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Welcome to the
How To Build A Shed Helpline

In Potters' Shed....

shed-cartoon

Are you looking for help with:

• How to build a shed?
• Design a shed?
• Choosing a shed?

Perhaps you need some input on maintaining your shed, fixing the roof or selecting a paint system. Well you've come to the right place.

There are two areas on this page:

• First you'll find a form below where you can ask your own question.

• Second you'll see a full list of previous questions, with answers and comments.

This page is a bit like a mini-Forum, with no need to remember your member log-in or even register.

The idea is that you can ask questions, add comments or if you are quick, answer a question before I get in there.

I’ll do my best to answer your question as quickly as I can.

Remember this advice is only my way of doing it. There are often many ways of tackling the same problem, so if you have an alternative or better way answering any of the questions please contribute your own individual solution.

Another couple of good areas for looking to find and answer are here in the Glossary of shed terms and here at the shed FAQ page.

Ask your shed building question

Ask your question here. Give as much detail as you can and if possible add a sketch or photo using the section after the text box.

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What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Shed foundation on sloping yard  starstarstarstarstar
Hi,

I am trying to build a 10' x 10' Gable shed on my rear yard which has a slope

If ABCD is my shed with A as highest point on the yard then B is ...

Moving a big shed a few feet  starstarstarstarstar
We have a 13 x 28 ft wood frame shed on a flat slab that we need to move three to four feet to comply with code setback rules. The direction of move is ...

Panelized wooden shed or Plastic/ Resin shed? How about foundation?  starstarstarstarstar
Hello,

This is my first time to ask a question here. Thank you for your advice in advance!

So I've been thinking to put a small shed (about 50 sq ...

Preparing the ground for a shed   starstarstarstarstar
We are preparing the ground for a shed! However there is a slight slope - about 20 degrees.

What is the best way of dealing with this? -Levelling it ...

Building a shed base  starstarstarstarstar
I am thinking of buying a shed and I am not sure how to do the foundations. The shed size is 2.4 wide by 3.0 depth.

How deep should the foundations ...

Shed door repair  starstarstarstarstar
I purchased a 8 X 10 shed some years ago. I was told after it was put up to make sure I seal doors and paint. My question is can a person purchase a shed ...

Easiest, but mainly cheapest cost wood framing technique for a shed.  starstarstarstarstar
I looked through this site fairly thoroughly. I did not find any framing advice and/or picture of a wall-roof framing technique where the wall 2x4 stud ...

Rubber shed roof and installing a wood burner  starstarstarstarstar
Hi there, I am in the process of building a rather modest 20ftx10ft shed from old pallets, its going really well but I'm a little stuck on the woodburner....

Rotting Shed Doors   starstarstarstarstar
I have a Gambrel Roof 12x20 building with double door on the long side. Shed is about 8 years old and the left door as you are facing the building is ...

Relocating a shed  starstarstarstarstar
I live at a rent house with no storage. I have at least 160 sq ft of stuff in a portable container at my house (costing me over $80 a month). I want ...

12 x 12 shed  starstarstarstarstar
I want to build a 12x12 shed with the front wall 8 ft tall. I have the floor and wall framing figured but I live in South Georgia so I think a 4/12 or ...

Collapsed metal shed roof  starstarstarstarstar
I have an 8'x10' metal shed which caved in from too much snow & not enough pitch! I want to build a wooden roof on top of the remaining metal walls. Do ...

Taking down a metal shed  starstarstarstarstar
I want to take down a built metal shed at one property and rebuild it at new house. Any certain steps to follow?


Answer By John-Admin:
Hi Angela,...

Strong Raised Timber Floor  starstarstarstarstar
Because my plot slopes, it is rather impractical to build a concrete base for my shed, which would be the best option.

I want to use my shed as a workshop ...

Extra durable shed roof  starstarstarstarstar
I live in West Lothian Scotland.

The winds here are extremly fierce with gusts upto and sometimes over 70 MPH.

I wish to build a small workshop 8 ...

Shed attached to house  starstarstarstarstar
I am considering building a garden office on the land to the side of my house it is the old driveway before it was fenced off and a driveway put out the ...

Lifting a shed  starstarstarstarstar
Our shed was located by the previous owner in the drainage of our acre yard. It stands in water every spring or during rainy periods. Therefore, it is ...

Replacement shed doors   starstarstarstarstar
I have a beautiful Heartland shed that needs the doors replaced. Is there any such thing as a door kit I could buy? If so, where would I be able to do ...

