Sheds - 4th Edition by David Stiles & Jeanie Stiles (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Procrastinate no more: Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders will get you fired up and hammering before you're even back from a lumber-shopping spree.
--National Post

Even if it's never before occurred to you to build [a shed], reading this book may provide a sudden rush of inspiration.
--Globe and Mail

The fourth edition of this classic guide is expanded and updated to include 23 sheds to suit all needs and tastes. It covers all of the issues, from design principles, obtaining permits and safety to basic construction skills, precise explanations of what to buy, how to cut it, where it goes, what to do if it goes wrong and more. By following the book carefully with patience and care, even inexperienced DIY builders can succeed.

The how-to section is heavily illustrated with plans, assembly cutaway drawings, specifications and finished sheds. The projects list materials, tools, a daily schedule and step-by-step directions. A primer on construction covers framing, foundations, roofing, insulation, windows and more. The designs are based on a basic 8x10 shed.

In addition to the new designs are the basic sheds (e.g., gardening, firewood), and the more elaborate ones like the Irish Garden Shed, Japanese Boat Shed, a shed on posts and special-use sheds like a pool shed and a wood shed. The authors help the DIY builder think through all of the issues involved in the project, including intended use, size, cost, placement, degree of difficulty and much more.

This new edition will inspire homeowners to create the ideal functional addition to their property. It will help them decide on the right plan, finesse it for their needs and tastes, shop for materials, organize their time, and put together their one-of-a-kind shed.

Review Quotes

[Review of earlier edition: ] Step-by-step advice on planning and building sheds ... along with dozens of hand-drawn illustrations, safety tips, advice on tools and materials and a labor schedule.-- "The Modesto Bee" (4/8/2007 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of earlier edition: ] Covers all project parts from the foundation to the crowning cupola with everything in between.--Joy Kraft "Cincinnati Enquirer" (4/28/2007 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of earlier edition: ] Even if it's never before occurred to you to build [a shed], reading this book may provide a sudden rush of inspiration.--Carolyn Leitch "Globe and Mail" (8/24/2007 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of earlier edition: ] It would be great to see what the Stiles' own backyard looks like, since they're the prolific authors of several books on building playhouses, treehouses, sheds, etc.-- "About.com: Pool and Patio" (1/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of earlier edition: ] Procrastinate no more: Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders will get you fired up and hammering before you're even back from a lumber-shopping spree.--Shari Kulha "National Post" (6/13/2013 12:00:00 AM)

[Review of earlier edition: ] You'll get the materials lists, estimated costs, and step-by-step, illustrated instructions to build a truly attractive outbuilding for gardening, storage and more.-- "From House to Home" (6/1/2007 12:00:00 AM)

Complementing the step-by-step instructions, materials needed and plans are lots of illustrations along with some colour photographs... While I haven't made any decisions yet regarding a shed in my future, I am enjoying perusing the pages in this book and discovering sheds - and features of sheds - that look promising.--Glenn Perrett "Toronto.com" (4/29/2021 12:00:00 AM)

The humble, and not so humble, shed is one of the most convenient ways of expanding the area of the home. The authors have again revised, updated and expanded their guide in this 4th edition. Most Highly Recommended-- "Fire Reviews" (1/25/2021 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

David and Jeanie Stiles are the authors of 25 "how-to" books which have sold more than one million copies. Their work has appeared in newspapers and such publications as Architectural Digest and Better Homes and Gardens, and has been featured on HGTV, the Discovery Channel and "The Today Show." They divide their time between New York City and East Hampton, New York, and their one-room cabin retreat in the Hudson Valley.