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A Southwestern Shed

Landscape Smart : Episode LDS-603 -- More Projects »

This attractive shed complements a yard that already has a southwestern theme.

Homeowners Kevin and Carol Lyons would like to build a garden shed in their backyard. Kevin needs a place to store tools--they're cluttering his shop area. But Carol is concerned that a normal storage shed would be an eyesore. "I want it to look good and keep with the southwestern theme we have going," she says.

Landscape Smart host Ken Bastida introduces landscape designer Marsha Pouget to help them plan the design. Pouget wants to make the building attractive as well as functional. She thinks it can become a garden destination that showcases the view from the backyard. Her plan is to take cues from the house--she'll use the same paint and will add accents and plants to help the shed blend with the yard and the house.

The difficulty level of this project is 5, with 5 being the most difficult. Steve Whedbee, the general contractor, says you'll need some basic carpentry skills. If you'd like to build this shed, plan on recruiting friends and neighbors to help. A do-it-yourself homeowner can expect to spend about $1700 and should set aside at least three weekends to complete the shed. A professional would charge $4000. Neither estimate includes plants or accessories.

Clearing the site and laying the floor

These posts are left over from an older structure and will be incorporated into the new shed frame.

To begin, make sure the site is level and clear of debris. The Lyons choose to build around existing posts that are leftovers from an older structure. The posts are incorporated into the framing of the floor of the shed. The understructure is built from 2x6 pressure-treated Douglas fir. The framing for the floor is set on 24-inch centers--the entire understructure measures 8 x 14 feet and the surface is made from 1-1/8-inch tongue-in-groove plywood.

Lay out the rim joists (the sides that will define the size and shape of the structure) and fasten them with nails.

Then lay out the floor joists, placing them on edge, about 2 feet apart, and secure them to the rim joists.

Attach the framing to the posts--have someone help you make sure it's level before you nail them together.

Insert 2x6 stringers between the floor joists and sandwich the posts on either side.

You'll need to install several more posts for extra support: set pier blocks into 12-inch holes on top of piles of gravel.

Attach a post to the top of each pier block, sandwiching it between more stringers.

Fill around the blocks with ready-mix concrete and let everything set overnight.

To add the flooring, lay the 4x8 sheets of tongue-in-groove plywood on top of the framing, staggering the seams for added strength.

Cut off any overhang and attach the plywood with a nail gun.

Framing the walls and roof

Placing the ridge beam

This speed square is a welcome addition when constructing a roof.

Whedbee frames the walls with 2x4s before moving on to the roof, leaving openings for the door and windows. He sets the 2x4s every 16 inches on the setter and adds extra framing for the door and window. It's time to set the ridge beam, followed by the rafters, which radiate off the beam and slope down to the wall. Add blocking between the rafters to help stabilize the roof.

Begin the walls by marking two 14-foot planks that will be the top and the bottom wall plates for the studs.

Space the marks every 16 inches and line up the studs with the marks: use a nail gun to attach to both plates.

Get a friend to help you set the wall frame upright, then tack it with temporary braces and nail it to the floor.

To build the wall that contains the door, lay the boards out exactly the same way but leave an opening large enough for the door.

Check that the walls are plumb before you move on to the roof. The pitch of the roof measures 5 vertical inches per 12 horizontal inches. Whedbee suggests you purchase a tool called a speed square that shows pitches and corresponding angles.

Setting angled rafters

Nailing preventive blocking

The finished frame

Begin the roof by attaching ceiling joists (about two feet apart) to the top wall plates, spanning the width of the structure.

It's time to set up the ridge beam, or the peak, of the roof. To do this, attach a 16-foot notched 2x8 and allow for one foot of overhang on each side.

Set it against a couple of support legs, adding angled 2x6 rafters next. The rafters are cut at an angle and notched at the ends to make them easier to attach before construction began.

Finally, nail blocking between the rafters to keep them from twisting over time.

Planting Plan

Pouget is using drought-tolerant plants that are native to the Southwest, selecting plum, silver and variegated foliage, and fuchsia- and magenta-colored flowers. Decomposed granite covers the walkway and acts as mulch.

Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense), 'Rubrum', Zones 8-9

Sago palm (Cycas revoluta), Zone 11

Variegated dwarf myrtle (Myrtus communis), Zones 8-9

Completing the shed

The roof is made with 5/8-inch thick exterior-grade plywood cut into 4x8 panels. The walls are made from exterior grade, grooved plywood that has a rough-sawn finish. Once painted, the grooves and finish will add dimension and detail. To install the sheeting on top, tack plywood panels on top of the rafters, then secure them with a nail gun.

Begin the walls by stapling building paper to the studs to protect the walls from condensation.

It's time to install the windows: set them into the framing, making sure they're centered, then secure with nails.

After the structure has been wrapped completely with building paper, you can attach the plywood siding: fasten the 4x8 panels to cover the walls, remembering to notch the panels with a circular saw so that they fit snugly around the windows and door.

To keep the shed from looking utilitarian, Pouget adds decorative details like pre-fabricated roof shingles, a window box, and some of the homeowners' favorite ornamental pieces. She also incorporates some container plants. She paints the shed the same color as the house (peach with turquoise trim) and adds an arbor and fountain to draw the eye to the area.

Media
Build a shed that celebrates your sense of style.

Click the icon at right to see a video wrap-up of this project.

Guests
Marsha Pouget
Landscape Designer
400 Line St.
Suisun City, CA 94585
Phone: 707-428-3918
Email: pouget@concentric.net

Steve Whedbee
Contractor, Mr. Build Contracting
413 Manchester Way
Vacaville, CA 95687
Email: webwisesw@netscape.net
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Landscape Smart : Episode LDS-603
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