Work in Progress : 14x20 Shed with loft

[andrew978]

So after reviewing some local shops and online, I figure at this point I know enough to at least give this a shot. Zero carpentry skills but the bench here with this group seems good enough that I might get this done.

Also for me this is kind of personal because my father built our garage when I was little and I helped him so I figured I need to get this done just to let him know although I was only 11 at the time, I did pay attention (he died 8 years ago).

So here is the bucket list of things on tap for me:

1. Given the grade of my yard, the best I can fit is 14x20. 14x18 would be better, but I just want to go big.

2. Ideally, the first floor has a new table saw, some other woodworking tools and a TV / Couch area with a wood stove.

3. 2 floor is to get our basement cleaned out and stuff as much junk as I can up there. If this works out, we might be able to finish off half our basement.

4. Big concern is circulation as when I was at Reeds Ferry I was sweating something fierce. I plan on hanging out in this design so I need lots of vents and windows.

5. I fully plan on over building this just so that its secure, but I could go over the top so that is where this group comes in to knock some sense into me.

6. Not sure if I'll just go with a ladder to the second floor, or full stairs, or just put the loft on half and then keep the other half open. I think the stairs will put the fear of God into our local building inspector so it might be easier to go with a ladder.

7. Permit already pulled, and they are easy going on anything < 400 sq. ft. I plan on grading the area flat, dropping a few tons of 3/4" crushed and then using 3 4x4 runners on concrete slabs. If I pour a foundation all sorts of code is involved also if I use the tubes same deal. Tons and tons of frost here and cold weather so I need this floating as much as possible. All the neighbors (11 of them) have their sheds on concrete blocks.

 

[Frost0824]

Looking good, great set of stairs.

 

[theoldwizard1]

What is you location ? You need to plan for heating and cooling up front.

Make it as tall as you can based on local code with out making it look "weird". If code only allows an 8' wall, a 12/12 pitch roof gives you more space upstairs.

If the loft is just for storage I would not put in stairs. They take up too much space on the first floor. If you really want stairs, how about putting them outside ?

 

[andrew978]

Yeah I'm 50/50 on the stairs and agree they would take too much room. I think code wise as well that sets off alarm bells as its an "official" second floor instead of a loft. Its just getting large boxes up there with a ladder (and back down) makes it tricky.

Plans for heat was to get a space heater. We have one in basement and its high end and holds up in the winter (EdenPure Quartz InfraRed). If I need two then no problem. One day I'd like to get a pellet stove but that would be down the road.

For cooling I have a large window on the right side planned that will house an A/C unit. I think if I get the insulation right and maybe drywall (again phase II or III) A/C might do the trick.

One thing I will plan on is instead of two vents on the sides I might install those square in-wall fans. This way I can **** in air from one side and blow it out the other to create more top end circulation.

Three windows in front, two in back and one each side. I'll see about attaching a design that is closer to what the final product might look like.

Today the gravel comes and I've got the tarp down. Site has been sighted for level and I've got my work cut out to get that right.

 

[andrew978]

Closer to the design I'm trying to get done.

 

[John in OH]

Looks nice, but I think, "..... using 3 4x4 runners on concrete slabs" seems inadequate. I would expect the 4x4s to be spaced on 16" centers to assure you get a solid floor.

 

[andrew978]

Hey thanks John. That was my next question. For a 14x20 shed you are thinking 10 4x4's? I'm glad I'm on this forum because at 3 I was way off.

The shed will have a decent table saw and drill press so I need it beefy.

I was thinking 2x8's for the floor joists restingbon that 4x4 for the outer edge and will use the galvanized hangers as well.

I'd like to get the 4x4's down to 5 at most if possible. I'll add a drawing of what I'm planning and totally open to suggestions.

 

[andrew978]

I'm not sure on the spacing of the runners, but this seems the most simple to me. I could also use 5 of them instead of three but damn that seems like a lot.

Not too keen on lapping the 4x4 together to get the 20' length so I'll see what the maximum length they go to around here.

With the image I posted above, it seems that using the galvanized floor joists would be quick and easy. Alternatively, I could try to set the blocks up so the outside runners are flush with the ends, this way I'd have a little overhang to park the joists (not sure if I would still need joist hangers if I went this route).

Hmmm...this might take a while. Good thing I've got 8 tons of gravel in the yard now that need to be spread out for level. That is going to take some time to think this through.

 

[CJ7VFR]

My shed was built by an Amish place called Pequea up in Lancaster PA. The shed is 10x16 and they used 5 pressure treated 4x4's as runners with pressure treated 2x4's on 16 inch centers for the floor joists on top of those.

If you are going to make your shed 14 feet wide, you should go with more than just 3 runners if you want the floor to be nice and strong. The people who built my shed have a runner layout that shows they would use 5 runners on any of their sheds that are between 10 and 14 feet wide.

Below is a screen grab off of their website that shows their center to center distance for the runner placement.

Jim

 

[On-Wheel]

Met a guy yesterday selling unused things with a 20x20.He said he was getting rid,moving stairs out side ,replacing window with door up stairs.

 

[andrew978]

Update on this:

 

[andrew978]

Coming along fine. Got all the shingles on today and will finish up the wrap on Monday. Next on to bevel board and windows.

 

[C_F]

That's coming along quite nicely!

 

[mike93lx]

Looks great. What are you pulling for electrical service?

Where are you located? If you add at least a state in your profile, it will help people with recommendations on things like code, construction methods, etc.