A shed on poles is the simplest project to build a shed. It essentially consists of poles or poles fixed to the ground, secured together at the top, above which a roof is installed. They are usually used on farms, but they can be of any size and are therefore also excellent for a garden. If you want to build a simple structure that is useful for working on the farm or warehouse, try building a shed on poles.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Right Material
Step 1. Get permission
You will need to inquire with local planning and planning authorities to obtain permits before you can start building. Call or go to the offices in person to find out what is the necessary procedure to obtain the authorization and then get all the necessary documents before you get to work.
Step 2. Find the wood you need
To build a pile shed, you'll need to start with the right wood. The name "shed on poles" can be a bit confusing, because you not only have the option of choosing poles but also square poles. You have no limits to the construction of a shed, but also of external structures such as a barn, a workshop or a garage.
- You can use square poles, round poles, or old public poles to build your structure. If you prefer, you can use logs you found or cut yourself. Whatever wood you use, make sure it withstands pressure and does not rot, so that the integrity of the structure is not jeopardized.
- You will need 10 and 20 cm supports to install the structure and add the trusses and lumber for the roof framing.
- Use plywood to make the walls. You can choose to add a coating to the outside of the plywood to enhance the aesthetics.
Step 3. Choose the roof
Many pole shed roofs are made from metal canopies because they are inexpensive, easy to install, and last a long time. But if you don't find metal canopies aesthetically pleasing, you can choose to install shingles.
Make sure the roof metal resists rust. You will also need a hard cover to protect the center of the roof
Step 4. Find the remaining material
You will need concrete to place around the posts in the concrete, as well as gravel to level everything on the ground. You will also need to get galvanized screws, pointed screws and nails for canopies, special clips to keep the nails anchored to the tiles. You can use bolted discs to secure the posts together, so you don't have to mark any notches on them as well.
Step 5. Get the proper tools
The nice thing about a pole shed is how easy it is to assemble the pieces. You won't need a lot of tools, but you can choose to buy or rent some larger machinery to help you build.
- You will need a tool to dig the holes for the posts. You can choose to use a digger or an auger with a tractor. The second obviously will make you consume less time even if renting it will be more expensive.
- You will then need a laser level and a carpenter's level, an electric drill with an attachment suitable for roofing screws, a hammer, a circular or square saw and a hand saw.
- You can think about hiring a backhoe excavator for this project, even if it's not necessary. You can use a large compactor to level the holes for the posts.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare the Area
Step 1. Measure the space
Before starting to build, it is essential to take accurate measurements of the space. This will help you buy the right amount of material and reduce construction stress.
- Walk around the space to decide how long and how wide the shed should be. Once you have marked some generic lines, take the exact measurements and mark them on a piece of paper.
- Decide how tall the structure should be. If you want to use it for a garage or warehouse, a height of at least 2.50m is required. However you can choose any height; just remember that you will have to work on the roof from the top of the poles once they have been planted on the ground.
- Make sure your chosen area has good drainage to avoid flooding during rainy seasons.
Step 2. Determine if there will be water and electricity in the building
In this case you will need to hire someone to set up the system. You will also need to call the appropriate body so that service companies can come and view underground pipes and cables.
Step 3. Remove any obstacles from the area
Eliminate any shrubs or trees that are in the space you want to build and an additional five-foot-wide perimeter around. If there is grass, use a sod cutter to remove it and cut it into pieces. You can replant it in another area of the garden if you wish, or you can use it as a compost.
Step 4. Level the ground
Make sure your work area is level. It is easy to use a tractor to do this by moving the soil from one area to another. You can also do this manually, especially if the area is already leveled enough.
Check if it is necessary to have a base of any type of rock on which to make the floor of the shed. In this case you will need to add about 10 - 15 cm of decomposed granite or gravel to get the floor and drainage
Step 5. Create some reference lines with a wire
Then do this to mark the draft of the building you will build. This will allow you to arrange the holes more easily and to take into account the structure already in the early stages of the work. Place a small stake in each of the four corners of the building, then wrap a long thread or string around each stake.
Part 3 of 3: Building the Structure
Step 1. Dig the holes
You can use an auger with an engine or a post hole digger for this purpose. Depending on how tall the structure will be, you will need to dig holes 1m to 1.5m deep.
