Storage shed outside — building for dual purpose
We have a shed — storage for summer stuff — which has doubled as guest sleeping in summer for visiting adult children. Please Read on and if you have suggestions, please let me know, as we are about to build a second shed — the roof is a single slope, no ridge but vented on each end. I must be missing something, so any ideas? thanks.
This is how we built and use the first shed:
We dug down only 4″ and set cement deck blocks on gravel for some basic stability. We have not had to adjust for level in 5 years. We made a box frame using 2×4 pressure treated lumber which we set on cement deck blocks. We used Cabot oil based fence stain on pressure treated plywood, which we then attached with coated screws to this first box frame. We then built another 2×4″ (spruce, not pressure treated) box frame on top of the plywood, screwing it in at a 45 degree angle with 3″ coated strews to the first 2×4 frame below it. This gave us a total of 2×8 floor joists and protected insulation.
To insulate we set in rigid foam sheets cut to fit, using spray foam around the perimeter of each section to seal it, then laid down standard flooring plywood (not pressure treated) on top…. screwing down with standard screws.
We built standard 2×6 walls and 2×8 rafters as this was only 8′ deep with no load in the attic or loft. Loft area has a 4′ wall of 2×6 on south face and attaches to the top header of the back wall, creating a very nicely pitched roof — the footprint is 8×16 and holds a lot of stuff !!
With one gfci outlet and 2 mounted ceiling lights, there is plenty of light and room for storage needed for any season. Walls had typar stapled to them before attaching the T-111 siding. Walls were originally uninsulated, but we used Roxul and faced it with the typar style ground cover– which breathes and covers the insulation but keeps it light and airy — and with a single door with a window, it makes for a nice seasonal summer retreat for those who like to camp with some comfort. An inflatable bed!! works fine for the few days they are here each year. The shed is open to the rafters, but a loft could be created with plywood if needed for extra storage area.
Most of the year it holds all the summer stuff that we have to move out each spring, lawn chairs and cushions and such — just in time it creates space for those unexpected youthful guests who want to come to Maine every summer.
So could we have designed this better? Suggestions for the next one that is going to be built soon? thanks!
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Replies
Oldhouse,
It's just a shed. If it meets the requirements of your local building department, you can build whatever you want.
A few points:
1. If it isn't heated or cooled, it doesn't need any insulation.
2. Stacking two layers of 2x4 joists on top of each other isn't quite as strong as 2x8 joists, because both layers of 2x4s can flex a little. However, it's a shed, so it's no big deal.
We have the deck blocks every 4', so nothing has shown any deflection in the past 5 years; but may plan on using a 2x6 on base, with the same design going vertical. the 2nd shed also has the same dual purpose goal, and to be useable as a summer bunk house. It's also moveable. This unit also will have "climate controlled 4x8' closet", to hold stuff for the wife..... It gets heated as needed during the summer. It gets cold and damp in Maine -- 50 degrees today, June 4. A small electric heater makes a big difference. thanks for all input.