How to Build a Shed (12x12) with a Loft!

If you are like most people, you have a garage full of stuff and no place for your cars. Rather than buying a new home with more space for storage, it might be an easier fix to build a shed for your excess storage needs. This shed was the maximum square footage that my neighborhood would allow, which was a 12x12 or 144 square feet shed, but I was able to add the loft to give me a little more storage space. There are simpler roof styles, such as a single pitch "lean-to" style roof, but I wanted the loft for extra storage, which is why I decided to use gable ends. I also wanted a large door opening for larger equipment such as a 60" cut mower, so I made the opening 64" wide. The window, I found in someone's trash, which was a great add for this build! Windows add natural light, especially if you don't have power running to your shed. I was SUPER PLEASED with the MINIMAL WASTE of materials for this build. I could literally fit all the waste in one trashcan. Whatever material you use for the roofing and siding, make sure to look up the manufacturer installation instructions so that it is done properly, which can be found on the product website. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below. I hope that this is helpful information for everyone! Peace and God bless!
For those looking for a material list, this is the bulk of what we used when building the shed (below). All the materials cost less than $2990!
Foundation
2 4x4x12 Treated
3 Rock Bags
4 Deck Block
1 1 1/2 Hanger Nails
20 Hurrican Ties
16 2x6 Hangers
5 Floor Ply
4 2x6x12 treated
8 2x6x12
2 3" Hanger Nails
Walls, Doors, and Loft
72 2x4x8
15 2x4x12
14 Smart Siding
3 Multiuse Soffit
1 2" 5lb Screws
19 1x4x8 treated
3 z flashing
2 vents
4 Hinges
1 Foot Bolt
1 Lock Latch
1 2 3/8" Wall Nails
1 3x3' Window (FREE)
Roof, Fascia, and Soffit
14 2x4x8
16 1x4x8 treated furring strips
1 2x6x16
20 2x4 Joist Hangers
4 1x6x10 Treated
3 1x6x12 Treated
2 rdg cap
10 3x8 mtl roof
7 drp edge
4 Screw bags
6 Caulk
20 Hurr Ties
Ramp
4 12ft Decking
1 2x6x12 treated
3 2x6 joist hangers
Paint
2 Gal Color
1 Gal Trm

[@Bowhuntertexas]

It’s ridiculous how patient and talented some people are. I’m jealous that I have neither of those traits. Enjoyed watching. 👍

[@rutterrealtygc]

🤣 Your name is @bowhuntertexas… I know you have to have some patience if you are a bow hunter!😁

[@chinmeysway]

I believe it’s fromhard work / tons of practice. Talent is not a real thing exactly, the tying and doing is way more real a thing!

[@eduardochavacano]

@@chinmeysway he is also handsome, that is talent.

[@sabaa6282]

The more you do you understand that it takes time and you have better patience.

[@goodluck]

I'm more jealous of how easy his soil is to dig. I can use thors hammer to drive my shovel into my soil and not even a speak of dirt will leave. we haven't seen rain in like 6 months down in louisiana lol

[@billybristol6013]

Thank you for the video. Where I live in North Carolina, a 12 x 12 shed is the largest size allowable without having to get a permit, so this is the perfect size for my needs.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Best of luck with your project!

[@familyfam4115]

Hey I live in NC and I'm going to build a shed but a lean to.

[@pookycdm]

Could you get away with having two sheds instead of just one.? Or is there a limit?

[@Stinkepete1985]

This is exactly the size and very close to the design I want to build. Hands down the best build guide I have ever watched. Thank you!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Glad it helped!

[@macabrerapkz]

There are many videos like this one, but the verbal descriptions and lifehacks are superb - I especially liked the one about squaring the walls, never heard of such a method before on YT.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Glad it helped!😊👍

[@richyrich4672]

Nice job. The term used to level up the walls is called plumb. Plumb is vertical. Level is horizontal. Enjoy your shed you did a nice job on it.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks!

[@TamaraGrace]

That was a real good video. Your supplies list in the description was laid out in a way that I could understand it. Thanks for putting your time into making this! 🎉

[@rutterrealtygc]

You’re welcome! Glad it was helpful!😁

[@Hymerati]

That was amazing. I'm about to embark on building a 10ft x 8ft shed but nothing as beasty as that one.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Best of luck!!