- You don't have to build a foundation for a pile shed, but it's vital that the beams are stable so that extreme weather conditions and accidents can't move them.
- Measure the poles or square poles to see how wide the holes need to be. Make sure you add a few more inches to the width of the hole so that the beam fits perfectly.
- Plant the posts no more than 2.5m apart. You need to have a strong structure by keeping the poles as close as possible so that each pole doesn't have to carry too much load.
Step 2. Mix the concrete
You will need to add 30 to 60 cm at the bottom of each hole depending on the size of the posts. Compress the inside of each support to make the bottom of each hole as flat and resistant as possible. Insert each paddle into the concrete of the holes for stability.
- Make sure they are perfectly vertical before letting them set. It is important to prevent them from moving.
- It will take 2 or 3 days for the concrete to set completely. This way you won't run the risk of knocking over the poles before they have stabilized.
- Make sure the corners are perfectly square - 90 degrees - so you won't have any problems completing the structure later on.
Step 3. Match the height of the posts
Even if all the posts are at the same height when you start the job, as the holes will not be exactly the same size, the posts may not be perfectly evened in the end. Use a laser level to mark the tops at the same height.
- Use a scaffolder or sturdy ladder to climb to the top of each pole and reduce the height.
- If you prefer not to climb the poles after measuring them, you can insert each pole into the hole before putting the concrete, measure the distance to the base, remove the poles and cut them to the required size. However, this will take a lot of work to insert and pull the posts out of the holes.
Step 4. Add the support beams to the roof
These are the first horizontal pieces and the most difficult to install. You can choose to cut the grooves to fit the boards to each post or install them on top of the posts themselves with metal plate joints. Use the spirit level to make sure the boards are parallel to the ground, and secure them with screws to give them stability.
These are the boards that connect one pole to another, thus forming a huge rectangle
Step 5. Build the trusses
The trusses are the triangle-shaped parts of the roof that rest over the full width of the roof support beams. They have one edge that runs parallel to the ground, and two others that meet in the center forming an angle. Measure the base edge to make it fit snugly against the support beam, then choose the slope angle of your roof.
- Square the edges of the top angled boards so that they can perfectly join the seams.
- Once assembled, lift them (with the help of another person) onto the roof supports. Use metal plates to secure them to the base, aligning them with the posts.
- Add a beam in the center for best support.
- If you need to build a larger shed, ask the companies that make the counter roofs about construction costs, delivery methods and the rental of machinery to fix them.
Step 6. Add more boards for support
You will need to nail boards to the roof and around the posts along the sides to attach them to. Make sure you use a level to make sure they are perpendicular to the boards they are nailed to.
- The number of boards will depend on the size of your structure, but for each section, you will need to install at least one additional board.
- If you plan to add walls, drive 4-inch nails along the perimeter of the structure at the base. This will guarantee you a support to fix the wall at the top.
- Add planks between the support beams to pivot doors and windows. Create a frame for the door by nailing boards together in the shape and size you want and cutting off excess pieces.
- If you plan on making stables, feeders or the like, use plywood boards as a support for anything that can come into contact with the ground.
Step 7. Add the side walls
While you can choose to leave the sides of the shed open, adding side walls is simple. Take some plywood and cut it to the size you need. Nail it to the support boards along the outer edges of the building. If you want to further enhance the work, you can add a wooden side wall on the outside, to make the construction more aesthetically pleasing.
Step 8. Install the roof
If you choose to use a metal roof, the pieces will need to be cut to fit the size. Install them by inserting the screws on the props and use the drill (with roofing attachment) to complete the insertion. If using shingles, nail plywood all over the roof, then lay the shingles down and secure them with 3 or 4 nails for each piece.
You will usually need to apply a layer of tar paper or other waterproof material before placing the shingles
Step 9. Add doors and windows
If you thought about adding extra support and installing a door or window, you can do it at this point. You can also choose to leave the shed open, with no doors or windows, a popular choice for such structures.
Advice
- Involve as many people as possible to help you, so as to speed up the work and make it safer.
- Use a basic project rather than your own project. This will save you time and money.
- If you plan to house pets in the shed, remember to include an insulation layer to keep them warm on cold nights.
