite animal/rodent here

            Build a stairway to the roof and install a widow's walk, complete with telescope

            Build a billboard and rent the space (probably a zoning issue)

             

            Good luck.

             I never met a tool I didn't like!

      2. User avater
        SteveInCleveland | Jan 04, 2005 03:38pm | #28

        Looks great!

        One question......

        Are you really not going to have power in there?  If that is the case, you'd better at least install a couple of skylights.  That one small window under the overhang won't provide much natural daylight.

          

        1. rez | Jan 04, 2005 03:56pm | #29

          Couple years back I built an almost identical shed except deep eves and only a 36" door opening. With that door open the whole interior lights up.

          'Course at night that won't help you.

          be a flashlight 

        2. User avater
          Sailfish | Jan 04, 2005 05:30pm | #30

          Steve, I sure would like power out in my shed. Since I do have the nosey neighbor, and were undergoing a major home renovation in 5 weeks the inspector will be around quite a bit for the next 9 months or so. I actually thought about the skylights though. I'll probably drop something in to add  light.

          The door opening is 48", mosquitos are so bad down here i'm not sure i'll keep  those doors open very long. I'll take the heat any day over those bug(ger)s

          In an ideal scenario, I would somehow manage power and a small AC unit so I will be able to use my "shop" in comfort, and water and a drain so the fillet table/bbq area will be fully functional.

           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

          "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

           

           

          1. UncleDunc | Jan 04, 2005 10:02pm | #32

            Why would power to your shed be a problem for nosy neighbor or inspector?

          2. User avater
            Sailfish | Jan 04, 2005 10:14pm | #33

            I haven't researched it enough to know if I need a permit to do that, and if so how much is involved.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

             

             

          3. User avater
            Sailfish | Jan 10, 2005 05:57pm | #34

            Well I was able to take some time this weekend and work on the shed. It stunk that I lost 2 days (mentioned previously) but I gotta keep moving. This christmas project is running waaaaaaaay over schedule. LOL

            The one thing I wanted was just some simple "L" shaped drip edge. I couldn't find any this weekend. So I settled for the "fancier" stuff. Which was essentially the same except it had a little more overhang and this cursed extra fold in it. That really stunk having that extra bend, especially when I had to wrap it around a corner (I never did really figure it out to well).

            After tying up a few loose ends on the shed and some prep work I was able to start the metal roof. I have never done anything like that so I drove around the neighborhood and looked at how they were done. Comfortable I could manage, I headed on up.

            So I'm running the metal panels; someone mentioned how slippery they were, but they didn't tell me how freaking hot thet get!!! So here I am 15' up in the air (I'm afraid of heights by the way), running hot metal roof for the first time, on a 9/12 pitch, trying to put a screw in on an edge, sweating, having my 6 1/2 month pregnant wife hand me up the panels. Actually, things went smoothly for the most part. I knew that eventually I would have to find a way down, but decided to wait to worry about that til I was finished.

            I get the last panel and the ridge vent screwed down and decided on my plan for getting down. I shimmy on my bu#@ across the peak of the "hot tin roof", to the other side. I asked my wife put the ladder there cause it was near a tree (in case I slid the tree would break my fall, great theory huh?). I then reach under the the roof to grab the underneath of the sub-fascia to use as a hand grip, while I used the screws in the roof as anchors for my shoes and "walked" down the roof.

            I made it (hence todays writing)!!!

            My palms were actually sweating while I typed this.

            I must give kudos to my lovely wife and baby, what troopers. I think I'll name the shed after the baby. We'll call it "The Molly"

            Sorry if this was too long.

            Let me know what you guys think about the job. And any other ideas, tips, thoughts, or comments on my ignorance.

            Onto the siding!!!!

            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

             

             

            Edited 1/10/2005 10:01 am ET by sailfish

          4. JohnT8 | Jan 10, 2005 08:12pm | #35

            Let me know what you guys think about the job. And any other ideas, tips, thoughts, or comments on my ignorance.