[@user-mp6id7in7v]

I own a few companies and one is a Fencing and shed building co. Here in TX the ciry only requires code or permits if a Shed/Loft is over 300sq feet. So usually theres no permits needed but, we always do our jobs as if it would. This video you shared it a pretty good walk through and work 👍

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the positive comment and information! :)

[@akzorz9197]

You killed it! This turned out awesome. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you for the comment!😊

[@OreoTime1]

WOW!!! What a marvelous job you did! The shed came out BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for the share. Cheers!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank for the comment!👍😊

[@OreoTime1]

@@rutterrealtygc, welcome!

[@WhiteTrashNobodies]

Pretty work. This is the exact style she'd I was looking for.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! 👍😊

[@eveb3749]

This is a great video. The instructions are very detailed and easy to understand. Thank you very much.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Thanks for the comment!😊👍

[@bluevireo425]

So glad for this video, you have no idea who you are helping. For example in my case an old lady trying to build an Art Room by myself. Thank you !

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Best of luck with your project!

[@dyerivlogtv3193]

Great....thanks for sharing..watching from Philippines

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@harryshaw4998]

you can paint the trim around the doors and windows with a contrasting color of your choosing to enhance the beauty of the shed. I did that. I used paint from Home Depot that someone ordered and didn't want it and the cost of the paint was almost 75% off.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome!Good idea!

[@harryshaw4998]

@@rutterrealtygc post the results

[@kitkimbrough1145]

Nice job!!..One thing I noticed, the traditional latch that covers the mounting screws too prevent unfortunate break ins doesn't prevent removing the screws and hinges thus not securing it from idiots!!!...But thankyou for this video!!!

[@rutterrealtygc]

It’s true! I should have put the hinges inside!👍😁

[@chuckybob1984]

Great effort and build! Satisfying experience watching and listening while you narrate and demonstrate!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks @chuckybob130!👍😊

[@SouthwestStet]

Really great video, thank you for sharing. Just bought a property and planning to put a shed on it to store all the tools and materials for the long list of projects on the land.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Best of luck with your project!😊👍

[@sdcaeastcountyfamily]

Nicely done. Thank you

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you for the comment!😊👍

[@Njao6q4vrv73]

I wish I saw your video before making my own. Great build great video

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks! I hope yours turned out great!

[@DestroyerFather]

Amazing Build. 👍👍❤❤

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you! :)

[@franknoblitt6265]

Nice looking shed. Enjoyed watching your build.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you! I appreciate the comment!👍😊

[@brandonsamson6278]

Great video and thanks for covering the finer details!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Glad it helped!!

[@simsmr691]

Great job, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Glad it was helpful! 👍😀

[@ittybittytractorworks]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I am planning to build a new chicken coop and a run and had a pretty good plan. After watching your video I realized a few ways to save money, time and build overall better chicken run than what I originally planned.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Glad it helped!! Best of luck!!👍😊

[@rideordiechickdietoride4557]

New SUB. this is the best shed build video I have seen. Thank you.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Thanks for the comment!

[@markirish7599]

Beautiful craftsmanship

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!😊👍

[@Casmige]

On the build? Don’t forget about “crowning” on the floor joists & wall studs. I also would’ve: * Pre-treated-&-sprayed the ground area location for Termites. * Installed floor joist hangers, not just hurricane tie-ins. * MEMBRANE’D the Pressure-treated floor frame & floor joists prior to plywood decking it. * Treated the cut-end of the floor-joists with Cut-N-Seal. * Tyvak wrapped wall stud frame before the siding. NOTE: That OSB Siding will swell WHEN (it’s never a question of “IF”) it gets wet & “wicks” moisture so sealing those ends are important. * Zip-system taped around the doors/windows & silicone BEHIND not just around the perimeter (Nice score on the jealousie window btw) * Z-Flashing above Windows/Doors. * Maybe R-Gard’ed the 😮perimeter of the window openings & roof vents. * R-Gard’ed the plywood floor (prior to setting the walls). * Primed/Epoxy/Vinyl-Flake/-& Aspartic sealed the floor & sill-plate perimeter. Just FYI? On any proposed gutter & down-spouts? The code usually is a minimum 10’ conducted away from the foundation.

