Stephan called me in late April looking for a quality shed. He didn’t like the thought of paying $2000 for a plastic or dainty metal structure (with a $600 installation). He wanted something strong and secure for a new riding mower. Since I’ve been waiting to custom build a wooden lean-to shed, I was eager to make it work for a similar price.
I knew if I gave Stephan a deal, I’d be able to fine tune my design a bit. So it was a good opportunity. I initially wanted to build the wooden structure on posts (4×4″ or 6×6″ stilts). But he wanted a new shed that’d go with him – if he moved out of Horn Lake.
His tractor was just under 70 inches (“) long. The mowing track was 54″. I figured he needed at least 60″ for the door. Our initial plan was to build a 6×8′ wooden lean-to shed. But I decided to change the design to 80×90”.
Why Did I Alter the Plans to Bigger?
I wanted to give the homeowner space to drive into the shed and off of the mower comfortably. I didn’t want him to feel like he was pullin’ into a bull chute. This shed design also gave him space for storage and future shelving.
I decided to build the double barn door 62 inches so he had 4 inches on each side to pull in. The first step to building the custom wooden lean-to shed was laying the foundation.
Building the 80x90" Shed Deck.
When it comes to building a platform for the shed to sit on, it’s best to make it the same dimensions of the shed. You can set the structure on a wider base if you’d like, but you’re just asking for stagnant water to damage the wood. I like making sure rainwater falls all the way to the ground.
Building on blocks is a little bit tougher than other leveling methods (in my opinion). You have to basically shimmy the stones until all sides are level. I’ve built a bunch of these so my son and I have a good process. If you’re doing this yourself, don’t forget to put some gravel underneath.
Framing the Lean-To Shed.
The most difficult aspect of this project was determining how I wanted to slope the roofing. We didn’t need a major slope, but I didn’t want a super high ceiling. The lean-to shed was about 9 feet high on the door side with the blocks and decking. Once i figured out the angle and rear height (6 1/2 ft) I liked, the rest was a breeze.
I framed up the sides after connected the first two rafters. This gave me square corners and a stencil to use for the remaining 4. The center boards didn’t have to be exact as I was going to cover it all with sheets of plywood.
I really like how I decided to set the 2x4s. There are plenty of ways to build the roof of a wooden lean-to shed. But I like this style the best. I’m not sure if anyone else frames this way.
Installing the Shed Siding.
This is where experience and planning was rewarding. Each siding piece fit perfectly over the decking. All I needed to do was cut and install the 1×3″ trim pieces and flashing. I decided to use a roof roll, so it wasn’t too difficult to wrap this up by day 2.
Some people ask me how I’m able to frame stuff like this on my own. It’s honestly all about leverage. You can see in the first picture below how I use a 2×4 nailed to the decking as a ledge.
Building the Lean-To Shed Doors.
Hanging a door is never easy. No matter what it’s for. I figured barn doors would be a lot easier to manage. For the most part, they were. But I barely had any siding left. So I had to build the lean to shed doors like a puzzle. That’s what happens when the budget is just a little too tight.
My Wooden Lean-To Shed.
The last step of this custom project was the hardware. I personally would have invested in a better locking system but this works. The ramp was built out of decking boards and 4×4’s I had left over. We eventually put some gravel at the base of the ramp to avoid making it a muddy area.
