Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Before deciding to build a shed, call your local building inspector to determine whether you need a building permit or whether you will be allowed..." (more)
Key Phrases: shiplapped cedar, offset stakes, electric jigsaw, New York, Irish Garden Shed, Japanese Boat Shed (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The use of the term sheds in this book's title is a misnomer, given that a dictionary defines sheds as small, rough shacks for storage. Except for a lean-to type wet/dry garbage shed and a firewood shed, the construction plans, directions, and many illustrations in this guide are for attractive and even fancy units ranging from 80 to over 350 square feet. The purposes range from storage, work, and gardening to poolside, boat storage, and pavilion entertaining. After introductory information on designing and building techniques, fairly detailed directions are given for building a basic 8 10 shed. From there on directions are less complete, on the assumption that the builder is experienced or will contract the more difficult work. Suggested only for collections with subject demand.
- W.T. Johnston, formerly with Coastal Plain Regional Lib., Tifton, Ga.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Hands-on homeowners with some weekend project experience can get step-by-step advice on planning and building sheds in [this book]. (Newsday San Francisco Chronicle 20070505) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Camden House Pub; First Edition edition (May 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 094447537X
• ISBN-13: 978-0944475379
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,703,457 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Build Your Own, September 22, 2000

By	Spud (Bynum, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders (Paperback)

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.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good ideas, but inconsistent in attention to details, June 13, 2003

By	Henry Perkins (Santa Clara, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders (Paperback)

[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!

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best book on building sheds, April 25, 2000

By	Donald J. Berg (Rockville Centre, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders (Paperback)

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.