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Shed Build - Need Guidance

Kaoskido

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I am not necessarily building a Garage per say but a shed for all of my small storage needs.

The dimensions are typical of a back yard shed, 12 x 10 / 120sqft.

I am going after this design below but not to the exact dimensions as I don't have them. Just got the picture off the web as I liked this design.

shed.png


I am stuck on how to determine the pitch of the roof and porch over hang.

Was hoping I can find someone on here willing to share some thoughts/guidance so I can continue with the framing (back wall is 8ft).
 
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rancherbill

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Sorry... What is this to mean?

I think he is saying that you should place the shed according to your local zoning / building guidelines with respect to setback from property lines.

A bitchy neighbor can force you to move it to a 'correct' location if you do it wrong.

Also, check your building code as to allowable sizes. Where I live, the porch is calculated in the size of the building.
 
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Kaoskido

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3ft from lot line which it is. Though help me how that plays into the pitch questions?
 

Leaflessshadetree

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3ft from lot line which it is. Though help me how that plays into the pitch questions?

It doesn't.
Also many sheds are built on skids and are not considered permanant structures which either makes them easy to move and probably exempt from setback rules.

Geographic location and weather conditions do affect roof pitch. Here in central Illinois we get some heavy snow. I wouldn't go any less than a 4-12 pitch. Also the roof overhang helps to protect the structure. I would have at least a 1 ft overhang on all sides.
 
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Kaoskido

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It doesn't.
Also many sheds are built on skids and are not considered permanant structures which either makes them easy to move and probably exempt from setback rules.

Geographic location and weather conditions do affect roof pitch. Here in central Illinois we get some heavy snow. I wouldn't go any less than a 4-12 pitch. Also the roof overhang helps to protect the structure. I would have at least a 1 ft overhang on all sides.

Yes it is on skids. I plan for a 1ft overhang.

So, tell me how I determine the front wall height to get the correct roof pitch?
 

LB-1911

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Kaoskido

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Back wall is current at 8' but needs the cap and I might extend to 10' total height.

The width of the shed is 12'
 
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Kaoskido

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I should have said that the roof is on the short side which is 10'

So I think I need to figure out the front wall height for a 4/12 pitch but given it's only 10' I am not sure it's truly 4'
 

LB-1911

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10 feet is 120 inches - a 4/12 pitch is a 4 inch rise over 12 inches - make your front wall 40 inches taller than your back wall
 
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Kaoskido

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10 feet is 120 inches - a 4/12 pitch is a 4 inch rise over 12 inches - make your front wall 40 inches taller than your back wall

Thanks for the info. quick question. from the picture I posted would anyone able to guess/suggest what the pitch is?
 

SharkBait

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To me that looks to be a 3:12 pitch on the shed and maybe 2:12 on the porch. If the end to end depth of the shed is 10' and your framing is 2x4 with 3/4" siding then your center to center distance is 115.75" or 9.65' (10'-(3.5+.75)). If the back wall is 8', and the depth of the shed (center to center) is 9.65', and the pitch is 3:12 then the front wall would be 125" (96"+(9.65*3)).
 

elav

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I should have said that the roof is on the short side which is 10'

So I think I need to figure out the front wall height for a 4/12 pitch but given it's only 10' I am not sure it's truly 4'

Don't over think it. 4/12 pitch just means that for every 12" in the horizontal direction, the height of the roof will change 4". This equates to 18.5 degrees. Figure out the width of the shed and then you can calculate the change in height over this distance. From there you can either figure out the rear wall height and then add the change to that dimension to get the front wall, or start with the front wall and subtract to get the rear wall height.
 

ducktapeguy

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Instead of worrying about pitch and angles, design your shed to minimize your waste. Who cares if your pitch is exact if you end up having to buy 12' studs to cut it down to 10' 1", and then cutting scraps of plywood into odd size strips to fit in between the gaps. So base your dimensions on standard size lumber, and even increments of 4'x8' sheeting, allowing for some trimming.

As for the porch pitch, make it low enough to shed rain, but high enough so you don't hit your head.
 
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Kaoskido

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I've decided not to extend the back wall height so the final back wall height is 97.5".