Len  starstarstarstarstar
I am using rough cut, full thickness lumber for either horizontal lap siding or vertical board and batten siding on a shed. Cracks are likely to develop ...

Help with building a shed  starstarstarstarstar
So, I've gotten to the point of having the base of the shed built and the walls prefabricated (I built them and have them ready for installation).

It'...

Shed Roof Problem  starstarstarstarstar
I have recently discovered rot in the roof of the log cabin in our garden which is used as an office. I think the pitched roof is constructed with sterling ...

Making Shed water proof.  starstarstarstarstar
Hello there.

I am quite confident about how to make a strong and stable shed but not about making it water tight.

I'm just not sure about how ...

Hurricane ratings for sheds  starstarstarstarstar
I need to know the hurricane rating for my 10x14 ft. metal Arrow shed. I can not get a building permit without it.

How to build a firewood shed?  starstarstarstarstar
I want to build a firewood shed from small diameter logs on my property...easier for a woman to handle...enough to hold 6 cords of wood to burn over the ...

Shed sliding door hardware  starstarstarstarstar
I am building a 12' x 12' storage shed with a door opening 5'w x 7'h and would like to install a barn style sliding door.

Where is the best place to ...

gambrel shed  starstarstarstarstar
hi
have recently bought a canadian canoe 16' long thinking that I'll store it in my garage, but when I got home totally forgot that I have an up and ...

shed vs garden office  starstarstarstarstar
Hi John,
I need an office/den/storage area built at the end of my garden but do not seem to find a company who can do it within my budget. I am thinking ...

Extending a shed  starstarstarstarstar
Hi John,
I want to extend my 15 by 12 foot shed.
I would take the 12' and make the shed 22'long. What are some good ideas on doing this 'small' project....

Shed Video  starstarstarstarstar
I was looking for a video that shows the construction of a basic shed, or maybe a 10X10 or maybe a 10X8 that was maybe on dvd or streaming video that wasn'...

Shed for storing magazines!  starstarstarstarstar
Hi, I need to buy a shed for storing my large colection of magazines. Obviously I am worried about keeping them in good condition. I have seen advertised ...

Old barn wood for a shed ?  starstarstarstarstar
My wife and I are going to build a shed from old barn wood. I have two local barns to choose from. The siding is 16' tall (vertical) which I plan on cutting ...

Pier Foundation for a Shed  starstarstarstarstar
I have to build my 10' x 10' shed close to a tree with exposed roots so I am going to elevate it and I was thinking of using concrete blocks to build it ...

Building a Green Shed Roof  starstarstarstarstar
Hi

I'm constructing a shed 5 metres x 2.8 metres with a sloping roof of 8 degrees, high point back to low front. The roof will be an extensive green ...

Sona tube size for 12'x16' "saltbox" bathhouse-cabin ?  starstarstarstarstar
I intend to build a "saltbox" style guest cabin-bathhouse between our main cabin and the lake. This is an off the road place (Alaska) and I'd like advice ...

Moving a Big Max shed  starstarstarstarstar
Could anyone tell me if it is possible to transport an assembled (empty) Big Max Rubbermaid 7x7 shed from one property to another without taking it apart?...

Shed Conversion ?  starstarstarstarstar
I have a 6'x8' Apex Shed which I have now outgrown. The main reason is that I don't have any garage space and everything ends up in the shed. I have already ...

Wood or Metal Shed  starstarstarstarstar
I am just gathering info right now. Deciding whether to build a shed of wood or buy a metal shed.

I've just read that a shed should have waterproof ...

Building down to increase height of shed  starstarstarstarstar
Because we cannot build up too high above the current fence in our townhouse development I thought I could get around that by digging at least a foot or ...

roof angles, gambrel  starstarstarstarstar
I need the correct angles for an 8 foot wide gambrel roof.

Build or Buy Trusses??  starstarstarstarstar
I'm planning on building a shed on a 22x12 slab. The shed itself will be 16x12 with a 6ft covered porch.

I'm wondering about the trusses, should ...

Mr I. Keightley  starstarstarstarstar
I am thinking of buying a new shed but would like it to have the dual purpose of storage and workshop. I once saw a shed with an interior dividing wall....

Which plastic base is best?  starstarstarstarstar
Hello John,

I will be putting together a 6' x 8' shed (Eightbisix Shack Up) and have seen your info on plastic bases which I really like the idea of....

