How to Build a Lean-to With Vinyl Siding

Locate a flat surface in the dirt that can accommodate your lean-to structure. Measure and mark out your four corners in the dirt. Dig post holes at each corner to a depth of at least 2 feet.

Cut four corner pieces of wood from 4-by-4-foot posts. Make the back two pieces at least 1 foot shorter than the front two pieces. Mix a batch of cement, pour into the post holes and insert the wood posts. Let the cement cure before proceeding.

Nail a 2-by-10 piece of wood between the two front posts, along the top. Measure and cut as necessary, based on your lean-to size. Repeat this process between the back two posts.

Install the roofing joists by nailing 2-by-4 pieces of wood between the two 2-by-10 pieces. Place them at a rate of one every foot.

Nail one 2-by-4 piece of lumber at center height between the two back posts. Place another one several inches off the ground. Nail additional 2-by-4 pieces of lumber between the front and back posts, along the sides of the lean-to. Place them at the same heights as the ones across the back.

Cut pieces of plywood to cover the back, sides and roof of the lean-to. Nail them into place to form solid sides on the structure.

Measure the height of the four corners of the lean-to. Cut vinyl siding corner strips to each height. Nail them to the corners of the lean-to.

Measure the length of the back and sides of your lean-to structure. Cut and nail a starter strip to the bottom edges of the lean-to.

Cut enough vinyl siding pieces to go from the bottom to the top. Lock your first piece of vinyl siding into the starter strip. Nail the top into the plywood with aluminum nails. Drive a nail through each hole along the top of the siding. Lock the next piece of siding into place and install nails along the top. Repeat this process for each piece of siding until the lean-to is covered.