Designing and building a 2 cord cedar firewood shed

If you would like to build this firewood shed yourself you can download the SketchUp file here: that-diy-life.ck.page/firewoo...
In this build I set out to make a firewood shed to accomplish these goals:
- Store two cords of split firewood
- Serve as 80% function/20% backyard decor
- Built to last and never have to worry about the foundation rotting
- Have a permanent roof strong enough to hold up snow if needed
This shed is built out of western red cedar and the rough dimensions of the shed are 16ft wide, 4ft deep, and 6ft tall in the front. I aimed to create a shed that was functional yet pleasing to look at. It's visible from our living room so it shouldn't be too much of an eye sore. This isn't one of them "store as much wood for as few dollar" type builds.
I designed 90% of the shed in Sketchup and made a few small tweaks to the design as it was being built. It took about two weeks of nights and weekends to complete this build. It would have taken less if I purchased all of the materials in less trips. My next firewood storage build will be more cost effective but overall I'm really happy with how this build turned out.
If you'd like to support my channel feel free to checkout the tools in this video by clicking an Amazon affiliate link below.
Makita brushless drill: amzn.to/48m68t5
Makita cordless jigsaw: amzn.to/47bn7Nv
Jorgensen clamps: amzn.to/3GPIpFW
Grip Rite 2 1/2" exterior screws: amzn.to/3GMQCKW
Metal roofing screws: amzn.to/489JlBa
Materials used:
- 2x4" (50mm x 100mm) cedar for the foundation, vertical posts, parts of the roof truss, and angle braces.
- 4x4" (100mm x 100mm) pressure treated wood that sit in the concrete deck post blocks
- 1x6" (25mm x 150mm) cedar for the floor and walls
- 2x4 (50mm x 100mm) pine for the roof rafters
- 1 1/2" (38mm) hot dip galvanized nails to fasten the floor and wall boards
- 2 1/2" (63mm) Kreg jig screws to fasten a few of the
- 1" and 2" (25mm, 50mm) screws with neoprene washers to fasten the metal roof
- 2 1/2" (63.5mm) spiral shank patio/deck nails to fasten the 2x4s (50mm x 100mm)
- Semi-transparent oil based stain and sealer. Chocolate color.
- Flat black exterior paint for the roof.
- Mineral spirits to dilute the paint and sealer.
Consider subscribing if you enjoyed this video and would like to see more similar content: / @thatdiylife
Comments, likes, and shares are always appreciated 🙏
0:00 Intro and design
1:21 Foundation
2:07 Vertical corner posts
2:30 Floor boards and mulch
3:23 Angle braces
4:13 Side walls
4:31 Roof framing
6:31 Staining
7:22 Metal roof assembly
9:17 Rain test
9:51 Hanging basket decoration
10:38 Tool and materials
12:27 Thanks for watching

[@ryanlopez4550]

maybe its because i just closed a Greg Douchette video before this, but i really enjoyed not having a voiceover. good work

[@markrizzardi211]

Nice documentation of your work. I wish more KZbin videos were made with such care to detail.

[@wegmore1]

Thanks so much for sharing the process. Well done.

[@danielanthony9621]

Really good build! Thanks for sharing and I will be building one myself soon. I plan on adding a side covered work bench. Again, Really good build, Thanks

[@DenverChiropractor]

Best one I've seen. Nice job!

[@thatDIYlife]

Thank you much

[@markdyballuk]

great job

[@jonvenusti]

Pocket screws on some framing you’ll never see. Reddit moment

[@aoe2geek]

Eh to be fair they were kind of necessary to attach the vertical pieces to the top and bottom. Although, personally I would’ve just paid a bit more for 4x4 all the way to the top

[@phyllismccurdy2984]

Excellent work. Very nicely done.

[@thatDIYlife]

TYVM

[@GoodWoodWorks-le4cd]

Copy. Got it all guess its time to get busy. Your utube gets me inspired. Many thanks!

[@thatDIYlife]

Thanks for watchin

[@shannongogal8840]

well done video . Other videos are often full of all kinds of unnecessary chatter. Some guys will talk about what they had for breakfast and which direction the wind blows and perhaps their mommy too. This was strait to the point.

[@Mploc]

Looks amazing. Really good job! But the cat and the grass... :)

[@patrickmoffatt6074]

great video, you have the type of lumber and size but not the quantity

[@ephbee2930]

Great video. No distracting music. Stable camera that lets us actually see a clear shot of your work stages. On screen notations were VERY helpful. QUESTION: What are the heights on your front and rear posts?

[@thatDIYlife]

Thanks! 6' at the front and 4'8" at the rear.

[@ephbee2930]

@@thatDIYlife Thanks very much. Ordering materials today - building in the next few days.

[@bazasmith]

Fantastic build, mate! I think this will happen in MY backyard! Couple of questions: 1) would you use 4x4's for the vertical corner and middle posts (ie/ all the way up to roof height)? 2) what ratio did you dilute your stain? Thanks again for a terrific video - really helpful!

