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Let’s go through a calculation to determine the pitch for a shed roof rafter!

Sometimes it’s necessary to cut a shed roof type rafter when you only know the height of the knee-wall or the difference between the two walls and the run. Conversely pitch times run in feet = Height difference

So in the above example if the height difference is 36″ and the run is 12′ then 36/12 =3. The pitch is 3 in 12 ( 3/12). Now you can lay out our rafter using 3 as the rise and 12′ as the total run. Of course conversely if you multiply the pitch by the run in feet you get the height in inches

Let’s try another example. Height difference = 40″, Total run 12′ 4″.

Convert feet to its decimal equivalent by diving by 12. ex. 4″/12 = .33′ total run 12.33′

40/12.33 = 3.24 or about a 3 1/4 in 12 pitch.

Once you know the pitch and the total run you can lay the rafter out using a framing square or you can use a calculators trigonometric functions to figure the length.

Note that the birds mouth cut on the rafter will have to be the same at the top and the bottom of the rafter. We’ve all suffered through a harsh winter and our reward is nigh – spring (followed by summer)! This means that we’ll be spending much more time enjoying our outdoor spaces. However, if you are like most of us, it means that you have probably been a little negligent in maintaining your backyard during the colder months. This means that now is the perfect time to get your house, or at least your backyard, into order with a Keter garden shed.

In order to really enjoy your backyard, it needs to be orderly and organized -assuming that your garden has been tended to and the exterior of your house has weathered winter without much damage.
If you have children, chances are that your yard will have bicycles and toys strewn about. Similarly, unless you have a gardener come and tend your garden, you will probably have gardening tools spread about the yard. Both toys and gardening equipment can be not only an eye sore but also a safety hazard if not properly stored.

A Shed, a Shed, Your Backyard for a Shed (sorry Shakespeare)

Or perhaps that should read, “A shed, a shed, a shed for your backyard.”

The perfect solution for keeping your yard in order is a Keter garden shed. A shed will protect your gardening tools and toys from the elements, keeping your backyard looking neat and tidy. It will also remove the hazard associated with these items just lying around as well as freeing up space in the yard. However, not all garden sheds are created equal.

If you want to build a wooden or steel shed, chances are that you will require a permit from the city which will not only cost you money but will also take time and the aggravation that is always associated with dealing with bureaucracy. The quick, cheap, and simple solution is a Pre-Made Plastic garden shed.

The Perfect Plastic Keter garden shed

Plastic garden sheds usually do not require a permit (but make sure to check with your local office) and are usually far cheaper than comparable sheds of other materials – but not all plastic garden sheds are created equal.

Most of us are these days aware of the environmental impact our consumer choices have and want to do our bit to help. This is why your plastic garden shed should be made from recycled plastic. There should be no sacrificing quality or durability due to the use of recycled plastic.

Keter is a market leader in the manufacturing of a range of recycled plastic items, including sheds. They offer a wide range of sheds to suit most outdoor spaces. They come in a range of colors to match the color scheme of your house and are not only waterproof but are also able to withstand the weight of heavy snowfalls (which hopefully won’t happen again for quite some time!).

There are a number of reasons why you would want to build a shed ramp which includes but is not limited to moving heavy machinery, a lawn mower, a small tractor or probably even a motorcycle.

A well constructed ramp makes it easy for you to easily take out or put in anything large with wheels. So if you need your garden shed to house large items building a ramp is very important. There are a number of things that you need to consider when constructing a shed ramp. You need to consider the elements below during the planning and construction phase of the rank.

Degree Of The Slope

This is the first thing you need to figure out before you plan anything. The degree at which the ramp will slope will mainly depend on what you intend on moving into the shed. It also depends on where the ramp will be placed.

Also the length of your ramp will depend on the slope’s degree that you choose. Generally, ramps around 20 to 30 degrees will suffice when it comes to moving medium sized objects and even some large objects like your washing machine.


Building a shed ramp which is too steep will obviously also make it dangerous if you want to move heavy objects. Think how difficult pushing heavy items can be up a steep ramp or even moving them down it.

The chance of something slipping and you tripping are great. So, security should be your no.1 priority. You will also need to consider prevailing local building codes which dictate exactly what type of ramps you can build. So for instance for every 8 inches added to the ramp there needs to be 1 inch of slope.

Ease Of Use

You will obviously want to build a ramp which makes it easy for you to personally take out and put items into your barn or shed. Some people may think that having a large 40 degree slope and lots of driving room is enough but in fact this is not really the case.

Many machines have an undercarriage and so ensure they can go over the threshold of what your steep ramp can bear. So you need at least six inches under the sides of your doors opening which makes it easier for you to take in and out machinery.

The Ramp’s Surface

The ramp can be made from wood, concrete, steel etc. You can also make your ramp smooth but a smooth ramp is dangerous because things can slip down just as easily as they can slip up.

So a rubberized floor or probably an anti slip type paint will help by adding some friction. Some galvanized wire or probably some fabricated metal sheeting with tiny spikes will improve resistance and make things easier to move up and down.


There are many other things that you will need to bear in mind in addition to the above mentioned ones. But as mentioned earlier it all depends on what you intend on moving up the ramp.

Once you know exactly what you’re moving it becomes easily to plan the ramp in great detail prior to starting construction.

Learn more about garden shed plans and ramps at gardenshedplansonline.com

The garden shed foundation is the most important and the first step in building a secure structure. The foundation of most Gambrel, Gable, and SaltBox sheds may be as simple as laying out a few concrete blocks but then again just laying down concrete is not going to prevent water from getting it, it also does not tie down your timber structure well enough to hold off against a storm.

How To Start? Our first tip for almost all newbie garden shed builders is to use timber pegs measuring around 2”x2” which have been sharpened at the end. Add a nail into each peg’s center and setup a perimeter around your intended location. The shape should be rectangular and you should double check it by measuring the area diagonally. If the dimensions are equal across each corner then it’s a square.

You can use either optical levels or sight rails to control the level of your excavation. For such a small scale excavation it is best to keep things simple by using a spirit level along with 4×2 timbers. The initial strip can be done with a spade up to a depth of around 50mm.

Ideally, you will want the finished depth to be 75mm in most cases, and a 4×2 peg can be used to measure the ground level. Cut a small piece of timber of this length and continue your excavation and keep checking with the 4×2 and spirit level every now and then to make sure you do not go too deep.

The Stone

Most people make the mistake of using low-grade stone to lay down the garden shed foundation. The material we recommend using is a ‘well graded material’ based foundation. This will have a good mixture of small stones measuring 40mm and some finer ones. You can also use pulverized concrete or crushed stone. However, be careful not to use gravel for the base or one large aggregate as these may not lock together.

Adding The Crushed Stone Layer

Prior to compacting all the stones for the layer make sure to level everything first. A vibrating plate can be used to compact the stone or you can use a simple hand tamper. A hand tamper has a 20lbs weight and measures around 4”x4” which you will need to raise and then drop many times in order to compact the stone. You will also have to continue checking the levels every now and then during the process.

Adding The Pressure Treated Wooden Foundation

The timbers you lay down should be perpendicular to the floor joists of your shed floor. You should use 4×4 inch pressure treated timbers which will allow for ventilation under the shed. We recommend pressure treated timber because it lasts long, plus adding stone prolongs the life of the timber you use. The spacing between the timber bearers you lay down will differ so you’ll have to refer to the blueprints you’re using for precise measurements. The floor joists should 2×4.


The foundation is a very important part of building a garden shed. The emphasis should be on laying down a solid garden shed foundation and one which is not easily damaged by water.

Learn more about shed plans and building foundation from Ryan Henderson the author of My Shed Plans.

The garden shed roof is considered to be the most important part. Incidentally, it is the roof by which 99% of the garden sheds out there can be identified by. The roof not only needs to be the right shape but it also has to be water proof, secure and be built of high quality materials. This ensures that your roof remains leak proof for many years to come.

Before you build a garden shed roof it is important to first understand the various types of roofs which you can build. Below are some of the most common garden shed roofs: •    Flat roof
•    Gable and Cross Gable
•    Hipped
•    Mansard gable roof
•    Shed style roof
•    Pyramidal
•    Barn style
•    Gambrel
•    Saltbox

Every type of shed roof above has its own sets of strengths and weaknesses. However, most of them are very similar technically and so the reason to choose one over the other will be the main purpose for your shed. If you want to build a roof which is simple then the gable shed roof should be the one you start with. In this guide we are going look at building a gable shed roof. When selecting your shed make sure the roof in the shed plans meet your needs.

Step by step guide

Step no. 1: Installing the top beams

The roof we are about to build assumes that you’ve already completed the rest of your shed. You start by taking 4 stable beams which are placed on the top of your shed. We assume that the walls of your shed are around 3 inches thick and so your beams have to be 4 or 5 inches thick. Use, bolts and nails to fix the beams. You can also use glue to add more strength to the structure.

Step no. 2: Preparing for construction of the roof

Constructing a Gable roof is simple and consists of mainly vertical and horizontal beams. You start by adding a beam to the original frame which is raised from the middle along with a perpendicular beam originating from its center. Your roof should look the same from all the sides with the horizontal beam that connects the two vertical ones.

Step no. 3: Preparing the roof rafters

You should now add diagonal rafters to the roof which will support the plastic, plywood or whatever type of covering you want. Make sure that the rafter is cut diagonally with a cut stopper fixed on the bottom. This should ensure that your roof is stable.

Step no. 4: Hooking up the rafters

This is a very important step; here you will have to attach the rafters very carefully in order to make sure that the structure is a good triangle. There should be a rafter on either side opposite to each other. This offers the most stability and strength to the roof.

Final Step

You are almost done! You will now have to finish things up by adding more horizontal joists but that is optional. A thick piece of plywood, iron sheet or plastic can be used to cover the roof. Once you do that it’s all over!


Building a garden shed roof is not always as easy as the one described above. Also the roof you construct will depend upon the garden shed plans or blueprints that you’re using. Generally, this is the most common roof since it is something that new DIY people can easily handle.

Learn more about selecting the right shed plans and roof at http://gardenshedplansonline.com/shed-plans

When the majority of people construct a shed it is usually to store items and they rarely give the garden shed door a second thought. With that being said you definitely do not need someone to easily open your relatively flimsy door on your garden shed and leave with items belonging to you. You would do better putting all the things in a yard sale and earn some money rather than putting all your energy into constructing a garden storage shed. For this reason it seems sensible to pay some effort and time in constructing a durable door which could be securely attached to the shed. When purchasing a pre manufactured door then ensure that it’s the strongest door available.

The Shed’s Weakest Link

The shed’s weakest link is usually the garden storage shed doors and the door hinges that can become lose due to holes that develop over time. Most of these holes happen when things bang into the door and the door slamming as a result of high winds. For this reason you might want to ensure your door is large enough to allow for moving in and taking out large items.

You’ll want to use several heavy duty door hinges with a maximum spacing of 2 inch between them. It will help to distribute the load of the door uniformly over the frame of the garden shed and minimize the likelihood of your door not opening properly or falling off.

Build Your Own Shed Door

Whenever you build your own garden shed door be sure to select good lumber. You can select either rough cut or finish lumber but the crucial thing to bear in mind is to suit your needs by making sure the lumber is completely dry to prevent shrinkage as much as an inch inside a couple of days or weeks. It is best to use 1 inch thick lumber for building your door.

Now it is time to measure the door frame (for a good fit) and cut the raw boards to the exact size. Make sure to put the boards that are cut out against the door frame to make one last measurement. Now it is time to cut the lumber that will be used for bracing the door. Typically, 3 pieces ought to be enough since one goes across the door top, one goes on the bottom, and the longer piece fits corner to corner forming a ‘Z’ shape. Now you should either nail or glue the 3 pieces together.

The last step is to measure the jamb for the correct place for installing the hinges for the door. Now simply attach the hinges with screws to the door frame and then to the door. After that you can complete door off with a preselected handle or latch with a door lock. If you reside in a especially damp area ensure that you apply a couple coats of weather shielding paint. To top things off apply some oil paint that will provide the door with a lovely shine.


Aside from adding a wooden door to your shed you could choose a sturdy metal door. But, metal doors are quite expensive and might require you to weld the door to the hinges. Furthermore you should make sure the door is not too heavy because if it is it may become lose over time and move away from the door frame requiring a repair.

Discover more information about building garden sheds and garden shed doors at http://gardenshedplansonline.com/my-shed-plans

Some shed blueprints can be difficult to read. The signs and symbols can often confuse newbie builders. This is why regardless of if you are a newbie or experienced builder always purchase easy to understand shed blueprints. By using blueprints designed for beginners you can be sure as to what the plans call for. The plans you buy should ideally have just a handful of fancy symbols. Also all symbols should be explained in the plans.

At first glance many wood shed plans can look confusing. However, if you know the basics reading them becomes very easy. The first thing you should understand is the lines.

The wood shed blueprints will have a number of different types of lines (thick and thin). Once you understand the lines you then should understand the symbols. You should also pay close attention to the construction notes on the blueprints.

Reading The Lines

Your blueprint will probably have quite a few solid lines. Solid lines indicate the visible outline of an object. A solid line can be seen along the edge of a solid wall when it meets the floor since those are the edges which are visible.

Broken lines show hidden objects. For instance, the basement’s slab hiding a footing below. A broken line also indicates the structure’s shape.

When building your wood shed you’ll need to add things like a window or a door. These objects need to be located exactly on the wall in proximity to the floor.

This type of positioning is shown using a center line which establishes a center point. A ‘C’ shows a center line and then a broken line drawn correctly perpendicular to a wall or the window frame.

When you see a section line this indicates exactly where the cross section of the building is shown. This shows a point where the structure is sliced showing a section view.

The break line shows a shorter view of the building with a predictable and uniform shape. When you see a leader line it is pointing from one measurement to a note with details of or some other aspect of the construction.

Wood shed blueprints also show distances or dimensions between different building points. For instance the distance between the two walls is shown as 10 ft; the dimension will read 10’-0.

At times there are dots added to a dimension line or even slanted lines with arrows on each end. An extension line will show a reference point from the building lines where you see the dimensions noted.

Blueprint Symbols

Reading wood shed symbols on a blueprint can be confusing. However, good shed plans will have labeled symbols to make things easier for beginners. There are a bunch of standard symbols which are used to indicate plumbing and heating like radiators, water heaters, thermostats.

In addition some standard electrical parts will also be indicated like utility panels, switches, outlets etc. Make sure to read the label of each symbol to understand what it indicates.


By reading the shed blueprints for a wood shed you can easily understand what the construction will require. However, easy to read shed plans will outline everything in an easy to understand manner.

This is why getting wood shed plans which are easy to understand are important for a beginner.

If you’ve built a wooden garden shed before then you probably already know what tools you need. You can actually visualize the project and plan for everything in advance. However, for a newbie DIY person knowing what tools you need is imperative prior to even starting the project. Below we discuss the most common tools you’ll need to start building an outdoor shed. Garden Shed Plans

The first thing is to get a good set of wooden garden shed plans. Every building project is different. The plans you purchase will also vary in terms of footing, structure etc. Some shed plans will outline how to build it on wooden skids. This makes it easy to move the shed. This is especially good if you’re moving around a lot. Traditionally, wooden pots and cable anchored sheds can be built.


The most basic of tools required to build a wooden garden shed is a hammer. A hammer is obviously used to nail large and small wooden posts. Hammers are also used to pry out nails which for a newbie builder is very important. Since, this allows them to correct mistakes during construction.

Measuring Tape

Every garden shed plans you purchase will call for accurate measuring. You need to be able to accurately measure length and breath of the wood used. Ideally, you should have an extendable carpenter’s measuring tape.

Electric Saw

Cutting pieces of wood is a big part of building a wooden shed. You will need to cut often thick pieces of wood precisely as described in the plans. A wooden saw enables you to accurately cut any size wood. Compared to a regular saw electric saws are faster and more precise.

Line and Level

A line and level is a very useful tool when building wooden sheds. The tool is used to measure the level of your structure. This helps you confirm if your structure is being built at the right level. Many building plans will also give you level measurements which you need to take at certain stages during construction.

There is also a slightly more expensive electronic version of the traditional line and level tool too. This is easier to use since it displays measurements via an electronic display.


A screwdriver is a common tool used in the construction of sheds. However, since there are various types and sizes of screwdrivers it is a good idea to purchase a complete screwdriver set. This is also a good investment since different shed plans call for different size screwdrivers.

Electric Drill

An electric drill is another tool you’ll need when building wooden sheds. It helps you drill holes through which you can pass wires and other material through. Many electric drills also double as electric screwdrivers. This makes it easy for DIY people screw in things like a junction box in their shed.


Building a garden shed is an undertaking which can be made easier if you have the right tools. The above discussed tools that are the most common you’ll need to construct your new shed.

Now that you’ve purchased the perfect shed plans it is time to start building. However, before you start building you need to find the right location for your DIY garden shed.