10x4 shed off of stucco house  starstarstarstarstar
Hello John,
I want to build a shed off of our house that is roughly 10'wide by 4'deep and will give us easy access to our 4 bicycles. I was thinking ...

shed bases  starstarstarstarstar
How can I make a good base? I am older and find lifting heavy things a problem.

Poppy  starstarstarstarstar
I am wishing help with building a Lean-to off my existing shed the existing shed (Photo Attached) is 10'x10' and 10'7" high. Need help in designing and ...

Storage Shed Addition  starstarstarstarstar
I have a gambrel roof storage shed, 12' x 18'. I want to add a sloping sidekick additional storage area to one side of the shed, about 18' x 21' (flat ...

Lean to Shed  starstarstarstarstar
I want to build a lean to shed along the side of my house- which is the side passage to the back garden.

It is narrow, 2.5 ft.

I don't know whether ...

Shed security  starstarstarstarstar
What do you suggest as a good way to make a shed secure?

There are plenty of solutions out there but many are, lets face it - ugly, and therefore only ...

Shed Base for sloping site  starstarstarstarstar
Do you have any design tips for a shed base for a sloping site?

The shed is to be either 10x16 or 12x16 - with the larger dimension running up the slope....

Damp proofing shed floor  starstarstarstarstar
We have an existing shed. It was built using wood timbers cemented into place and has a wood floor. There was no moisture barrier put into place below ...

Lean To Shed  starstarstarstarstar
I have a predicament and hope that your vast shed knowledge can help.

For years now my shed has been leaking like a collander all the wood is rotten ...

wide span roof trusses  starstarstarstarstar
I need to put a roof on a pole structure which will protect my small aircraft from the elements. I would like info on how to size wide span truss that ...

Sliding shed door hardware  starstarstarstarstar
I am looking for the shed door hardware that slides the door along the outside of the building.

I found a picture of a wrought iron one for an interior ...

Vinyl siding  starstarstarstarstar
When building a vinyl sided lean-to shed against a vinyl sided garage wall, how do you attach the shed roof to the wall so no water goes between the garage ...

Sealing Around the Base of a Shed  starstarstarstarstar
I'm erecting a small used shed on a concrete slab 2m x 2m which requires water proofing around the bottom edges before I use dynabolts to secure it to ...

Shed Heating  starstarstarstarstar
Firstly, congratulations on a great site. A truly valuable resource with some interesting ideas!

I have recently been given, a very small wood-burning ...

Shed siding  starstarstarstarstar
I'm building a simple 8'x10' storage shed. What are your thoughts on using Hardiboard(4'x8' sheets) that have the stucco appearance as opposed to standard ...

Where to Build Our Shed?  starstarstarstar
We are trying to decide whether our new shed should be close to the house or back in a quiet area at the rear of the garden.

Much of our potting is ...

Two Storey Shed  starstarstarstar
Hi, I am attempting to build an 8'x10' two storey shed which attaches to the side of my house for maximum storage.

Does anyone have any advice for ...

Shed Wall Security  starstarstarstar
I am currently planning a big build after years of messing with small sheds. I am building a shed for storage of a very expensive quad bike with several ...

Shed with concrete floor/base  Not rated yet
I intend to build a 12' by 8' larch ship lap shed with a concrete floor. What size of concrete base should I build and how do I attach the shed to the ...

Lifetime shed foundation - Do I need to Build or can I just Dig?  Not rated yet
I am purchasing a Lifetime Shed it measures 12x8 and comes with a floor which I believe is an 12x8 piece of plastic about one inch thick.

Do I need ...

Lean to onto existing vinyl covered building  Not rated yet
How would I go about constructing a lean to side and front onto my existing 24'x24' vinyl covered building?

The building has a concrete floor and one ...

Closing in the shed under the stairs  Not rated yet
My two-storey house is built on a cement slab and the shed is built at the back of the enclosed carport. It is attached to the house and is under the ...

Plastic shed base availability in the U.S.?  Not rated yet
I enjoyed your articles on shed foundations, & got excited about the EcoBase--only to discover no information about its availability in the U.S. Shucks!...

Shed Foundation Question  Not rated yet
I am in the process of relocating a 12x21 storage building. I plan to have it placed on center blocks with gravel drainage underneath. How much clearance ...

Renovation of wooden shed  Not rated yet
We have recently moved into a house which has a shed which I want to renovate as a studio for my wife.

The shed is 7.125m long by 2.255m wide.

From ...

