Free 12×16 Garden Shed Plans

This step by step woodworking project is about free 12×16 garden shed plans. This storage shed is large enough to provide storage space for the needs of a family. The shed features double front doors and a side man door, for an easy access to the interior. Remember that you need to read the local building codes before selecting the right location for the shed and before building the shed. See my other DIY projects HERE.

We recommend you to invest in the best materials you could afford. Therefore, you should buy weather-resistant lumber, such as pine or cedar. Always take accurate measurements before adjusting the size of the components at the proper size. Drill pilot holes trough the components before inserting the wood screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

Made from this plan

Free 12×16 Garden Shed Plans

Building a 12×16 shed

Materials

• A – 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 192″ long SKIDS
• B – 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 192″ long, 13 pieces – 141″long JOISTS
• C – 5 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 48″x96″ long, 2 pieces – 48″x48″ long FLOOR
• D – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 144″ long, 1 piece – 137″ long, 2 pieces – 20 1/2″ long, 6 pieces – 91 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 82 1/2″ long, 10 pieces – 3 1/2″ long, 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 99″ long FRONT WALL
• E – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 144″ long, 1 piece – 137″ long, 10 pieces – 91 1/2″ long BACK WALL
• F – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 192″ long, 1 pieces – 185″long, 15 pieces – 91 1/2″ long SIDE WALL
• G – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 192″ long, 1 pieces – 185″long, 1 piece – 11 3/4″ long, 1 piece – 136″ long, 2 pieces – 82 1/2″ long, 5 pieces – 3 1/2″ long, 4 pieces – 15 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 36″ long, 4 pieces – 29″ long, 2 pieces – 35″ long, 4 pieces – 36″ long, 15 pieces – 91 1/2″ long  SIDE WALL
• H – 12 pieces of T1-11 – 48″x96″ long, 1 piece – 12″x48″ long WALL SIDING

• 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 16′
• 13 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 12′
• 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 10′
• 3 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 6′
• 6 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 16′
• 5 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12′
• 55 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8′
• 6 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
• 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 16′
• 13 pieces of T1-11 – 48″x96″
• 1 piece of 1/2″ plywood – 48″x96″
• 8d nails, 2 1/2″ screws, 3 1/2″ screws, 1 5/8″ screws
• wood filler , wood glue, stain/paint
• joist hanger
• structural nails for ties

Tools

• Miter saw
• Circular saw
• Drill machinery, drill bits
• Safety gloves, glasses
• Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil

Time

• 1 week

Building a 12×16 storage shed

Assembling the floor frame

The first step of the project is to build the floor of the shed from 2×6 joists. Cut the joists at the right dimensions and then lay them on a level surface. Drill pilot holes through the side joists and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the perpendicular components. Make sure the corners are square and align the edges flush.

Fitting the skids

Select the location for the shed, making sure you comply with the local codes. Fit the 4×4 skids equally spaced and then attach the floor frame. Use screws or rafter ties to lock the skids to the frame together tightly.

Fitting the floor sheets

Fit the 3/4″ plywood sheets to the floor of the shed. Cut the sheets at the right dimensions and then align the edges flush. Leave no gaps between the sheets and then secure them to the joists, every 8″. Insert 1 5/8″ screws to secure the sheets into place tightly.

Building the wall frames

Building the side wall

Build the plain side wall from 2×4 lumber. Drill pilot through the plates and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the studs. Place the studs every 16″ on center. Place double studs to both ends of the walls and make sure the corners are square.

Back wall – frame

Build the back wall for the shed in the same manner described above. Drill pilot holes through the plates and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the studs. Place the studs every 16″ on center.

Front wall – Frame

Frame the front wall from 2×4 lumber. As you can easily notice in the plans, you need to leave enough space for double door opening, which you can adjust to suit your needs. Use 2×6 lumber for the double header. Fit 1/2″ plywood between the beams and then sandwich them together with 2 1/2″ screws.

Side wall with window – frame

Framing the other side wall for the storage shed is a little bit more complex, as you need to frame a window opening and a door opening. Use 2×6 lumber and 1/2″ plywood for the headers. Moreover, you can adjust the size of the openings to suit your needs. Drill pilot holes and insert 3 1/2″ screws to lock everything together tightly.

Assembling the shed frame

Fit the wall frames to the floor of the shed. Align the edges flush and drill pilot holes through the bottom plates. Insert 3 1/2″ screws to secure the walls to the floor frame. Moreover, you need to lock the adjacent walls together tightly. Make sure the corners are square, drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws.

Attaching the siding sheets

Side wall siding

Attach the 4’x8′ T1-11 siding to the side wall of the shed. Align the edges flush with the top and insert 6-8d nails, every 8″ along the framing. Leave no gaps between the sheets, for a professional result.

Side wall – siding

Fit the panels to the opposite side wall, as shown in the diagrams. Use a saw to make cuts so you can fit the sheets around the openings.

Back wall – siding

Fit the siding sheets to the back of the shed. Use 6-8d nails to lock the sheets into place. Leave no gaps between the sheets for a professional result.

Front wall – siding

Fit the panels to the front wall of the shed. Make the cuts so the panels fit around the double door opening.

Free 12×16 shed plans – Side view

This garden shed is ideal for any backyard, as it provides storage space and an easy access to the interior, due to the double front doors and to the side man door.

Free 12×16 shed plans

If you want to build the gable roof for this large storage shed, you should check out PART 2 of the project. Check out PART 3 of the project, so you learn how to build the double doors and the side door for the shed.

12×16 shed plans – dimensions

12×16 shed plans

If you like my project, don’t forget to SHARE it on Facebook and Pinterest. If you want to download the plans. just click on the GET PDF PLANS button bellow.

Thank you for reading our project about free 12×16 garden shed plans and I recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to LIKE and SHARE our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets. SUBSCRIBE to be the first that gets our latest projects.

<< Previous  |  Next >>

 PRINT PLAN

EXPLORE MORE IDEAS: