Building a decent shed for all my .... junk

RacerX

RacerX

Professional Knucklehead; aka Jeffncs / RacerX
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Decided to build a 12’x12’ shed to move all my yard junk, gas cans, etc. out of the garage and into a dry, well-built shed. (I would have gone larger but Wake county waives the permit requirement for sheds <=12’x12’.

This is my build strategy. Follow my advice at your own risk as I’m a skilled hobbyist only.

Foundation:
15 concrete blocks set 5 across in 3 rows; used 4”x4” vertical posts to level it front to back and left to right (14” drop to the right side). Floor joists are 2”x8” pressure treated. I added 8mil plastic underneath as a vapor barrier. May have to add small diameter wire to minimize critters tearing it up...

Floor surface is 3/4” tongue and groove glued and nailed to the floor joists.

Walls:
2”x4” using 8’ studs On 16” centers. After adding in the baseplate, top plate and the tie in plate, walls are just over 8’4”. I wanted the taller walls for the additional storage options. Exterior sheathing is 1/2” OSB nailed on with 8d ring shank nails.

Roof:
I hand cut rafters from 10’ 2x4s. I debated 2x6s, but decided to go 2x4 and make trusses. I hate cutting bird mouth rafters!!! I used a 2x6 for the ridge beam and things fell into place very nicely... I reinforced the roof structure with full-width 2x4s to further tie the walls and rafters together side to side. I then added a 2x4 across the center of the cross beams to tie them together front to back. Roof sheathing is 1/2” OSB nailed down using 8d ring shank nails.

I finished laying felt paper on the roof and started shingles today.

Work left to do...
Install window
Install man door
Custom build the 60” double door
Install trim and siding
Install locks
Move junk into shed

Just thought I’d share... I’ll add more if anyone’s interested.
 
Alfred said:
I've often wondered ...why that particular size, its a pretty common number in a lot of jurisdictions. Does it say whether it can be two stories high ? ;)
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The county seems to care about permeable ground to minimize runoff. This footprint also comes with “non-permant” structure type language. In other words, no concrete foundation. That’s why I used the concrete “feet” things.

With that in mind, I wouldn’t build a 2-story shed on anything other than a legitimate concrete foundation. Could it be done? Perhaps. Should it be done? I wouldn’t do it for stability and safety reasons.
 
Schattenreiter said:
Got any idea what the cost will be when you are done. Wife wants one and I got a quote to have one built on site. :eek: The ready mades are starting to look better.
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It’s cheaper and better quality than a ready made, but I haven’t tabulated the total cost yet.

With a ready made, you’ll still have to plan the foundation. At minimum, you’d need to have a bed of stone for drainage. At worst, you’ll need to build a leveling foundation like I did. Think: added expense.
 
Looks pretty good, similar to the one I had moved in (not built).

I had to prepare the platform. I poured footings then used mounting brackets for the posts. Here is is my platform setting off to the side from the footings before I moved it over....

IMG_5371.jpg

It was a stressful move around the front of the house on a flatbed... The platform is complicated because the pre-built sheds are on runners.

IMG_2861.JPG

Finally moved in place...
IMG_5535.jpg
 
If you wanted larger, and Wade county waives the building permit at 12' x 12', then you shoulda dug a basement and built a second story.

Duh!
 
RetiredUSNChief said:
If you wanted larger, and Wade county waives the building permit at 12' x 12', then you shoulda dug a basement and built a second story.

Duh!
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That has a striking resemblance to a bunker-shed. Maybe I’ll just dig out underneath now that I can use the cover of the “shed”.

No one will eeeveeer know. Shh. Don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret.
 
Jeffncs said:
That has a striking resemblance to a bunker-shed. Maybe I’ll just dig out underneath now that I can use the cover of the “shed”.

No one will eeeveeer know. Shh. Don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret.
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There are a number of old homes in which this very thing was done... shovel by shovel, bucket by bucket.

;)
 
Shingles 80% finished but had to order a ridge vent so the final ridge cap will have to wait a bit longer.

window, door and custom double door will go in tomorrow after I finish roof (except ridge cap) and wrap the walls in Tyvek.
 
Well, I finished the shingles last night. I forgot about it and had to order a ridge vent. That should be here ina a couple days. Both guys wanted to walk the roof with me, but I told them a stern “no way! This isn’t the time to go to the ER!”. Haha. I’ll teach them after the crud circulating dies down...they need to learn.

This weekend will include installation of the man door, window, custom built double door and wrapping the shed with tyvek. Tomorrow will be painting some exposed wood, trim and gutter installation.

I need this thing dry and secured to make room for my Jeep to have her garage bay back!!
 
This was another productive day....

Wrapped the full structure in tyvek.
Installed man door.
Installed window
Installed corner trim and painted all trim.
Started to install the gutters, but noticed I missed some parts so have to order them...

if time allows tomorrow, I’ll start the double doors as I know there are storms coming Tuesday....

With the crud hanging in the air, I’m going to get this thing dried in but holding off any more hardware trips.
 
Alfred said:
I've often wondered ...why that particular size, its a pretty common number in a lot of jurisdictions. Does it say whether it can be two stories high ? ;)
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150sqft rule... Anything under 150sqft on a non permanent foundation, without utilities requires no permit. 12x12 is just under and uses standard lumber sizes all the way around...
 
Jeffncs said:
...a bunker-shed...
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I love this idea! After I sell my house and get outa debt, I'ma gonna have me a Bunker Shed!
Might need a 100 yard 3' pipe perfectly straight and level for an underground chootin' range.
 
Jeppo said:
Upgrade your hearing pro. :eek:
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Don't need to, if you build it correctly.

First, of course, would be ventilation. Gotta have adequate ventilation pulling down range.

Second, construct the shooting cubicle and the first few feet of the pipe with sound absorbing/damping material. And, of course, soundproofing material to isolate the shooting chamber from the rest of the bunker. I'd also recommend sound reflecting methods which would work to project/reflect sound from the muzzle down range...and also help any "echos" be re-reflected back down range.

It would be an interesting engineering design project.

Of course, hearing protection would still be required. But with total control of the shooting cubicle and range tunnel, you have the ability to dampen sound before it even reaches the hearing protection a person wears.
 
Jeffncs said:
That has a striking resemblance to a bunker-shed. Maybe I’ll just dig out underneath now that I can use the cover of the “shed”.

No one will eeeveeer know. Shh. Don’t tell anyone. It’s a secret.
Click to expand...
RetiredUSNChief said:
There are a number of old homes in which this very thing was done... shovel by shovel, bucket by bucket.

;)
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This under-house, DIY, bunker build probably deserves its own thread. Unfortunately I couldn't find an overview vid, but will post the first and last videos of series for effect. Well worth watching them. absolutely incredible what these dudes did.

From raw dirt ground in the basement



to concealed blast door shelter 20 ft in the ground...

 
I'm impressed. That is the kind of shed I'd like to have, but what I actually have is a box in the garage containing this Lego version (some assembly required).
0de7b6c1-3c56-4eeb-8467-b8e27b2f2a44_400_compressed.jpg
 
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Pink_Vapor said:
Jeff, It was good to see y'all today, the shed looks great. Yet I really wouldn't call that a "man door".
View attachment 200343
and a "Hello Pumpkin" door mat???
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It’s all part of the camouflage for what’s stored inside. Do you remember the shed from Commando? Well same idea, but those toys are in the underground bunker I dug out earlier.

I’ll make sure you get your door mat back though. I know you said it was a special order item that took 6 weeks to get. Wasn’t it custom made by those same folks that knitted those special pink hats???
 
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