Easy to Build Vinyl Sheds

Figure Shed Dimensions

• A small shed for storing basic lawn and garden supplies can be built just 6-by-8-feet, for example. A shed for storing mowing equipment, such as a riding lawnmower, needs to be no less than 8-by-12-feet to accommodate a wide front door for driving the machine inside. The cost of building a larger shed will probably not be more than $100 to $150 more than a small shed, so invest the money if your budget will allow.

Draw Shape

• Use graph paper to design your shed by allowing one square to represent 4 inches of real space Pitch each side of an A-frame roof on a 45-degree angle. You want water to skirt off the roof area easily, and the 45-degree slope provides interior space for storing items overhead. You can design a roof to slope from front to back with the front side constructed 12 inches higher, if you don't want to build an A-frame type roof.

Pour Concrete Base

• Build a concrete base to hold the shed. Use 2-by-6-inch boards to construct a frame to hold the concrete pour. Drive 10-inch stakes on the outer perimeter edges of the framing to keep the framed box secure during the pour. Mix bags of concrete or order concrete delivered. Finish off the top of the pour by smoothing it with a 2-by-4-inch board and troweling it to a smooth finish. Don't make the floor too slick in case of water leaks or liquid spills, however.

Construct Framework

• Build the structure using 2-by-4-inch boards secured with 4-inch wood screws. Create a wall stud every 18 inches and roof rafters on 18-inch centers. You will secure vinyl sheeting materials to these studs. Secure the bottom perimeter board to the concrete base with anchor bolts or 4-inch concrete nails. Install some interior shelf framing one one side or along the back wall while you are building the shell of the building.

Add Vinyl

• Attach 4-by-8-foot sheets of vinyl or corrugated vinyl to the wood framing. Buy stainless steel nuts and bolts to assemble the building. Corrugated plastic can work for the roof areas, but a corrugated metal roof or asphalt shingles will keep out the elements better. Be sure to caulk all overlapping areas on all four side walls to help prevent moisture from coming into the building as well.