This article is about storage shed plans. Building a wood shed is a complex project, but if you manage to get the job done in a professional manner, you will have a large construction ready to store garden tools, firewood or other objects you don’t use on a regular basis. Before beginning the actual project, we recommend you to study several projects as to find free shed plans that fit your needs and tastes. As you probably know, storage sheds come in a large variety of dimensions, designs and materials, but you should take into account your needs and budget when taking the final decision. See HERE our newest shed plans that come with more detailed diagrams and instructions.
It is essential to place the shed in a proper location, as to have an easy access to it and to match the neat look of your garden. Strange as it might seem, building the right storage shed for your needs, can add value to your property, as it should complement the design of your garden. Work with great care and make sure you position the shed far away from your barbeque or fire pit, as it might easily ignite.
Lay out the 12×16′ wood shed in a professional manner, by using batter boards and string. In order to build a durable foundation, able to support the weight of the wooden construction, you have two broad alternatives. On one hand you could pour a concrete slab or you can choose to build several concrete footings. Irrespective of your choice, we recommend you to make sure the foundation or the footings are perfectly aligned and level, otherwise the storage shed won’t be symmetrical.
Made from this plan
In order to build a 12×16 storage shed, you need the following:
Materials
- A – gravel, 10 tube forms, concrete CONCRETE FOOTINGS
- B – 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber 144” long, 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber 192” long, 45º cuts at both ends SILLS
- 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber 192” long RIM JOISTS
- C – 13 pieces of 2×6 lumber 143” long JOISTS
- D – 200 sq ft 3/4” plywood sheets FLOOR DECKING
- E – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber 192” long, 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber 137” long BOTTOM AND TOP PLATES
- F – 2×4 lumber, 84-96” long, placed every 16” on center WALL STUDS
- G – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber, 3′ long DOUBLE HEADER FOR DOOR
- H – 600 sq ft of 5/8” grooved plywood EXTERIOR SIDING
- I – 18 pieces of 2×4 lumber, 96” long, cut at 30º at both hands RAFTERS
- J – 9 pieces of 2×4 lumber, 144” long, cut at 60º at both ends BOTTOM RAFTER
- K– 290 sq ft of 1/2 tongue and groove ROOFING SHEETS
- L – 290sq fit of tar paper ROOFING FELT
- M – 290sq ft of asphalt shingles ASPHALT SHINGLES
- N– 1 piece of 3×3′ window (recommended) WINDOW
- O – 1 piece of 3×6 1/2-7′ door DOOR
- P – 1×4 lumber and 1×6 lumber TRIMS
- 8 pieces of 2×4 lumber 96”, cut at 30º at both ends OVERHANG RAFTERS
- 16 pieces of 2×4 lumber, 7” long BLOCKING
- 4” screws and corner brackets – to secure the joists to the rim beams
- 3 1/2” screws – to install the wall studs to the top and bottom plates
- 4” screws – to secure the walls to the floor
- 1 1/4 finishing nails – to install the siding and the trims
- 1/2” plywood – to build the gussets
- Drip caps and silicone – to waterproof the roof
- Hinges, latch
Tools
- Safety gloves, glasses, Miter saw, jigsaw
- Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
- Drill machinery and drill bits
- Router, 1/4” round bit – optional
- Power mixer, Wheelbarrow, shovel, post digger, Ladder
Tips
- Lay the carport properly, using batter boards and string
- Pre-drill holes in the wooden components, before driving in the screws
- Align the components before locking them into place with screws
- Don’t use lumber that is likely to crack or shrink
Time
- Two weekends
Storage shed plans free
Building a 12×16′ storage shed is one of those project that will add value to your property and enhance the look of your backyard. Therefore, you should choose the right plans for your needs and comply with the local building codes. Before starting the building process, thoroughly consult the legal requirements and design the shed as to satisfy these specifications.
Smart Tip: After you plan every aspect of the project, you should ask estimates form several lumber stores and choose the best offer in terms of quality and price. Make sure you buy everything from the very beginning, otherwise you would waste time and money, every time you go to the lumber store.
How to build a 12×16′ storage shed
First of all, you have to lay out the storage shed in a professional manner. Therefore, you have to build batter boards from 2×4 wooden slats, lock them into position and use string to mark the shed’s perimeter, as in the image.
In order to check if the corners are right angled, you should measure the diagonals and adjust the batter boards until they match. In addition, you could apply the 3-4-5 rule on each corner.
Next, you have to dig several 2-3′ (6” under the frost line) holes and fit tube forms, or build square wooden forms from 2x8s. Compact a 4” layer of gravel on the bottom of the holes, before fitting the tube forms. Use a level to make sure the forms are horizontal and aligned one with another.
