![]() Here’s the finished product for this article. Then, we install the cross members, cut the plywood, and install everything in place. We install both 2×4 supports, just like for the other two shelves. We measure below the surface of the top plate to find the right spot for the support 2×4. We also decided that this shelf would be easier to install in place, rather than building it outside. The top plate of the wall is exposed in this style shed, and we decided we wanted our plywood shelf to cover it. This shelf has several horizontal cross members to keep the plywood from sagging in the center. With the middle shelf fastened, we construct and install the bottom shelf using the same technique. Our new shelf has no trouble holding Ethan and barely flexes under his weight. Step 10: (Optional) Test Your Shelf’s Strength Front-to-back 2x4s do not add a significant amount of overall strength to the shelves. On deeper shelves where weight isn’t a major concern, 2x4s can be run front-to-back to avoid plywood sag. On deeper shelves, more 2x4s must be run side-to-side to increase shelf strength. ![]() One optional step here would be to also use construction adhesive to attach the plywood tops.įastening the shelf at every stud provides significant additional weight-holding capability, especially towards the back of the shelf. We attach the plywood surface with 1.5″ #6 all purpose wood screws. We check the frame to ensure a tight fit on the rails. Given that wood is a fickle material, it’s never a bad idea to check twice for fit. Step 7: (Optional) Confirm the Frame Fits We use 3.25″ #10 decking screws, the same as those used to attach the side rails to the shed. We want the shelf to have a nice fit and finish, and getting the cuts right is essential for this. We dry-fit the components of our shelf to ensure a very tight fit. Step 4: Layout the Shelf Components and Confirm Fit The table saw makes quick work of the rip cut, but the circular saw is a little easier to manage for the shorter cross-cut. We use our Bosch job site table saw and a Craftsman circular saw to make the two cuts for our plywood surface. Step 3: Cut Plywood to Fit the Shelf Surface For a deep shelf, a third 2×4 could be placed at the middle of the shelf spanning side-to-side parallel to the front and back. We used our Kobalt mitre saw for this task. These rails must be cut to the width of the shed. The 2x4s will rest on the supports we’ve just installed. We’re going to use 2x4s for the front and back of the shelf. Step 2: Cut Front and Back Rails to Length These screws are more than sufficient for the weight loads we’ll be putting on these shelves. We use 3.25″ #10 decking screws to fasten the 2×4 supports to the stud walls. We leave a 6.5″ gap to account for the support 2×4 (3.5″ high), and the shelf itself (4″ high completely built). We mark both sides of the shed wall at 49″. Step 1: Measure, mark, and install side rail supports. We started our shelving project with the middle shelf – an 8″ shelf that will rest about 55.5″ off the shed floor. ![]() Hopefully when we’re done, these will all fit neatly in their own place in the new design. ![]() The five largest yard tools we need to store are all lined up and ready for action. This helped us try out different articles to make sure the shelving heights worked for our storage goals. In hopeful preparation for these shelves, we’ve filled the yard with tools from the shed that we’ll need to store in this space. Ultimately, we’ll build a similar set-up on both sides of the shed, but for this article, we’ll focus only on the left side. We chose these shelf sizes to provide adequate work and storage area without interfering with the person standing in front of the shelf working. The bottom shelf will be a large 24″ deep work surface the middle an 8″ deep storage shelf that won’t obscure the work surface of the bottom shelf and the top, a 14″ overhead storage shelf. Our goal for this project is to build three sturdy plywood shelves. This shed is a high-quality build, with 2×4 studs 16″ on center, 3/4″ pressure-treated plywood subfloor, and 1/2″ plywood walls. It looks great on the outside, but without some shelving and storage hooks for tools inside, most of the interior space would go to waste. In case you’ve forgotten (or more likely if you’ve just started reading here), here’s the new shed. ![]() We’re excited about this project because we’ve been looking forward to sharing a plywood shelving article for some time now, and this article gives us the perfect avenue for that. The heat index topped a full 115 degrees on Saturday! But fear not, the heat didn’t deter us from tackling our long-awaited shed storage shelves project. It was murderously hot here in the Charm City suburbs last weekend. ![]()
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