Author Topic: Shed Building Blueprint help  (Read 1149 times)

Heroes821

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Shed Building Blueprint help
« on: February 08, 2019, 11:34:49 AM »
Good Afternoon Mustacians.

I have recently bought a new house and I'm in the process of laying down the ground work for a shed that I also want to use as my workshop.

http://myoutdoorplans.com/shed/10x20-gambrel-shed-plans/

Is really close to what I'm wanting to build.  I found down the street from me a shed dealer that has a 10 x20 shed w/ Gambrel roof, with two lofts, a workbench, two windows, and 1 door in the long wall.


I'm having trouble finding a blueprint to help me plan this out and this will be by FAR the most ambitious project I've ever done.   Does anyone know any other websites or places online that I can find schematics similar to myoutdoorplans?


Also is there anything I should be aware of that I might not be thinking about before building the shed.  My goal is to level out the ground this week and cover with gravel, sand, and paving stones before I start building.   I'm also thinking that I now would be the time to lay conduit down in case I decide to put electric in the shed.

Jon Bon

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Re: Shed Building Blueprint help
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2019, 12:29:32 PM »
Ok so a bit to unpack here.

1. A shed is pretty easy to build, especially if there is no permitting/inspections.
2. A shed is pretty cheap to build, I mean its just wood, and that stuff grows on trees.
3. I dont think you need detailed prints. As you want to build this custom for your uses. You want the window where you need it, the door where you want it so you can do X Y and Z in the shed. They are however a really good starting place and a good guide if you get stuck. They looked good to me.
4. Having a good foundation will be the biggest issue, so be sure you get that right, you would hate to be having an error in the foundation effecting the whole build the entire time.
5. 100% run electrical, I would say run at least 3 20 amp circuits. 1 for lights and 2 for tools
6. I think your hardest part is going to be framing the roof out. Take your time, get the first 1 100% correct and use it as a template.

If you have any detailed questions I am sure we could help.

Good luck!

Fishindude

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Re: Shed Building Blueprint help
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2019, 02:41:30 PM »
Get some 1/4" graph paper and draw things up yourself with a simple ruler and pencil.   
For example , each 1/4" square can represent 3" or (4) squares to the foot and it's a simple matter to sketch up your own floor plan, site plan, exterior wall elevations, wall sections, etc.

Papa bear

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Re: Shed Building Blueprint help
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2019, 05:51:10 AM »
I created my own plans with paper and pencil. 

I did use an online calculator for the rafters, though.  You plug in some numbers and it gives you your angles, birds mouth, length, etc.   I know you can do that all with a carpenters square or speed square, but for a first timer designing it, I wanted it planned from the beginning.  Plus it helped to keep scrap down when purchasing material.


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lthenderson

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Re: Shed Building Blueprint help
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2019, 12:04:56 PM »
Most plans you find online will cost you some money and then may not be the best. I have found if you have something specific in mind, many big box lumber stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Menards will carry some plans usually in the area where you order quantities of lumber that they normally keep outside. They will have them in a rack divided by subject. Also, many of those same stores will sell DIY books full of plans for everything from houses to backyard sheds.

I think you could probably do just as well watching some Youtube videos on framing techniques. Depends on your ability to read and understand plans.

Definitely the most important thing is to prepare a good base. It is very hard to do this after the fact.

You can go either way with the electrical. I usually prefer to do it afterwards if the plans are still kind of fluid. That way you can put it precisely where you want it when the shed is built. You can do the trenching for the conduit after the shed is in place and you don't run the risk of damaging the conduit or getting it in the wrong spot by doing it first. But if you know where you want it and trenching would be difficult after the shed has been built, you can definitely run it first.