If you rely on wood to get you through a long, cold winter then you need the appropriate housing for that wood. Some of us are all too familiar with trying to burn wood in the wood stove or fireplace and it won’t ignite or won’t burn well. Often times, that is because there is moisture in the wood that definitely isn’t helping you stay warm.
Whether you just like to use your fireplace on occasion or you rely on a wood source to heat your home, it’s absolutely essential to have a wood shelter of some sort to protect your wood from the elements.
You can build something as simple as a small shelter that looks more like a covered shelf or you can also easily build a small open shed. The end result is the same. You have a shelter to protect your wood so that it is ready to use when you need it.
We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you know how to build a wood shelter.
Before You Get Started
Before you get started on your project, you should make sure that you have all of the proper supplies. These wood shelters are fairly simple overall but you will need some woodworking tools in order to be able to measure, cut, and prepare the wood to make your shelter.
You will also need attachment items like screws or potentially nails. For the wood shelter we are going to share with you, plan on wood and more before you start building. We will walk you through all of the specific building supplies here shortly but those won’t cover the tools you might need to put everything together.
About This Wood Shelter
This particular wood shelter is not overly large. It’s designed to be something that keeps your wood off of the ground and covered but also completely mobile. With the design we’re providing, you will have a freestanding wood shelter that you can move around as needed.
It is heavy-duty and built to be sturdy so keep in mind it may become heavy to move, especially if you fill it with wood. The design we are going to share with you is designed to be large enough to hold a full face cord of wood at one time.
You can choose whatever type of wood you like. We recommend using something pretty sturdy so that it doesn’t just blow over when it’s not loaded with wood. Cedar makes a good option but you can use whatever you prefer.
We also recommend some sort of wood siding or alternative siding material for the roof, ends, and back coverage area. You can find a matching wood to your other materials or use a metal or vinyl siding if you prefer.
Here are the cuts and measurements you will need to build the wood shelter.
| Part | Measurements in Inches | # of Pieces |
| Front Post | 1 ½ x 3 ½ x 59 | 4 |
| Rear Post | 1 ½ x 3 ½ x 50 | 4 |
| Bottom Railing | 1 ½ x 5 ½ x 82 ½ | 3 |
| End Railing | 1 ½ x 5 ½ x 21 | 4 |
| Back Railing | 1 ½ x 3 ½ x 88 ½ | 1 |
| Front Railing | 1 ½ x 5 ½ x 88 ½ | 1 |
| Middle Post | 1 ½ x 3 ½ x 50 | 1 |
| Middle Support | 1 ½ x 3 ½ x 28 | 2 |
| Roof Support | 1 ½ x 3 ½ x 33 ¾ | 2 |
| Back Siding of choice | 5/8 x 8 x 88 ½ | 3 |
| End siding of choice | 5/8 x 8 x 24 | 6 |
| Roof Strip or siding | 5/8 x 8 x 96 | 5 |
| Prop | 1 ½ x 3 ½ x 7 ½ | 2 |
You can do a lot to prepare by cutting your wood and siding pieces to these measurements. Note that the siding listed here is assuming that you are using wood siding so you may need to slightly adjust measurements or numbers if you use another material.
You can mark your wood so you know what piece is what. You can try alphabetizing it in order of the list or just labeling each piece with a pencil or something as well.
Now, once you’ve cut your wood, it’s time to get to building!
1. Frame
Start by building the initial frame of the structure. Here is what you need for the frame.
- Front posts
- Rear posts
- Drill and borer
- 2 ½ inch deck screws
- Bottom Rails
- End Rails
- Lag screws
Put your front posts together to create a corner. Use your drill to make pilot holes that are about 1/8” at approximately 8-inch markings. Counter bore those holes about ¼” deep.
Use the deck screws to join the post pairs together.
Use these same steps to do the same thing to the rear posts as well. You should have 2 pairs of each front posts and rear posts when you are done.
To complete your frame, take two bottom rails and two end rails and form a rectangle. Take your third bottom rail, center it and set it. Use your drill to make pilot holes that are 3/8” through the end rails for each bottom rail.
2. Attach Frames to Corners
Now you need to connect your corner posts to that frame you just built. You want the frame to be approximately 2 inches off the ground so use spacers to mark that on your upright posts if needed.
Now, position the frame between those corner posts and attach.
- Place 2 ½ inch deck screws through each corner post and through the bottom rails on the outside. There should be two to each post.
- Drive lag screws (3/8 x 4 inches) through the side of each corner post through to the bottom rail of the frame.
- Finish by doing the same through the end rails at the top of the corner posts.
3. Front Rail & Roof Support Attachment
Before you start attaching these pieces, you need to make diagonal cuts.
The roof and middle supports are mitered on the end. Mark a line along the edge of each end that is 1 ½ inches in.
From that point, draw a diagonal line to the opposite corner. Then you can cut this line for the miter position.
Much like you did with the other rails, you should make pilot holes as well as counter bored holes on your back rail.
Now, using a 3-inch deck screw fasten the back railing to the backside of each rear corner posts, positioned at the top.
Follow this same step to attach roof supports to the outsides of the corner posts. Your supports need to be flush with the highest point of each post. This will set it at an angle.
Now, attach your front railing piece. You will use screws to attach it to the outer roof support pieces. Be sure this rail is flush with the tops of the supports it is attaching to.
Wrap up this step by attaching your middle roof support. Again, be sure your rail is flush with the top of the support. Place the middle support in the center of the front rail and back rail. You can measure 30 inches from the end for the center.
Use 3-inch deck screws from the front and back rails into the support to attach.
4. Attach Roofing Pieces
Grab your roofing cuts and it’s time to add those beauties to the mix for a protected shelter. You will start at the back edge while attaching these pieces.
Face the wide edge of each siding piece downward. Attach each roof piece one at a time. You should overlap each roof piece about ½ an inch.
5. Back and End Siding
You’re almost done! Now, you just need to attach the end and back siding pieces that you chose. These provide additional support and protection for your wood.
You will attach these pieces in the same manner that you attached the roof pieces.
Your end siding attaches flush with the bottom part of your base and will overlap like the roof pieces.
In the same manner, your end siding will be flush with the base of the frame and will also overlap like your roof siding.
6. Finish Up!
That’s it! You’ve got yourself a wood shelter. It’s not a challenging task and is something that you can do pretty easily as a DIY project. From here, you can always stain or paint the shelter if you like. Then, place it where you want it and fill it up!
Conclusion
Protect your wood from the elements with a simple option that keeps it off the ground and shields it slightly from Mother Nature. You can also turn this simple shelter into a full shed by continuing the back and end siding clear up to the roof pieces if you feel additional protection is needed.
There are far more involved projects that you can take on as well and full shed structure but we like the simplicity of this DIY wood shelter.
