Best Barns Tahoe-R Safety guide

Manufactured by Reynolds Building Systems, Inc.
205 Arlington Drive Greenville, PA 16125 724-646-3775
This manual is copyrighted. Under the copyright laws, this manual
may not be copied, in whole or in part, without consent from Reynolds
Building Systems, Inc. © Copyright 2010
Tahoe-R 12'x 20'
Assembly Book
Best Barns USA
Garage Door
by Owner
Revised July 6, 2015

When measurements are given for a board
length or width, it is from the longest side.
measure from here
Tool List
Hammer & Phillips Screwdriver
Framing Square & Level
Hand Saw
Power Drill/screwdriver
Measuring Tape
2-8' Step Ladders
Always wear safety glasses when cutting or nailing!
Thank you for purchasing our Tahoe shed kit. These instructions will construct a 12'x20'
building. If you received two books, use the one with the latest revision date.
If you have any questions about assembling the kit, call 800-245-1577. If you are calling
after normal business hours, call 724-866-HELP (4357) or email to [e-mail].
Before you begin construction, be sure to study this assembly manual. Obtain a building
permit and check all pertinent building code regulations.
Some 2x4 wall framing, siding and roof sheathing, along with the optional floor package
will be supplied by a local supplier. The material breakdown is listed on the back page.
Our component kit does not include the shingles, giving you a choice of color and quality.
The breakdown of the material you need to supply is listed on back page.
The door opening is for an 8' wide x 7' high garage door. You will need to order your
garage door with a 6" low headroom kit.
Some of the framing lumber was used in the shipping pallet. Unpack the material from the
pallets, then unscrew the 2x4s. The bit for the screws is packed in the hardware bag. The
2x4s will be used for wall bracing.
The siding is primed. You will need to apply a finish coat using latex acrylic paint. Paint
the bottom edge of the siding, this is very important.
Stacking the boards, according to size, will make them easier to find when needed. Do
Not discard any material, no matter how small, until your building is complete. Anything
leftover may have been used as packing blocking.
Good luck with your project. Bill Rinella, President
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR SHED KIT

Optional Wood Floor System
6. Cut all the 2x4-12' boards to 11'-9". These boards will be the floor joist. Treated lumber
may be thicker than 1-1/2". Take this into account when cutting the length of floor joists.
Shorten joist measurements if necessary to obtain 12'-0" building width.
7. Install floor joist boards between the joist headers. Install this section over the 4x4s.
4. Cut (2) two 2x4-12' joist headers to 12' - 0".
5. Layout for 12" on center joist spacing. 'X' marks where floor joist will be placed.
Shown below is a typical wood floor. Depending on your area, the construction may have to be
changed to meet local codes. The foundation size should be 12' - 0" x 20' - 0".
Detail 1 XX
XX
X
X
12"11-1/4"
2x4 - 12 0"
Joist Header
X
X
12"
1. Cut (2) two treated 2x4-8' boards in half.
2. Butt 4x4-10' treated runners together. Use one of
the 4' long 2x4s to secure them together.
3. Repeat to join the other 4x4 runners.
2x4-12' Joist Header
2x4-11' 9" Floor Joist
4x4 Runners
2' Long 2x4
4x4 Treated Runners

Notes To Floor
4x8
4x8
4x8
4x4
It is important that the floor be level and square.
Square the floor as follows: before nailing the flooring,
measure the floor diagonally (corner to corner).Then
measure the opposite corners. These measurements
will be the same if the floor is square.
When using a concrete slab for a floor, use the same
overall foundation measurements. Install foam sill
sealer as a moisture barrier between the concrete and
the wall plates. Foam sill sealer is available in rolls,
3-1/2" or wider.
11. Square the floor. See note below. The angle
measurement should be 23' - 4". Nail several
floor joist to the 4x4 runners to hold the floor
frame in place.
8. Cut (2) two 2x4-8' treated boards to 8' - 0".
9. Layout for 12" on center joist spacing, see Detail 1.
12. Install floor using 8d spiral nails.
10. Assemble another floor section.
Install over the 4x4s and nail
both floor sections together.
Material Description 12' x 20' shed
2x4 Treated 4 pcs. 8'
2x4 Treated 24 pcs. 12'
4x4 Treated Runners 8 pcs. 10'
Flooring 5/8" or 3/4" 8 pcs. 4x8
Screw Floor Nails 5 lb. 8d
Galv. Box Nails 5 lb. 16d

