Customer Reviews

Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders

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I first read Sheds in the local public library. It was fun just to read because I was interested in construction and I could understand how each part of the construction fit together with the others. When it came time for me to actually build a shed, I tried to find the library's copy, but I couldn't locate it, so I ended up buying it. I was glad I did. I found out that the book had been revised and expanded.

I've used this book exclusively to build my shed. I took it out to the site and kept referring to it during construction. It even inadvertently spent a few nights in the uncompleted shed. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. There are materials lists for most sheds right down to how many pounds of nails you will need. I could go the local building supply place and ask for what I needed in an intelligent way. By the end of my project, the supply people knew me by name!

Be careful about the chapter called "More Basic Sheds." Things were going along as planned with my shed construction until I decided to alter my original design by using hints from this chapter. I say hints because that's all this chapter is. But it all worked out in the end and now I have an 8 x 10 shed with an extended overhang on one side and windows all across the back.

[Summary: I really wanted to like "Sheds" a lot. The book has an excellent beginning and the first project has good attention to detail. It's unfortunate that most of the book, including the project featured prominently on the cover, has a much lower quality level; the author frequently omits mention of some or all the materials, hardware, and tools needed for the various projects. "Sheds" includes a wide range of construction types, and is an excellent book for shed IDEAS. But as a shed construction manual it's pretty frustrating.]

The author is up-front in saying that this isn't a book for novices; here's the last paragraph of the Introduction:

"SHEDS is written for creative, hands-on homeowners with do-it-yourself experience in weekend projects and basic home repair. You should have at least a few building and repair projects under your tool belt, be ready to tackle medium-sized, challenging projects and be willing to stretch your carpentry skills for worthwhile accomplishments."

The first three chapters of this book are very good, covering design, a general shed construction primer, and a basic 8'x10' shed with step-by-step instructions. After that, though, there are six more chapters that aren't up to the same level of quality.

The first project (the basic 8'x10' shed) is quite thorough. It has blueprint drawings (one plan and two sections). There are lists of materials, hardware, and tools needed. There's a construction schedule (8 days' worth). The step-by-step instructions are accompanied by 26 drawings to show construction details. This is an excellent start.

The very next chapter is a letdown, and the book never comes back to the level of quality set in the first project. For instance there's a section that tells you how to install Plexiglas windows, with a figure insert showing one of the screws holding the Plexiglas to the stud. But there's no mention of what size screw you need in either the text or the illustrations. Also in this chapter is a plan for a simple garden shed, with a list of materials -- but no list of hardware. The text tells you to nail the pieces together, but doesn't say what type of nails or what quantity is required.

The "Irish Garden Shed" project is quite inventive, featuring walls constructed of locust logs set in mortar. This is the project prominently featured on the book's cover, and you would (mistakenly) expect it to be covered in loving detail. But you get one plan and two section drawings, and not much more. The are no lists of materials, hardware, or tools required for the project. The text includes many instructions that just don't have enough attention to detail. An example paragraph:

"In a mortar pail, combine 6 parts sand, 6 parts sawdust, 3 parts Portland cement and 2 parts lime. Measuring accurately is critical."

It would have been easy for the author to write whether he meant parts by weight or parts by volume; if by volume, specify whether to compact the sawdust; or give an idea of what size "part" would be appropriate to fit in a mortar pail. But he didn't specify any of these things.

While "Sheds" is hit-or-miss when it comes to construction details, it's really very good when it comes to construction ideas. The foundations covered include pressure-treated skids, posts, poles, and concrete slabs. Wall types include the standard stick-built form, timber frames, and mortared logs. Roofing materials detailed are limited to asphalt and cedar shingles, but the text does mention that you need to use rolled roofing for shallow-pitched roofs. Windows include round and rectangular, either prebuilt or made from scratch. The author is even inventive when it comes to door handles, suggesting using a wooden mason's float -- which I'm using on my own shed project!

