DIY Projects

How to Build a Wood Shed

Author profile picture Written by Joseph Truini On April 23, 2024 • 7 min read

In this article, we will guide you through the process of building a 4×8 firewood shed that will keep your firewood dry and organized. This step-by-step plan is designed to be easy to follow, even for those with limited carpentry experience.

Unit Qty Size Note
Pressure-Treated Lumber 1″x4″ pcs 12 6′ Siding
Pressure-Treated Lumber 1″x4″ pcs 23 8′ Siding
Pressure-Treated Lumber 1″x6″ pcs 2 8′ Fascia
Pressure-Treated Lumber 2″x2″ pcs 6 6′ Studs
Pressure-Treated Lumber 2″x2″ pcs 4 8′ Studs
Pressure-Treated Lumber 2″x4″ pcs 2 6′ Bottom plate
Pressure-Treated Lumber 2″x4″ pcs 9 8′ Bottom plate,  Diagonal braces
Pressure-Treated Lumber 2″x6″ pcs 6 6′ Rafters
Pressure-Treated Lumber 2″x8″ pcs 6 8′ Joists, Rim joists
Pressure-Treated Lumber 4″x4″ pcs 3 6′ Studs, Top plate
Pressure-Treated Lumber 4″x4″ pcs 8 8′ Studs, Top plate
Concrete Brick Pavers pcs 6 4″ x 8″ x 16″
Plywood (9/16″) pcs 4 4′ x 8′ Sheathing
Building paper (#15) ft2 60
Asphalt shingles (250# per sq. min) ft2 60
Metal ridge cap 14″ ft 32
Galvanized nails  (2″) pcs 260
Wood screws (2″) pcs 200
Wood screws (3″) pcs 70
Wood screws (5″) pcs 200

Site Preparation

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Concrete blocks

pcs

6

4″ x 8″ x 16″

Shed’s Bottom Frame

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 7 1/4″)

pcs

7

3′-9″

Joists

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 7 1/4″)

pcs

2

8′

Rim joists

Plywood (9/16″)

pcs

1

4′ x 8′

Floor sheathing

Shed’s Front Wall Frame

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″)

pcs

4

6′-3″

Stud

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

2

2′-4″

Bottom plate

Pressure-Treated Lumber (3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

4

6′-3″

Studs

Pressure-Treated Lumber (3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

1

8′

Top plate

Shed’s Back Wall Frame

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″)

pcs

4

5′-5″

Studs

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

2

6′-5 3/4″

Diagonal braces

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

1

8′

Bottom plate

Pressure-Treated Lumber (3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

3

5′-5″

Studs

Pressure-Treated Lumber (3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

1

8′

Top plate

Shed’s Side Wall Frame (x2)

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″)

pcs

2

5′-5″

Studs

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

1

3′-5″

Bottom plate

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

2

3′-1 1/2″

Diagonal braces

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

1

6′-4 3/4″

Diagonal braces

Pressure-Treated Lumber (3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

1

3′-5″

Top plate

Shed’s Roof

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Pressure-Treated Lumber (3/4″ x 5 1/2″)

pcs

2

8′

Fascia

Pressure-Treated Lumber (1 1/2″ x 5 1/2″)

pcs

6

5′-3 1/2″

Rafters

Plywood (9/16″)

pcs

1

2′ x 5′-7″

Roof sheathing

Plywood (9/16″)

pcs

1

4′ x 5′-7″

Roof sheathing

Plywood (9/16″)

pcs

1

4′ x 6′

Roof sheathing

Building paper (#15)

ft2

60

Asphalt shingles (250# per sq. min)

ft2

60

Metal ridge cap 14″

ft

32

Front Wall Exterior Siding

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Pressure-Treated Lumber (3/4″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

34

1′-9″

Siding

Back Wall Exterior Siding

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Pressure-Treated Lumber (3/4″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

30

3′-6 3/4″

Siding

Side Wall Exterior Siding )x2)

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Pressure-Treated Lumber (3/4″ x 3 1/2″)

pcs

15

3′-5″

Siding

Fasteners & Hardware

Unit

Qty

Size

Note

Galvanized nails  (2″)

pcs

260

Wood screws (2″)

pcs

200

Wood screws (3″)

pcs

70

Wood screws (5″)

pcs

200

Step 1: Ground Works

1.1 Clear the area where you want to build the shed and layout for the foundation. Use the below illustration as a guide.

Ground works for installing the firewood shed
Ground works for installing the firewood shed

Step 2: Foundation Preparation

2.1 Place 4″x 8″x 16″ solid-concrete foundation blocks around the perimeter of the site, as shown in the drawing below. You will need 6 blocks that are all set level with each other. One way to level up the blocks is to lay a long, straight 2×4 on-edge across the blocks. Then, set a 4-ft. or longer level on top of the 2×4. Adjust the blocks until they are all level and in the same plane.

Foundation preparation for installing the firewood shed
Foundation preparation for installing the firewood shed

Step 3: Framing the Floor

3.1 Assemble the shed’s floor frame with pressure-treated 2x8s. Cut two boards to 8′ and two others to 3′-9″ to serve as the perimeter rim joists.