[@rutterrealtygc]

All great tips! Thanks! Possibly on the gutters! I still haven’t decided.😊👍

[@Mikelarson6112]

He made this look so easy.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you for the comment!😊👍

[@Silkk32483]

The shed turned out very nice! I will hopefully start a project like this in the upcoming year.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Best of luck!!

[@cliffanderson7544]

Nice build!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks!

[@carstx]

Nice build. Thanks for posting/sharing. It's a very informative video.

[@rutterrealtygc]

You’re welcome! 😊👍

Thanks for your sharing, at least you found a good use place for a windows that someone recycled year ago :)

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you!😊 I was excited to use it!😁

[@idlesquirrel]

Great job. Looks amazing!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you!👍😊 Thanks for the comment!

[@alan_leblanc]

This was really helpful. Thanks for being so detailed

[@rutterrealtygc]

You’re welcome!!👍😊

[@maryj4535]

Beautiful trees around you

[@rutterrealtygc]

Truly!

[@rrain3375]

From Toronto Canada we don’t get hurricanes. But, some winters we get large dumps of snow that can cause damage. The worst was in 1944 that had 40” of snow in 24hr. Then we had the devastating ice storm in 2013.

[@rutterrealtygc]

😬 Definitely don’t have that in southeast United States!😆

[@buynsell365]

EXCELLENT VIDEO !!! I have found myself coming back to this one multiple times........exactly what I needed to know. Hopefully will start on my shed soon.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Best of luck!!

[@sevencrickets9258]

For those confused, the door he did wrong is the one that is right. For the door diagonal, you want it going from the top hinge to the bottom unsorted. This puts the diagonal member in tension which is preferred to compression.

[@rutterrealtygc]

I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one…

[@sevencrickets9258]

@@rutterrealtygc Your welcome to be wrong. Very often, the diagonal member that keeps a door square is a cable. Can't put a cable in compression. Wood, like most materials, is substantially stronger in tension than compression. This is not up for debate. It's a simple engineering principle.

[@sevencrickets9258]

@@rutterrealtygc To be fair, if you are not fastening the diagonal member in any way, you are correct, it has to be compression to keep the door square.

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

This is a basic concept. Funny how youtube has watered down carpentry.

[@manuelpiston]

​@@sevencrickets9258 lol he is wrong and he knows it. That is why he hasn't replied.

[@offtherocksfishing_officia974]

Thank you for sharing and inspiring

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!👍😊

[@gregmize01]

Great job! Thanks!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you for the comment!! :)

[@MyCapeBretonRetiredLife]

Walls should have been 2x6 and roof rafters should have been at least 2x8 but besides that nice job. I can't believe how many you tubers under build. The walls and rafters don't have any blocking!

[@rutterrealtygc]

I checked the engineering specs for weight load in my area (no snow) and that is what I built it to👍

[@robertander1386]

You did a good job man! Congrats!! 👍

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!👍😊

[@Timnguyen819]

Going fast like king of the hill intro 😂

[@rutterrealtygc]

😆

[@lpc5152]

Nice build

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you!😊

[@russbowerschannel449]

It came out great.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks! Not sure if you’re saying yours did or my did…😂👍

[@zpoedog]

Well done!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you!👍😊

[@c.torino2479]

Nice build man. Good info too!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you! I appreciate the comment!😊

[@MM-overtime]

Good video! I saved it and im going to attempt it this spring. Thank you!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment and best of luck!!😊

[@jcpad1797]

Great job , great video

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!👍😊

[@AlienRestoMod]

Very nice job.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you!👍😊

[@Moyocross215]

Dude, not only do we both love building sheds, but we have the same last name ! Haha

[@rutterrealtygc]

😆 Awesome! I wonder if we are related somehow?🤷‍♂️😆

[@ashleybrewer750]

Awesome job man

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks! 😊👍

[@lahopkins9746]

Looks great!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you!😊👍

[@rafaelc4488]

Good job 👍🏽 You have a good way of explaining things . Where others just play annoying heavy metal music on the background. You got your self a like 👍🏽 sir The building came out pretty cool

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you for the comment and like!👍😊

[@lukefitt56]

Very informative and it looks like it turned good! Thanks for taking the time to film and explain all of it

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!😊👍

[@TunafishSmoothie]

When I have built shed doors, similar to what you have done, I either ripped 2x4 in two pieces (giving a depth of a bit less than 1 3/4", about the same as a your half lap), or used 2x3 (2.5"), which gives a bit more thickness. The outside skin gives all the strength you need. On the inside, especially when using 2x3, I add 3/4" furring with either pegboard or 1/4" ply on the inside. It gives a bit more storage for small items.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Nice!