This book has the information you need to design and build your own ideal backyard shed. In fact, it serves as a great primer for any construction project. It covers planning, designing, permits, materials and construction methods. Stiles will guide you through the process, step-by-step, from the paper plan to hanging up your tools - in the shed you built! There are hundreds of great illustrations and projects you can try: a Victorian garden shed, cupolas, a Japanese boat shed, trash and recycling sheds, woodsheds, a pool pavilion and many more.

i bought this book while we were talking about building a shed and arguing kit vs from scratch. after reading the book we decided we could do it. my husband has few carpentry skills, and it has been 15 yrs since i lived on a farm doing this sort of stuff.
as someone else said, watch out for the typos. on his list of supplies, the floor section doesn't list cca wood for the joists, yet he says to use cca wood. fortunatly we caught that before we started. however we will need more 10d common nails, what he lists isn't going to be enough. he has lists of nails, but doesn't always tell you what kind of nails to use, i guess he assumes you know.
we keep the book outside with us as we work, and as of this writing we have a floor, and 4 wall frames. the construction is moving rather quickly. the diagrams are very well done and the measurements very helpful. the actual directions are sometime unclear because he tells you to do something then a few paragraphs later adds other information.
we have made a few adjustments, like we are using plywood sides instead of shiplapped board. we will put in a 4 ft. double door instead of the 3ft he uses. we are not putting in windows.
i would say this this book is worth the money because i think that when we are finished, we will have a well built wood shed that will last a long time.

I built the basic 8 x 10 shed with some modifications found elsewhere in the chapters. Mostly, I found the book to be very good, but once in a while it left me hanging by giving what seemed to be enough detail until well into some part and discovering something missing. Also, beware the typos! Cost me at least one extra trip to the lumber yard, ending one day's work early.

When I found this book, I thought even I could build a Potting Shed! As a total 'Do-It-Yourself-er', I used this book as a guide through the entire building process. Having never attempted a project like this, I was insprired by the different variations and types of sheds this book demonstated. Thanks to the author for offering all the directions to build a shed from start to finish. I couldn't have built my shed without this primer. I also used his valuable ideas for the interior as well. Now I have an outdoor oasis to escape to, I have increased my property value, and am now looking to build my next outdoor project!

The book has lots of ideas for making unique structures instead of boring outbuildings. The construction techniques are very basic, maybe not for first time builders, but certainly "followable" by anyone who is familiar with basic carpentry. The emphasis is on design and construction details, not carpentry. I incorporated many of its suggestions into a unique shed of my own

Out of all the shed books I have read, this book stays by my side while I hammer in the yard. The book is well written by what appears to be a non professional book writer (A Good Thing). It reads as if you are getting advise in laymans terms from your neighbor "The Craftsman", a welcome change from the DIY books, that assume a level of expertese. The level of detail is high and discusses gotcha's, advise, and trade "secrets" that could have only come from years of personal experience building sheds.
Every aspect of shed building for the DIY'er is covered from different types of foundations and how they work, to different types of structure building such as stick, or mortise joint traditional. Options for each step are thoroughly discussed and weighed, such as type of shingles, types of siding, types of lumber, and even types of style.
All this information before you get to the shed designs, so when your browsing the designs you can apply the knowledge against them. The author included several basic designs, all with thorough enough plans and documentation, which you can use right away to start building. These designs can be combined, or modified easily to suit your needs. The author even includes color pictures of existing sheds, that can be built all using the basic principals from previous chapters.
If your the handy DIY'er that has tackled a few home remodeling projects, this is your book. If you just have a few basic carpentry skills and are not affraid of using a circular saw, and miter saw, then this book is for you. Don't know the difference between a cripple stud and a top plate? Don't worry, this book will teach you.

This book has been a valuable tool in my understanding of the art of shed building. All of the elements that go into building a shed are discussed and diagramed in great detail. The old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is this books motto. Stiles' intricate detail takes all the guess work out of figuring out all of the necessary elements that go into building a shed. He starts by showing you the very basics and then goes into more detailed and complicated sheds. I've had this book roughly one month and I've read it cover to cover twice. I also read bits and pieces and study the pictures and diagrams at least every other day for a few minutes. I now feel ready to begin construction of my dream shed...

Anyone wishing to put in the hours to finish the 'Irish Garden Shed" form the front cover will be complimented for years from friends and passerbys. I am amazed at the amount of people who have stopped just to say what a great design it is. David stiles if you read this I would like to thank you. I would think it great if you could see how this work of art fits in to my landscape. Anyone with questions can contact me and I will be happy to answer them.