Building a 12x16 lean to shed

Building a 12x16 lean to shed could be one of the best home decisions you have ever taken. This shed is super easy to build and it will help you organize all your tools, equipment properly. If you have many items to store and the house isn't large enough any more, building a basic shed with 2x4 framing is the right choice.

If I would build a shed for myself, I would pour a concrete floor, because I see it as more durable and somehow heavy duty. That is why, with some large double doors to the front, you could use the storage shed for ATVs, bikes or even motorcycles.


12x16 Lean to Shed - Video

I love building and I have a few tools in my collection. However, for this shed you mainly need a drill and a saw. Of course, you also need a spirit level and a tape measure and a carpentry square. If you in need for a smaller shed, because of the local building codes or you just don't need that much of a shed, I have you covered with another nice tutorial.

I have found free plans for a 10x12 lean to shed, and I guarantee for them that they are accurate. This will be much cheaper to build, as it is a scaled down version. Make sure you get some help from a handy friend, because assembling the shed frame and maneuvering the materials is quite time and energy consuming.

Picnic Table Plans - Simple Design

If you want to build a picnic table and you have found the traditional 6 ft design, I would recommend you to take into account a new approach. Therefore, you have right here a design that adds up a picnic table with a covered roof structure.

This must be one of my favorite designs lately and that is why I am super excited to share it with you guys. And from what I see in the video, the plans are really easy for anyone to make in one weekend or so.

The second design refers to a cool kids picnic table with sandbox included. As you can see in this step by step video, this picnic table is sturdy and easy to build. I really want to hear your opinions about these 2 designs. You can be really honest, because this is the only place in the world where you are free to share your 100 percent honest thoughts.

Fixing small drywall homes

If you are a homeowner you probably know how common is to accidentally make dents or holes in the walls. Either you are moving furniture or you party too hard, it can happen to anyone. If you ask a contractor about fixing a large hole in drywall for you, then you are looking at a few hundred dollars in labor, not to speak about the cost of the materials.

In this article, I will show you an easier method that you can do by yourself while keeping the money in your pocket. In addition, the few tools you need for the job are an investment, as you can use them anytime an issue occurs to the walls.

Tools for drywall repair

In order to fix holes in drywall as a professional, you need a few drywall repair tools. These tools will not only help you save money, but they will also fix the holes in the wall as they did not exist in the first place.

First on your list should be a cutter or an utility knife. You need the cutter to clean the holes and to give them a more common shape.

Then, you need putty knifes of various sizes. If you had to buy only one, then I recommend you to choose the 6" wide one. It is an excellent compromise and it should help you to fix almost any size of holes.

Last but not least, you need a good sander so you can smooth the putty before painting the wall. You need to use several grits of sandpaper so that you smooth the patched surface until it gets super fine. With these tools in your bag, you will be the carefree homeowner, as you can really repair any hole in the wall that might accidentally appear.

How to build a carport

A wooden carport will keep your car under a nice shaded area and will protect it from rain, snow or excessive sun. Make sure you read the local building codes, as such a permanent construction requires a building permit. You must follow the recommendations, otherwise the inspector won't accept your construction.

In this article, we will cover many aspects regarding the construction of a free standing single car carport. From our experience, you need to select a location that is level and to remove the vegetation layer. Pouring a concrete slab is a great idea, especially if you give it a slight slope, so the water can drain easily.

Fitting the posts is important, so make sure you set them properly in concrete. Dig 3 feet holes, 12" in diameter and fit tube forms. Set the posts into place, using temporary braces and plumb them with a spirit level. Pour concrete and let it dry our for several days. Smooth the surface with a trowel, in order to get a professional result.

CLICK HERE to see a full tutorial about building a simple lean to carport.

After setting the posts, you need to install the 2x6 support beams. Clamp the beams to the top of the posts and drill pilot holes through the components. Insert carriage bolts to lock everything together, making sure there are no gaps between the components. Align the edges before inserting the carriage bolts, to get a professional result.

Continue the project by fitting the rafters to the structure. Use metal hardware to make sure the joints are rigid and durable. Fit the 3/4" tongue and groove plywood sheets and secure them to the rafters using galvanized nails. Cover the structure with tar paper and asphalt shingles, if you really want to get a professional result.

If you leave in a windy area, make sure you add braces to the structure, as described in the diagram. Make sure the corners are square and the posts are plumb, after fitting each component into place.



