Shed Site Preparation Tips

SITE PAD

These tips are basic guidelines. You should consult with a professional contractor to determine what preparation your individual site will need to make the ground flat, level and firm enough to build on.

Once you have chosen the best site for your shed, it is now time to make sure the ground is firm enough to support the structure you are building. No matter where you decide to build your shed,  you'll need to put it on something other than bare ground.

Most sheds--even in extremely cold climates--don't require a frostproof foundation but, size is usually the determining factor. For a larger structure, however, building codes will call for a poured foundation or concrete footings that extend below the frost line.

Building Code

If your community's "Building Code" does not require you to build upon a new concrete slab based upon the size of your shed, then here are a few basic tips to prepare the site to build your shed.

First, you must identify the highest corner of where you"ll build your site. Using a "line level", also check the height of the other 3 corners of your site.

The area must be level within 6" and free of rocks, stumps or other protrusions.
For fill and leveling of the site, soil and/or dirt can be removed from one part of the yard to another and firmly compacted.
If the task of leveling the ground seems overwhelming, or the level of the ground measures more than 6", you should consider hiring a professional contractor to level your site.
Fill can also be purchased and trucked by a contractor to your site.

Loose soil must be tamped (compressed or compacted) to ensure a solid footing.

The area should drain well. 

Mulch, Sand, Clay or old garden clippings  are not recommended as a base for the shed because these materials shift and settle.


Fill Material

Stone or Gravel is the preferred material for fill and or leveling a site.  Gravel can  be purchased at home centers or from a contractor.

It is recommended that the fill covers a larger area than the base of the shed, and the stone or gravel be compacted and level. DO NOT use large diameter stone as it does not compact well and will make the structure unstable.

It's a good idea to allow for a clearance of at least 3' (3 feet) around the shed & a maximum of 12' (12 feet) above the ground. Anything over 12" above the ground is not recommended as these conditions may be unsafe and/or impractical.

Some experts recommend installing a vapor barrier under the floor, but that's not necessary in an unheated shed. If you decide to insulate and heat your shed, then a vapor retarder for the floor, walls and ceiling would be recommended.

In the event you are clearing or leveling a site and putting down a gravel base on a hillside in an attempt to create a more level area, DO NOT dump gravel unless you build a proper Retaining Wall first and compact the gravel thoroughly to keep the gravel in place as this can result in an unstable site.

Enhance your Yard with a Beautiful Garden Shed

 

  Beautiful Garden Shed Retreat

 

A graden shed will always be a focal point in your yard, so it should either blend in with its surroundings-or stand out from them in the way you want it to. The elements that mainly dominate the building's appearance are: the roof style, the siding material and the combination of colors. You don't have to make your shed a miniature copy of your home, but you can complement details of your house with the right decorative choices.

With the right shed plans and materials, a well-designed, carefully built garden shed can be more than a place to keep rusty shovels, garden tools and lawnmowers, it can also be the perfect spot to grow plants from seed, make crafts, or simply find some peace and quiet away from the daily shores.

If you plan to use the shed mainly for storage, be realistic about the amount and the size of the items you intend to store. Make sure you sketch out on a piece of graph paper the dimensions of the main items you want to keep in there--such as a wheelbarrow, bags of potting soil, bikes or outdoor furniture, etc; factor in enough clearance around each item so you can easily move things in and out without any impediments.

Remember that you aren't restricted to a gable-end single door. You can install a door on any wall of most sheds, and your  free to choose from single, double, sliding -even a standard garage door will fit on a modest-size shed.

If you got plans to build a wood shed or any other woodwork project, MyShedPlans' resources will be invaluable to you.  It offers you tons of great shed plans projects to complete over the holiday weekend with your family.

Don't waste time and money figuring out how to start your next project. You can save a whole lot of cash by building a shed from scratch with MyShedPlans.

How To Build An Outdoor Storage Shed In 10 Easy Steps

So you need an outdoor storage shed to keep your outdoor items properly protected...
You have shopped around to see what’s available, but you just can’t find one that suits your needs...
Well, that’s no problem. You can build one yourself ,even if you’re not a carpenter. All that is required is for you to follow some quick and easy step by step plans, and you will have it built in no time.

How to Build an Outdoor Storage Shed in Ten Easy Steps

Step One
 Is to determine where you want to build it. You need to have a designated area planned out before you begin. What space you have available will determine the maximum size you can build it.

Step two
 Once you know your exact size it’s a good idea to rough sketch what you want. There are many home improvement stores that you can take your sketch to. They will draft up your storage shed  plans for you, according to the specs you provide them with. They will also supply you with a list of materials that you will require. So now you have your plans. In addition they will provide you with a guide on how to perform each step.

