build a shed

We put up an aluminum shed last summer, and the roof collapsed this winter. I posted an offer on Craig’s List, and earlier this week Jim came to take it away. So now the spot is clear for a new shed. I’d still like to build one, but in the interest of time and quality, we’re seriously considering buying one.

the goal is to build the shed for close to free as possible.

It will be built out of pallets (google pallet shed to see what I’m up to).

I got the walls built and framed this weekend. I am surprised that they came out plumb, for the most part. I thought this one corner would give me some trouble and it did; due to it being along a short wall. I had to brace the opposite wall and pull it plumb, hopefully, once the roof is on and I release the brace it will stay. I am a little worried it will slip out, although it should not go more than a 1/4 inch, or so.

I finsihed the floor yesterday and put it on the foundation. So I am one step closer.

Built the foundation last weekend, this weekend hope to build the floor.

i found a book on amazon about building sheds that is lovely and full of diy inspiration. Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders by David Stiles.

i am going to use a lot of reclaimed materials (old doors and windows) and cover the thing with trellises and vines. i want mine to be a potting shed with enough room to store the tools and lawnmower and my future mega horsepower chipper/shredder, the day that comes into my life i will be a happy woman. Also want to have a built in cold frame for seedlings and the shed is going to camoflage the compost piles and leaf bins.

Well, between slacking and procrastinating, it took me about a year. If I could give one bit of advice to would be shed builders, it would be DON’T BUY THE KIT! I know it seems like a great deal – when you price out the materials to build your shed from scratch, they cost almost as much as the kit, so the extra expense seems trivial, considering that you won’t have to make any cuts. But the thing to consider, is that the materials you’re pricing are normal, workable materials. The materials included in the kits are the shittiest, low grade crapola they could possibly assemble. The wood for the roof was super low-grade OSB…practically falling apart as I assembled it. I did not feel too safe up there pounding the shingles in. The nails they included were a joke. They were made of cheap pot metal, and pretty much just bent as soon I hit them. If I ever have to build a shed again, I’ll definitely build from scratch.