How to make a Narrow Backyard Shed

How to build a Narrow Shed

Introduction

Similar articles: Tudor style shed | Board & batten shed

This narrow shed is suitable for the smaller backyard or garden or for those that do not want to use more area than necessary.

With a footprint (ground area) of 2100mm (7ft) wide by only 1200mm (4ft) deep this shed could be considered compact but you will be amazed just how much will go into it.

This article with additional information can also be purchased in downloadable PDF format free of advertising and print friendly for only $5. To purchase click here

The shed stands 2600mm (8′ – 8″) high at the apex and tapers down to 1400mm (4′ – 8′) high at the sides.

Double doors make for an easy access into the whole of the inside area allowing the shed to be fully utilized.

The narrow shed is very strong. It is constructed out of 100×50 (2×4) framing lumberAny of the framing wood., verticalPlumb, upright. board-and-batten sidingThe outer covering of a building meant to shed water and protect from the effects of weather. and overlapping boardA piece of sawn, or dressed lumber of greater width than thickness. Usually 19mm (3/4") to 38mm (1 1/2") thick and 75mm (3") or more wide. roof. The floor is plywoodA piece of wood made of three or more layers of wood veneer laminated together with glue. on 100×50 (2×4) floor joists that sit on skids thus making the shed ‘relocatable’.

The Parts List

Note 1: All dimensionsAny of the three linear measurements, length, breadth and depth. are in both metricMillimeter measurements. and imperialStandard. Feet and inch measurements.. Measurements are given first in millimeters followed by ft and/or inches in brackets.
Note 2: The size (width and thickness) of the lumber referred to in the ‘Parts List’ below is the nominal sizeThe rough-sawn size of a piece of lumber. Before the lumber is surfaced, planed or dressed. The nominal size is usually greater than the actual dimension. e.g. 100x50 (2 x 4) actually equals 90x45 (1 1/2" x 3 1/2").. Because most framing lumber is dressedSurfaced; planed; smooth; even surface; gauged. or seasoned the actual sizeThe finished (dressed) size as opposed to the nominal size of a piece of wood. of the lumber will be less than the nominal size.

For example: 100×50 (2×4) lumber when dressed or seasoned will have an actual size of approximately 90×45 (1 1/2″x 3 1/2″).

The measurements given in all the plans in this project are the ‘actual sizes’.