[@HabeebAlasadi]

Thanks for the instruction

[@rutterrealtygc]

Best of luck on your project!

[@ventman929]

The build of that shed looks like it will survive a nuclear blast...good work😊

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks!😁👍

[@randyhickman604]

Great job! Going to be building a shed of my own soon, thanks for the info!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Awesome! Best of luck!👍😊

[@TheBlackParty]

This was very helpful. Thanks ❤

[@rutterrealtygc]

Glad it helped!😊👍

[@wilsonmaingrette715]

Thats one neat shed

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks!😊👍

[@jimdenis8611]

Hey there cuz! I’m impressed with your expertise! 😊

[@rutterrealtygc]

😊👍

[@corinneyeager]

ABSOLUTLY THE B E S T SMALLBUILD VID IVE SEEN .... And you didn't show how EACH nail went in. PLUS a good parts list ❤❤

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment! Best of luck with your project!😊

[@johnjaso1349]

thank you. great job.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you!😊👍

[@soniarosado5971]

Great Ideas to build a shed

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!👍😊

[@David-pp9fk]

Nice work.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks! I hope it was helpful!

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Great size for a shed

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks!

[@newfiemurphy7140]

Excellent Job.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you! :)

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

Thanks for sharing

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you for the comment!👍😊

[@prasanthr9214]

Awesome 👍

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!👍😊

[@rockod8880]

Great video thank you

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank for the comment!👍😊

[@tminusoftexas3224]

Thank for this. The wife has me building one. Lol

[@rutterrealtygc]

🤣 I hope it turns out great!!

[@PHOTOCONVENTION]

Your neighbours have beautiful trees.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Truly!😁

[@mariepaul733]

Very helpful

[@rutterrealtygc]

Glad it helped!👍

[@chivone21]

At 04:18 you should have added ONE more 4x4 on each side of the floor, maybe leave a few inches indent or so, and put a double rim around so you have more to nail into for your sill. Moving it around, is gonna be shaky that's for sure. 2 skids just isn't enough, that's a LOT of weight once you start adding wood to that

[@rutterrealtygc]

Maybe I’ll add some more skids when we move it

[@TheSocialPraxis]

Great video man 👍🏼

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!👍😁

[@billybrown6330]

I would recommend addressing the exterior door hinges screw removal.

[@rutterrealtygc]

True! True!

[@JessicaSimonson1976]

We always anchored huricane clips and braces on inside and we used them between sheets of plywood on roof H shaped clips.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Yeah, inside is where the majority of mine are.

[@ben81]

Good job 👍🏻✅

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you!👍😊

[@CFHorne]

Great video. Thank you !!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!😊👍

[@anthonyhalderman9624]

You gable vent looks more like a foundation vent. Good work BTW!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks!👍😊

[@kellyjames5125]

This was like listening to someone read me ikea instructions in Greek 😭

[@rutterrealtygc]

Maybe I should have put definitions in the description.😁 Sorry!

[@KJ110813]

Tip: before installing joists, pull layout on one of the rim joists, then line it up with the other rim joist, clamp them together, then transfer your layout marks to the other rim joist with a speed square. MAKE SURE to mark each rim joist so you know which way they go and don't get one turned around. Also, check crown on joists and install with crown up

[@rutterrealtygc]

So many ways to do it!👍😊

[@mikenguyen2713]

AWESOME …!!!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks! Thanks for the comment!

[@user-rj4un5rc7k]

Amazing

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you! :)

[@josephcwallace]

Very enjoyable watching the shed come together. I was curious, though; what was the software used to make your simple plan? Also, I was a little concerned about the weight of the shed and its contents on those 2 4x4 skids. Perhaps out of paranoia I would have added at least 2 more skids at the outsides.