There are going to be a number of things which you take into consideration. Bewared that not finding the right location could mean that you get into trouble with the building department and Mother Nature.

The Distance From Your Home

If your wood garden shed is going to be used for storage then build it far from your home. This is because you’re obviously not going to need your equipment everyday. However, if your plan is to store old furniture, bicycles and a few items in the home collecting dust then it should be near your home. If the shed will be used to store potted plants then build it with large windows that face south. This will ensure that your shed receives the most sunlight.

Regulation For Minimum Distance

There are laws enforced by the building department that dictate the distance of your DIY garden shed from your home. The law also dictates how far your building should be from surrounding property lines, septic fields, roads and wetlands.

To get the exact details about these laws visit the building department. If you are unable to find the right location that meets these regulations then you’ll have to file a special case which will then be looked over by the building committee. Since, these committees do not meet regularly you should submit your application as early as you can.

You Need Level Ground

Your wood garden shed should not be built on inclined ground. First level the ground as much as you can. Add gravel and rocks to straighten the ground as much as you can.

However, if you decide to build on a slight slope then the entrance should be on the higher end of the slope. This makes it easier to enter and leave your DIY garden shed.

The Danger Of Water

Water is probably your wooden shed’s worst enemy. This is why the location shouldn’t be a place where water collects.

If your shed’s base is submerged in water for extended periods of time it can lead to accelerated rotting of the wood. A lot of moisture will also lead to mold. Plus, water makes it difficult to enter the shed.

Not Near The Woods

Your shed shouldn’t be built near the woods. Forests restrict the sunshine and air that your shed receives. Also check the vegetation which grows in and around your shed. There is also the looming danger of a tree falling on your shed causing extensive damage.

Another disadvantage of building near the forest is the fact that falling fruits, leaves and acorns etc form a dirty heap. This will then require frequent cleaning which is unnecessary work.


Building a wood DIY garden shed is a fun and easy DIY project for most people. However, if you choose the right location it means that your shed will last for years.

It will also require less maintenance meaning that you save money in the long-term. You may want to consider some cost saving measures when planing the shed.

Learn more about selecting shed plans at gardenshedplansonline.com/my-shed-plans When building a garden shed the cost can be anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. When your budget is tight you need to make cost saving decisions. While cutting costs can save your money but not making the right decisions will mean that you will spend more in the long term. In this article we will look at a few good cost cutting decisions you can make when building your shed.

Wood Is Cost Effective

The most cost effective material is wood for building a garden shed. Using wood as your building material means your money on tools plus wood is cheaper than other materials. Wood is also easier to work with which is great for a newbie builder. However, there are various types of wood and depending on your budget you can choose the type which suits your project the best. If you’re looking for durability then invest in high quality wood. You should also invest in finishing your wood shed with paint to protect it in the long term. Build a ‘Lean to’ shed

A ‘lean to’ shed can help you save money on construction. Since it leans on part of your home you can do without adding a 4th wall. However, when building a wooden lean to shed always make sure to follow a good set of pans. The right building plans will ensure that your structure is durable and long lasting. Another great thing about a lean to shed is that its power can come directly from your home. You’ll save money on extensive wiring and fixtures in your shed.

The Right Wood Shed Building Plans

This may not be instantly obvious but the right shed building plans can save you money. Selecting a set of plans which have been drafted by an expert means that you’ll spend less time making mistakes. You will also not waste material on mistakes. The reduction of trial and error will save you time and money. Well detailed wood shed building plans will clearly outline everything you need to do. Everything is described in a step by step manner which makes the process easy and less expensive.

Renting Building Tools

Purchasing wood working tools like a power saw, electric drill and screw driver etc. can cost a few hundred dollars. However, if you do not work with wood on a regular basis there is no point to spend money purchasing tools. A more cost effective way would be to rent the tools you need. If you’re going to work over the weekend you can rent tools like a power saw and drill for a few dollars. Once you’re done you simply return the tools. This will help you work smart and save money in the process.


When building a garden shed it pays to be smart about it. The right shed plans and the right cost cutting strategy means that you’ll be able to build you shed on a budget. However, you probably wouldn’t want to skimp on things like good material. This is because good material is the key to a long lasting shed which itself saves you money in the long term. Top 3 Articles On Garden Shed Plans (…as voted by our visitors!)

