How to Assemble Metal Sheds
An inexpensive and easy way to meet all your outside storage needs is by installing a metal shed. Several manufacturers sell pre-fabricated kits that make it easier to assemble your very own metal shed. With a few common tools and helping hands, you can complete this project over the weekend.
What You'll Need:
- Safety goggles
- No. 2 Phillips screwdriver
- Work gloves
- Pliers
- Carpenter's level
- Measuring tape
- Knife
- Ensure that you have the required building permits before you begin working. Select an area on your property that is large enough for the shed and provides for easy access to the shed.
- Read over all the included manufacturer's instructions to ensure you understand them. Lay all of the parts out as they are packaged. Completing this step will keep every piece for each section in one central location.
- Ensure that the area you have selected is level. If it is not, you will need to level it before you can proceed.
- Dig out around 6-inches of soil to use for your concrete slab. Fill this hole with 4-inches of compacted gravel and a lay a single layer of 6-mil plastic over the top of the gravel.
- Build a 2-inch by 4-inch frame to secure your concrete slab and pour the concrete and the level the slab. You will need to allow the area to dry for 24-48 hours.
- Position the floor rails per the manufacturer's instructions. Ensure that you orient the door in the same direction that you want it to face. Connect the support post into the floor frames. However, don't screw the posts into the floor yet.
- Install the doorjambs by sliding them into the floor railing. Ensure that they are each facing the correct direction.
- Put the top tails onto the frame of the metal shed. You can complete this step by connecting them to the shed post. Ensure that the shed frame remains in a square.
- Connect the ridge beam as well as rafters to the metal shed frame. Screw each of the rafters into the frame of the shed. If your kit includes a mid wall channel, secure it to the shed frame using screws.
- Slide each of the wall panels into the frame posts. Lift the top frame slightly and position the panel inside the frame and click it into place along with the frame post. After all the panels are in place, pull all the top rails back down to lock the wall panels into place.
- Install each of the roof panels by sliding them in between the rafters and the ridge beam. After the roof has been installed, slide the roof connectors in between each of the roof panels. After each of the wall and roof panels have been attached, secure the metal shed by screwing the shed frame together with the included screws.
- Connect the door by positioning it o to the hinges on the doorjamb.