            I'd probably put something on that OSB :)

            Roof looks nice, what's the little porch for?  Just a design feature?

            Keep the pics coming.jt8

          5. rez | Jan 10, 2005 11:29pm | #36

            Sailfish- Where's the skylights?

            Let me guess. Too much work for just a shed? :o)

            Edited 1/10/2005 3:33 pm ET by rez

          6. User avater
            Sailfish | Jan 10, 2005 11:51pm | #37

            Rez, I know you mention the skylights.

            But, I put plywood accross all the trusses for storing boxes and stuff so it would be a moot point.

            However, I did go and look at one of those skylights that are a round tube. I figured I cold pipe the light through the plywood ceiling, but it was like $100 +/-

            I'm way over budget as it is, it'll have to wait.

            I hadn't planned on putting anything on the outside of the OSB (felt/tyvek) I figured its just a shed, you think its critical that I do?

             

             

             

             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

             

             

          7. JohnT8 | Jan 11, 2005 12:11am | #38

            I hadn't planned on putting anything on the outside of the OSB (felt/tyvek) I figured its just a shed, you think its critical that I do?

            I was just joking and meant siding not Tyvek/felt.  Unless it was a workshop I was going to spend huge amounts of time in, I don't think I'd wrap it.   but then again, I'm just a muddlin muddler, so we'll have to wait and see what one of our experts comes up with.

             jt8

          8. User avater
            Sailfish | Jan 11, 2005 12:13am | #39

            JT8 I sent you an email earlier.

            You had me freakin. I already sided the back wall yesterday, I didn't want to make a HUGE mistake.

            Whew thanks for the clarification-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

            "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

             

             

          9. JohnT8 | Jan 11, 2005 12:42am | #40

            My Taunton-linked email is heavily filtered.  I get maybe 30% of the stuff.  Try [email protected]

            It just has the default Yahoo filters, so most everything gets through.

             jt8

  3. User avater
    JDRHI | Dec 22, 2004 05:02pm | #6

    Lookin` good brotha!

    You`re not going to believe how thankful you`ll be for that storage once the renovation starts on you`re home.

    I`ve got a delapitated garage in my backyard....it was to be one of the first things to come down when I started renovating my house....gave it a second thought figuring it might come in handy. Don`t know what I would have done without it. It will be coming down at the first sign of spring to make room for a pool. Just gotta figure out where I`m gonna put all the sh!t still loaded in there!

    Keep up the good work....and like others have said....keep the pics coming.

    J. D. Reynolds

    Home Improvements

    "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

  4. User avater
    oak | Dec 22, 2004 08:55pm | #9

    hey sailfish...

    looking good...  any pics of the floor framing?

    thanks

    oak

    1. User avater
      Sailfish | Dec 22, 2004 11:22pm | #10

      no framing/joists pics.

      Ran 2 x 8 pt 24" oc for the floor joists and added blocking-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

      "Never mind the trees, their bark is worse than their bite"

       

      http://members.fishingworks.com/bo444444/index.cfm

      1. brownbagg | Dec 23, 2004 02:01am | #11

        that door too little. just wait you see.

  5. User avater
    Sailfish | Jan 11, 2005 04:38am | #41

    Thanks Rez. Good stuff.

    I guess I failed to mention I am applying 8" x 12' hardi-plank over the OSB.

    That is why it never dawned on me to apply felt or tyvek or whatever is available.

     

    Thanks for your tips!

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

     

     

    1. User avater
      SteveInCleveland | Jan 14, 2005 01:52am | #42

      When is the mother-in-law moving into your new guest house?  ;) 

      1. User avater
        Sailfish | Jan 14, 2005 02:16am | #43

        Hmmm, let me check the temp in he!! first, i'll get back to ya

         

        ;-)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

        "It is so, because Piffin tells me it is."

         

         

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