Building a Garage Shed

  • Garage permit: Get all necessary approvals before you start to build a garage to avoid any hassles. If you already have a permit it could avoid any legal complications in the futures. Also find out whether your zone requires a permit or not.
  • Prepare the shed foundation: Wooden sheds are generally built on lumber skids or concrete blocks. They can also be built by setting concrete blocks on crushed limestone in case you want to accommodate a sloping site. You can start by laying out the shed and staking it corners. Each corner will need a depression dug up. Check that all holes are levelled and pour about a few inches of rock into each depression. Pound the rock using a hammer.
  • Stack the blocks: Stack the blocks using a construction adhesive and stick them together. Once done, cover that particular area using crushed rock, landscape fabric and blocks.
  • The flooring: To start with, cut the joists located on the top of the sill. Nail each piece of the sill into the bottom of the joist. Set the offset corners together, secure them with nails and lay out the framing by marking the joists.
  • Installation of plywood: You will need a large piece of plywood according to the size of your garage shed. Groove the plywood floor by setting a small piece at the start. Then install the rest of the plywood slowly. Ensure that all the joists are in line and nail those using galvanized nails.
  • Raising the walls: Cut the wall plates and lay out the studs. For the door wall, build a header around a piece of plywood spacer. Cut two jacks, nail them and secure them to the floor plate. Nail the header where the jack studs are located and install the second top-plate.
  • Shed sliding: Set the plywood pieces one by one and nail them about 6 inches along the edges. Secure them with braces using a plumb. For the window walls, plan the studs which are above and below the openings. Use a piece of plywood to build the window headers.
  • Window opening: Certain vinyl window panes come with nailing flanges. It makes the job easier. Just cut the openings and position them so they are in level with the wall and start nailing the nails and flanges. Once done, raise them and nail the corners.
  • Frame the roof: Draw a line in the centre across plywood and start with nailing the bottoms followed by levelling the angled cuts, assembling the trusses over each joint and use a construction adhesive to secure them and you are ready to raise the roof. After this, there would be a few minor things left to be done such as spacing the trusses, gable overhang, trimming and detailing the door.