How to build a shed: free 3D plans in 49 sizes

Firstly, you should check with your state or local authority as to whether erecting a shed is permitted on the land you have chosen. Some states might require you to apply for permission, if your shed will exceed a certain size. Once you have established this, you can decide on a shed size and design. There several different types of shed to choose from, such as lean-to sheds that are 6X10 (small) and hip sheds that are 16X24 (large).

Gable sheds are ideal for yard storage. Lean-to sheds are great for storage too, with the benefit of sitting flush against a wall. Hip roof sheds are the most stylish type of shed. They stand out with their ‘hip roof’, which has sharp edges running to the eaves. Whichever sheds you’re interested in, our plans will help you build them in a week or less!

All of our plans also come with a comprehensive step by step shed building guide. This is in addition to the full materials & shopping list. The shed summary is a specification sheet, which details the shed’s dimensions, roof shape, sidewall height, number of doors, door opening dimensions, flooring options and recommended roofing material. In other words, it includes everything you need to build your dream shed from scratch. As an example, here is a break-down of materials needed for the 10X16 Gable Storage Shed:

Building any shed starts with the foundation. The foundation is the base of your shed, so it must be strong and sturdy. It will be made from pressure-treated timber, with ¾” tongue and groove plywood being used for the floor decking.

1. Collect all your foundation materials together, including all timber and hardware.

2. Build your foundation at the spot where your shed will be erected. This will save you from moving it later.

3. Clear the area where the foundation will be built of any vegetation. Ensure that the chosen spot is flat, so that the shed has even ground to stand on.

4. Start by building the foundation frame (exterior frame). This will serve as an outline.

5. Cut your timber to make bands and joists to the specifications outlined in your shed plan. Nail them into place so that they fit plumb.

6. Place your skids below the frame – these will support the flooring from weight.

7. With the foundation frame built, it is time to lay down the flooring. Take and cut your tongue and groove plywood, and nail it onto the frame using galvanized nails.

With the foundation built, you will build the front and back wall. On the 10X16 Gable Shed, the front wall houses a garage door.

1. Start by building the front wall. The front wall has a cut-out for the garage door. Build the front wall’s frame first.

2. With the frame built, work you’re your inwards with the studs. There should be a 9” gap between the outer frame and two inward studs.

3. Leave a cut-out for the garage door. You can either make a door yourself on a hinge, or you can install a pre-made roller garage door.

4. With the front wall frame built, nail your T1-11 siding to it.

5. Start building the back wall. The back wall is simpler to construct, since it does not have a cut-out for a window or a door. Finish it off with T1-11 siding.

You can use any pre-made roll-up garage door so long as it fits the opening. Motorised garage doors are too heavy for the structure, however, so avoid these. If you want to make your own garage door, it’s easiest to create a hinged door. These are essentially large double doors that open outwards, rather than inwards.

Building the side walls is relatively simple, although one wall will house a window. You can choose which wall houses the window to suit its location.

1. Start by gathering your lumber and building materials.

2. Build the wall by starting with the frame first. With the frame built, you can work your way inwards with the cripple and wall studs.

3. Cut your lumber to the specifications outlined in your shed plan. Take care when measuring the lumber, to ensure a good cut-out for the window.

4. With the wall frames built, nail the T1-11 siding to them using finishing nails. With the siding affixed, you can now move onto erecting the walls.

5. Erect the walls. Affix them to the foundation using temporary supports, and remove the supports after you have fixed the walls to the foundation.

6. We recommend erecting the walls with the help of a friend. The walls will be relatively heavy and cumbersome to handle by yourself.

Construction of the roof is the most time-consuming part of a shed build, because you will need to make several rafters to the same specification. Hip roofs take the longest time to build, while basic and gable shed roofs take a little less time to build.

1. Start by building the rafters. The rafters on the 10X16 Gable Shed measure 5’ 8.5”. 20 rafters will be needed in total.

2. With the rafters made, start installing the gussets on both sides. Each rafter will have gussets on one side. With the gussets installed, nail your rafters down onto the top plate of the walls one-by-one, until the roof ‘skeleton’ is complete.

3. With the rafters made, start installing the gussets on both sides. Each rafter will have gussets on one side. With the gussets installed, nail your rafters down onto the top plate of the walls one-by-one, until the roof ‘skeleton’ is complete.

With your OSB sheathing and felt installed, you can start layering the shingles. You will use asphalt shingles for the roof in this shed plan – although you can use any shingle you like, so if you prefer stone shingles, then you can use these.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and layer the shingles as outlined. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended pattern for best performance. If your shingles did not come with instructions, you should be able to find some online.

The shingles you will use for this shed are made from asphalt. Asphalt is an exceptionally durable roofing material. These shingles have a shelf-life in excess of 15 years and can be easily replaced if damaged. They are also easy to install. If you would rather use something different that’s absolutely fine. The OSB sheathing is compatible with most shingles.

With the roof built and shingles laid, it’s time to install the trims. These add a professional touch to the roof and protect from water ingress. The trims are two separate pieces, installed for the front and back. The 1×6 corner trim for the front measure 7’ 11 ¾” with a 30-degree bevel cut. The 1×6 side corner trim measures 8’ 13/4” and has a 30-degree milter cut on the top. They should sit flush with the shed roof.

With your roof trims installed, next we’ll move onto installing the fascia boards and eve soffits. The fascia boards are for the left and right sides of the shed. Measure and cut two 1×6 trims into 16’ 8”. These are your fascia boards. Install the boards by nailing them onto the roof edges using 2” galvanized nails.

Once you have installed the fascia boards, you can move onto installing the soffits. The soffits will be installed on the shed eves. Measure and cut two 16’ 9” x 6 2/5” plywood soffits using lumber described in your materials list. These will be your soffits for the shed sides. Measure and cut four 5’ 7 4/5” plywood soffits for the shed front and rear. Nail them into the rafters using 2” galvanized nails.

With your soffits installed, your shed is complete. It will now be structurally sound, although rather naked in appearance. We recommend treating the exterior of your shed to a coating of paint or wood stain. This will help your shed blend into its environment (or stand out if you prefer). It will also help protect the timber from weathering. If you’d rather your shed age naturally, you might like to sand the timber to even its surface.

If you have plans to use the shed as a comfortable work area, you could even use plasterboard to make proper internal walls. Electrical cables can safely be fed through the shed so long as they are properly insulated and fire-rated. Most importantly of all, remember to enjoy your shed. It’s all yours, and it was proudly built with your own hands.