[@thatDIYlife]

Yeah 4x4s for the posts would make more sense. They were extra spendy when I made this so I went the more cost effective route.

[@caylegeiser3896]

@@thatDIYlifecame here to ask this, appreciate the response!

[@insight7483]

Looks so gd

[@freshofbreathair1476]

I recommend much bigger roof overhangs or you’ll need to hang tarps around it. Also the gaps between the slats are way too big. Will make stacking a pain in the ass.

[@thatDIYlife]

I’ve thought about that and I get what you’re saying. I’ve been using it for two years and it’s been fine. We don’t get sideways rain here or anything

[@johnarnold5739]

3:06 looks like a scene from Dexter lol

[@zachgoestoeuro]

I would think those bottom angled supports would be a tripping hazard.

[@rebeccawilson5320]

How tall are the front and back posts for you to achieve the angle you did?

[@gerryroberts458]

Nice job men !!! May i have this skp file?

[@86Raxor]

GReat video and great build MMB! I just got one thought to share, since the roof is angled. Will you not face problems with wet firewood when it rains angled inwards the front of the shed? Since the roof i higher there, there´ll be a greater risk of rain hitting the mid-low firewood at the front of the shed.

[@thatDIYlife]

You’re right the rain does hit wood where you’re saying but to be honest it’s never affected how fast the wood seasons. If I would do it over I would extend the roof another foot in front. This was my first time building anything outdoors so it was a learning experience 🙂 good question though

[@stoximiller8285]

Very nice job, but why not use screws instead of hammering nails?

[@PO4TI_MONSTR]

Приветствую. Странно видеть: название и субтитры на русском, а все комментарии на английском. Красивый склад для дров получился.

[@thatDIYlife]

здравствуйте, я в США, но у меня настроены субтитры, чтобы люди, говорящие на разных языках, могли смотреть

[@aoe2geek]

How come you used nails but screws in some places? Any reason specifically or just kind of what you had on hand ?

[@joshuaglassman7558]

Love this design. Do you have plans?

[@chrismanganiello2792]

Excellent video. Approx how much did the cedar cost you?

[@thatDIYlife]

The project was about $700 all in, in 2021 dollars

[@eduardodiogoseibt3088]

great project, what's the name of the cement bases you use below?

[@thatDIYlife]

They’re usually called concrete deck blocks or something like that

[@jayeff3196]

What about a bit of guttering at the back up the roof to catch the rainwater in a water barrel for your plants........🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@thatDIYlife]

It certainly wouldn’t hurt. I’ve always thought about it but water is pretty cheap around here so there hasn’t been a ton of motivation to do it.

[@SD-zk2te]

What would you have done differently with the corner posts?

[@thatDIYlife]

They would be a lot more stable if they went into the concrete deck blocks.

[@beglitchery]

add a gutter and a rainbarrel on the back.

[@sage4947]

Maybe Im overthinking. Was thinking 2x6 would be more appropriate for the weight on the flooring. Also curious about the pocket screws for the cross supports on the floor framing. I was thinking of running long ways then the decking on the floor perpendicular. This design you got here gonna hold up over time with the weight? No regrets?

[@thatDIYlife]

It's held up for two years without any issues. Probably could of designed it better but it was the first time I did anything like

[@petervernarsky9670]

👌👌👌👌👌

[@CoalMinerJoe]

How far apart did you space your rafters? Do the sheets get screwed into the rafters from the valleys or the high ribs?

[@thatDIYlife]

I think it was 16” or 24”

[@CoalMinerJoe]

@@thatDIYlife awesome, thank you so much for the reply! I really enjoyed your build.. as well as the rest of the content on your channel 👍 cheers from ON, Canada

[@kurtiskelly3829]

What’s the reason for cutting the 4x4 blocks and building the base around those vs. using 4x4s that stretch to the required height and then nailing 2x4s to that?

[@thatDIYlife]

I think it would be harder to level the 4x4s on the concrete blocks since they’re not flat on the inside. It was cheaper too

[@emelle1283]

Arent the base 2x4s supposed to go in the channel in the foundation blocks?

[@thatDIYlife]

I’m not sure tbh.. probably? It’s held up fine over the years

[@tonyhaska8070]

Is it possible to get a set of plans?

[@Droobie420]

Screws?

[@ozagun11]

How can i find chement legs?

[@thatDIYlife]

any hardware store should have it

[@trublu2556]

Dude make sure you and your cat mask up while your standing by yourself in your social distancing squares in your back yard..🚫😷

[@thatDIYlife]

😷 🙏🏼

[@trublu2556]

@@thatDIYlife Thank you Jesus..Breath of eternal Life..Breathe Free..

[@kleptosepto1848]

well, i subscribed to download the plans and it didnt send. I guess you no longer have that available

[@thatDIYlife]

Maybe check your spam folder. I tried the link and it's still working.