September 1

How To Build An Outhouse Shed

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An outhouse shed is an excellent storage solution for your gardening and lawn equipment. However, people usually avoid the hassle of building one.

You'd be surprised to know that it's pretty simple to make one and serves a far greater purpose than just extra storage. Recently, when I moved into my new house, I immediately decided to build a dedicated unit for my equipment and outdoor tools.

However, as a retired woman, I could use an extra pair of hands. Fortunately, my son was able to spend some time over the weekend, and he searched for some plans online. Soon enough, he and I had a pretty good idea about it.

The work started after all the planning, and I kid you not, it was wrapped up in a week. So, I decided to share my experience and tell you all about the process. Hi! I'm Stacy Smith. And today, I'll be giving you all the important deets about how to build an outhouse shed.

Without further ado, let's get down to business.

How To Build An Outhouse Shed

outhouse shed

1. Location and Design

Irrespective of the exact spot where you plan to build a shed on the yard or garden area, it's essential to find a location convenient for your storage needs. Usually, the shed is built in the corner of the outdoor space, attached to the house.

However, you may build a standalone structure in any location suitable. That said, a 'lean to shed' design is the most popular for storing small equipment, outdoor tools, and firewood. In this style, the outhouse shed has a slanting roof that starts from the back and leans forward.

Another popular design is the 'gable style'. Herein, two slanting wooden panels are joined at a 45° angle to create a gable roof. These outhouses also serve as workshops other than storage units. Therefore, it ultimately comes down to how much space you have and the primary purpose behind building one.

2. Building The Shed

Start with the material and measurements. If you're on a tight budget, I suggest using plywood for the main structure and tin or steel for the roof and door. Alternatively, you may use higher-quality wood for added durability and resistance. Believe it or not, you can buy plastic sheds too for your garden.

Think about the details that you want to include. If you're going to have shelf space for your supplies, or maybe a window, all those elements must be considered while building the shed. Some sheds even have ventilation, but several homeowners avoid this feature as they don't want bugs and critters entering through the gaps.

Apart from that, precise and accurate measurements are critical to the overall efficiency of the shed. Typical issues in a poorly built shed range from a jammed door to a disproportionate roof to misshapen walls. Also, the lack of proper measurements could lead to a smaller or larger unit than intended.

So, stick to the blueprint and don't make alterations on a whim. While constructing a shed does not require expertise in woodwork, having the right building plan simply streamlines the whole process.

3. Laying The Foundation

Ideally, the shed should be off the ground. Therefore, it's essential to lay a solid foundation that will support and maintain the integrity of the structure. In this case, a pressure-treated wood foundation is the best way to go.

4. Decide On The External And Internal Walls

While some homeowners prefer to whitewash the internal and external walls, others maintain the rustic, wood look. It all depends on your sense of aesthetics. A wood appearance is more natural, but a coat of paint enhances the look and makes the structure more weather-resistant.

As for the interiors, get it painted for a neat and clean appearance. Also, take out some time to sand the blemishes and conceal the screws with putty.

5. Getting Electricity In Your Shed

At the very least, you'd want a light inside your shed. While you could use battery-operated or solar lights, electricity supply is a requirement for some users. For instance, if you'll be using the outhouse as a workshop-cum-storage facility, lights have a critical role to play.

Therefore, get in touch with an electrician and figure out the necessary installations that need to be carried out.

If you have the budget, I recommend installing an isolator to separate the external connection from the house's power supply. So, if there's an electrical glitch in your shed, it won't interfere with the supply in your home.

Furthermore, your electrician has to run a cable from your house to the shed. Depending on the distance between the two locations, the cable will go overhead, or underground in a steel-wire encased cable.

6. Water Supply

This bit is entirely optional but quite useful for homeowners. If you have sufficient space, you may install a sink inside the outhouse shed. So, if you want to wash up after an intense gardening or lawn care session, you can do so in the shed itself. Figure out all your plumbing needs and hire a professional to carry out the tasks.

7. Installation Cost

Building a shed is not a costly affair, but the amenities you want to include could increase the overall expense. Therefore, don't just estimate the cost of making an outhouse, make sure to add in the electrical and plumbing installation charges.

Final Words

That's all for today!

I hope this guide gave you enough information to go ahead and build an outhouse shed. That said, building a shed does not usually require permission from the authorities. The regulations state that for all incidental use, such as hobby, storage, maintenance, or anything that's not done inside the house, permission is not required.

However, if you use the outhouse for sleeping, cooking, showering, or other activities that take place inside the home, you may need permission. In short, you have the “all clear,” so just collect the building materials and get to work.

Till next time!


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