How to

HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO BUILD

When you order from Plymouth Sheds, you receive everything you need to put together your shed quickly. We have designed our products so they are modular sheds for sale, making their construction as stress-free as possible. However, to help you get a better idea of the shed construction process, we recommend you follow the instructions.If you are ever uncertain about how to build your shed, contact us before starting. We also offer installation services, so you can have our team deliver the shed and build it for you on your premises. This makes it much easier to ensure that the work meets professional standards and that your garden shed is not going to be put at risk. For the easiest shed-building experience, leave it to our specialists.

How Difficult Are Plymouth Sheds To Build?

We want to make your life as easy as possible, and we have made it as easy as possible to build one of our sheds. Plymouth Sheds products are sturdy wooden garden sheds designed to slot together without any difficulty. If you need advice on how to build your shed, read through this guide, and if you are still unsure, contact us for advice.

Can I DIY My Plymouth Shed Garden Shed?

Yes, you can; you do not need to be a professional gardener to build one of our sheds. You do not need experience with tasks like joinery. The shed that you buy will follow similar instructions to this how-to guide, but each shed comes with specific instructions for each modular construction. For general garden sheds sold by us, though, you can use this guide to find a suitable starting point:

What Do I Need To Build My Garden Shed?

First off, you need to make sure that you do three things:

Review the base of your garden shed to ensure it is primed for usage and can be built upon
Review all components provided; if anything is damaged, let us know for immediate support
Ensure you have the tools required and at least one other assistant – this is NOT a solo task

Your base needs to be firm and completely level; check with a spirit level first. We recommend using concrete or paving slabs as your base. Before continuing, we recommend checking out our ‘How to Build A Base’ guide for further advice.

Plymouth Sheds will send you a list of all the components required to build your new garden equipment. Please thoroughly review this list and make sure that you have all of the components you need before you begin the assembly process. Most sheds (but not all) will include four walls, a floor, a roof, felt, and fixings as required. Make sure you have these components and anything additional mentioned on your list. If anything is missing, contact us ASAP.

What Tools Do I Need?

Generally, you are going to need a range of tools to make shed construction safe and simple. For any garden shed you buy from Plymouth Sheds, you will need the following equipment to get started:

Hammer
Monkey Wrench and/or Spanner
Spirit Level
Tape Measure
Safety Gloves
Eye Protection
Stepladder

Also, please make sure that you have an assistant to help you with the assembly process. Building a garden shed is NOT a one-person job. Having a second person to assist with lifting, holding components in place, etc., will be essential to making this job as smooth and as safe as possible.

Top Tip: Taking the time to check through your components before assembly will aid a swift and efficient build process.

Getting Started

Now that you have the above ticked off and ready to go, it is time to start the construction process on your new Plymouth Sheds product!

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Step One —

Placing The Flooring

To get started, you should first make sure that your floor panel(s) are laid down correctly. Lie the floor panels down on the base that you have created, ideally from concrete or paving slabs. If your surface is not level, you will need to use some blocks to pack out underneath the bearers so you know it sits flush to the ground.

Next, measure diagonally from one corner to the next to ensure the floor is squared off. If your floor is not square, you might find that you need to tap on it at the corner sections. During delivery, the floor could have been misaligned; a small tap should be enough to straighten it out, though.

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Step Two —

Securing The Sides

The next step is arguably the most challenging. Start by positioning one of the gable ends to the end of the floor panel. Once in place, retrieve one of the side panels and attach it to the gable using the nails provided. Nail from the inside, not the outside. Then, use the coach screws included in your delivery to attack the gable to the side panel via the holes already drilled into the wood on the exterior.

Follow the same process for the other side walls, securing them with the nails and the coach screws we have provided as part of your delivery. Make sure that all of the walls are square and sturdy, and then secure them in place using the nails provided in your delivery. Make sure that the nails go through the side and gable rails and into the floorboards. Follow the nail lines on the floor panel for guidance.

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Step Three —

Fitting The Roof

With the flooring and side panels safely secured, you need to install the roof. To do this, place the roof panels in the marked position and then, on the inside, secure the roof using the nails provided. If needed, you might need to bring the two panels closer together.

If you find that the roof panels are not correctly aligned or that the door of your shed is failing to close as it should, this is a sign that your building is not as square as it should be. You might need to straighten out some of the building corners then; this can take time but will make a huge difference. If you are having trouble with this, do not hesitate to call us for advice and insight on what to do next.

With the roof base in place, you now need to start felting the roof. Felt protects the roof from water damage and can secure the structural integrity of your new garden shed. The felt you receive will differ depending on the size of your shed. Be sure to check the information provided with your feet.

Cut the felt to the lengths stipulated in the guidelines provided with your roof. Make sure that you leave enough overhang (around 3”) with the felt so that you can fold it over the roof frame and then nail it accordingly. Tack along the top edging of the felt, being as thorough as possible; the more nails you use, the more secure the felt will be.

For some roofs, you might also need to repeat this along the top if there are overlapping parts of felt. Again, check the guide provided, or if you are uncertain, contact us for information and advice.

Once the roof is in place and felted, you should secure the bargeboards provided and attach them to the roof panels. Make sure that you place this on the overhanging section of the felt, as this will help to create a stronger weather sealant. Finally, attach the finials to the bargeboards at the top to add that aesthetic finishing touch.

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Step Four —

Installing The Windows

Your shed likely has windows made from either glass or styrene. We recommend that you install these simply by tapping the pins into the window frame, as shown in the above image. Be gentle here; otherwise, you run the risk of scratching the windows. If your windows are styrene, be sure to remove the protective film that is included.

Your windows then have to be sealed to ensure they are waterproof. You should use a waterproof sealant like mastic or silicone. If you choose, be sure to include some beading to help add extra durability to the panes.

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Step Five —

The Finishing Touches

With the base settled and installed, you need to install the aesthetic add-ons. Start by installing the corner strips on the exterior corners of your shed. Once installed, these strips help protect the panels and offer a bridge to hide any gaps between them. You might need to cut these to ensure they fit into place accordingly.

Lastly, you should give your garden shed a new waterproof treatment. A waterproof preservative treatment should be carried out as soon as possible.