52
votes
Accepted
Why does my shed door expand/shrink?
Welcome to the joys of working with a natural product!
Before I address your construction techniques, I've got to say that is a quite handsome looking door you've made. Well done!
Wood moves. It ...
- 40.6k
19
votes
What is the use of alumium profile with LED strip lighting?
They provide physical support, e.g. when mounting a strip across several rafters.
They provide some physical protection, e.g. against swinging
garden implements.
Some provide protection against ...
- 1,357
18
votes
Accepted
How to reinforce a basic wood shed frame?
The sheathing that this wood shed has should be more than enough to act as cross bracing in order to prevent racking if the sheathing is installed properly.
If the sheathing is installed with a single ...
- 40.6k
17
votes
Why does my shed door expand/shrink?
In addition to the accepted answer, it would help to add some weather protection. A small rain shield or canopy will help divert weather from the upper part of the door.
Essentially a small verandah ...
- 9,799
17
votes
Plastic shed base - How to level soil?
Set stakes around the proposed site for the shed, attach string lines/wires, and make sure they are level. Then measure the distance between the string line and the ground periodically, and make sure ...
- 3,362
16
votes
Accepted
Moving a bottomless metal shed
Prepare the base for the shed and tiles in the new location.
Unscrew the shed.
Set it aside.
Move the tiles to the new location.
Move the shed onto the tiles.
Screw the shed down.
If moving the whole ...
- 191k
13
votes
Accepted
Running electrical to a shed
Generically I'd knee-jerk to conduit and 30A 240V service with a sub-panel, but if your needs are going to be adequately met by 20A 120V power and the loading is sufficiently low that the voltage drop ...
- 191k
13
votes
Accepted
Insulating a wooden shed to provide strong heat rejection
Insulation works both ways, so it'll reduce the heat coming in from the sunlit outer walls as well. Small windows are also favourable in these conditions.
For warm but not over the top situations, you ...
- 2,378
12
votes
Accepted
Can I run an underground wire to a shed on blocks?
Yes, the national electric code allows wiring in structures like your shed.
If you plan on using UF wire for the run buried 24” deep you need to bring the wire up in conduit so the wire is protected.
...
- 102k
11
votes
Running electrical to a shed
In the USA you get to play fast and loose with this. If you simply extend with 12 AWG, you'll have 0.6% voltage drop per amp that you draw... so a 1/4 amp battery charger won't give any drop at all, ...
11
votes
Can I run an underground wire to a shed on blocks?
It is advisable to use a slip joint [expansion coupling] on the conduit stub up, otherwise nothing out of the ordinary. Around here, that's not out of the ordinary even with a poured foundation.
...
- 191k
11
votes
Can I remove diagonal brace lumber from the walls of my shed?
Use steel strapping , it is so thin that you can put shelving over it. I would use more than two where the 2 X 4 are ; put in a few. Parallel the existing braces and at 90 degrees to the existing ...
- 8,273
11
votes
How to reinforce a basic wood shed frame?
Cross braces at a 45 degree angle will strengthen the building.
Two on the back and one at each side. Can use 1x4s or whatever.
A couple of braces in the front from roof to front of the sides will ...
- 21.9k
10
votes
Why does my shed door expand/shrink?
Both answers are great, but I wanted to note that you really should be adding a water-proofing solution to the door on a regular basis. As Criggie noted, covering the door would naturally limit how ...
- 23.4k
10
votes
Can I use 2 runs of 10/2 UBF for my Shed 90’ from House?
You can't run 2 separate circuits of the same type to an outbuilding.
If they are 120V circuits you could run the two as a multi-wire branch circuit, which counts as 1 circuit. You would need 10/3 ...
8
votes
Accepted
Is a ridge beam necessary for a small shed roof?
A ridge board isn't a "beam", per se. It's often just a nice way to bring the rafters together. A proper beam would have a supporting post at each end.
You don't need a ridge beam, but you do need a ...
- 126k
8
votes
Ground-level electrical wiring to shed outdoors possible?
With rigid or intermediate metal conduit ($$) you can follow code without going very deep - 6" under dirt, 4" under a concrete cover of at least 4" thickness extending at least 6" to either side. ...
- 191k
7
votes
Accepted
Can I install a row of bricks on a slab to support a shed?
Michael Karas is correct in that a half-height block foundation wall is common, but that doesn't really address your concern about water intrusion. His suggestion to seal the block does, and that ...
- 126k
7
votes
What size/type wire for a 300ft run from house to shed?
Just drop a conduit in there instead, you'll thank yourself later
Instead of rushing to buy wire and getting the wrong thing, then having to dig it up later, why don't you get yourself some fat PVC ...
- 80.8k
7
votes
Accepted
How to add corner trim to a shed without exterior access?
I would build the shed on rollers or skids three feet from the neighbors' walls. Finish it completely and properly, then roll or slide it into position, lever it up and slip the timbers out. A 10x10 ...
- 126k
7
votes
Self-built shed door warping: can it be fixed?
The classical approach to this would be that you have 7 face boards. The center one gets holes that just fit the screws, the ones to either side get small slots (width-of-door-wise) and the outer ones ...
- 191k
7
votes
Shed door too heavy for hinges
Gate hinges would be a common heavy duty hinge that's usually easy to find. We're talking "farm supply or similar" as in "agricultural gate 10-16 foot wide" not 3 foot gate in a ...
- 191k
6
votes
How can I attach things to the inside of a shipping container without compromising the water tightness?
You can do this without disturbing the walls or ceiling of the container. Frame thin wall sections on opposite sides (use 2x3s instead of 2x4s to minimize the loss of width). Run 2x3 joists between ...
- 5,998
6
votes
How much 120 from 240 is too much?
The number of circuits isn't really the issue. You could run as many as the panel will allow, number of breaker positions. The issue is amps to the panel. You've got 40 amps to use and as long as you ...
- 76.9k
6
votes
Can I run two sets of 10/3 30amp wire to feed one panel?
That's a violation two ways.
First, you can't parallel. Paralleling requires special equipment rated for paralleling on the supply end - this is for a bunch of reasons. It is also not allowed below ...
6
votes
Running 20 AMP switches to shed that is 100ft away from main panel
One circuit too far for your idea
You are only allowed to effectively run two circuits (one multiwire branch circuit, really) to an outbuilding, given single phase power, or else you'll fall afoul of ...
- 80.8k
6
votes
Can I remove diagonal brace lumber from the walls of my shed?
Those diagonal braces appear to be temporary bracing in order to get the roof and siding installed for two reasons: 1) different length braces, and 2) lack of double nailing at each stud.
If the ...
- 3,728
6
votes
Accepted
What is the use of alumium profile with LED strip lighting?
I believe it mostly serves as a convenient way to mount the strips, and transfer money from you to the people who make and/or sell it.
Some versions do appear to have a diffuser as well as the ...
- 191k
6
votes
What is the use of alumium profile with LED strip lighting?
Listen to HABO's answer and the one from Ecnerwal, but there are some things to add. I don't have enough reputation to leave a comment, so my advice comes as an answer:
Adhesion: Most LED stripes ...
5
votes
Backyard shed with keyed hasp same as house key
A locksmith can order (if necessary) and set up padlocks or locking hasps that respond to your house key, unless the house lock is using a particularly uncommon key blank. They may be a bit larger ...
- 25.7k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible