This diy step by step article is about barn shed plans free. If you need a shed with a traditional gambrel roof, but you don’t afford to buy an expensive kit or to hire a qualified team of builders, you could keep the expenditures at a decent level and undertake the project by yourself. A barn has a rustic appearance but it also provide a significant storage space, being ideal to deposit tools and other items you don’t use on a regular basis. In this article, we show you how to build a simple shed with a gambrel roof, using common tools, materials and techniques. See how to build a barn shed with loft HERE. PDF downloadable plans, for this project, with premium features in the Store.
Before starting the project, you have to consult the legal requirements, otherwise you might not comply with the building codes. Therefore, you should remember that there is a certain distance you should leave from the shed up to the property line or a standard depth of the concrete footings, according to the area where you leave. Apart from respecting the legal requirements you should understand that you construction will also be durable.
If you want to build a permanent construction, you should pour a concrete slab and attach the construction to it. On the other hand, if you want a light construction and you plan to move it in the foreseeable future, we recommend you to place several concrete footings and 4×4 skids. In addition, if you won’t deposit heavy items in the barn shed, using the skids is a good way to keep the total costs under control. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.
Made from this plan
In order to build a barn shed, you need the following:
Materials
- A – 9 pieces 2×4 lumber 93” long, 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber 120” long JOISTS
- B – 80 sq ft 5/8” plywood sheets FLOOR DECKING
- C – 2×4 lumber WALL STUDS AND PLATES
- D – 2×4 lumber TRUSSES
- E – 250 sq ft of 5/8 grooved plywood EXTERIOR SIDING
- F – 140 sq ft of 1/2 tongue and groove ROOFING SHEETS
- G – 140 sq fit of tar paper ROOFING FELT
- H – 140 sq ft of asphalt shingles ASPHALT SHINGLES
- I – 5/8” plywood, 1×4 lumber and 4 hinges DOUBLE DOOR
- J – 1×4 lumber TRIMS
- 2 1/2″ screws, 4d nails
- stain, putty
- hinges + latch
- tar paper, asphalt shingles
- joist hanger
- structural nails for ties
Tools
- Safety gloves, glasses, Miter saw, jigsaw
- Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
- Drill machinery and drill bits
- Router, 1/4” round bit – optional, Power mixer
- Wheelbarrow, shovel, post digger, Ladder
Tips
- Lay the carport properly, using batter boards and string
- Pre-drill holes in the wooden components, before driving in the screws
- Align the components before locking them into place with screws
- Don’t use lumber that is likely to crack or shrink
Time
- Two weekends
Barn Shed Plans Free
Building a barn shed is a fun project, as it is a great opportunity to learn new woodworking techniques and to build a beautiful rustic construction. As you can see in the image, you just need to join the components together, provide you choose the right plans for your needs.
Gambrel Shed Plans
There are many types of foundation you could use when building a shed, starting with a sturdy concrete slab up to using skids. While the fist solution is ideal for permanent constructions, the second alternative is recommended if you want to move the shed.
Therefore, you have to place the skids on concrete footings, as in the image. For extra rigidity, you could dig 2′ deep holes, fill them with concrete and install appropriate anchors.
Afterwards, you have to build the floor frame of the shed, using 2×4 or 2×6 (if you will store heavy items in the shed) joists. Place the joists every 16” on center.
Next, you have to attach the 5/8” plywood sheets into place and secure them with decking screws or nails. Make sure you drive in the nails every 10”, along the rim beams and joists. The corners of the sheets should overlap perfectly over the floor frame.
Alternatively, you could also install 2×4 decking, if you want to obtain a more traditional appearance. Place a nail between the boards, to get consistent gaps.
The next step is to build the walls of the barn shed on the ground, and to secure them into place. Therefore, you have to build the side walls from 2×4 lumber, making sure you place the wooden studs every 24” on center.
Continue the project by installing the opposite wall, in the same manner described above. Work with great care and good judgement, if you want to obtain a professional result.
Remember that you don’t have to remove the braces before installing the front and the back walls. If you want to install a side window, now it’s the time to adjust the wall frame accordingly. Make sure you install a double header and a trim stud, to secure the windows properly.
Measure the size between the two side walls and build the back wall frame, using 2×4 lumber. Place the wall properly and ask somebody else to hold it, while you insert the 6” nails trough the bottom plate.
As you can see in the image, you have to take into account several things when building the frame, such as leaving enough space for the door opening, reinforcing the frame and installing a double header. Don’t forget that you could adjust the width of the door opening according to your needs. Plumb the wall frame before installing it, by using 6” screws / nails.
Barn Shed Roof Plans
The key of this complex step is to cut the rafters at the right angles and to join them together properly. Drive in 4” nails trough the rafters in the top plate, making sure the trusses are level.
After you have cut all the rafters, you should lock them together using 1/2 plywood gussets. The gussets don’t have to be too large, otherwise they might affect the design of the barn shed.
Therefore, you should things simple and build gussets about 4” on each side of the joints. Lock them into place by inserting galvanized nails. In addition, install another truss, in order to get 10” overhang on the front end of the barn.
Afterwards, you have to install the 5/8” grooved exterior siding into place with 1 1/4 nails, along the walls studs, top plate and bottom plate. Cut the siding with a reciprocating saw, making sure the blade is sharp, otherwise it might tear the edges.
Continue the building process, by installing the 1/2 tongue and groove plywood and securing the sheets with nails. Align the plywood sheets at both ends and lock them into position with galvanized nails, along the rafters.
It is essential to install the drip caps properly, as well as the roofing felt. Therefore, the bottom drip caps should be installed under the roofing felt, while the drips caps placed along the sides of the roof should be placed over the tar paper.
The tar paper should overlap 2-4”, to protect the roof from water. Install the shingles starting with the bottom of the roof. The shingles should overhang the drip caps 1/2”, to drain the water properly.
After you have attached the 3 tab shingles into place, you have to install the 1×4 trims. As you can see in the image, there are many design patterns you can apply, but you should choose the ones that fit your needs and tastes properly.
Building the double doors of the gambrel shed is a straight forward job, if you use the right materials and techniques. In order to obtain a smooth transition between the barn shed and the double doors, you should use the 5/8” grooved plywood.
After you build the double doors, you have to attach it to the barn, by using four hinges. Attach several x-shaped trims, to enhance the traditional look of the barn.
Seal the gaps with a waterproof filler and smooth the surface with a sander. Afterwards, you should apply several coats of varnish or protective paint, in order to prevent serious water damage or wood decay.
If you follow the basic guidelines and use the right plans and technique for your needs, you should get the job done like a professional. Afterwards, you could use the barn shed according to your needs and wishes.
Make sure you take a look over the rest of the barn projects, as there are so many ideas to choose from when building a shed. See the step by step project with detailed diagrams and a complete cut list HERE. PDF downloadable plans, for this project, with premium features in the Store.
Thank you for reading our article about barn shed plans and we recommend you to read the rest of our projects. Don’t forget to share our articles with your friends, by using the social media widgets.