August 2008 - Finally Completed!!!

Well, after not touching the shed for quite some time. We finally decided on a color that would allow the shed to fade into the background. The last color was way too yellow and just popped way to much. I was able to get a few hours this weekend which allowed me to finish the grounds around the shed. This included tilling the ground, putting some stones around the whole thing so water would stay off the edge, then putting mulch down. Tada! The shed project has come to a close, until I decide to put a window box and some more shelving... next year :) What's next? I think I need to work on the basement...

June 2008 - Weekend 7 - Wii Took Over

I only got 3 hours this weekend, but in those 3 hours, I was able to complete all the shelving on the interior, as well as a new potting station for Lara, which she really thinks will come in handy, as do I, I put all the outside yard tools in, and began priming for paint. Till next time...

June 2008 - Weekend 6 - Almost There!!

It turned out to be a very production weekend. I was able to put in some time on Sunday (Father's Day), thanks Lara and Alex. We spent most of the day outside, Lara was able to work on the garden and beds, transplanting some perennials from the side of the house, some new plantings that she received from her classmates. Alex enjoyed just being outside, helping both mom and dad. The yard is coming along nicely. As for the shed, I was able to complete the structure, including the door and all the trim work. I'll that remains is the paint, which I also got this weekend. So one more weekend should do it.

June 2008 - Weekend 5 - So damn HOT!!

This week went very well considering all the impediments I had to deal with. First and foremost, the HEAT!!, with the index well over a 100 degrees, I think I went through 3 t-shirt and probably lost about 5 lbs... which isn't such a bad thing, I guess. I also spent most of my weekend taking care of the boy since Lara is neck deep in her preparations for finals and comps, not to mention about 20 pages of writing that she needed to complete over two days. That said, I was still pleased with the shed's progress. So what got completed... I completed the roof, had to cap off the hips and vents. Completed all exterior walls and finally installed the window. I roughed out the door and is now ready to be installed. Next weekend should wrap up all the building tasks and begin painting. I need to gang the door and complete all trim work on/around the door and window. I was finally able to put some of my lawn equipment in... YEAH!! Enjoy the pics and as always, I love comments.

June 2008 - Weekend 4 - Sunday Only!

So I was able to put about 4 hours on Sunday and I'm glad I did. No work was completed last weekend as we were living it up at the shore for the extended Memorial Day holiday. So Sunday, I was able to complete the roof, which included adding all the facia around the edge of the roof, the drip edge and shingles.. Man, what a tight squeeze. I was fighting with the tree all afternoon. It's a wonder I haven't cut the damn thing down yet. I was also able to put 1 more exterior panel (front left) which only leaves two more. Yeah! This weekend, my goal is to complete the exterior wall, put in the window and construct a door. Once that is completed, the only things left are trim work, the soffet, with vents, trim around the door and window and paint. End of June was my goal, and I should be able get that done. My lawn equipment will be dry soon :) Leave some comments, yo!

Bonus Day!!!

I was able to take a day away from the office, so I took full advantage. I didn't take as many shots between tasks, so these were taken at the end of the day. I was able to get the sheathing on the roof followed by the felt. WooHoo! 'tis now waterproof, at least. I then roughed in the window seat, which gives you a pretty good idea how the front is going to look. Next task, the exterior walls... I was able to get three of the five completed, then the rain. It only rained for about 1/2 hour, but hard enough that I had to put tools away. Since the fam is going to be at the shore this weekend, I'll get back to the project the following weekend. More to come.

May 2008 - Weekend 3 - Lara's pics

Here some shots that Lara took on her break from writing. Great Pics.

May 2008 - Weekend 3

So I had every intention of completing the roof this weekend, but the weather took most of my time away. I was able to complete the framing of the shed, including the roof. I wasn't able to do pictures since it rained (poured) most of the weekend. I'll update those before next weekend. What I was able to complete.... Purchase roof stuff, shingles, felt, roof vent, sheathing and drip edge. Purchased the exterior walls as well. Constructed the roof rafters for both the gable roof and the hip sections. I plan on taking a day off this week to add collar ties on the rafters, add the roof sheathing, cut a hole for the vent, felt, drip edge and shingles. If not, I'll be doing them during Weekend #4. Total cost of materials to this point, $780.00. (Still need to buy trim, henges and paint)

May 2008 - Weekend 2 - Lara's Pics

Here's a few shot that Lara took turing Weenkend 2. Alex had a blast hanging out with Daddy, it was a beautiful day.

May 2008 - Weekend 2

Weekend 2, I started this week really slow, but I had adjust the height due to my leaning tree (I think his days are numbered). So day one was applying the 3/4 in. PT ply down on the floor and building the front wall. I planned for two 30 in. doors, but changed my mind to include a window on front. 2x4 construction with 2 - 2x6 with 1/2 in ply sandwiched between them for the door and window header. The walls are 75 1/4in. from high, including the floor.

Day 2 was a bit more easy and fun. I pre-measured all the walls, then cut all pieces for each wall, laying out the wall across my whole back yard. I should have taken snaps of that. I then nailed all walls on the ground. Lara was able to help me place the walls and hold them while nailed all the walls in place. It was so nice to each wall just fit into place.

Here's a couple picdtures of the structure with all the exterior walls up. I still need to build the interior load bearing wall that will hold the beginning of the back hip roof. So if you can imagine, there will be a gable rook in the front and a 2-sided hip roof on the back. You'll see.

May 2008 - Day 1

After doing some research on whether to purchase, hire someone to build a custom shed, or just go ahead and do it myself. I guess you can tell what I chose to do. I spent the next weeks, looking at so many shed plans out there, none of which fit what I needed, I wanted to maximize space while making a big eyesore in my back yard. So I angled the shed towards the house. The rectangle is 8 ft. x 4 ft. with a 30,60,90 triangle in the rear.

After building the floor, I placed the shed where I wanted and used the shovel spade to cut an outline. I move the floor and began digging, aproximately 4 in deep with 6 in below the stone bricks. After making sure all 7 bricks were level.

Day 1 Complete. I wasn't able to work on it on Sunday and the boy and I had to frequent the annual goat race and beer festival down in Phoenixville.