Shedding the Stigma (or just the camp chairs)
This week I started a beginner’s exercise in homesteading: building a back-yard lean-to storage shed… for free!
Storage space is limited in our new townhome, and after spending the first few weeks finding places for things, we found many of our backyard items (folding chairs, shade tent, etc) to be homeless. We don’t own our home, and thus can’t make any permanent changes to it. The idea of building a lean-to (not attached) shed came to mind, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to practice two skills that I want to develop: scavenging, and basic construction.
Based on my 30 years of constructionless life experience, I knew I’d need 3 basic materials: siding, roofing, and 2×4’s for framing. So I took to the Craigslist “free” section and started checking it every few days. Amazingly, it didn’t take long at all to find some vinyl siding and some wood shakes for my roof. They were at the same house, in fact – the owner had just torn down an old shed. How convenient.
My Craigslist loot2×4’s seem to be in higher demand, as they go fast and aren’t listed as often. I’ve snatched up a few, but not quite enough for my full frame yet. Eager to get started on my project, I gave in and bought some all-purpose wood screws for $3 at Home Depot last week and began erecting my monster. As you can see in the photo below, I need a few more 2×4’s to finish framing, then I’ll simply attach the siding & shingles, leaving half of the broad side open as a doorway. I’m not yet ambitious enough to try an actual door, and given the scarcity of rain in Denver coupled with the good fortune that the broad side of the shed faces South (the prevailing winds in Denver are northerlies), I don’t think a door will be necessary.
Phase 1 of my backyard lean-to shedI’ll keep you updated on the project. Let me know if I’m doing it wrong!
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