Are you looking to add more space to your log shed? Well, this is not surprising given the old adage that items increase to fill available room. As such, over time, a shed that might initially house garden items while leaving additional room for more soon becomes cramped, creating the need for expansion.
It could also have changed over the years, and you may want to add something extra to the wood shed, such as a greenhouse or more prominent work space. Such changes require modifications to the shed, and there are many options available to you, depending on your requirements.
As always happens with all constructions, some factors must be taken into account when embarking on the realization of an addition. First is the cost factor. Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, you’ll need to create a breakdown of costs and your budget to determine the way forward.
Time also comes into play. If you’re looking to expand soon, think about how your design might affect how quickly you get the job done, and make changes accordingly. Regulations also come into play when making additions and you need to make sure your plan is in line with local policies.
Ideally, the materials should match those of the existing shed, particularly on the exterior, for aesthetic reasons. If you decide to do a mix and match job, see if the materials complement each other, and if not, it’s a good idea to think about the layout.
With all these factors in mind, you can now get started on the project.
Create an addition
In the event that you want to create additional space by enlarging the shed, there are a few critical steps that will get you there. The good thing about the steps I have listed below is that they are quite simple and you can complete the job on your own, without any outside help. Let us begin.
Step number 1
In this type of expansion, you will need to get rid of one side of the shed, depending on where you want to expand. When removing the siding, be careful not to damage the existing shed. Also, handle the flank with care, as you can use this material in the later stages, which will result in cost reductions.
After the removal is complete, start making new walls for the bonus room. If the driveway is quite long, you can frame it by temporarily supporting the roof and cutting the studs with a reciprocating saw.
Next, nail a 2-by-6-inch header board between the foam over the framed door, making sure to secure it with studs from header to floor.
Leave the door open and proceed to the next step.
step number 2
With the first step out of the way, now things are getting serious and the preparation of the new room can begin. Draw a perimeter for the floor in the extra space and dig the soil up to eight inches deep.
Create a two-by-four frame around the perimeter of the floor. To make sure the structure is secure, use stakes. Begin by pouring gravel at least an inch deep into the excavation pit. Compact the gravel with a hand tamper and follow this process by pouring four inches of concrete over the gravel.
Use a long board to level the concrete and smooth it with a trowel. Give the concrete time to cure while you do other work in the shed.
step number 3
Now is the time to frame the addition. Do this by making walls with bases that measure two by four inches. Also, add top plates and straight studs in the middle at sixteen inch intervals.
Now you can lay the walls and make sure the bottom plates are attached to the floor by using concrete nails. Concrete screws work just as well if you want to use them. Once the walls are firmly secured to the base, you can join them using cap boards that overlap the wall joints.
Be sure to put a cap between the edges of the side of the shed where the expansion started. Take care of drainage by using a double 2-by-4 or a 2-by-4 with a 4-by-4 on top. With these in place, a slope will be created to ensure there is no standing water in the shed in the future.
Now is the time to start hammering. Nail the end walls as well as the top board to the existing shed studs. After you’ve done this, go ahead and nail two-by-fours across the span. As you do this, make sure they lay flat on their thick side down. They should rest twenty four inches apart.
step number 4
almost there! We are just a few simple steps away from successfully completing it. Complete the job by adding a side to match, and you can use the siding you removed earlier when possible. If you were able to remove the liner without causing significant damage, you could use it. Otherwise, opt for another coating.
Nail the new corner trim boards at the corners and then use metal flashing where they connect to the roof. Slide the metal flashing at least four inches under the shingles on the original roof. It must also be at least four inches below the new roof.
When installing a roof for the addition, be sure to use similar roofing material to the existing roof for aesthetic reasons.
As you can see in the steps above, creating additional space for your log shed is a piece of cake, and should be done in a matter of days. In addition, you will have a lot of fun outdoors while creating a shelter for yourself.
Finally! You’re done, and now you can start reaping the benefits of your hard work. Congratulations!