What's the minimum stud spacing for a 12 x 12 storage shed?

[remagenman]

Well, I cleared out and area underneath the trees that just had years of **** there. I want to build a 12x12 to just store **** we have in the garage, nothing valuable just want it dry and out of site.

I want to be cheap on this one and was thinking 24" OC, I think that's what HD and Lowes use for their shed.

Thanks.

 

[Shiftless]

Sounds like you are asking for MAXIMUM stud spacing.
I bet that 24 inch center to center spacing will work but in reality, how many studs will you save by doing that instead of 16 inches? More studs will keep your siding panels straighter. And give you more support for whatever you hang on the walls inside. Shelves, etc.

My neighbor has a backyard shed that he complained about not being able to find stuff ‘cause it was dark inside.
I installed a 12 volt lighting system for him hooked up to an extra deep cycle battery I had laying around.
For maximum convenience, I installed one of these switches on the outside next to the door. I also wired in a porch light as an indicator bulb.
If you do this, don’t forget to add a fuse.

 

[Bert_]

What are you siding it with?

I did 48" centers on this one

 

[mike93lx]

24oc isn't even a challenge, it's done all the time in sheds and houses.

Going wider will depend on your sheathing material. If running plywood or osb, I would treat 24 as the max.

A couple more studs won't meaningfully change the project cost

I just did a 16x16 with 2x6 24"OC

 

[75gmck25]

For my wife’s garden shed I installed a motion sensitive light inside that connects to a solar cell mounted outside, You just walk in the shed and the light comes on. No need to run A/C power, and no batteries to replace.

First set of lights I got were a store brand from HD and they failed after a few months. Second set came from Lowe’s and they have had no issues.

 

[PCustoms]

A couple more studs won't meaningfully change the project cost

x2

After over analyzing a few projects I figured out that the couple bucks you save isn't worth the hassle and other things you have to account for.

 

[The Cobbler]

you will use 50% more studs by going to 16" O/C vs 24" O/C .
maybe $96 rather than $64 for studs

 

[Max78]

I built a simple 8x8 shed and did 48"OC. Dozens of micro bursts later and its rock solid. For a simple light weight shed don't over think it.

 

[mike93lx]

I built a simple 8x8 shed and did 48"OC. Dozens of micro bursts later and its rock solid. For a simple light weight shed don't over think it.

What did you sheathe it with?

 

[Max78]

What did you sheathe it with?

I'm sorry, I'm a liar! I just went out there to look at it again, its been a while. . . . It's 24"OC with the 4 ft wall, T1-11 for the side, and 5/8" OSB for the roof with cheap asphalt shingles. just like this but its all 24" OC. The roof supports were in line with the wall studs.

I built it that way because we had no money and need storage.

Similar to this but all 24" OC

 

[NUTTSGT]

The roof supports were in line with the wall studs.

Are you sure about that ? Looking at the picture without doing the math, I'd say lower wall is 16" OC and rafters are 24" OC.

 

[Max78]

Are you sure about that ? Looking at the picture without doing the math, I'd say lower wall is 16" OC and rafters are 24" OC.

Yes, this is a stock image I found on the internet that looks similar because mine is packed full of **** and I don't have any pictures. The one pictured definitely has a lot more wood than mine. Sorry I forgot to add the clarification when posting. I updated it.

 

[mike93lx]

If your roof framing aligns with the wall studs, you can do a single top plate, like I did in the Pic I posted. This will save some material, but like the studs, won't move the needle much.

A lot of cost is in the sheathing, so optimizing for that will likely deliver the best bang for the buck.

The really cheap HD/Lowe's shed kits use smartside (osb-based t1-11) with 2x3 "framing". They work, for sure...i had a 10x10 back in MA for years. I reinforced the roof with some. Integrated 2x4 shelving, but overall it did just fine through a bunch of rough winters

 

[remagenman]

Thanks, for the floor joists whats the maximum between joists? I'm assuming at least 24" for floor panels.

 

[mike93lx]

Thanks, for the floor joists whats the maximum between joists? I'm assuming at least 24" for floor panels.

Depends on sheathing and how stiff/bouncy you want it. 3/4 with 24oc will work fine assuming no crazy point loads

 

[NUTTSGT]

However you build it. I'd rather error on the side of caution and spend an extra $200 now than regret it every time you walk in the shed.

 

[PCustoms]

However you build it. I'd rather error on the side of caution and spend an extra $200 now than regret it every time you walk in the shed.

I cheaped out and didn't sheath my 8x12, so I had to add blocking to nail the board and batten and bracing for shear. Probably took twice as long (essentially costing me money at the end of the day) compared to slamming up a few sheets of OSB first.

3 years later I wouldn't miss the extra $200

 

[gahrajmahal]

I’m surprised no one has stated the obvious. The minimum stud spacing for a 12 x 12 shed is 12 ft.

You’re welcome

 

[mike93lx]

I’m surprised no one has stated the obvious. The minimum stud spacing for a 12 x 12 shed is 12 ft.

You’re welcome

CMU has entered the chat

 

[PCustoms]

I’m surprised no one has stated the obvious. The minimum stud spacing for a 12 x 12 shed is 12 ft.

You’re welcome

Damn, when you're right, you're right...

 

[dhally]

For my 12x16 shed, I used 24" stud spacing, lined up the rafters, and used a single top plate. Sturdy enough and saved a few bux. But when I went to install a lumber rack and tool hangers, I wish the studs were 16" spacing so I had more options on location of supports.

