Do you remember the story about the three little pigs? No wolf can huff and puff a brick
shed down. Here is everything you need to know on how to build a brick shed.
Need extra space to store your outdoor tools? Getting a shed in your garden can give
you more room for storage and can add some character to your garden. Buying a wooden
shed is a fine choice but over time the wood declines in colour and looks old. Building a
brick shed can be a long term investment and you can go to bed knowing your brick shed
will stand strong against any stormy weather compared to a wooden one.
Before we start getting down to the bricks and mortar, there is one important question
that needs answering:
Do I need planning permission when building a brick shed?
When building a shed in your back garden you shouldn't need planning permission as long as:
● The shed is built at the back of the house (not at the front)
● Must be single storey
● The eaves of the building (the edge of the roof that overhangs the wall) does not
exceed the height of 2.5 meters. If you are choosing a pitched roof, the overall height
of the shed should not exceed 4 meters (if you choose to use another type of roof,
then the overall height can't be higher than 3 meters).
● The size of the shed can't be more than half of the area behind the house.
Buildings that are listed may require planning permission.
If you're uncertain, always check with your local council. A quick phone call can remove any
doubt.
How long will it take to build a brick shed?
2-3 days
(1 day to build and 1-2 days for the cement foundation to dry)
What do I need to build a brick shed?
● Measuring tape
● Shovel
● Tamper
● Sand
● Cement
● Mortar
● Bricks - ​
find out how many bricks you need for each wall.
● Trowel
● Spirit level
● 6 x (4x4) wooden posts
● 6 x (2 x 4) wooden posts
● Metal sheeting
● Nuts and Bolts
You can match the bricks of your shed with the bricks of your house by using a ​
our brick
matching service. During our guide we will be building a 1.5 meter wide, 2.5 meter length and 2 meter tall brick
shed with a slight angled roof.
Step-by-step instructions for building a brick shed
Firstly, we're going to start with the ​
foundation.​
Set out where you are going to
build your shed with your measuring tape. Clean the ground of any grass and tree
roots. Mark the corners of your proposed shed measurements with sticks or
other prompts. Then use your shovel and dig down 8 inches. Fill 2 inches with
sand and use your tamper to flatten the sand down.
Get your wooden posts. To factor in the brick wall before building begins, take
two bricks and place them in the corner of the foundations you have dug, to
form a small corner shape.
Place the wooden posts where the bricks meet. Excavate the sand beneath the wooden post
and place your post in the hole. Do the same for each corner.
Then mix your concrete and fill in the rest of the 6 inches of foundation with your concrete.
Check your wooden posts to make sure they are straight and secure. Flatten the concrete
down and let it dry (read the instructions of your cement to see how long to leave it, usually
about 12-24 hours).
Check your cement foundation is dry and measure where you want your door so you
remember to leave space for it. Mix your mortar and start building your walls, working from
the corners.
Want to know how to ​
build a brick wall ​
? Read our blog and learn today.
How to Build a Brick Wall
Know how to build a brick wall? Read on! :
Check the balance of the brickwork as you build with your spirit level. As you
reach the desired height of your brick walls (2 meters in this example), make
sure to leave at least three inches at the top for your roof frame.
Clean up any excess mortar and make sure your brickwork looks tidy. Remember your brick
shed is going to be there for years, it needs to look the part!
Cut your 2 x 4 lumber to ​
build your roof frame​
and nail them into the top of
the 4 x 4 lumbers you put in at the corners. Make sure there is a 5 or 6 inch
overhang from the brick. To get your roof angled so rain will just fall off, add
an extra 2 x 4 from the top of the doorway to the back of the shed - the roof
will go on this to give it a raised pitch roof.
Attach your steel sheet to the roof frame using nuts and bolts. The sheet
should overhang to stop rain getting into the shed.
You can create your own door or buy a new one. Measure the door and use
your 2 x 4 wood timbers to build your door frame and attach your door hinges
to this.
Finally, your brick shed is complete. Let the mortar dry before you start filling it with all
your old tools and gear!