Shed Build

[pearson]

Your shed project looks awesome so far — love seeing folks take on practical builds like that. The attention to framing and leveling really shows. When I was working on my own yard setup, I read a bunch of husqvarna reviews before picking up my chainsaw, and it made a huge difference having reliable tools. The right gear can make these projects so much smoother. Keep sharing your progress pics — this is turning out great

[dbhost]

My shed was built on those concrete pier block thing a ma jigs that the 2x stock notches into, not sure what they call it, but I have about 4" from the ground to the bottom of the wood contact. And even then I don't suspect my little cheap shed will last forever, just long enough to outlive me...

[teddymccb]

Nice shed!!! In Hawaii we would never build our base /floor framing on the ground/gravel. The moisture from the ground and termites would rot or eat the wood even if it's treated for ground use. We always build on a concrete slab or post & pier. Ground termites are a big problem here. My town (Hilo) averages 100" of rain per year therefore no wood on ground construction done here.

That's a great point! Climate and local pests play a massive role in construction choices. In areas with high moisture and termite activity, like Hilo, building on a concrete slab or base and pier makes total sense to protect the structure. In drier regions with less risk of termites and excessive moisture, ground-level framing on gravel can still be a viable option, especially with proper treatment and drainage. It's always interesting to see how different environments shape building practices!

[twistsol]

The farmhouse I grew up in had a wooden foundation, white oak treated with creosote. Southern Minnesota is basically all sand so no water issues, and while there are termites here, it is rare for them to get established in a building. I've heard of carpenter ants being a problem, but even that is rare.

[jabe]

Nice shed!!! In Hawaii we would never build our base /floor framing on the ground/gravel. The moisture from the ground and termites would rot or eat the wood even if it's treated for ground use. We always build on a concrete slab or post & pier. Ground termites are a big problem here. My town (Hilo) averages 100" of rain per year therefore no wood on ground construction done here.

[capncarl]

We had started our house build when hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Overnight there was no plywood, Sheetrock or roofing shingles available. For some reason there was not a shortage of OSB. The house and my shop was sheathed in 10’ and 12’ x 4’ OSB. I didn’t like it but we were too far along to wait who knows how long for plywood. I insisted that every stud, sill and any piece of wood the OSB was nailed to have a generous continuous bead of Liquid Nails. The carpenters ( the ones that hadn’t already left to work in New Orleans ) complained but used a pickup truck full of Liquid Nails. I finished the inside of my shop with 10’ panels of OSB. It really finishes out nicely for a shop. I also used Liquid Nails on every board the OSB attach to. It should stiffen up a structure.

[dbhost]

Just FWIW, My shed that I had built last spring uses T1-11 OSB siding. It is pretty common around here. There was a GOOD reason I was in a hurry to get paint on that thing. The ramp deck was made of the same material, It's fine for siding, not so great for a shed ramp... I will lay down some marine grade 3/4 ply with a generous amount of paint as a replacement soon...

[Black walnut]

Those little libraries are quite common around here. One of my Mom's neighbors has one as well in Spokane. I've not seen one built into a shed though. Great idea.

Nice looking shed too. Interesting to see OSB used as an architectural element, nice use of a non-traditional material.

[dbhost]

That is some awfully nice work there on that shed... I have heard of those little library things, but never seen one in person... Pretty cool.

[twistsol]

I finished up the shed a couple of weeks ago by adding in the little library windows. It ha had a lot of activity and we've met a number of neighbors because of it.

Here are the bookshelves themselves under construction. The gaps at the top and bottom in the back are intentional for ventilation.





Library doors are cedar assmbled with dominos. I applied the same OSB siding to the front of them and then glazed in plexiglass windows.



Finally here is the finished product



Loaded with books.

[twistsol]

There is weather stripping between the doors but it uses brushes on the the sides and bottoms of the doors. Should be mostly weather tight, but I'm sure a little snow will get in. It is positioned so the weather will come predominantly from the back/left side and will rarely hit the front straight on.

[capncarl]

Are your doors snow tite?

[LCHIEN]

Libraries???

[twistsol]

It was too hot to do much work on the shed on Monday and I was forbidden from working on it on the 4th. The shed was ready for paint and shingles by Thursday evening, so we got it mostly painted on Friday, shingled on Saturday morning and then I finished up the windows and doors Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Touched up the paint and snapped a photo and you can still see a couple of spots where the paint is wet.



And now the shed is finished ... as a shed. Next step is to put windows on either side of the door which will open to little free libraries.

[twistsol]

I was instructed by LOML to build a shed for her gardening stuff. We negotiated and decided on 8x12 so we can store the snowblower and lawnmower in it in the off seasons.

Progress Saturday morning my son on law and I got the base set, leveled and anchored.

Set squared and anchored.



Shed Anchors


Ready to build,

Waiting on the materials delivery, we then helped the neighbor dig up sod for a play set load it into the truck and take it to the disposal site. Materials didn't show up until 3:30 so we all went to the fair in our home town and ate deep fried crap and hung out with relatives.

Everything to this point was nailed by hand since I didn't have any galvanized framing nails for the nailer and didn't want to spend $100+ for a case when I only needed 1 or two coils.

I'm in the red shirt, cousin Eddie up from Iowa, and my son in law in the background



Here is where we ended up sunday night.



I'll get it finished up this week and turn it over to my wife for painting.