Not long before we sold our house I wanted to build a "nice" shed,
not only to have extra space,
but also to the block the view to the parking area
and a two story apartment next door.
I decided on a 12' x 12' foot print to avoid getting a building permit
even though I don't like squares particularly but it solved the permit problem
and saved waste in the plywood sheathing used under the stucco.
(Please note this post is a reworking of the post:
Japanese Style Shed from 2/7/10.)
The framing is conventional 2x4 studs with a dutch hip roof using a 4 in 12 pitch.
I am a big fan of the dutch hip
and installed one on the main house as well as the house next door
which we used to own.
The dutch hip is different from the hip
in that there are vent openings on each end of the ridge.
I also put a home made ridge cap vent on, being a big fan of roof venting even on a shed.
Above is the view from the parking side.
The shed is built on a temporary foundation of cement blocks
that go down below grade about 6 or more inches
and filled with short pieces of rebar and concrete.
For aesthetic purposes, as well as practical,
there is a large roof overhang to keep the ground around the foundation dry
and to prevent the frozen earth from heaving
as well as proper grading helps keep water away.
The gutters are the last ingredient to keeping the ground dry
and you will notice the rain barrel for collecting rain water
on the far left as well as one just out of the photo to the right.
Over flow from the barrel is directed to a nearby apple tree.
The vertical slats were made by ripping plywood spacers (3/4" thick by 1'' wide)
and applying them over the joints of the plywood sheathing before stuccoing.
I brought the surface of the conventional three coat stucco flush with the top of the strips,
so the last step was to rip wood slats 3/8" thick
and slightly wider than the plywood strips and finish nail them on.
The wooden grid at the bottom is decorative as well as keeps animals out
and allows access for future upgrades like wiring.
Having some extra cold weather time
and finding some bamboo flooring on clearance at a big box store,
what could I do but finish out the inside.
Since it was such a small area I did not rent a floor nailer
but just pre-drilled nail holes
and used finish nails on the tongue of the boards just as normal.
My first time with bamboo flooring or even pre-finished flooring
and the light cream color is so nice.
Allison picked out an appropriate matching bamboo green wall color.
The new owners added a small porch,
put in electric and use it for a Jin Shin studio.
I knew it would not stay a shed for long.
Other uses could be an artists studio, meditation area, an office,
or even a seasonal bedroom.
To see an update on the shed and what it looks like now (7/12)
go to: Update On A Japanese Style Shed.
