Shed Addition

[barbarian]

Hey everyone, I have a 2yr old “shed” that is 12x16 with a garage door. I had it built specifically to hold my Model A without issue. This is in addition to a 20x20 attached garage. Of course now I wish I went way larger so I’m looking to expand the shed, my thought is a 10x16 enclosed lean to off the back side. Would build the floor at the same height, attach them and tear down the interior wall, joining the buildings. Any suggestions?

 

[Jeff C]

My suggestion… Save yourself some time down the road and go ahead and build one off the front side at the same time.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Go for it. Don't forget to put a good big beam across, to carry the top edge of the lean-to.

 

[John in OH]

1) Check to assure your lean-to will have adequate roof pitch and that the addition's rafters will support any snow & wind loads. You may find it necessary to tie the new rafters into the existing shed's roof near the peak to get adequate pitch.

2) Design your new addition so that it will architecturally and cosmetically match the existing shed. Don't try to save money and end up with a hillbilly add-on.

 

[CraigStu]

Which do you consider the 'back side'? Side opposite the garage door or the one to the left where the chaise lounges are? I 'think' you are referring to my second description. If so I agree w/ John in Oh. You have a really nice garage not so you need to build to that same quality. We don't know how the shed is constructed but I suspect that you can't just remove the wall after the leanto is added. Something has to support the existing roof and the new one. Also be aware that, to have the same roof pitch, the new outer wall may only be 5-6 ft tall. That is not a problem, you just put shelves or a workbench tool box along that wall so you are always standing 2-3 ft away from it. Can you post a pic of the inside structure?

 

[Garcky]

You had me until you mentioned tearing down the existing wall. That's probably not going to work out, really. Whichever side you plan to put that addition on, the existing wall is truly structural, so you can't just tear it out. Best you'll be able to do, really, is a door between the two areas. Anything that gets rid of the wall is going to require more demo and reconstruction than you're going to want to do.

That's what I think, anyhow. Without seeing the design of the existing building and your planned addition, I can't be more specific, though.

 

[barbarian]

Thanks everyone. I am referring to the side with the chaise lounge in the picture. When I said “remove the wall in between”, I would frame a header and likely have a 8ft opening in the middle of the 16ft run, leaving 4ft front and back of existing wall. Here are some pictures of the existing structure, it’s well built by the Amish in 2020. I had the floor built 12” on center to support a car.

The thought has crossed my mind to roll this to the side, have a concrete or poured, roll it back in, jack it up and pull out the wood floor so it sits on the concrete. But too many variables, I’d be better off building a new one from scratch.

The structure and aesthetics would match the existing so it looks as one. I may also add a 8’ front overhang for some rocking chairs for the misses. Plus I can park a hot rod under there if need be

 

[captain14]

Have you talked to the Amish builders about your ideas? They maybe able to prefab some wall and roof panels that match the build and install on your site.

I see tools and equipment hanging on the wall you want to remove. Where are you going to store them?

 

[CraigStu]

Your idea will work. On one garage addition I had done I ended up removing two studs from the old wall which gave me a little under a 4ft doorway. It worked out just fine over the 5 years we were in that house. I heated the add-on bay when out there w/ a propane heater so I bought the heaviest grade clear plastic Joanne's Fabric sold. Cut it into 10-12 inch wide strips and hung it in the doorway letting the strips overlap about 2 inches. That worked out very, very well. So nice to just walk through an opening w/ no need to open or close a door.

 

[barbarian]

I spoke with the Amish, they won’t build a partial building but will build one to compliment and add on. I can have a lean to built that will but up against the existing back wall and sit under the soffit, but that's too low. The tallest side would be6'8" and shortest about a foot lower, too short. They can also build it with the tallest side at 8ft and shortest at 7'6" which are outside dimensions. With this, I'd have to then tie the two roofs together. At this point, probably easier just to build off the existing rather than try to join two together, have a double wall, etc.

 

[couch67]

What's the market like in your area for selling your shed as used? Probably cost prohibitive because of the move, but this way you can start from scratch and build what you really want.

 

[Skiff Builder]

Could build the three new walls than overframe the roof. That would center the ridge to the new entire width. would not look like an addition at all. You'd have to build a beam to support the existing back wall rafters. Assumes your allowed a little taller than current ridge sits.
Picture an upside down checkmark when visualizing the rafters.