How to Build a 12×20 Hip Roof Shed in a Week or Less?

A 12×20 hip roof shed is an enormous addition to your property. However, for most of us, it is also a costly addition to your property. But, don’t worry, we have you covered there!

Welcome to 3DSHEDPLANS. For people like you, we have shed plans laid down with all intricate details you would need to build a shed on your own. You will not need any help from professional wood workers as our FREE AND PREMIUM shed plans are devised by skilled craftsmen for amateurs. Here’s the 10-step process that will help you build a shed in your yard.

Step # 1: Is a Legal Permit Required?

You can’t just wake up one day and start hammering a shed in your backyard. If your city has rules on extensions to the property or construction in a residential area, make sure you know them and you consult the district attorney to acquire all the necessary permits.

Step # 2: Will it be a Big Hip Shed or a Medium Gable Shed?

Once the legalities are sorted, ask yourself the basic question: what type of shed do I want. You don’t know all the types? Here are the 3 basic types listed for you

1. Lean-to Shed: As the name indicates a lean to shed is built against a wall. It doesn’t necessarily have windows or doors and is best suited for storage of supplies.

2. Gable Shed: A refined cabin with door and windows, this can be used as a playhouse or a pool house. It has gable roof, hence the name

3. Hip Roof Shed: With a little complicated structure, hip-roof shed is by far the best looking and most sturdy shed which is able to withstand extreme weather conditions and is suited best for large sheds.

Step # 3: What will be the Measurements?

A typical 12×20 hip roof shed will have a height of 13 feet and 4 ¾ inches including the roof. The width of the roof will be 20 feet and 11 inches with a front wall width of 12 feet and 1 inch. With a size that big, you may install 2 or 3 windows, 2 to the front and 1 to the right wall along with the big door for when you have to move any equipment or your entire car inside. You could install a smaller door to the front which could be used as an entry and exit along with a small window. Remember the doors and windows have to be purchased separately.

Step # 4: What Supplies do you Need to Make the Shed?

Once you know all the dimensions it is time to go shop for the necessary supplies. Get some pressure treated timber, plywood sheath, T1-11 Plywood, Rafters, and shingles. Also get galvanized nails, L-joints, header plates, studs, cripples and soffits. The main tools required for this construction are hammer, saw, nails, screw driver, screws etc.

Step # 5: How to Make the Foundation Framework?

With all the supplies bought, start off by making a foundation framework. This is a typical skid-type framework made using pressure treated timber. Fix the rim joists and floor joists using galvanized nails and L-joints if needed. Once the framework in complete, use galvanized nails to cover it with ¾ inch plywood sheathing which will serve as your shed’s flooring.

AVOID – making the foundation on uneven ground and make it in exact place where you plan to build the shed. Moving it around can cause damage to the structure.

Step # 6: How to Fix the Walls on the Foundation?

The next thing to do is to make the wall structures.

• Start with the right and left wall first placing the top and bottom plate first and then making the framework using L-joints and studs.

• Follow the same pattern for the front and back walls. Remember to cut out space for doors and windows in the side and front wall.

• You can use temporary brackets to fix the walls in the right place.

• Nail them to the foundation framework with the help of L-joints and fix the edges together using galvanized nails.

Step # 7: How to Assemble the Roof Structure

Now comes the tricky party. A hip-roof can be tricky so ensure you have an added help to hand you over the rafters while you sit up and make the framework.

• The roof framework is 20 feet and 10 inches in length. The ridge beam is smaller than the width making space for the king rafters to be connected with the walls.

• Once the king rafters and beam are intact above the walls, nail the rest of the rafters along the beam to make the basic framework for hip-roof.

Step # 8: How to Cover the Roof?

Use ¾ inch thick plywood to cover the roof. Hammer it on the framework using galvanized nails. Once the plywood covering is done, add asphalt shingles to the roof following directions in the manual of the shingle manufacturer.

Step # 9: How to Cover the Walls & Edges?

Hammer Fascia boards across the walls to give your shed a finished mini-home look. Cover the edges with Soffits along soffit trims. The fascia boards add to the durability of the shed and also help prevent leakage.

Step # 10: Finessing of the Shed

• Install the door and windows to the shed following the instructions given on the manual from the manufacturers of doors and windows.

• You may as well paint your shed to give it a more personalized touch and protect it from pest attacks.

If you want to save up more time, get our PREMIUM SHED PLAN which includes 3D imagery for every step to help you understand better. Our PREMIUM PLANS also include the accurate shopping list and the tools you would need to build a shed.