Adding a shed ramp to your shed is not difficult, but certain factors may make the construction more difficult. For example, if the ground in front of your shed is not completely level, your framing will be completely unique. Perhaps you can level the ground in front of your shed to avoid having to do a lot of custom wood framing.
Key Takeaways
- Pressure-treated lumber should be used for framing and building the ramp. If you use untreated lumber, you’ll have to replace it every 4 to 5 years due to weather rotting the wood out faster.
- Bottom ends of the ramp should be resting on a concrete base, concrete blocks, or crushed rock gravel about 4″ deep.
- Pressure-treated 2x6s spaced 12″ on center should be used for the support framing, and if possible, use pressure-treated 2x6s for planking.
- Use joist hangers on the ends of your shed if possible and make a ledger board to which you can attach your ramp framing.
- Support should be placed under the back end of your ramp to prevent sagging of your shed floor from going in and out with heavy items like a riding lawnmower.
Some Shed Ramp Key Elements
· Pressure treated lumber should be used to frame and build your ramp. If you use untreated lumber, you’ll probably have to replace it every 4 to 5 years due to the weather rotting your wood out faster.
· If at all possible, you should have the bottom ends resting on a concrete base, concrete blocks, or crushed rock gravel about 4″ deep.
· Pressure treated 2x6s spaced 12″ on center should be used for the support framing.
· If at all possible, use pressure-treated 2x6s for the planking.
· If at all possible, use joist hangers on the ends of your shed.
· Make a ledger board to which you can attach your ramp framing.
Additional shed ramp support
Another critical consideration is putting support under the back end of your ramp. As shown in the image below, your shed may already have this. This shed was built with skids under the floor framing, as seen here. This will prevent sagging of your shed floor from going in and out with heavy items like a riding lawn mower, etc. on a regular basis.
Fasteners to use
Here’s the fasteners I use to build my shed ramps.
- Simpson 2×6 joist hangers secured with joist hanger nails (It is critical to use galvanized joist hanger nails to avoid eroding.)
- I use exterior grade 3″ screws to secure the ramp decking to the support boards.
- I attach the ledger board to the outside floor framing of the shed with galvanized lag screws or bolts. Place them away from where the support boards will be hanging off the ledger board. You should have two lag screws vertically next to the outside support boards and two in between each support board.
Can I Buy A Shed Ramp Instead Of Making One?
Without a doubt! In most cases, shed ramps can be purchased at local hardware stores as well as the place where you purchased your shed.
What Types Of Shed Ramps Are There?
Aside from building your own wooden shed ramp, you may want to consider other ramp options. Here are the other two shed ramp material options, in addition to wood.
Concrete Shed Ramp
Concrete ramps will take longer to build than wooden ramps if you plan on doing it yourself. Concrete shed ramps will undoubtedly be stronger and last longer than wooden ramps if constructed properly. If you hire a contractor to build it for you, make sure to remind them to tamp the concrete so that your ramp drains properly.
Aluminum Shed Ramp
Aluminum shed ramps are also a very durable option for many sheds. These ramps will also be less expensive to construct than a concrete ramp while still keeping insects and rot at bay. They will also take less time to build if you are doing it yourself than concrete ramps.
Rubber Shed Ramp
Rubber shed ramps, while not as common as the ramps mentioned above, can do the job. They are not expensive, but you must find the correct size before purchasing. There isn’t a do-it-yourself option for rubber shed ramps.
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