 

[larry4406]

Let’s do some basic math estimating vertical studs….

12’ = 144”
- at 16” O/C we have 10 studs (yes don’t forget to add the one stud at zero)
- at 24” O/C we have 7 studs inclusive of the stud at zero

So we save 3 studs per wall and with 4 walls, we have saved 12 studs. Wow!

The local orange store has 2x4x8’ for $3.85 right now. So a “savings” of 12x3.85 or $46.20 less tax.

Really? The project hinges on less than $50?!

I hope you are collecting and straightening used nails then.

Maybe look into rolled roofing as well instead of shingles. Tarps even.

 

[larry4406]

Thanks, for the floor joists whats the maximum between joists? I'm assuming at least 24" for floor panels.

For a concrete slab the spacing is 12’

 

[mike93lx]

Let’s do some basic math estimating vertical studs….

12’ = 144”
- at 16” O/C we have 10 studs (yes don’t forget to add the one stud at zero)
- at 24” O/C we have 7 studs inclusive of the stud at zero

So we save 3 studs per wall and with 4 walls, we have saved 12 studs. Wow!

The local orange store has 2x8x8’ for $3.85 right now. So a “savings” of 12x3.85 or $46.20 less tax.

Really? The project hinges on less than $50?!

I hope you are collecting and straightening used nails then.

Maybe look into rolled roofing as well instead of shingles. Tarps even.

Don't forget the added nails for 16 vs 24.

 

[larry4406]

Don't forget the added nails for 16 vs 24.

Those are included in the salvage and reclaim effort “straighten used bent nails”.

 

[Bert_]

Let’s do some basic math estimating vertical studs….

12’ = 144”
- at 16” O/C we have 10 studs (yes don’t forget to add the one stud at zero)
- at 24” O/C we have 7 studs inclusive of the stud at zero

So we save 3 studs per wall and with 4 walls, we have saved 12 studs. Wow!

The local orange store has 2x8x8’ for $3.85 right now. So a “savings” of 12x3.85 or $46.20 less tax.

Really? The project hinges on less than $50?!

I hope you are collecting and straightening used nails then.

Maybe look into rolled roofing as well instead of shingles. Tarps even.

It's $50 that's not ******* in a shed if there's no reason to put it there.

The shed I pictured earlier is 8x12 and I had $170 in purchased materials. Even splurged for new nails. It's doing a great job keeping the mower and some other junk out of the weather.

 

[larry4406]

It's $50 that's not ******* in a shed if there's no reason to put it there.

The shed I pictured earlier is 8x12 and I had $170 in purchased materials. Even splurged for new nails. It's doing a great job keeping the mower and some other junk out of the weather.

Understood.

$50 is not a hill I’m gonna die on to have future me deal with the poor choices I made earlier in life while I struggle thru the quagmire today.

 

[mike93lx]

Those are included in the salvage and reclaim effort “straighten used bent nails”.

How do you put those in the nail gun? Or do you need to predrill before using the impact?

 

[larry4406]

How do you put those in the nail gun? Or do you need to predrill before using the impact?

What?

Saving money here. Using an actual hammer.

Now come to think of it, wooden pegs would save some money…

 

[remagenman]

Thanks all, I've built 3 sheds with the 16" OC and by specs. Those are functional sheds. This will be a "put something in it and forget about it" shed.

 

[PCustoms]

I can't imagine having built 3 sheds but having to start this thread....

 

[larry4406]

Thanks all, I've built 3 sheds with the 16" OC and by specs. Those are functional sheds. This will be a "put something in it and forget about it" shed.

Sounds like you would be money ahead and just hauling that stuff to the dump then.

 

[mike93lx]

What?

Saving money here. Using an actual hammer.

Now come to think of it, wooden pegs would save some money…

Hammer? Sounds old timey

 

[welder4956]

Hammer? Sounds old timey

"Well, sir, the Garage Journal Boys have been steeped in ol' timey material. Heck, we're silly with it!"

 

[Two Pump Chump]

The Building code is a beotch.

24oc isn't even a challenge, it's done all the time in sheds and houses.

 

[mike93lx]

The Building code is a beotch.

?

Code doesn't prevent 24oc at all.

 

[sofasurfer]

Really? The project hinges on less than $50?!

I hope you are collecting and straightening used nails then.

Maybe look into rolled roofing as well instead of shingles. Tarps even.

When that $50 is the difference between no shed and a shed with a couple less studs then the correct answer is less studs.
I'm scraping up bits and pieces here and there and if I can find a bunch of bent nails you bet I'll straighten them.

 

[sofasurfer]

Sounds like you would be money ahead and just hauling that stuff to the dump then.

So, just what do you do on this forum beside ridicule people?

 

[strutaeng]

Does anyone build to that magical 19.2" or whatever that marking is on the tape measures have?

I have never personally used that or worked on a project with that spacing. Not advocating for that tho. Just asking.

For a shed, I wouldn't have an issue going to 24" o.c. TBH

 

[mike93lx]

Does anyone build to that magical 19.2" or whatever that marking is on the tape measures have?

I have never personally used that or worked on a project with that spacing. Not advocating for that tho. Just asking.

For a shed, I wouldn't have an issue going to 24" o.c. TBH

That's really just used for floors, AFAIK.

Yes, 19.2". It evenly divides into 8'