In fact, right now they are all that same height.

I appreciate the feedback. Right now I need to arrive at the font wall height and also how the sides should be framed out in order to accept the roof rafters.

With that back wall height what would be the correct front wall height if the pitch is 3/12 and also 4/12?

I may be over thinking the side walls but am confused if they both need their height decreased by 3.5" so the rafter can rest directly on the wall on each side.

Lastly, how do you correctly notch the rafters to sent correctly on each wall?
 
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sands35

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I built this one:

http://www.theclassicarchives.com/how-to-guides/free-simple-shed-plans

Your front stoop could be a duplicate of the roof - just shorten a bit for your desired length.

I did add some more overhang to the roof. Simple ladders for the sides and extended the rafters ~12" on each end.

It is 8' deep and 12' wide. It would be easy to add another 2-4' of width.

I like the raised windows. Enough light for no power, high for security and I can stand a 10' piece of lumber up on the inside.
 
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Kaoskido

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Here I thought I had everything figured out and now I cannot even do a simple math problem.

I am stuck on the measurements needed for evenly spaced windows.

The width is 12' and the window width R.O. is 26" (24" Barn Sash + 2" for jamb).

I had taken 12' / 5 and got 28" for on center but when I lay it out they are not coming up even across the span of 12'.

Please help!
 
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Kaoskido

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so the 16.5" is the window center or the R.O. edge?

I am so off on this.... measured 16.5" and then added 26" and then repeated but that does not layout correctly ... at best you get only three windows.

What am I doing wrong?
 
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Kaoskido

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16.5 - window - 16.5 - window - 16.5 - window - 16.5

You may want to get some graph paper and do it to scale or get a roll of blue tape and lay it out on the deck.


But I have four windows....

I just laid it out with 3 windows and it is exactly as you said.
 

LB-1911

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Kaoskido

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sorry about the typo.. I have four windows.

Anyway, with your help I got it. Not sure why the most simple things are the hardest!!:rocker:
 
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Kaoskido

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All - here is the shed framed up. Thanks to those who helped with the window placement and wall height.

shed_framed.jpg


I am going to build the side walls for the Skillion roof today.

My question is about the roofing rafters... can those be 2x4 or do I need a larger board?

Should they be 16" OC or 24" OC?

Lastly, what would you suggest for roof sheeting and thickness?

With a 1' over hang the roof should be 14' long and 12' wide.

BTW.. this is the first time I've framed anything of this size so my framing skills are not the best so if you see something terribly wrong let me know.

Thanks~
 

Beemer533

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That is a very robust shed! Looks good. You probably could've saved a bit of lumber here and there, but in the end it won't really make any difference. And it certainly appears to be strong!

If you were doing this for a living, your sheds would be insanely expensive, but since you are just building it for yourself, make it to last.

I would recommend 2x6 for the rafters with that shallow of a pitch. Where do you live? If you live in an area that gets snow, you definitely want to take that into consideration.

Either way, I would not use 2x4 for rafters on a low slope.
 
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Kaoskido

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I live in Minnesota so we do get the snow.

If I go with 2x6 rafters do I go with 24" or 16" spacing?
 

Beemer533

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Well you could probably get away with 24", but then I would say you would need a heavier duty plywood.

I would go with 16" OC and 1/2" plywood.

By the way, wouldn't it be easier to install the rafters and then fill in the sides to fit?
 

Beemer533

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Gotcha, looks good. I like how they use Sketchup to lay it out; that is what i did with mine and it saved me a ton of time..

I think 1.5" is fine for a birds mouth.

I added these (circled in red) to my build:


Over kill, but I only wanted to do it once..
 
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Kaoskido

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Again... I am still learning but what is the best method for getting a good cut on this board with these two angles?

Does on merely scribe it or is there another method?

angles.jpg
 

Beemer533

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Plenty of different ways of doing it, but I think the easiest is to scribe it to what is there...
Tack up the rafter temporarily on the side of the framing in the position you want;


and then trace it out:


Then cut it out, put it up temporarily to make sure it fits. Cut your tails for facia boards (if needed) and then use it as a template for all the other rafters.
 
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