3.2 Fasten together the frame with 3″ screws.

3.3 Using a carpenter’s framing square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

Framing the floor of firewood shed
Framing the floor of firewood shed

Step 4: Framing the Floor

4.1 Cut five floor joists to 3′-9″ out of pressure-treated 2x8s.

4.2 Attach the floor joists to the rim joists with 3″ screws.

4.3 Use a carpenter’s framing square to ensure each floor joist is square to the rim joist.

Framing the floor of the firewood shed
Framing the floor of the firewood shed

Step 5: Install the Plywood Floor

5.1 Cover the floor frame with one full sheet of 9/16″ plywood, as shown in the drawing below. 

5.2 Secure the plywood with 2″ screws.

Installing the plywood floor for the firewood shed
Installing the plywood floor for the firewood shed

Step 6: Assemble Front Wall Frame

6.1 Using pressure-treated 2x2s, 2x4s, and 4x4s, construct the front wall frame using the drawing below as a reference. Cut four 2×2 cleats and four 4×4 wall studs eight to 6′-3″. Then cut two 2x4s to 2′-4″ to serve as the bottom wall plates. And cut a 4×4 to 8′ for the plate.

6.2 Fasten together the frame with 3″ and 5″ screws.

6.3 Using a carpenter’s framing square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

6.4. Secure the front wall to the floor deck with 3” screws.

Assembling the front wall frame of the firewood shed
Assembling the front wall frame of the firewood shed

Step 7: Assemble Back Wall Frame

7.1 Using pressure-treated 2x2s, 2x4s, and 4x4s, construct the rear wall frame using the drawing below as a reference. Cut four 2×2 cleats and three 4×4 studs to 5′-5″. Then cut a 2×4 bottom wall plate and 4×4 top wall plate to 8′. And cut two 4x4s to 6′-5 3/4″ to serve as the diagonal braces.

7.2 Fasten together the rear wall frame with 3″ and 5″ screws.

7.3 Using a carpenter’s framing square, check the corners to make sure they are 7.4. Secure the rear wall to the floor deck with 3” screws.90°.

Assembling the back wall frame of the firewood shed
Assembling the back wall frame of the firewood shed

Step 8: Assemble Side Wall Frame

8.1 Using pressure-treated 2x2s, 2x4s, and 4x4s, construct the two side walls, using the drawing below as a reference. For each side wall, cut two 2×2 cleats to 5′-5″, one 2×4 bottom wall plate to 3′-5″, and one 4×4 top wall plate to 3′-5″. Then, cut one 2×4 diagonal brace to 6′-4 3/4″ and two 2×4 diagonal braces to 3′-1 1/2″.

8.2 Join together the parts with 3″ and 5″ screws.

8.3 Using a carpenter’s framing square, check the corners to make sure they are 90°.

8.4. Secure each side wall to the floor deck and to the front and rear walls with 3” screws.

Assembling side wall frame of the firewood shed
Assembling side wall frame of the firewood shed

Step 9: Assemble the Roof Frame

9.1 Cut six roof rafters from pressure-treated 2x6s. Cut each rafter to 5′-3 1/2″ and notch them to sit flat on top of the front and rear walls, as shown in the drawing below. 

9.2 Secure the rafters with 3″ screws.

Assembling the roof frame of the firewood shed
Assembling the roof frame of the firewood shed

Step 10: Install Plywood for the Roof

10.1 Cut 9/16″ plywood for the roof sheathing, using the drawing below as a guide. Cut one plywood piece to 4′ x 6′, one to 4′ x 5′-7″, and one to 2′ x 5′-7″ sheet.

10.2 Secure the plywood to the rafters with 2″ screws.

Installing plywood for the roof of the firewood shed
Installing plywood for the roof of the firewood shed

Step 11: Assemble the Shed's Roof Fascias

11.1 Using pressure-treated 1x6s, cut two fascia boards to 8′ long. Fasten them to the rafter tails at the front and rear of the roof with 2″ screws.

Assembling the Shed's Roof Fascias
Assembling the Shed's Roof Fascias

Step 12: Installing the Exterior Siding to the Front Wall

12.1 The walls of the firewood shed are sided with pressure-treated 1x4s, as shown in the illustration below. You will need 34 boards cut to 1′-9″. Fasten the 1x4s to the 2×2 wall cleats with 2” screws. 

Installing the Exterior Siding to the Front Wall of the Firewood shed
Installing the Exterior Siding to the Front Wall of the Firewood shed

Step 13: Installing the Exterior Siding to the Back Wall

13.1 Cut 30 pressure-treated 1x4s to 3′-6 3/4″, as shown in the illustration below. as a reference. Space the 1x4s 1” apart and fasten them to the wall frame with 2” screws. The space between the siding allows air to circulate around the firewood, helping it dry out faster.

Installing the Exterior Siding to the Back Wall of the Firewood Shed
Installing the Exterior Siding to the Back Wall of the Firewood Shed

Step 14: Installing the Exterior Siding to the Side Walls

14.1 For each side wall, cut 15 pressure-treated 1x4s to 3′-5″.Use the illustration below as a reference. 

14.2. Fasten the 1x4s to the side wall frames with 2” screws; be sure to space the boards 1” apart.

Installing the Exterior Siding to the Side Walls of the Firewood shed
Installing the Exterior Siding to the Side Walls of the Firewood shed

Step 15: Roof Sheathing Installation

15.1 For the roof of this firewood shed, you will need 60 sq. ft. of asphalt shingles.

15.2 Nail the metal drip-edge flashing around the perimeter of the roof deck, then cover the roof with building paper.

15.4 Install the asphalt shingles with galvanized roofing nails.

Firewood shed's roof Sheathing Installation
Firewood shed's roof Sheathing Installation

Step 16: Shed Decoration

Now that your shed is all done, apply your favorite paint, stain, or clear wood preservative to all wood surfaces inside and out.

Decoration of the firewood shed
Decoration of the firewood shed