Photo: Sarah Chai

How many pallets do I need to make a shed?

The standard size of a pallet is 48 by 40 inches. For this wood shed, we're going to use nine pallets to create a structure that is 4 feet deep by 6.5 feet wide.

thisoldhouse.com - How to Build a Pallet Wood Shed - This Old House

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Nothing heats your home like a wood-burning stove. But if you have one, or a fireplace or outdoor fire pit, you need to keep firewood on hand. The challenge is protecting your woodpile from rain and snow. By building a handy wood shed from pallets, though, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 6!

Steps for Building a Pallet Wood Shed

The standard size of a pallet is 48 by 40 inches. For this wood shed, we’re going to use nine pallets to create a structure that is 4 feet deep by 6.5 feet wide.

Step 1: Choose a Location

Choose a flat, level area of your yard or grade the area by removing soil with a shovel. Save any removed topsoil to use around your property or add to your compost.

Step 2: Assembling the pallets

Cut one of your 1-by-4-inch pieces of lumber into ten 1-foot-long pieces to use as joiners for your pallets. Join two pallets along the 48-inch side to create your floor by screwing two of your joiner pieces where they meet.

When done, the floor will measure 48 by 80 inches.

Cut one of the pallets in half using your circular saw to create two halves measuring 24 by 40 inches. Join these halves to two of the other pallets to create two wall pieces measuring 40 by 72 inches. These pieces will make the back wall. Using your circular saw, cut a 32-inch section off two other pallets to create two pieces measuring 32 by 48 inches. Join these pieces to two separate pallets along the 48-inch length. These will be your two end walls.

Step 3: Setting your posts

Before digging the holes for your posts, consult with your local utilities to make sure you aren’t going to dig into power, gas, or cable lines.

Lay your floor in the area you leveled out.

Mark the ground at the corners with brightly colored spray paint.

Remove the floor and dig post holes 9 inches in diameter with your post hole digger or an auger. Set the 4-by-4-inch posts in the holes. Have someone hold the post upright while you check for plumb with a level. To accommodate the pitch of the shed roof, set the two posts in the front 12 inches higher than the two posts in the back.

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Brace each post with a 2x4 by nailing one end to the post and securing the other end with a stake in the ground.

Follow the manufacturer’s directions to mix fast-drying cement in a wheelbarrow.

Pour it into the holes around the posts to within an inch of the surface. Resist filling it to the top as it expands as it dries. Work up any air bubbles as you pour using a shovel.

Allow 48 hours for it to cure.

Step 4: Attaching your walls

Once the concrete is set, remove the braces and lay the floor pallets back in place. One by one, screw your wall pieces to the posts using the 3-inch deck screws. Use one of your 1-by-4-inch pieces to join the two pieces of the back wall. Create top sills by setting pressure-treated 2x4s, cut to length, on edge along the front and rear of the shed.

Screw to the posts.

Step 5: Install the rafters and purlins

Cut the remaining pressure-treated 2x4s to the correct length to use as rafters. Using the galvanized roof ties, attach each rafter to the top sills 24 inches apart on center. The final one will be about 8 inches from the sidewall. Screw the remaining pressure-treated 1x4 to the rafters perpendicular down the middle, dividing the rafters in half as a purlin. If you live in an area with a lot of snow, add additional rafters.

Step 6: Install the roof

Use your metal snips to cut the sheet metal panels to length.

Lay the pieces on the rafters overlapping the edges by 2 inches.

Screw in place to the rafters and purlin using the roofing screws.

You’ll need to cut the final piece to fit the narrower space.

And you’re done!

While this shelter will definitely work to protect your firewood, you might also consider it as a viable place to store bicycles and lawn equipment, or as a run-in for small livestock.

Tools:

Materials:

thisoldhouse.com - How to Build a Pallet Wood Shed - This Old House

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