1. Utility Shed Construction
Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Utility Shed Construction
An Example
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

2. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Floor Framing
Floor Joist
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

3. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Platform Framing
Wall Studs
Sill Plate
Platform framing involves building a “platform” on which to construct the walls.
The platform consists of the floor framing and plywood sheathing.
Walls are generally constructed flat on the floor platform with a single top plate and then tilted into place. The second top plate is added after the walls are erected such that it interlocks adjacent to the walls.
Plywood Floor Sheathing (Subfloor)
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

4. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Framing a Door
Double Top Plate
Door and window openings are framed using a header to transfer the loads to the edge of the openings. Depending on the amount of load to be supported, at least two studs are used at the edge of the opening.
Also note that the corners of the building are framed with additional studs. Corner framing methods vary but typically contain two or three studs.
Double Studs at Openings
Header
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

5. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Ridge Board
Ridge Board
The ridge board is placed at the peak of the roof to support the roof framing.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

6. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Roof Framing
Rafters
Rafters are an alternate to roof trusses.
Rafters frame into the ridge board and are supported on the exterior walls.
Often, for larger buildings, ceiling joists are included to help resist the sideways forces that can occur at the top of the wall from the diagonal rafters.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

7. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Roof Framing
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

8. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Roof Sheathing
Roof Sheathing
Plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) is often used as roof sheathing to enclose the structure, to provide lateral support to the structure, and to provide support for the roofing material.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

9. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Roof Sheathing
Note that each rafter rests directly over a wall stud.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

10. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Roof Sheathing
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

11. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Wall Sheathing
Wall Sheathing
Plywood, OSB, or an insulating board can be used as wall sheathing to enclose the structure. The wall sheathing also helps resist lateral loads such as wind and earthquake loads and supports the exterior finish.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

12. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Wall Sheathing
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

13. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Roofing
Underlayment
Asphalt Shingles
The underlayment layer is often called “felt” or “paper” and provides temporary weatherproofing during construction and a secondary weatherproofing layer for the finished building.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

14. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Vapor Barrier
Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier is designed to retard the migration of moisture through the exterior of the building. Tyvek, an example of a vapor barrier, is produced by DuPont.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

15. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Siding
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

16. Utility Shed Construction Example
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 2 – Lesson 2.1 – Building Design and Construction
Completed Shed
All that remains is to install the doors on this utility shed.
Is this shed easily transportable?
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010