How to Build a 16×20 Hip Roof Shed in a Week or Less?

Having an enormous shed in your yard can add to the value of your property. If you have a huge bungalow and spacious front and backyards, a big hip-roof shed will be a perfect addition to your home’s daintiness. Sounds tempting but costly, right? But don’t worry if you don’t want to spend all that money on hiring professional woodworkers to build a shed for you.

Welcome to 3DSHEDPLANS. We have the perfect summertime activity for you to build a big shed in your yard. Confused? Never made much of a kennel? That’s not a problem either. Our professional craftsmen create intricate plans for shed building jotting down every dimension and every minute detail for you to follow and build a shed on your own without any professional help.

Here’s what you need to do to build a shed.

Step # 1: Get the Required Permits

For starters, check if you need any permits for property extensions. If there is any such thing you need, get in touch with your district attorney and get the necessary paper work done so you don’t have to regret your hard work if the authorities come knocking at your door asking for permit.

Step # 2: Know What Type of Shed You Want

Sheds come in 3 different types

1. Lean-to Sheds: Lean-to sheds are smaller and better suited if you only want to store firewood or need a shed to place your garden and car supplies. It is constructed against an already erect wall.

2. Gable Sheds: Larger in size than lean-to sheds, gable sheds are a complete wooden cabin. They can be used for multiple purposes such as setting up a gym or a gaming area or making your children’s playhouse or can serve as a small outhouse.

3. Hip Roof Sheds: These are exquisitely designed sheds and suit best for big properties. They are complicated structures and are usually quite large in size. They can be used as a small warehouse or a guest house even.

A Hip-roof is mostly recommended for sheds of large size. If you want a pool house or a gym, a 16×20 hip roof shed is the best for your need.

Step # 3: Measurements – what will be the dimensions?

A 16×20 hip roof shed will have a maximum height of 13 feet and 4 ¾ inches. The width from the front is 16 feet and 1 inch while the width of the side walls is 20 feet and 1 inches. The width of the walls from top and bottom will differ slightly to accommodate the roof structures. The walls are of 7 feet and 20 inches. You will install a large shutter door on the front wall with 2 windows and a smaller door on the wall at the right side. The doors and windows will be bought separately hence excluded in the plan.

Step # 4: Shopping the Right Supplies

For constructing a 16×20 hip roof shed, you will require pressure treated timber, plywood sheathing, tongue and groove plywood for flooring, asphalt shingles, T1-11 sheathing for walls along with Rafters, L-joints, studs, cripple joints and plates. You will need the basic tools such as hammer, saw, galvanized nails, etc. for the construction process.

Step # 5: Build the Foundation, Line the Floor

Initiate the construction process by lining the pressure treated time on the ground where you will make the foundation.

• Place the timber at equal distance and make the rim joists.

• Hammer the joists together using galvanized nails and then head on to fixing them with the floor joists.

• Once the skid framework is complete, cover the floor with tongue and groove plywood, using the same galvanized nails.

Step # 6: Make the Wall Structures

Following the foundation, make the wall structures in a similar manner.

• Make the right and left walls structures first starting with the head plate and the bottom plate. Line it with king studs making a simple straight framework.

• Once you have nailed all the studs along the plate, make cuts for windows and doors on the respective walls.

• Attach the structures to the foundation using L-joints and plates and galvanized nails. Once the wall structures are erect, nail the T1-11 sheaths on the outside walls.

Step # 7: Make the Roof Framework

Now comes the trickiest part. Making a hip-roof can be very challenging.

• Start by erecting the basic frame on the walls.

• Nail the king rafters and a common rafter on either side to a central ridge beam.

• With the basic structure intact, fix it to the walls using galvanizing nails and then nail the remaining rafters to the beam.

• The roof structure expands to a width of 20 feet and 11 inches.

Step # 8: Cover the Roof with Plywood & Shingles

Next, hammer ¾ inch sheaths of plywood, using galvanized nails, on the roof framework. Once the roof is completely covered with plywood sheathing, install the asphalt shingles to protect from leakage and keep the shed cool.

Step # 9: Install the Soffits & Fascia Boards

With the roof complete, add the soffit trims keeping them flush with the roof. After the trims, fix fascia boards to the edges of the roof on the right and left walls again using galvanized nails. Lastly install the soffits.

Step # 10: Adding Some Final Touches

The final step of completing your shed will be installing the front and side doors and the windows. Refer to the door and window manufacturer’s manual to get information on how to install them. You may paint or coat your shed with varnish and additionally insulate it to prevent short circuits.

That is it! Your 16×20 Hip Roof Shed is now ready! Want more detailed step by step instructions? Download one of our PREMIUM SHED PLANS that come with a complete list of materials and tools required, step by step instructions and even professional tips to get your through the process easily.