Shed Building Guides
Clear, practical how-tos for every stage of your build — from the foundation up to the ridge. Plan downloads are no longer available.
How to Choose the Best Shed Location
Where to put a shed in your yard — setbacks and property lines, level well-drained ground, sun and moisture, access and clearance, distance from the house and trees, wind and snow, and utilities — plus a printable site-selection checklist.
Read the guide10 min readPlanningDo You Need a Shed Permit?
When a permit is required, size thresholds and exemptions, zoning setbacks, building codes, HOA rules and electrical/plumbing triggers — plus a printable pre-build permit checklist.
Read the guide11 min readFoundationsShed Foundation Types
Compare 12 shed foundations with original Blender illustrations, labeled ground sections, materials and individual build guides.
Read the guide10 min readComplete GuideHow to Build a Shed (Step by Step)
The complete build sequence — foundation, floor, walls, roof, sheathing, siding, roofing, doors and finishing — with framing diagrams for every stage.
Read the guide14 min readFloorsHow to Build a Shed Floor
Frame a strong, square, rot-resistant shed floor — joist layout and 16" on-center spacing, rim/band joists, beams and skids, joist sizing and span, pressure-treated lumber, plywood vs. OSB decking thickness, fastening, squaring the frame, and moisture control — with a cut list and floor checklist.
Read the guide11 min readFramingShed Wall Framing
Frame shed walls that stand plumb and square — stick-built (platform), post-and-beam and pole-barn methods compared, studs at 16" vs 24" on center, top/bottom plates and the double top plate, corners, headers and rough openings for doors and windows, king/jack/cripple studs, building walls flat and tilting them up, bracing, sheathing, house wrap and tie-down to the floor — with a wall-framing checklist.
Read the guide12 min readExteriorShed Siding Options
The main shed siding materials compared — vinyl, bevel/lap, T1-11 plywood, tongue-and-groove, metal, board-and-batten, LP SmartSide engineered wood, and cedar shingles/shakes — with look, cost, durability, maintenance and install difficulty for each, plus how to choose for your budget, climate and house, install and finishing basics, and a siding checklist.
Read the guide12 min readFramingShed Roof Framing
The five shed roof styles compared (gable, lean-to/skillion, gambrel, saltbox, hip), how roof pitch and rise/run work, rafters vs. trusses, the ridge board and birdsmouth, plumb/seat cuts, overhang and soffit, collar and rafter ties, sheathing and felt, plus snow- and wind-load basics — with a roof framing checklist.
Read the guide13 min readFoundationsGravel pad foundation
A compacted aggregate platform that gives a shed a level base and a route for water to escape.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsConcrete block foundation
Solid bearing blocks support a timber floor at discrete points above prepared ground.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsSkid foundation
Continuous treated runners carry the floor frame over a prepared gravel pad.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsTimber-frame foundation
A low structural timber perimeter carries the wall or floor loads around a prepared infill area.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsConcrete pier foundation
Concrete columns and footings transfer concentrated loads to suitable soil beneath a raised floor.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsPoured concrete slab foundation
A designed slab provides a durable floor; its supporting edges and frost strategy must match the building.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsPole-barn foundation
Structural posts carry the building into designed footings; the interior floor can be a separate assembly.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsDeck block foundation
Precast supports with shaped seats hold compatible beams or short posts over prepared bearing areas.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsPaving slab foundation
A restrained paved platform provides a firm surface for a compatible lightweight shed base.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsPlastic grid foundation
Interlocking ground grids create a lightweight modular surface over a prepared base.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsAdjustable plastic base
Rated polymer pedestals level a compatible timber frame over prepared bearing surfaces.
Read the guide6 min readFoundationsAdjustable metal base
Steel leveling supports carry a compatible floor frame through rated heads and bearing plates.
Read the guide6 min read