The Process of Building a Timber Shed

The process of building a timber shed in your garden can have its challenges, but the result can be very rewarding. You will need to make sure you have the necessary timber and tools, as well as choose a suitable location and determine whether you require planning permission. In this blog, we’re going to explore the necessary steps in how to build a timber shed so you can store potting soil, garden tools and other outdoor equipment in a dry storage area. Assembly instructions may vary, but this general guide will give you a better understanding. Above all, we strongly recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Planning Your Timber Shed

This is the most important step, because the better you plan, the easier building a timber shed will be. Look over any specific building regulations before you begin, typically a shed can have a maximum height of 2.5 metres. Understand this is going to take a few days to finish, so take your time throughout every stage. See if you can get a couple of helping hands to assist, as it’s more difficult to complete on your own.

Begin by designating an area for the shed, ideally somewhere on flat ground to make the process of levelling the floor simple. An understanding of the intended use of your shed will help in the planning process, as you can decide how big you need it to be based on what you will be storing. Once you’ve figured out your budget, the location and other logistics you need to make sure you have the right equipment for the job.

Essential Tools

Timber Yard Direct offers all the necessary tools, materials and fixings to help you stay organised and prepared to build your own timber shed. It’s best to have all these tools beforehand to avoid interruptions during the assembly process. The following are the essential tools you will need for constructing a shed in your garden, most of which you can find at Timber Yard Direct.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Tape measure
• Ladder
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Workbench
• Saws
• Drills
• Drill bit
• Framing square
• Chisel
• Pencil
• Chalk Line

Timber

Pressure-treated timber is an excellent choice to withstand changing weather conditions. Depending on your project or preferences you may want to consider cladding (check out our Loglap, Shiplap, and Match Board) as a protective outer layer and sawn timber for the framework. This is why it’s important to have a clear idea of how you will be using your shed, as it simplifies the process of choosing the right timber and cladding materials.

Level The Area

Mark the land where you will build your shed. Then clear the section of rocks, vegetation or any debris. Once you’ve cleared the space, use a level to identify high and low areas and equally distribute the soil with a shovel or rake. You may need to re-level a few times before getting it right, but this will ensure a stable foundation.

Here is a guide we love about How to Install A Grid Shed Base

Begin With The Floor

It might seem obvious but by building the floor first you have a stable surface to align your walls and ensure the stability of your shed.

Constructing a base is quite simple and will consist of creating a frame from treated timber, and placing boards suitable to your end use on top of the framing. You could use Marine Ply if its going to get wet a lot, or just Hardwood face Ply (which is the standard material used).

Placing the base on a solid layer of slabs will also help the wooden floor to not rot as it would over time if placed directly onto the soil- even treated timber can only last so long touching the soil for years and years. The process of building a timber shed should start with the floor, as a base will provide all the support for your walls and roof.

Attach The Walls

Now that your floor is stable and you have a levelled surface, you can start attaching the walls on the base. Make sure the wall is levelled and firmly in position before fixing it in place. You may want to pre-assemble your walls to simplify the process, but in this step, you may require some assistance. Securely fix the walls to the base section.

If your building the walls yourself you can use the tried and tested CLS studding timber to create the stud wall panels,

Prepare Your Roof

You may need to fix your roof’s support beam depending on the type of shed and material. Once your support beam is in place you can begin positioning your roof panels. 99% of shed roofs are made form OSB3 sheets, and for a good reason, the engineered board is ideal for flat roofs and is widely used in the construction trade- if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Make sure everything is securely placed and there are no gaps or areas that can be susceptible to water from entering your shed as that can affect the overall longevity. Using a quality roofing felt will help to keep the shed watertight and protect against the weather. Painting your shed with a waterproofing protective layer will ensure the long life and value of your shed.

Begin Your Journey

After this general guide, you will have gained a better sense of how to build a timber shed. Every shed is different, but they all require quality materials and tools to be completed successfully. Contact us at Timber Yard Direct to get expert advice about your plans, and receive. Give us a call on 02476 581 904 or send us an email at support@timberyarddirect.co.uk Let us help you get started on building the ideal shed for your garden using out top quality, eco-friendly products!