8×12 Gable Shed Plans – Free DIY Plans

If you want to learn more about 8×12 gable shed plans you have to take a close look over the free plans in the article. This garden shed can be used to store all your tools, or you can just make this a she-shed style construction. The shelter features double front doors and a side door. This shed is sturdy and you can add a window to let more light inside. Remember to read the local codes before starting the project and to comply with the local regulations. The codes differ from one area to another, so it is safer to read them thoroughly.

If you want to get the job done in a professional manner, we recommend you to plan everything with attention, as to prevent costly mistakes and to build a professional garden project. Invest in high quality materials, such as cedar, pine or redwood, as the bench will be exposed to all kinds of weather. Apply a few coats of paint over the components, to enhance their appearance and to protect them from bad weather.

8×12 Gable Shed Plans  – Free DIY Plans

Building-a-8×12-gable-shed

Materials

• 1 – 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 12 ft long, 10 pieces – 93″ long FLOOR FRAME
• 2 – 3 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 10 ft long SKIDS
• 3 – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 48″x96″ long, 2 pieces – 48″x48″ long FLOOR
• 4 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 1/2″ long, 4 pieces – 91 1/2″ long, 7 pieces – 7 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 78 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 96″ long, 1 piece – 89″ long FRONT WALL
• 5 – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 96″ long, 2 pieces – 89″ long, 7 pieces – 91 1/2″ long BACK WALL
• 6 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12 ft long, 1 piece – 137″ long, 12 pieces – 91 1/2″ long SIDE WALL
• 7 – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 12 ft long, 1 piece – 137″ long, 1 piece – 88″ long, 1 piece – 24″ long, 12 pieces – 91 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 78 1/2″ long, 4 pieces – 7 1/2″ long, 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 35″ long SIDE WALL
• 8 – 10 pieces of T1-11 siding – 48″x96″ long, 4 pieces – 40 1/4″x48″ long SIDING
• 9 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 72″ long, 1 piece – 8 ft long, 1 piece – 32 1/2″ long 10xTRUSS
• 10 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 72″ long, 8 pieces – 8 1/2″ long 2xOVERHANG
• 11 – 12 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 168″ long PURLINS
• 12 – 4 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 74 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 168″ long ROOF TRIMS
• 13 – 10 pieces of metal roof sheets – 3’x8′ ROOFING
• 14 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 80″ long, 1 piece – 79″ long JAMBS
• 15 – 2 pieces of T1-11 siding – 36″x80″ long, 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 36″ long, 2 pieces – 73″ long, 1 piece – 29″ long 2xDOOR
• 16 – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 80″ long, 1 piece – 39″ long JAMBS
• 17 – 2 pieces of T1-11 siding – 32″x80″ long, 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 36″ long, 2 pieces – 73″ long, 1 piece – 25″ long 2xDOOR

• 3 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 10 ft
• 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 12 ft
• 12 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8 ft
• 3 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
• 6 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 10 ft
• 71 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 17 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12 ft (trusses)
• 12 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 14 ft
• 2 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 14 ft
• 4 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 8 ft
• 60 ft of drip edges
• 12 pieces of T1-11 siding – 4’x8′
• 500 pieces 1 5/8″ screws
• 200 pieces 2 1/2″ screws
• 300 pieces 3 1/2″ screws
• 200 pieces 2″ nails
• 500 pieces 6d nails
• wood glue, stain/paint
• 20 pieces rafter ties
• 1 box 1 1/2″ structural screws
• 1 box 1 1/2″ structural nails
• 3/4″ roofing screws
• door hardware kit
• broom holder

Tools

• Hammer, Tape measure, Carpentry square
• Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander, Router
• Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses, Respiratory Mask

Time

• One weekend

STEP 1: Building the shed floor

Building the floor of the shed

The first step of the project is to build the floor frame for the 8×12 garden shed. Use 2×6 lumber for the shed floor joists. Lay the components on a level surface and align the edges flush. Drill pilot holes and insert 3 1/2″ screws to assemble the frame. Make sure the corners are square. Place the joists every 16″ on center.

Fitting-the-shed-skids-8×12

Select the location for large storage shed and remove the vegetation layer. Spread a 2-3″ layer of gravel under the shed floor, so you can protect the floor from moisture. Next, lay the 4×4 skids under the floor frame and lock them together with rafter ties and 1 1/2″ structural screws.

The skids will lift the floor frame from the ground to protect the components from moisture. Use pressure treated lumber for the floor frame, as the boards will be exposed to moisture. Consider buying Pressure Treated lumber for the skids, at least, if not for the floor frame, as well.

Floor-sheets

Fit the 3/4″ tongue and groove plywood sheets to the floor frame and align the edges flush. Leave no gaps between the sheets and secure them into place, every 8″ along the joists, using 1 5/8 screws.

STEP 2: Building the shed frame

Side-wall-frame-simple

The next step of the project is to build the plain side wall frame. Cut the components at the right dimensions and drill pilot holes through the plates. Insert 3 1/2″ screws to lock the plates to the studs. Make sure the corners are square. Place the studs every 16″ on center. Notice the double top plate, that will add a lot of strength to the wall frame.

Fit 1/2″ plywood pieces between the double studs that are placed at both ends of the wall frame.

