Building a Shed: Siting and Planning a Shed, Building Shed Foundations, Adding Custom Details (Build Like a Pro Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Sooner or later, most of us settle into a home that comfortably accommodates our lifestyle, one with enough bedrooms and bathrooms and perhaps even an..." (more)
Key Phrases: plywood stop blocks, roughsawn cedar, shed locker, Joseph Truini, Dura Slate, Lean-to Shed Locker (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This well-illustrated guide offers a range of building options, with complete instructions and plans for four popular projects: saltbox potting shed, garden storage shed, storage barn, and lean-to tool locker. Author Joe Truini walks the reader through each step, from evaluating storage needs to basic construction to putting the finishing touches on the roof. Over 350 color photos and black-and-white illustrations are included.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Taunton; illustrated edition edition (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561586196
• ISBN-13: 978-1561586196
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,271 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

118 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The very best book on shed construction!, September 14, 2003

By	M. Dillon "Just A Reviewer" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've looked at several books on sheds and this is the best one I've found!

The author is a real craftsman. His background in cabinetmaking shines through in his attention to detail. He doesn't take shortcuts, as a matter of fact he takes the extra minute or two to do it right. Little tips like painting T 1-11 before installing it is helpful, but pointing out the value of painting the edges too, (to help preserve the wood over time), is the difference between a shed and a quality shed.

There are several step by step sheds to build, and each one offers numerous photos and tips. I would suggest reading the entire book and then building your shed. You will find different tips in each plan and can use them in building your shed.

Some of the outstanding features of this book:

ProTip - On nearly every other page the author offers a ProTip. They are not brain surgery, but if are new to construction you will find them helpful.

Trade Secret - Also on nearly every other page there is a Trade Secret. Here are the kind of tips that the old-timers offered. It's like having a master carpenter give you all the advise you'll ever needed.

Photos - Lots of them, but most importantly, they are from the part of the project the author is explaining. It's like being on the job site and seeing the project in action.

Details - The author is very good at describing the process of building a shed.

Disadvantage to this book:

The plans for the sheds are not included. You must purchase them from other sources listed in the back. It is possible to figure it out by combining different descriptions and sketches together, but if your are new to construction you may be better off ordering the plans.

After reading this book you will never buy one of those superstore sheds. You'll want the very best, and if you build it yourself you can get it for less than the superstore! Enjoy!

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS MOSTLY FOR THE EAST COAST BUILDER, October 31, 2004

By	Cheryl Noack "cheryl" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

I purchased this book and read many parts of it. I was most interested in pouring a concrete slab foundation. This book covered every foundation but concrete slab, so I was disappointed in that. The sheds that are covered are very elaborate and built to last. I thought a better job could have been done in covering things like roof slope, and altering it from the sheds built in the book. Giving other options in different phases of construction. The pictures are good but there sure could be more of them(this book is nicely printed and color pictures are expensive). I am a picture kind of guy; a picture is worth a thousand words to me. The "pro tips" highlights are good and provide very usefull info at different stages of construction.
All-in-all this is a very good book. The language is a little to trade/contractor talk. Mr. Truini should have had an average Joe proof read this book to make sure anyone without building experience could pick it up, read it and build the shed they are imagining.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent choice for building your shed, May 26, 2005

By	Frank J. Perreault (Loganville, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book takes you through the steps of constructing an attractive, functional and well-built shed. The sheds are designed for New England snow loads, so they should stand up anywhere you build it, for a long, long time. Anyone with basic carpentry skills should be able to build most of the sheds shown in the book. The gambrel shed in the book is the most complex style mentioned. The shed styles explained are aa Lean-To Locker, a Saltbox Potting shed, Colonial style (shown on cover) and the Gambrel shed.

The information is well presented, with color photos throughout. As was noted in a previous review, though some dimensions are given, the complete plans must be ordered elsewhere. I ordered the plans for the gambrel shed and did notice a few discrepencies between the book and plans however.

All in all, an excellent book if you are considering building a shed. While you may not choose to build one exactly as shown in this book, the information found in here would be useful in any shed building project.