SUPPLIES
- Six 6-foot-long 6-by-8s
- 30 to 40 7-foot-long 2-by-4s
- Measuring tape
- Circular saw
- Pressure treatment liquid
- Hammer
- Nails
- 4-foot by 8-foot sheets of 1/2" plywood
- Water sealant
- Tin sheets
- Hinges
Overview
If you live on a farm raising animals, you have a steady supply of hay. Storing the hay in a shed rather than directly on the ground helps protect it from weather, ground moisture and insects. This article walks you through step-by step instructions on building a simple 6-by-6-foot square wood hay shed. All that is required to build one are a few basic tools, four types of lumber and hardware.
Step 1
Prepare the ground the shed will be built on. The area must be solid ground so the base will have a firm support. Also, reasonably level ground is recommended because it is easiest to work with. Level the area using wood or brick support posts if it is uneven.
Step 2
Cut the 6-by-8s for the base of your shed. Leave two at 6-foot and trim the other four down to 5-foot.
Step 3
Cut 25 7-foot 2-by-4s down to 6-foot for the floor.
Step 4
Pressure treat the six 6-by-8s and the 25 2-by-4s to prevent rot after the shed is built.
Step 5
Assemble the frame that supports the floor on top of the leveled area. Form a square by nailing two of the 5-foot 6-by-8s between the two 6-foot 6-by-8s using penny nails. Next, add floor support. Equally space the other two 5-foot long pieces inside the frame parallel to the 6-foot pieces. Attach them to the 5-foot perpendicular sides of the frame with penny nails.
Step 6
Lay all 25 6-foot 2-by-4s over the frame side-by-side perpendicular to the support beams. Drive nails through the top of each 2-by-4 board where it comes in contact with the frame and support beams.
Step 7
The walls need to be at least 7 feet tall for head room. Plan for a 3-foot wide by 7-foot high doorway on one side and incorporate this into the frame plans. Use two 2-by-4s side by side on both sides and on the top of the door.
Step 8
Nail together a 6-by-7-foot rectangular frame using 2-by-4s for each 6-foot-long wall. One wall frame includes two 6-foot and two 6-foot 9-inch vertical pieces. Two 6-foot walls are needed.
Step 9
Assemble the two walls that fit between the 6-foot walls. They are 5-foot 5-inches-long. You need two 5-foot 5-inch pieces of 2-by-4 for the top and bottom of each wall and two 6-foot 9-inch pieces for the sides.
Step 10
Cut 6-foot 9-inch pieces of 2-by-4 for the vertical studs between the top and bottom of each wall and space them 8 inches apart through each frame.
Step 11
Stand all four walls up on the edges of the floor and nail them together. Nail them to the floor every 6 inches all the way around and to each other every 4 inches from top to bottom.
Step 12
The slope of the roof should run perpendicular to the wall the door is on. Nail a 7-foot 2-by-4 on edge across the top of the shed running in the center of the two walls so 3 inches extends past each wall. This piece provides slope for the roof.
Step 13
Cut sheets of 1/2-inch plywood to build the roof. Lay them from the frame up to the 2-by-4 forming an A-frame and nail them down.
Step 14
Cover the outside of the wall frames with 1/2" plywood. Cut the plywood appropriately and nail to the studs. Next, brush the walls, floor and roof with waterproof sealant.
Step 15
Cut pieces of tin to fit and nail to the roof for added protection.
Step 16
Have lightweight doors made for the doorway or cut your own using plywood. Hang your doors with heavy-duty hinges.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- WARNING : Be cautious when using power tools.