[@rutterrealtygc]

I didn’t use any software to make the plan… I just drew it out with a ruler and a pencil. :-) Also, feel free to add more 4 x 4 skids in your design, but I chose to only two because I believed it met the load standards and it would be easier to transport on a 8 foot wide flatbed trailer in the event we move the shed. From my experience, if you go to purchase any 12 x 12 shed, the majority (if not all) of them are on two 4 x 4 skids. Though, that’s the benefit of doing it yourself, so feel free to add more support!😊👍

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

W0W... 👍 thanks again!! :)

[@rutterrealtygc]

Absolutely! You’re welcome!

[@Shykiddoable]

I built a shed similar to this and yours came out awesome, my only thing is you purchased a latch which can’t be removed but yet your hinges can, unless you used rounded head bolts, I couldn’t see from the position of the camera, otherwise great build.

[@rutterrealtygc]

You’re right… I should have concealed the hinges.😆 Glad it turned out great!👍😊

[@timothyn4699]

jealous of your skills. Someday it would be fun to try this, but I'm a noob at handyman skills /craft

[@rutterrealtygc]

One step at a time.😊 It’s fun to grow your skill set!

[@john_thorpe]

Found it funny that you put on a locking latch that covers the screws but have the hinges screwed on the outside. The type of hinges I'd use would be the ones with a square peg type of insert and a round head (aka carriage bolt) ... this way the square part under the bolt head locks into the hinge and goes through to the inside where it's bolted, thus making it almost impossible to remove the screws/bolts on the hinges to gain entry to the shed ... also need to make sure the hinges don't have a pin that can be removed. I'd also probably do at least a small waist high (or a little higher) work bench area, and a board across 3 or 4 wall beams to be able to screw in some utility hooks to hang up a trimmer, etc. ... or even a rail system.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Yeah, all of those videos to come in the future. You're right on the hinges! :) I do have a really nice collapsible workbench video that I put in my garage if you want to check it out. It is a good way to conserve space! :)

[@PhiloSage]

I like how you secured the second door, but was surprised that you didn't use blind hinges for the doors. As the hinge and lock are your security weak points.

[@rutterrealtygc]

You’re so right… I should have hidden the hinges.👍

[@shawnbrennan7526]

Really like this build. Some great comments above on better sealing/waterproofing. I would have put at least two more piers, no matter what the loads analysis said. Cheap to do up front and almost impossible later. I also would have put more ventilation in. I know it’s just a shed, but I hate getting smacked in the face with the heat and smells in the summer.

[@rutterrealtygc]

I hear ya on the piers and if we were staying here forever, I might have. The reason I did two skids was so it can sit level on a 8ft wide flatbed truck and be transported.👍 If I did 3 skids the spacing wouldn’t work out for that.

[@shawnbrennan7526]

@@rutterrealtygc Interesting point. I kinda meant 3 piers along each of the two skids.

[@aaronjaben7913]

excellent

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thank you for the comment!👍😊

[@jaredstanfield267]

Excellent video! I went into the video considering building my own shed. After this video, I am certain that I will not be doing that and will buy a premade shed.

[@rutterrealtygc]

😆 Glad it was helpful for your discernment process!😁

[@angetodac]

U great. Not fast. Just perfect.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!

[@breezybre2670]

Dang is that nice!!!!

[@rutterrealtygc]

Thanks for the comment!😊

[@pjsmith6954]

this was a really excellent video! Just filming the thing must have doubled the build time.

[@rutterrealtygc]

It wasn’t that bad actually!👍😊

[@steve_dren]

Ryan, dope video. Thanks for making this. I’m working on a shed and very new to diy. Deff bit off more than I knew how to do but it’s coming together. @17:54 you mentioned not measuring 16 OC. I knew I had to do that but somehow messed up too and was looking for fixes. I’ll do what you did. Thanks man.

[@rutterrealtygc]

Yeah, I just attached a 2x4 block to the vertical supports that were on the gable ends and the block was enough to reach the seam where the two pieces of siding meet up. You can see it in the video right after 17:54.👍😊 Everything else was 16” on center though.

[@velocityacoustics]

The sheds in these shed videos are are looking more like small houses than sheds! 😁

[@rutterrealtygc]

Much of it is the same process.😊👍