Do you enjoy bonfires and s’mores on warm summer nights? Do you have a large pile of wood sitting in your yard? 

Firewood needs to be protected from moisture and inclement weather. Large piles of wood can be unwieldy if not contained. A covered woodshed is an attractive and practical place to store firewood in order to maintain the quality of the wood and keep the pile organized. There are many different types of wood sheds. If you enjoy building things by hand, perhaps a DIY woodshed is the next project for you! Let’s take a look at a few different design options, review the tools and materials needed, and discuss the steps for how to build a woodshed. 

Popular Woodshed Designs

Basic Woodshed

The most basic woodshed design is an open air firewood rack. This type of design consists of an elevated base and 2 side walls. This is the most simple and rustic design. It is useful for smaller quantities of wood to heat a home for just a few nights. Cinder blocks, wood palettes, or 2x4s can be used to elevate the chopped wood from the ground. Recycled wood planks or 2x4s can be used to form the side walls. Because a basic woodshed does not have a roof, it is not suitable for damp or rainy climates. 

One Level Woodshed with a Roof

A single level woodshed with a roof is a straightforward design that can be customized to accommodate a pile of any size. One level wood sheds with roofs have an elevated floor, 3 side walls, and a slanted roof. This design is relatively easy to construct and is visually appealing. The inclusion of a roof is beneficial because it protects the wood from rain and snow. 

Two Level Woodshed with a Roof

A two level woodshed with a roof has two sections. The bottom section is the largest, and it is used to store firewood. The top section is the smaller of the two, and it is used to store kindling. A simple shelf creates the kindling section. Like the one level woodshed, this type of woodshed is topped with a roof to protect the wood from rain and snow. 

Triangular Woodshed

Wood sheds can truly be any shape or size, and the simple structure is a great opportunity for expressing creativity. A triangular woodshed is creative, functional, and attractive. This A-frame design consists of an elevated base and two slanted roof planes that meet at a point at the top of the structure. The side walls can be made of durable roofing materials, and the base can be made of plywood and cinder blocks or recycled wood palettes.  

 

Tools & Materials for Building a Woodshed

Materials

  1. Wood posts
  2. Pine 2x4s 
  3. Plywood sheets or recycled wood palettes 
  4. Wood screws
  5. ONDULINE® ONDURA® roofing sheet
  6. ONDULINE® screws 
  7. Cinder blocks
  8. Lubricating oil

Tools

  1. Drill and drill bits
  2. Hand or circular saw
  3. Utility Knife
  4. Pencil
  5. Measuring tape
  6. Level
  7. Sand paper
  8. Staple gun
  9. Work gloves and protective goggles

Steps in Building a Covered Woodshed

Covered wood sheds are highly customizable and can be created in a variety of shapes and sizes. While your chosen design will follow specific instructions, the steps outlined below describe a general strategy for building a sturdy, functional, and cost-effective woodshed with a roof. 

 

1. The first step is to select or create your design. The design should accommodate the size of your firewood pile, suitably protect your wood from the weather in your area, and be aesthetically appealing in your yard. Take note of all necessary tools and materials, as well as the quantity of materials needed. 

2. The second step is to acquire all the tools and materials needed for the project. The woodshed base can be made of cinder blocks and plywood or from recycled wood palettes. A durable, long lasting material is needed for the roof. Onduline makes affordable, long-lasting, high-quality, DIY-friendly roofing materials that are available at many popular home improvement stores in the United States. 

3. Once you are ready to begin construction, measure (twice!) and cut the pieces needed. Pre-drill holes in the wood components to prevent cracking or splitting. Follow Onduline’s install instructions for safe and easy handling of the roofing material. 

4. Sand and assemble the components of base and frame. 

5. The next step is to attach the sides and back. 

6. If your woodshed design includes a shelf for kindling, now is the time to insert that feature. 

7. Once the sides and optional shelf are constructed, it is time to add the roof. Follow Onduline’s installation instructions

8. Finally, load your woodshed with firewood! Take a moment to appreciate your hard work and enjoy the rewarding feeling of completing a DIY project. 

Other Tips for Building a Woodshed

It is important to note that wood sheds can be simple and functional or highly finished structures complete with windows and doors. For any kind of woodshed, it is important to have a high quality roof. For more than 75 years, Onduline has supplied lightweight roofing materials worldwide. Onduline North America has 45 years of local history that began in Virginia with its corrugated asphalt panels. Together the products in the ONDULINE®, ONDURA®, and TUFTEX® brands provide material for just about any pitched roofing job you can think of and a variety of other projects.


For more DIY inspiration and materials, visit the Onduline site today.

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