Wood Shed: over or under built.

[nathan125]

I have set posts for my wood shed. It is 20ft wide and 12ft long. Posts are 4x4 except for middle post is 4x6.
I put three rows of posts, total 9.
My question is for the header beam in particular. I have glue lam beams. 3inches thick and 11in wide. I would put beams across each row of posts. I will then secure 2x6 lumber on top for rafters and lay metal roofing.
I worry that the beams might be overkill. After this winter I saw many sheds topple and I dont want to have to rebuild the shed.
I attached a drawing of my idea, take mercy i am no Picasso, Any help is appreciated.

 

[Vikestand]

If I understand correctly, I believe you could get away with a lot less of a header. That is a lot of unnecessary weight doing a job a 2x6 could do for what you plan. Especially with using 4x4 posts. I don't believe you will be gaining much. But that is just my opinion.

 

[WoodyIsGoody]

I have set posts for my wood shed. It is 20ft wide and 12ft long. Posts are 4x4 except for middle post is 4x6.
I put three rows of posts, total 9.
My question is for the header beam in particular. I have glue lam beams. 3inches thick and 11in wide. I would put beams across each row of posts. I will then secure 2x6 lumber on top for rafters and lay metal roofing.
I worry that the beams might be overkill. After this winter I saw many sheds topple and I dont want to have to rebuild the shed.
I attached a drawing of my idea, take mercy i am no Picasso, Any help is appreciated.

Most toppled sheds are probably the result of inadequate cross-bracing. Those timbers are over kill if used properly but the structure could easily fail if not well designed/fastened. But nothing wrong with building something over kill if you have the materials just lying around.

 

[gzecc]

Not knowing your level of carpentry skills, I'll add some information. The best materials engineered poorly will also fail. I would suggest notching the upper 4x4 posts to receive the header with a couple of bolts. A few well placed metal straps are also great .

 

[nathan125]

This is a better size to view. this is just where the front beam will be bolstered to the posts. there will be two additional beams also.
Some had said a 2x6 would be sufficient enough for a header beam. I plan on uses 2x lumber for the braces. I planned to fasten the beams with 1/2" 6" lag bolts.

 

[Jeffm1]

I agree the 2x6 is plenty sufficient to hold up metal roofing. Use good triangular cross bracing and it will hold up for a lifetime. Lag bolts would work but so would two or three 3 1/2" galvanized nails at each fastening point.

 

[gzecc]

This is a better size to view. this is just where the front beam will be bolstered to the posts. there will be two additional beams also.
Some had said a 2x6 would be sufficient enough for a header beam. I plan on uses 2x lumber for the braces. I planned to fasten the beams with 1/2" 6" lag bolts.View attachment 199285

If you lag and notch, you won't need the bracing above. 1/2" is over kill. 3/8 or 5/16 will be plenty.

 

[Bad LP]

Lags are a PITA.

TimberLocs or HeadLocs and an impact driver makes life easy.

 

[nathan125]

I know notching would be better but i simply don't like the idea of hanging on a ladder and doing that...heights are not my favorite.
I have the 6" lag bolts left over from other projects. I have built this shed on a dime practically.

 

[CheapBassTurd]

Someday I'm just gonna drag home my kids' dugout from the little league field.

 

[lost in the woods]

Lags are a PITA.

TimberLocs or HeadLocs and an impact driver makes life easy.

exactly what I was thinking

 

[kennyp2339]

I'm also in the process of building a few of these, mine are 10ft long x 5ft wide, with the ability to stack just over 6ft vertical. I plan on building 5 of these to line the perimeter of my driveway. Each bin will hold about 2 cords when fully loaded.
One thing I learned and took into consideration is to only make them hold 3 rows deep, anything more, the center piles will have a hard time drying out, also knotching all the posts and running bracing really stiffens the structure up, makes it rock solid, I also ran a single 2x6 header with 2x4 rafters and it's very strong, it will take a 3ft heavy wet snow no problem

 

[CheapBassTurd]

Post #12.

Very tasteful and appealing look.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

I know notching would be better but i simply don't like the idea of hanging on a ladder and doing that...heights are not my favorite.
I have the 6" lag bolts left over from other projects. I have built this shed on a dime practically.

Use what you have, save a trip to the hardware store. Where I run into trouble is the cost of the metal roofing.

 

[nathan125]

I think I am going to sheathe the rafters with some plywood sheets I acquired. I may not get around to adding metal roofing this winter to it. I will of course line the plywood with tar paper or something to water off of it.

 

[ElmBurner]

Tar paper won't last long unless you hold it down with a bunch of lathe or something. It doesn't hold up to wind well.

So make sure you do that until you can get your roof on.