The holes should be 2-3′ deep and at least 6” below the frost line. From our experience, we recommend you to pay attention to these aspects, otherwise the footings won’t be able to support the weight of the storage shed.
Pour a 4” thick layer of gravel on the bottom of the holes, compact it thoroughly and fill them with concrete (2 parts cement, 3 parts sand, 4 parts gravel and water).
Let the concrete dry out for several days before building the floor frame of the shed. In addition, we recommend you to use a long straight edge and a spirit level, to make sure all the footings are perfectly aligned and horizontal.
The fist step of building the floor structure is to lay 2×6 sills over the footing, as you can notice in the image. Work with great care, otherwise the corners of the shed might not be right angled.
Next, install the 2×6 perimeter joists and secure them into place by toenailing them with 6” screws or by using appropriate metal hardware. Irrespective of your choice make sure you plumb them with a spirit level, before driving in the nails.
After you have built the floor frame of the storage shed, you have to install 3/4” plywood and secure it with decking screws. Work with great care and with good judgement to get the job done in a professional manner.
12×16′ storage shed plans
After you have built the floor of the storage shed, you have to assemble the walls and lock them into position by driving in 4” galvanized screws. As you can see in the image, you have to use 2×4 wooden studs to build the timber frames and afterwards fasten them into place.
From our experience, we recommend you to assemble the frame on the ground and afterwards move them on the floor with the help of a friend.
On one side of the shed, you have to leave enough space for a door and build a double wooden lintel, as in the image. Work with great care and with good judgement, making sure you place the 2×4 wooden studs every 16” on center.
Building a rigid structure is essential for this project, otherwise the storage shed won’t be durable on the long run. In order to lock the studs into place, drive in screws through the top and bottom plates, using a nail gun.
Continue building the rest of the walls, in the same manner described above. As you can see in the image, you could build a 3×3′ window on one side of the storage shed, but you have to frame it with 2×4 wooden studs. Use a tape measurement to make sure the dimensions are accurate.
After you have build the side walls of the storage shed and set them into place, you have to check attentively the frame, making sure the construction is level and properly aligned.
Next, install the exterior siding, making sure you also cover the perimeter joists. Drive in 1 1/4” finishing nails trough the siding in the wooden studs, until you have covered the whole surface of the walls.
If you want to obtain a neat look, you can install siding on the interior faces. Nevertheless, if you have a tight budget, you should remember that the shed is functional even without interior siding.
Roof shed building plans
Continue the shed project by building the roof trusses and install them into position every 24” on center. As you can see in the image, you need to use 2×4 slats and gussets to build the frame of the roof.
After you have cut the 2×4 components, you have to assemble them by using 1/2” plywood gussets over every joint. Work with great care, making sure all trusses are exactly the same. If their size varies, you won’t be able to apply the roofing sheets properly.
As you can see in the image, the rafters should overhang at least 8” , otherwise the roof won’t be able to drain the water properly. Next, fasten the end trusses by toe-nailing them with 4” screws, after they are plumb and locked into position with 2×4 braces.
Next, you should install the rest of the trusses every 24” on center, in the same manner described above.
Before installing the roof sheeting, you have to install the rest of the siding, on the gabled ends. Work with great patience and fasten the siding by driving in nails.
The roof of the shed should overhang about 10” in the front and back faces, to drain the water properly and to enhance the look of the construction. After building the four sets of double rafters, you should align them properly and lock them into place with 3” screws.
Work with judgement, as everything has to be neat and look symmetrical. Buy galvanized screws, as they are highly resistant to water.
Install 1/2” plywood sheets over the rafters and secure them with 2” screws. Work with great care, making sure you connect the tongue and groove sheets properly, otherwise they could move because of the changes in humidity.
Use asphalt shingles or metal sheets to cover the roof of the storage shed. Install the side drip caps over the tar paper and the bottom drip caps under the roofing paper.
Fit the asphalt shingles with 1/2” nails, starting with bottom of the roof, paying attention to the manufacturer’s instructions. The shingles should overhang 1/3” over the drip caps. Fit the windows into place and secure them with nails.
Building the door of the 12×16 shed is a straight forward process, as you just have to attache 1×4 trims to a piece of 5/8” grooved plywood. After you measure thoroughly the door opening, you should cut a piece of plywood and attach 1×4 lumber, by inserting 1 1/4” finishing nails.
Afterwards, install 1×4 or 1×6 lumber to the wall, around the door, and lock them into position with finishing nails and several 3” screws. Next, install the hinges, the door handle and a proper latch.
Install the corner trims and an ornamental square, in order to hide the edges and add character to the 12×16′ storage shed. Work with great care, making sure you insert the 1 1/4” finishing nails at least 1/2” from the edges, to prevent the wood from splitting.
Make sure you take a look over our newest shed project. The plans are much more detailed and come with step by step diagrams and a complete cut list. See the free plans HERE.
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