Plywood might not be the toughest material on the market, but it’s inexpensive, easy to use, and tough enough for light wind storms and rain. You can make a shed using plywood boards for the floors and walls. You’ll need quite a few materials, but it’ll be cheaper than buying a brand-new heavy-duty shed.
To build a shed with plywood, make the foundation by digging 12” holes and filling them with cement and gravel. Drive wood posts through the cement, let it dry, and construct the foundation with 2 x 4’s. Make the frame with Douglas fir, then attach plywood boards to make the floor and walls.
This article will also teach you the following info about building a shed with plywood:
- All of the supplies you’ll need to complete your DIY project
- How to make a frame, walls, and roof
- Tips to maximize your sheds square footage and functionality
Create the Shed’s Foundation
Making the foundation is undeniably the most important and influential part of the process. Without a solid base, even the toughest sheds wouldn’t survive a wind storm. Without further ado, here’s how to make a shed foundation:
- Measure the size of the shed, then mark a place in the dirt every four feet.
- Dig a 12” circular hole that’s 12 inches (30.48 cm) below the surface.
- Lowes suggests filling the hole with four to six inches of gravel.
- Place a four-foot-tall 4 x 4 post in the center of the hole, then fill the hole with cured concrete.
- Do this process for every hole. You’ll need one hole per four feet, ensuring there’s a post at every corner.
When the concrete solidifies, and the posts are set, drill 2 x 4’s along the inside of each post to create a square or rectangle (this will serve as the shed’s shape). Drill 2 x 4’s to make support beams every 18 inches (45.72 cm), then add base brackets on the outer shape every four feet.
After this step, you should have a square or rectangular base with base brackets supporting the outside and 2 x 4 cross beams every 18 inches (45.72 cm) inside the frame. Cover the floor frame with a large plywood board from end to end.
Note: You can’t make a shed entirely out of plywood. There’s no such thing as a plywood 2 x 4 or 4 x 4, so you should use Douglas fir for the best results. However, you can use plywood boards for the walls, ceiling, and floor.
Build the Frame
Use 2 x 4’s to build the shed’s frame. They should be placed vertically every 18 to 24 inches (45.72 to 60.96 cm). Connect each 2 x 4 with a horizontal 2 x 4 for additional support. Add one horizontal piece every three feet inside each pillar. If this sounds too confusing to read, review the following video by Ian Ingram on Youtube:
Construct the Shed’s Roof
You can choose to make a flat or curved roof. If you live in an area prone to snow, hail, wind, or rain, we suggest making a curved roof to prevent buildup and caving.
To make the roof of your shed, place a 2 x 4 every 18 inches (45.72 cm) facing up and inward at a 30-degree angle. Do this on both sides to create a triangle with the top being over the center of the shed.
If you want to make a flat roof, place a 2 x 4 flat across the open top every 18 inches. Regardless of which method you choose, cover the 2 x 4’s with plywood boards, ensuring the edges go about six inches beyond the top of the shed. This extra space will allow even weight distribution and funnel rain and snow away from the shed.
Cut the Plywood
According to Parr Lumber, plywood is much more durable than people think. It’s stronger than OSB, which is a type of wood made of strands.
Cut massive plywood sheets to the correct size to cover your shed. If you’re not able to find plywood sheets big enough to cover the walls, you can cut them diagonally and attach them to the frame, as shown in the previously mentioned YouTube video.
Take time to cut window frames and doorways if you’d like to. It’s important to get these parts done before mounting the plywood walls, so you don’t accidentally cut the frame or support beams.
Attach the Plywood Walls to the Shed
Use a hammer and nails or a drill and screws to attach each plywood board to the shed’s frame. Make sure the plywood boards touch each other, so there aren’t any gaps. The goal is to have a nearly seamless transition from one board to the next. Gaps can be filled with silicone caulking to prevent leaks.
Install Windows (Optional)
Now is the time to install windows. Before you install anything, make sure you seal the plywood. You should’ve done this before mounting anything, but it’s not a big deal if you forget. Sealing the wood involves using wax, linseed oil, or store-bought sealant.
Drill the window frame onto the plywood walls, then seal the frame with silicone caulking. Failure to do so will invite leaks, wood rot, wind, poor insulation, and bugs. Cover the edges with sealant, then move onto the next step of the process.
Paint the Shed
Once you’ve installed the windows, it’s time to paint the shed. Some people prefer to do this step before the window installation, but you’ll have to let the paint dry beforehand. Also, ensure the paint doesn’t get in the way of the silicone caulking if you choose to do it before adding the windows.
You can paint the plywood with several techniques. Whichever method you choose (brushes, rollers, etc.), consider sun-resistant, water-resistant paint. Also, use a primer to prepare the area without letting the plywood’s color bleed through the paint. After using primer, let it dry and paint the plywood shed, whichever color you’d like.
Add Hooks, Brackets, and More
If you want to make your shed better for storage, add hooks, brackets, and shelves. You can store almost anything in an insulated shed. Although an empty space helps lawnmowers, weed whackers, and other machinery, elevating your tools will maximize its storage potential.
To add hooks, brackets, and shelves, level them and drill them into the wall. You can add plywood boards inside the shed if you want a flat surface to mount these handy additions.
Place the Door on the Shed
Last but not least, drill door hinges and mount the door to finish the plywood shed. You can make a plywood door with a table saw and two to three plywood sheets. Screw a doorknob to both sides of the door, attach it to the hinges, and you’re good to go.
Some people prefer to leave the doorway open for better airflow, but remember, you might be inviting pests, rain, and thieves.
Conclusion
Plywood boards can be used to make floors, walls, and roofs for your shed. However, they don’t come in 2 x 4’s, so you’ll need Douglas fir to build the frame and foundation. Now that you know how to make a shed with plywood, you can create a high-quality storage space that’ll last through the wind and rain.
Here’s what this post should’ve taught you:
- You’ll need Douglass fir, cement, plywood, screws, a shovel, and a few other supplies.
- Allow the cement to dry before building the rest of the shed.
- Seal the plywood to prevent wood rot.