Side-wall-with-door-frame

We will frame the opposite side wall, as shown in the diagram. You can notice the side door opening, that is designed for a 32″ wide door. This secondary man door is designed for you to have an easy access in and out of the shed.

To assemble the double header, join together two pieces of 2×6 lumber and a piece of 1/2″ plywood in the middle. Add glue to the joints and insert 2 1/2″ screws from both sides.

Front-wall-frame

Use 2×4 lumber for the front wall frame. Use 2×6 lumber for the double header (join together two pieces of 2×6 lumber and a piece of 1/2″ plywood at the middle). You can adjust the size of the door opening to suit your needs. Notice the double studs placed at both ends of the walls and the jack studs that support the double header. You can adjust the size of the opening to suit your needs.

Back-wall-frame—8×12-shed-plans

Build the back wall for the lean to shed, using the same techniques described above.

Assembling-the-frame-of-the-shed

Fit the wall frames to the floor of the 8×12 storage shed and plumb them with a spirit level. Align the bottom plates flush to the exterior edges of the shed floor. Drill pilot holes through the bottom plates and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the floor. Lock the adjacent walls together with 3 1/2″ screws. Make sure the corners are square.

STEP 2: Building the gable shed roof

Rafters—8×12-gable-shed

Next, we will build the frame for the gable shed roof. Use 2×4 lumber for the rafters. Use a miter saw to make the 37 degree cuts at both ends of the rafters.

Bottom-chord—shed

Next, you need to build the rafters from 2×4 lumber. Mark the cut lines on the beams and then get the job done with circular saw. Make the 53 degree angle cut to bother ends of the rafters. Lay everything with attention and align the edges as shown in the plans. Leave no gaps between the components. After assembling the first truss, I recommend you to make a jig, so you can speed up the assembly process for the rest of the trusses.

Truss-middle-support

Cut the king stud and fit it to the truss, as shown in the free plans. Fit the stud to the truss, as shown in the diagram. Use truss plates to assemble all components together tightly. Fit the plates over the joints and insert 1 1/2″ structural nails to lock them into place tightly.

Fitting-the-trusses

Fit the trusses to the top of the shed, every 16″ on center. Use rafter ties and 1 1/2″ structural screws to secure the trusses to the top of the shed.

siding-sheets–front-and-back

Cut the siding panels to size and then attach them to the front and back of the shed, as shown in the plans. Use 6d nails to secure the panels into place tightly.

Side-wall-with-door

Fit the T1-11 siding sheets to the back of the shed. Make the cuts to secure the panel around the door opening.

Assembling-the-overhangs

Use 2×4 lumber for the overhangs. Fit the 2×4 blockings between the rafters, as shown in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the rafters and insert 3 1/2″ screws into the blockings.

Fitting-the-overhangs

Fit the overhangs to the gable ends. Align the edges, drill pilot holes and insert 3 1/2″ screws to lock them into the frame.

Fitting-the-purlins

Use 1×4 lumber for the roof purlins. Align the edges flush and place the purlins every 16″ on center. Drill pilot holes and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock the purlins to the trusses.

Side-roof-trims-

Fit the 1×6 trims to the sides of the shed roof. Align the edges and insert 2″ nails to secure the trims to the rafters.

Front-and-back-roof-trims

Use 1×6 lumber for the front and back roof trims. Use a miter saw to make the angle cuts at both ends of the trims and then secure them into place with 2″ nails.

Fitting-the-roof-sheets

Install the metal roofing sheets to the top of the shed. Install 3/4″ roofing screws to secure the sheets to the purlins. Install drip edges, as well.

STEP 4: Building the shed doors

Double-door-jambs

Fit the 2×4 jambs around the front wall. Align the edges with attention and insert 3 1/2″ screws to secure them into place tightly.

Double-doors

Next, you need to build the door for the lean to storage shed. Use 2×4 lumber for the frame and T1-11 siding sheets for the panels (the piece that you cut out when attaching the front wall panels). Cut the components for the door frame and drill pocket holes, as shown in the diagram. Align the edges flush and check if the corners are square. Insert 2 1/2″ screws to assemble the frame.

After you cut the panels you need to lay them on a level surface. Lay the trims over the panels and then insert a few 1 5/8″ screws to lock them into place. Turn the door upside down and insert more 1 5/8″ screws through the panels into the trims.

Fitting-the-double-doors

Fit the doors to the opening and then lock them to the jambs with hinges. Install a latch to keep the door closed and your possessions safe. You can also install a door stop.

Side-door-jambs

Fit the 2×4 jambs around the side door opening. Align the edges flush and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock them into place tightly.

Building-the-side-door

Assemble the side door using the info in the diagram.

Fitting-the-side-door

Fit the door to the side opening and lock it into place with hinges. Install a latch to keep the door locked.

How-to-build-a-8×12-shed

Last but not least, you need to take care of the finishing touches. Apply a few coats of paint over the exterior of the shed. A little paint will get you far in terms of appearance, and it is a relatively small investment.

8×12-shed-plans—gable-roof

You can see all my storage plans HERE. See 10×12 lean to shed plans and 12×16 storage shed plans.

This diy project was about 8×12 garden shed with gable roof plans. If you have enjoyed the free project, I recommend you to share it with your friends, by using the social media widgets. You can always save the plans as PDF or Print them using the floating widget on the left side of the screen (working only on PC or laptop).