12x16 shed questions

[ACobra289]

Hello all.

I'm going to be building a 12x16 storage shed. Standard construction. 2x4 walls 16" on center and the same for the roof trusses. I'll also be keeping my riding mower in there.

The plan is to do a post and beam foundation using 2x10s at 16" on center running the 12' length. Posts at each corner and in the center of the 16" length for a total of 6. Posts will be 6x6. Is that a sufficient amount of posts or should I consider adding more?

My other main question is, should I double up on all of the outside joist/beams? Do I gain anything from doing that?

I'm fairly handing having built some furniture and minor projects around the house, but I've never actually done any building. It will be permitted, so I assume the city won't let me screw up too bad. lo

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

[nadogail]

I suggest you paint everything well. A good coat of paint on all surfaces that will be exposed to weather can add years of life to your Shed.

 

[jkuro]

I would suggest you stick build your roof in lieu of trusses. I would use 2x6 rafters at 16 oc, with collar ties.
As for the floor joists, 2x8 DF, HF or YP would be adequate.
I don't know how you plan on attaching your floor joists to the rim joist or are you building a beam for them to sit on?

 

[ACobra289]

I would suggest you stick build your roof in lieu of trusses. I would use 2x6 rafters at 16 oc, with collar ties.
As for the floor joists, 2x8 DF, HF or YP would be adequate.
I don't know how you plan on attaching your floor joists to the rim joist or are you building a beam for them to sit on?

Sorry, I wasn't clear, I am planning on stick building the trusses. Hadn't considered using 2x6 instead of 2x4s tho.

For attaching the floor joists to the rim, I was planning on using standard joist hangers. The rim and outside joists will rest on the 6x6s and be attached with some form of Simpson hardware.

Thanks.

 

[FredWanaker]

here 120 sg ft or less does not have to be permitted. Over that a permit, and as such, engineering drawings are required as part of the permit process. If your locale is similar, then the architect/engineer will answer your questions.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Nice project can buy more tools to store and complete more projects.

 

[ACobra289]

here 120 sg ft or less does not have to be permitted. Over that a permit, and as such, engineering drawings are required as part of the permit process. If your locale is similar, then the architect/engineer will answer your questions.

My city requires a permit for pretty much any size accessory building. On the plus side, they don't require any engineering drawings, just a site plan showing property lines, other structures on the property and the proposed structure with dimensions and setbacks from property lines.

Nice project can buy more tools to store and complete more projects.

You know it! I'm trying to decide which framing nailer I'm getting. I don't need a top of the line since I probably won't use it very much after this project. I'm leaning towards the Freeman 21 degree.

 

[jkuro]

Yes, double the rim joist. It is really a beam with an 8' span sitting on top of your posts. It is carrying the load from your floor joists. I would glue and screw the beam together. 2x8's will work but your plan for using 2x10 is better.

 

[couch67]

I think your post plan will be fine. I built a shed a few years back, link below. I went with a pad, but the rest would be very similar to your plan.

12' x 16' storage shed (making room in the shop)

Hello fellow Garagers, Thought I'd finally start a thread to share my shed build. First of all, thank you all who contribute to this forum. The wealth of information on this site is incredible. My wife and I live on the outskirts of Ottawa Ontario, on 1.5 acres. This was our first home that...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[CombatNinja]

Build yourself a nice bench in the back right from the get go. You're going to want it and it is way easier to design it in instead of retrofitting it and if the shed is full of junk there will always be weather/nobody to help you carry stuff/something came up that prevents you from getting it done. I also highly recommend lofts from and rear, 2 x 8 on edge tied into the framing with a 4'x8' sheet of plywood gives you a great option for bulky, seldom-used items (just leave the 2' on each side open for air circulation as you'll be so close to the eaves that there is no utility in those last couple of feet anyway). I have all the above in my 12' x 16' shed and WISH someone had come along and told me to do those things while I built it. It was 10 times harder to do after the fact.

 

[nadogail]

My city requires a permit for pretty much any size accessory building. On the plus side, they don't require any engineering drawings, just a site plan showing property lines, other structures on the property and the proposed structure with dimensions and setbacks from property lines.



You know it! I'm trying to decide which framing nailer I'm getting. I don't need a top of the line since I probably won't use it very much after this project. I'm leaning towards the Freeman 21 degree.

To provide me with the greatest number of options I choose the Harbor Freight 3 in 1 Framing Nailer. With the ability to accommodate three different angles of collated nails I can use whatever nails are most cost effective. I feel that the increased options were worth the small difference in price.

