How I built a Narrow 11"×3" Lean-To Shed With Shelves | Storage | #54
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I have a 4-foot wide strip of dirt on the side of my house. It collects weeds. I decided to turn it into a Lean-To Shed for long-handled tools (rakes, shovels, ladders).
"Lean-To" means it has a single-slope roof that "leans" away from the existing house wall.
Design Constraints
- Width: Must leave room to walk past. The shed is 24 inches deep.
- Height: Must fit under the house eaves.
- Water: The roof must slope away from the house to shed rain.
The Build
Step 1: Foundation
I laid simple concrete paver blocks on leveled sand. Since this shed is small and holds light tools, a full slab wasn't needed.
Step 2: Framing
I framed three walls (Front, Left, Right). The back "wall" is the house (but I kept a 1-inch air gap to prevent rot).
- Roof Rafters: 2x4s cut at a 15-degree angle.
Step 3: Siding
I used T1-11 plywood siding. It looks like vertical planks and paints well.
Step 4: Roofing
I put down tar paper and asphalt shingles that matched my house roof. Flashing: I tucked metal flashing up under the existing house siding and over the new shed roof. This ensures water runs OFF the house and ONTO the shed, not between them.
Conclusion
It holds all the ugly garden tools. The garage is cleaner. The side yard is useful. It’s a compact, efficient use of dead space.