Step Three
Purchase the materials you will need as outlined in your plan. it’s a good idea to have everything at hand so you don’t have to keep running out for supplies once you start construction.

Step Four
 Now you are ready to start. Level your ground and prepare to lay the foundation. You would have already decided whether you are going to have a wood plank floor or concrete slab type.

Step Five
 Next comes the side walls. Put your materials aside that you are going to use for this. It is better to construct the walls on the ground then lift them into position once they are together. Just follow your guide for the how to instructions.

Step Six
Now its time to start the roof. You will need to build your trusses. So construct one and then use it as a template for the rest. Once again  follow your guide on how to build the trusses.

Step Seven
Your storage shed should now be taking on some shape. Its time to build the end walls. How you do this will depend on what you have chosen in your plans. Be sure to stay with your original plans.

Step Eight
Now you are getting down to the final steps. The trim is just as important as the rest of your structure. It's what gives it that finished look so don’t scrimp here.

Step Nine
Your last two steps are applying the shingles for the roof then treating the wood. The wood must have some type of protective coating on it to protect it from the elements and rotting. This can be varnish, stains or paints whatever is your preference.

Step Ten
You’re done! All that’s left is to sit back and admire your completed storage shed. If you hadn’t built it yourself you would think it was a professional store bought model.

If you'd like to compare many styles of hundreds of shed plans and blueprints so you can ultimately choose the best design and option for you, visit:

MyShedPlans 

You can easily download over *12,000* fully detailed plans and start building your outdoor shed in no time!

Shed Building Plans

Visit My Shed Plans

Your landscaping is completed for the season and it looks great, except for all the garden tools and equipment that are laying around. Obviously there is a need for a storage area. A storage shed would be the perfect answer. The question is how do you go about this? No doubt you are going to need a storage shed plan. First you will need to determine which type of plan you require. This you can only determine by doing your research as to what your requirements are regarding the shed.

You know you want to store all of your garden items. You most likely know what items you have now and what size storage area it would take. But consider any future garden purchases you may make in the future. For example; are you thinking of purchasing a new ride on lawn mower, or a snow blower? These are items you may need to store and your new garden shed may become their home., but only if its big enough.

Then where are you going to put the shed? This will partly depend on what area you have available, plus what style you are thinking of going with. Lets say you have two choices of location. One is tucked away in the back of the garden almost out of site, and the other one is at the edge of the flower bed. The one tucked away will be more difficult to get at. They both will accommodate the size of the shed you have in mind. Here’s where your decision of style comes in. If you use the tucked away area, your style can be pretty basic because its not going to interfere with your landscaping. On the other hand if you choose the more open space, they you are going to want a fancier style that will complement your garden. You will have to keep this in mind when you pick your shed plans.

You will need to have at least a rough budget in mind. When you go to get your storage shed plans you may have the option of choosing your plans according to what materials you want to use. Different materials have different price ranges. For example if the basic plan falls well within your budget then perhaps a more deluxe version will be an option for you.

Be practical when choosing your plans. You are probably going to be surprised as to just how much you are going to have to choose from. If you aren’t careful and stick to your own plans you could get carried away quite easily. Most often the plans will give you a picture of the finished projects. You’ll see several that you really like. Some of them look like little cottages. Now look at them realistically, they have to meet all the needs that you have identified. Pick out two or three that you really like and see if they answer these questions.

• Are they the size that you need?
• Will it fit in with the area you have chosen?
• If it requires a building permit will it meet the criteria?
• Is it simple and easy to understand for the novice?
• Does it give a complete list of materials, and will these materials be readily  available in your area?

If you have gotten all the right answers, then you just need to choose the shed plans you like the best out of the group and get ready to work.

Another option is take in a rough sketch of the details of what you are looking for to your local home improvement store. Many building suppliers will draft up blueprints and plans for you. They may offer to do this for you with some type of commitment that you will purchase supplies from them. Sometimes they will offer this as a free deal as a promotion.  Often times, they will have a series of standard plans in stock.  These plans usually consist of the majority of items they carry in their store. Some of them have even written their own series.

Then there is always the internet. Lots of sites are willing to give away the prints and plans for free. One such example is My Shed Plans. Not because they are generous, but because they hope it will entice you to purchase some of the other items they carry.

These items are usually applicable to what they are giving you at no charge. For example if they give you all the drawings and plans you need., then you are going to have to know how to do the things that the plan says. This is where the extras come in. Perhaps the company that gave you the free shed plans sells some self help, or do it yourself books. They would be pleased to sell these to you. This is not being sneaky. In fact its an excellent business proposal. They help you identify what you need and then offer support where you need it. With the combination of the right plans, and the self help books you need, you’re ready to build one good looking shed!

Visit My Shed Plans today!, and browse through their more than 12,000 Building Plans; from small Birdhouses to large Outdoor Garden Sheds