 

[ACobra289]

To provide me with the greatest number of options I choose the Harbor Freight 3 in 1 Framing Nailer. With the ability to accommodate three different angles of collated nails I can use whatever nails are most cost effective. I feel that the increased options were worth the small difference in price.

I'll definitely check it out. I had looked at one of the HF nailers, but don't remember one that takes different angles.

Thanks to those that have responded to my questions and with suggestions. This should be a fun project for me.

 

[captain14]

Continue the thread as you build the shed and the members can provide assistance along the way.

Plus they help spend your money on other tools you didn’t know you needed.

 

[Kent55]

I bought a house that came with a good-side shed on the property. It has an octane window above the front doors, 2 lofts (The front loft is maybe 6inches higher than the rear loft), and a skylight. As I've piled boxes on the front loft, the window is blocked so not sure how get it is but I'm sure the skylight helps.

 

[ACobra289]

I bought a house that came with a good-side shed on the property. It has an octane window above the front doors, 2 lofts (The front loft is maybe 6inches higher than the rear loft), and a skylight. As I've piled boxes on the front loft, the window is blocked so not sure how get it is but I'm sure the skylight helps.

I've considered doing a couple of the cheap skylights instead of a window or two.

 

[Adaylate]

I have built two of these 12x16 buildings. A 12/12 pitch allowed 10x12 lofts. The first one was like you're proposing, post and beam with a wood floor to store the mower and "stuff". The second one (different property) was for the pump house and "stuff" it was built with a stem wall and concrete floor because of the potential for water. These are nice size little accessory buildings.
Your building design and method is fine!
Good luck!

 

[Firebrick43]

Your mixing up building systems. There is no reason to do 16" on center wall if your doing a post and beam construction. 16" center vertical studs is for platform or ballon framing. If your going to build on a wood floor there is no reason to use any post whatsoever and build it using platform framing.





I don't think your talking about post and beam either however. Post and beam would be a waste of good timber in a small building like this. That is unless your looking for the style?





I believe your talking about pole construction where the poles are buried 4' in the ground?



If your doing pole construction you might as well either use compacted gravel for the floor or concrete.

 

[FordTruckWench]

If your doing pole construction you might as well either use compacted gravel for the floor or concrete.

If the OP wants an above grade wood framed floor, I would suggest that the OP use (six) concrete pier blocks, each directly supporting the rim joist/beam.

 

[couch67]

Your mixing up building systems. There is no reason to do 16" on center wall if your doing a post and beam construction. 16" center vertical studs is for platform or ballon framing. If your going to build on a wood floor there is no reason to use any post whatsoever and build it using platform framing.





I don't think your talking about post and beam either however. Post and beam would be a waste of good timber in a small building like this. That is unless your looking for the style?





I believe your talking about pole construction where the poles are buried 4' in the ground?



If your doing pole construction you might as well either use compacted gravel for the floor or concrete.

nice structures! Yeah I think the OP is planning standard stud walls but (probably mistakenly) referred to the wood floor as post and beam.

 

[ACobra289]

Yes, I misused the terminology. Because the ground is sloped, I'll be using 6x6 posts buried in concrete footers that the floor framing will rest on. No actual post and beam construction.

 

[NDJ]

Your mixing up building systems. There is no reason to do 16" on center wall if your doing a post and beam construction. 16" center vertical studs is for platform or ballon framing. If your going to build on a wood floor there is no reason to use any post whatsoever and build it using platform framing.






If your doing pole construction you might as well either use compacted gravel for the floor or concrete.

Wow. That thing is ridiculously over built for the size. Fits right in on GJ !!

 

[Alchase]

I've considered doing a couple of the cheap skylights instead of a window or two.

I used a couple opaque vents, they were 18” X 18”, and about $15 at Home Depot. They worked great.

 

[Firebrick43]

Wow. That thing is ridiculously over built for the size. Fits right in on GJ !!

seemed sort of chincy to me but it was a good picture to show the style of construction

 

[NDJ]

Chincy indeed. That shed needs nothing less than a 6" slab with 12" thickened edges !!

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Wow. That thing is ridiculously over built for the size. Fits right in on GJ !!

Agree. I fully understand the appeal of building a 12x16 timber frame shed purely for the appeal and the aesthetics of building a raising a timber frame. But that thing isn't even a timber frame...no mortises or tenons. No traditional joinery.