Here are some amazing videos that illustrate the construction of the wooden carports. The first video is about building an awesome flat roof carport for a single car.

The second video is about building a double carport, so you can protect your both cars from bad weather, while keeping the cost under control and making the most of the backyard space.

As you can easily notice in this article, building a wooden carport by yourself is easy and it will help you save a great amount of money. However, if you don't have enough expertise in the field, you should definitely leave it to the professionals.

Building a picnic table for kids

There are many designs and plans to choose from when building a picnic table, so make sure you have a few options before starting the construction of the components. Work with attention and invest your money wisely if you want to get a durable and professional result.

As you can see in the video, we recommend you to invest in weather-resistant lumber, such as pine, cedar or redwood, and to lock the components together tightly. Work with attention and pre-drill the components before inserting the screws.

Adjust the size and the shape of the picnic table to suit your needs, before starting the actual assembly. Sand the edges with a piece of sandpaper and or a router. Countersink the head of the screws before inserting them into place, otherwise the end result won't raise up to your expectations.

Fitting braces to the picnic table is a great idea, as it will make the whole structure more rigid. Work with attention and check out the full project here.

Free Outdoor Plans

Choosing the right projects

There are so many plans for a dream garden, that I don't even know what to begin with. From our experience, building different woodworking projects for your garden will not only add value and enhance the look of your backyard, but it is also a great way to reduce stress and to spend great time with your kids. There are many diy projects that you could do with your kids and pass down important techniques.

Taking into account the alternatives, you should really consider the options and your budget, before starting a woodworking project. From our experience, you need to invest in quality materials and use professional tools, otherwise you won't get an accurate result.

1. Build a deck. A deck is one of the most common outdoor projects, as it is easy to build and it really pays off the investment. A properly built deck will last for many years and it will really add value to your property. Expand the living surface of the home with a nice deck, by using professional plans and instructions. See a good tutorial here.

2. Build a greenhouse. If you want to eat fresh vegetables every week or you just want a great hobby for the weekends, you should consider building a nice greenhouse. First of all, you should start with a basic raised garden bed, as to learn the basic techniques and to see if you like gardening. Afterwards  you can try on a larger scale, by building a small greenhouse. See a detailed guide about building a greenhouse here.

3. Build a gazebo. A gazebo is one of those unique projects that have the power to transform any backyard. If you choose the right plans for your needs, you can really impress your friends with a beautiful outdoor construction. You can choose from a large variety of shapes and designs, starting with a square gazebo up to a complex octagonal gazebo. See step by step projects here.


Building a rectangular gazebo

Simple Greenhouse Plans

A basic greenhouse will not only add value to any garden, but it is also a great source of fresh vegetables with vitamins. In addition, numerous studies have proved that gardening is a great way to reduce stress levels and to change your lifestyle towards a healthier approach.

Simple Greenhouse Plans

Therefore, you should start with selecting the right small greenhouse building plans for your needs. There are so many choices when speaking about the size or the shape of the greenhouse, that it is really hard to select the one that fits your needs. From our experience, a small gable greenhouse is a good start with a want to grow a large variety of vegetables and herbs, but you don't have enough time for this hobby.

Generally speaking, you can harvest a significant quantity of legumes even on a small surface of raised garden beds. Just imagine what a properly built greenhouse can do for you and your family. If you are really determined to grow fresh vegetables, you should remember that not any location is proper for a greenhouse.

First of all, a greenhouse should receive at least 6 hours of full sunlight everyday, otherwise the plants won't be able to develop properly. In addition, it would also be a great idea to analyze the ph and the structure of the soil. There are many cases, when the soil is not good enough to grow some vegetables, so you should know these things from the very beginning.

Building a greenhouse

Building a small greenhouse is similar to making a small shed. Therefore, you should build the walls of the greenhouse on a level surface, using 2x4 weather resistant lumber. Drill pilot holes trough the plates and insert 3" galvanized screws into the studs. Check if the corners are right-angled, otherwise you won't be able to get a professional result. 

Secure the walls into place with braces and lock them together with screws. Use a spirit level to check if the walls are plumb. Build the door using 2x2 lumber and secure it to the frame with metal hinges. Last but not least attach polyethylene foil to the exterior of the frame and stretch it properly. 

If you want to automate the ventilation process, we recommend you to install an automatic vent opener. Work with attention and with great care, if you want to get the job done as a professional. Alternatively,  you could also build a lean to greenhouse, if you have a tight space around your house. 

Greenhouse Plans - Video