Part ID/Size	For	Amount and Lengths	Comments
Floor and Sub-floorAll the floor frame under the floor sheets, including the floor joists and the bearers.
[a] Skids 100×100 (4×4)	Under floor	2 pieces 1200mm (48″)	TreatedPressure treated. Refers to lumber that is treated in such a way that the sealer is forced into the pores of the wood. Refers to lumber pressure sprayed with chemicals to lengthen its life expectancy for outside use or inground applications.
[b] Joists 100×50 (2×4)	Floor frame	6 pieces 2010mm (81″)	Treated
[c] End joists 100×50 (2×4)	Floor frame	2 pieces 1200 (48″)	Treated
[e] Floor panelA sheet that forms a distinct flat and rectangular section or component. A transparent panel used to fill a framed section of a window. 18mm (3/4″) plywood	Floor	1 piece 2100×1200 (4ft x 7ft)	Cut from standard 2400×1200 (4ft x 8ft) sht
Frame: Wall and Roof
[f] Bottom plates 100×50 (2×4)	Front/rear walls	2 pieces 2100mm (84″)
“	Side walls	2 pieces 1020mm (41″)
[g] Top plates 100×50 (2×4)	Side walls	2 pieces 1020mm (41″)
[h] Studs 100×50 (2×4)	Side walls	6 pieces 1175mm (47 5/8″)
“	Front wall	2 pieces 1200mm (48″) 2 pieces 1500 (60″)	Cut 45° angle one end of all front wall studs
“	Rear wall	2 pieces 1200mm (48″) 2 pieces 1500 (60″) 2 pieces 1950 (78″)	Cut 45° angle one end of all rear wall studs
[i] TrimmerVertical framing member that is cut to fit between the bottom plate and the header. studs 100×50 (2×4)	Front wall	2 pieces 1480 (59 3/4″)	Cut 45° angle one end of both trimmer studs
[j] Apex blockBlocking. A pieces of wood that runs between other members (studs, joists, rafters) to provide support, add strength and/or act as a solid support between panel joins. 100×50 (2×4)	Rear wall	1 piece 300 (12″)	Cut to suit
[k] BlockingBlocks, see Block. 100×50 (2×4)	All walls	Cut to suit. Approximately 14m (46ft) altogether.
[l] Raking Top PlateA top plate running parallel with the slope of the roof at the gable. 100×50 (2×4)	4 pieces 1530mm (61 3/16″)	Front and rear walls	Cut 45° angle both ends
[m] Raking headerA header running parallel with the slope of the roof at the gable. 100×50 (2×4)	Front wall	2 pieces 1040mm (41 5/8″)	Cut 45° angle both ends
[n] RidgeThe horizontal line at the top of opposing sloping sides of a roof running parallel with the building length. blocking 100×50 (2×4)	Ridge	Cut to suit. Approximately 1000mm (40″) altogether.
[o] Brace blockingA short piece of lumber (block of wood) set between two studs on an angle forming part of a wall frame brace. 100×50 (2×4)	Rear and side walls	Cut to suit. Approximately 5.5m (18ft) altogether.
[p] GalvanizedCovered with a protective coating of zinc. metal strapShort lengths of metal strap 25×1 (1/16×1) used to fix members together to resist uplift. ties	Tie rakingRunning parallel with the slope of the roof at the gable. top plates together	2 pieces 300mm (12″)
[z] Rafters 100×50 (2×4)	Roof	2 pieces 1485mm (59 3/8″)	Cut 45° angle both ends
Exterior Cover: Siding and Roof
[q] Building wrapA building paper that envelops the exterior walls or roof frame prior to the cladding being fixed. Reduces air movement and helps avoid the risk of water ingress. / Builders feltA building paper that envelops the exterior walls or roof frame prior to the cladding being fixed. Reduces air movement and helps avoid the risk of water ingress.	WrapA cover or protection such as a building paper that envelops the exterior walls or roof frame prior to the cladding being fixed. Reduces air movement and helps avoid the risk of water ingress. frame	15 sq meters (160 sq ft)
[r] Vertical board 250×25 (1×10)	Siding	36 meters (120 ft) altogether
[s] Vertical battenNarrow board used to cover cladding joins. 75×25 (1×3)	Siding	36 meters (120 ft) altogether
[t] TrimThe finish materials in a building, such as narrow boards applied around openings (window trim, door trim) and vertical corner battens. 100×25 (1×4)	Exterior corners and around doorA horizontal framing member above the door/window opening. opening	10.5 meters (35ft) altogether
[u] Roof sheathingA protective covering of boards or plywood applied to the studs or rafters of a building to strengthen it and serve as a foundation for a weatherproof exterior. 12mm (1/2″ plywood)	Roof	2 pieces 1500mm x 1200mm (4ft x 5ft)
[v] Roof boardsBoards used to cover the roof. 250×25 (1×10)	Roof cover	16 pieces 1200mm (48″)
[w] Galvanized V shaped ridge flashingFlashing that covers or caps the ridge of a roof.	Roof ridge	1 piece 1200mm (48″)
[x] Barge boardExterior visible flat trim board that follows the rake of the roof. 150×25 (1×6)	Gables	4 pieces 1800mm (72″)
[y] Barge capA board covering the ends of the roof boards and sits flat over the barge board. 100×25 (1×4)	Cables	4 pieces 1800mm (72″)
Door
[d1] Slats 150×25 (1×6) tongue and grooveA joint in which a protrusion (tongue) that runs along the edge of a board fits into a matching groove that runs along the edge of another board. Boards shaped with a tongue on one edge and a groove on the other so that they can be fitted together without gaps.	Door	10 pieces 2250mm (90″)
[d2] BraceTo make rigid. 100×25 (1×4)	Door bracing	9.5 meters (32ft)
[d3] AstragalA vertical molding attached to one door of a pair (at their meeting edges) thus sealing them when shut. The astragal closes the clearance gap. 50×25 (1×2)	Door	1 piece 2250mm (90″)
[d4] StopThe part of the plywood wall panels that overlaps the door and window frame, and protrudes into the door or window area and covers any gaps between the door/window and the surrounding frame. It acts as a stop for the door and also stops the rain getting in. 50×25 (1×2)	Door stopA strip of wood or a small batten that is attached to the door jambs on both sides and on top of the door thus stopping or limiting draught and/or rain.	5 meters (17ft)
[d5] Hinges 150mm (6″) “T” hinges	Doors	6 of