ever dream of having your own personalretreat right in your backyard? it can happen! convert an ordinary tool shed into ashe shed. actually, it can be a he shed too. we'll walk you through everything youneed to know to build your own. first, check your local building codes orhomeowner's association guidelines. some things to check on include shed size,foundation, and even color. your she shed can be an upgrade to an existing shed ora brand new one. if you are building, pick a spot in your yard that's close to level.it'll be easier to set the foundation. the foundation can be a concrete slabwith sill plates. 4x4's on
masonry blocks. or, for areas that freeze,4x4's set on concrete footers below the frost line. click below towatch our "how to build a foundation" video. when the foundation is down, theshed can go up. kits come with the easy-to-follow instructions or they canbe installed for you. the basic installation involves building the walls,adding the roof, installing the doors and windows, painting the exterior, addingtrim and finishing with shingles. once you've built the shed, you canreally start to customize. sheds are designed for tool storage where minimallight isn't a problem. a window is usually included with kits.however, you may want more light in your
she shed. consider switching out theregular doors. get doors that are the same size or a little bit larger thanthe standard doors. the wall panels are usually precut for the door openings sogoing smaller won't typically work. click below to watch our french doorinstallation" video. for even more natural light, add skylights. the installationinvolves cutting out and framing the opening, securing the skylight andsealing tight with a flashing kit. click below to see our skylight installation video.next, finish things up inside. installing permanent electricity isn't alwaysnecessary, but if you decide you need it, have a pro install it. adding insulationis a smart move. it'll help keep the
temperature just right and limitmoisture build-up. then, install the drywall. hang it on the walls and finishit off with some drywall mud. then sand. don't install it on the ceiling if itdoesn't have vents. you could get mold. click below to watch our drywallinstallation video. after the drywall has been finished, it's time to paint. use apaint-and-primer-in-one for the walls and ceiling. if you're painting the floor,prime it first, then use porch and floor paint which will stand up to traffic. forsteps on painting, as well as helpful hints, click below to watch our paintingvideo. to finish things up outside, attached lattice skirting to give theshed a little personality. how about a
deck or patio in front for a finishedappearance? a small floating platform deck will do. it's built on masonryblocks so there's no need for post holes. place some furniture, planters and a fewaccessories to liven things up. and finally, the interior decor. for deepmeditation in a tranquil yoga studio, keep your decor simple. consider awater fountain to create a relaxing atmosphere. for a home office'shedquarters', storage cubes will help keep files and office supplies organized.perhaps you plan to bring out your creative side in an artist's studio. slatwall is a simple way to keep all your tools handy. or maybe you just wanna sit back with a book in your private library. a
few shelves and a comfy chair might bejust the thing. when everything was complete, we built our shed for about$5,000. a simple shed converted into your very own personal retreat. to see all thehow-to's relating to building a she shed, go to lowes.com/sheshed