Building Wood Shed - Need Help Calculating Beam Size That Holds Roof Up

EddieWalker · Oct 21, 2019

Nice looking chicken coop!!!

atsah · Oct 21, 2019

Looks like new..

BoylermanCT · Oct 21, 2019

Ordered the lumber for the wood shed today. Local lumber yard has 2x10's up to 28' long, so I ordered 2 at 24' for the main beam and 1 for the header that attaches to the garage. That simplifies the construction of the main beam. Thank you Eddie for the suggestion! I'm used to Home Depot and Lowes where the max length is 16'. I'm taking Thursday and Friday off of work, and hope to have the shed complete by the weekend.

nyone · Oct 22, 2019

radioman said:
With building experience in central nys with similar snow loads, since you have 6x6 posts, nothing wrong with overbuilding. I would just use 2x12s and put them up one by one. I have done it this way. However since you have 10ft spacing of posts and 18 inch overhang you really don't want a slice in the middle completely. I would find a lumber yard that carries 20 footers 2x12. Use 12ft on the outside and one 20 ft inside. Use scrap of 12ft to fill in the 18 inch spacing overhang. Be sure to add metal splice plates in the middle and brackets to hold beam to posts. Follow the beam load carrying screw pattern and spacing. Should be in your local permit office. Can use the decking guidelines. These are the things a local building inspectors look for regardless if you have a permit or not.

I would do it this way too...if i didnt own a sawmill.

I have basicly the same structure 24ft long and 3 4x6 posts. My beam is two rough cut 2x14, i think the splice is in the middle but i may have used a 6ft long skab to cover the splice.

BoylermanCT · Oct 25, 2019

Started the woodshed yesterday and finished it today. Built it with my father-in-law and my dad's help. The main beam of two 2x10 by 24' was heavier than I expected! Was able to use the tractor to lift it close to the posts and then move it into final position standing on ladders and using brute force. The only things left to do is paint the side roof trim green and add 45 degree supports where the posts meet the beam. More decorative than structural. Looking forward to having dry firewood each winter!

atsah · Oct 25, 2019

Looks good.. You have been busy with you're projects that's for sure..

EddieWalker · Oct 25, 2019

Looks fantastic. Thanks for the update!!!

nyone · Oct 25, 2019

Fits the building its on like a glove. I love a good brown siding with a green roof! Are you going to stain the fromt/back rafter, beam and vertical posts?

BoylermanCT · Oct 25, 2019

nyone said:
Fits the building its on like a glove. I love a good brown siding with a green roof! Are you going to stain the fromt/back rafter, beam and vertical posts?

Yes, will stain the posts once they dry out a bit. They were soaked with preservative. Probably in the Spring. Will also add some inside lighting and may run a horizontal beam across the front opening and fill in the resulting triangle with log siding or board and batten siding for some contrast.

KennyG · Oct 25, 2019

Looks good. Maybe too good for firewood. :laughing:

goeduck · Oct 26, 2019

Looks fantastic! I would stack the firewood away from the structure and have a walkway between for insect reasons.

nyone · Oct 26, 2019

Have you tryed to rack/shake the posts? When i did this to mine i found that it moved quite a bit. I added 45* brases on the end posts and it helped a whole lot.

goeduck · Oct 26, 2019

nyone said:
Have you tryed to rack/shake the posts? When i did this to mine i found that it moved quite a bit. I added 45* brases on the end posts and it helped a whole lot.

I do that as well on structures like this. Beside adding structural support it looks better in my opinion.

BoylermanCT · Oct 26, 2019

I gave the posts a good shake, and they don't budge at all. They are buried 3.5 ft down and we packed in the dirt as we backfilled. The plywood on the roof added rigidity by tying multiple rafters together and the main beam, header and footer are all single pieces 24' long which also adds rigidity. That said, I will be adding 45 degree braces for looks on both sides of the posts hopefully tomorrow, and I know it will help brace everything even further, especially if I hit a post with the tractor!

I got all my wood moved under the shed tonight, as we are expecting 24 hours of rain tomorrow. Found out I can double stack firewood if needed, doubling my capacity from 3.5 cords to 7 if needed. I typically burn 3 a year. Very happy with how it turned out and finally having a woodshed to keep my firewood dry.

goeduck · Oct 27, 2019

Are you going to put a gutter on it or are you not worried about the splash when it rains? I do not have gutters on my woodshed.

nyone · Oct 27, 2019

The 45* brase would add ridgidity front and back. But you have posts burried in the ground so this may not be needed.

BoylermanCT · Oct 27, 2019

goeduck said:
Are you going to put a gutter on it or are you not worried about the splash when it rains? I do not have gutters on my woodshed.

I am going to add gutters. I have to do some repair on the other side of the garage where some of the log siding rotted out from rain splash. So I will be adding gutters to the garage / woodshed.