Question regarding submission requirement for the 2010 competition  Not rated yet
For the 2010 Porch Shed Design Competition, are we allowed to upload multiple images per design? For instance, if I have a floor plan, two sections, two ...

The Dog Shed - Oscars Kennel  Not rated yet
Hi,

My Golden Retriever 'Oscar' lives outdoors in the daytime and to keep him warm and dry I bought an 8x6 pent shed which he loves.
The shed was fitted ...

Dismantling a shed before moving it?  Not rated yet
We have a medium sized shed that has been standing in the same place for 5 years. We are moving house and would like to take it with us. It is not possible ...

Building Shed Walls - Question  Not rated yet
Hi John
I'm building a shed this summer (cant wait!). I want to have a high performance wall i.e. plywood sheathing, breathable membrane, cladding. Should ...

Garden room built from pallets   Not rated yet
I am thinking about building a garden room using pallets then wrapped in polythene and over clad horizontally with more pallet wood, the inside will be ...

Shed Damp Proof Membrane & Floor Insulation  Not rated yet
Thank you John and Greenboy for answering my previous query on shed roof.

I have another small problem

I am building a small workshop 8x12 in a garden ...

sheathing and vinyl siding starting location  Not rated yet
I understand that the vinyl siding will cover the sheathing and come down as far as the sheathing on the sill plate. Can you tell me how far down the ...

Shed Building Monthly January 2010  Not rated yet
Happy New Year and welcome to the first issue of Shed Building Monthly for 2010.

In this issue we are going to depart from sheds for a little while ...

Wood burning stove in a shed  Not rated yet
Hi,
I have a summer house/bar in my garden I have just extended it and now want to put a wood burner in but am a little worried about the wooden walls,...

Supershed Designer  Not rated yet
Was reading about shed design. Recently I published a shed design tool on our web www.aarco.co.uk It is a bit clunky and requires excel on your computer ...

Shed roof intersections  Not rated yet
I'm building a 16x26 shop- 26 long-16 wide.

the shop will have a shed roof and I'm it too an existing garage that is a 2x12 pitch hip roof.

The ...

Making a shed wider  Not rated yet
Hi John, great site keep it up!

Right, down to the question, can anyone give their ideas on the best way to widen my shed? It is 10 foot wide x 12 ...

Door hardware for cedar shed  Not rated yet
We're building a cedar garden shed and standard door knobs will not fit due to the thickness of the cedar door. What Type of door handle/knob do you recommend?...

Replacement sliding shed doors needed for a metal shed  Not rated yet
My 10x12 metal shed is made by a manufacturer that is no longer in business. thus, doors unavailable from oem. If I were to try and frame out the opening ...

Rubbermaid storage shed instructions  Not rated yet
My neighbour gave me a Rubbermaid vertical shed and I would like to assemble it. Do you have a copy of the directions or a rubbermaid outdoor shed, the ...

Shed Insulation  Not rated yet
I have a 10x16 shed I recently built. Its 2x4 wall and roof construction and its built raised up off the ground sitting on solid concrete blocks. As an ...

Free Standing Shed with a Pent Roof  Not rated yet
I was wondering how to finish off the high side of the roof. Drip rail does not seem to be the answer to keeping the water from getting in between the ...

Chemical fumes emanating from building materials?  Not rated yet
Can I spend an occasional week end in a "Rainier" shed?

Are there any dangerous fumes? I have installed a window.

siding overlap distance  Not rated yet
How much overlap is there with an 8 1/4 inch siding? How many inches?

Do you use metal corner material for the trim on building edges? What do you ...

Screened Shed  Not rated yet
Hi John,
I have a walk out door from my basement,regular single sized door.I have a retaining wall on either side,they are concrete five feet high and ...

Insulating a shed  Not rated yet
I have today (10/09/09) had a basic wooden shed delivered - this one in fact: (copy & paste into browser)
http://www.tigersheds.com/product_detail.asp?...

garden side shed  Not rated yet
In order to save browsing time, do you have plans for a garden side shed with approximate dimensions of 10' X 3'(or 3' 6'')?

Reply:

Hi Don,
I ...

What is the best foundation for a small shed?  Not rated yet
What is the best foundation for a small wooden shed?


Reply:

Hi Sharon,
Thanks for your question. It depends a bit upon the use you have for ...

Shed Skylight  Not rated yet
Hi John,
I am looking for UK (pref London) suppliers of skylights that can be retrospectively fitted to a pent shed roof - anybody know - many thanks,...



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