2x6 Beam
16" 16" 16"
1-1/2" Space Both Ends
4. To provide additional strength, install 2-1/2" wood screws spaced 16" apart as shown below.
5. Repeat steps to assemble another 2x6 beam.
Step 1 Assemble Loft Beams
1. Locate (2) two 36" long 2x6 boards with a notch on one end and a 2x6 board without a
notch. Position these 2x6 boards on a flat surface as shown below.
2. Apply a coat of glue to the top surface using wood glue supplied in kit.
3. Locate (2) two 72" long 2x6 boards with a notch on one end. Install these 2x6 boards
over the bottom boards.
Step 2 Assemble Door Header
1. Cut (2) two 2x10-10' boards to a length of 8' - 3"
2. Locate (2) two pre-cut 9" x 48" OSB fillers.
9"x48" OSB Filler
3. Install fillers in the center of the 2x10
boards. Nail header together with 10d
sinkers. Use (16) sixteen nails on each
side. For additional strength apply glue
between the fillers and 2x10 boards.
72" Long 2x6 w/ Notch
72" Long 2x6 w/ Notch
72" Long 2x6
without notch
36" Long 2x6 w/ Notch
36" Long 2x6
w/ Notch
GLUE

Building Tip: To aid in the assembly of the trusses, temporarily screw 2x4 blocks to
the floor. There are short 2x4s, that may have an angle on one end, supplied in kit.
This will insure that all the trusses are assembled the same.
2x4 Block
2x4-12' Gable Plate
4. Nail the 2x3-32" board where the trusses meet at the top. Secure with a 32" wood gusset.
Apply wood glue between the gusset and 2x4s. Nail gusset using (20) twenty 6d common nails.
5. Turn the truss over and install a gusset to the other side of the truss.
6. Repeat to assemble (8) eight more trusses.
32" Top Gusset
1. Framing lumber may be shipped long; cut (2) two 2x4-12' boards to 12' - 0". Position one on
the floor with the narrow edge side down. Use 2x4 blocks to hold the 2x4 plate straight.
2. Position (2) two truss halves (2x4s connected with a metal plate) with the short legs against
the 2x4 Gable Plate . DO NOT attach the Gable Plate to the truss. It is temporarily used to help
hold the 2x4 truss parts in place. It will be attached later when building the roof gables.
3. Secure 2x4 blocks around the perimeter of truss to hold truss parts in place.
Do Not Fasten Truss Legs to the 12' Board
Step 3 Assemble Trusses
32" Long 2x3 Block
Truss Half
Metal Plate
2x4 Block
2x4-12' Gable Plate

32-3/4"
Step 4 Assemble Roof Gables
1. Position (2) two truss halves together and secure the top with a 1"x4" barbed metal plate.
Nail a 32" long 2x3 board at the ridge to help secure the top.
2. Cut a 45" long 2x4 to length and install in the center of the gable. Secure the bottom by
nailing through the plate with (2) two 10d sinkers. Secure the top with a barbed metal plate.
3. Install two 40-3/4" long 2x4 gable studs in the center of the gable frame. Secure the same
procedure as the center 2x4. They should be spaced 42-3/4" apart, (+) or (-) 1/4".
4. Install (2) two 30-3/4" long 2x4s the same way.
5. Nail truss leg to 12' Gable Plate with 10d sinkers.
30-3/4" Long 2x4
45" Long 2x4
40-3/4" Long 2x4
32" Long 2x3 Block
If you want the loft doors to open, repeat steps 1-6 substituting
number 3 with directions below:
3. Cut a 45" long 2x4 gable stud and install
between the center gable studs. Secure
with 1"x4" metal barbed plates. Install
this board 32-3/4" from the 2x4 plate.
6. Repeat steps to assemble the front roof gable. Read note below:

61" Long 2x3
42-1/2" Long 2x3
34-3/4"
R
Blue ends
Right door
has Lap edge
Recut to
20-3/4"
Install Siding
Flush
Install Siding
Flush
1. Remove 2x4 blocks and turn the front gable frame over. Install pre-cut siding on front gable.
Siding should extend 3/4" below the bottom 2x4 plate. You can attach the loft door frames to
the gable to create a decorative look or if you want the loft doors to open, cut the siding from
the opening. Cut the siding flush with the sides of the opening. Cut siding length to 34-3/4".
Mark the siding cut from the right siding panel with the letter 'R'.
Step 5 Side Front Roof Gables
3. Recut the siding panel marked
'R' . Measure from 'LAP' edge
and cut the width to 20-3/4".
4. Install panels on door frames,
with the cut edges flush with
bottom and side of frames.The
frames will extend 3/4" above
the siding at the top.
Screw through the back of
siding with 1" wood screws.
R
LAP Edge
Tongue Edge extends past frame to
creates a door stop when right door is closed
Right Door
when closed
Top of Door Frame
Top of Door Frame
Back Side
of Siding
Tongue Edge
LAP Edge
To identify which edge we want you to use, we will refer
to the edge as either the 'LAP' Edge or the Tongue Edge.
Use 6d galv. nails where the 2x4s are flat and longer 8d
nails when the 2x4s are on edge. Spaced nails 12" apart.
Siding Extends 3/4" Below Plate
2. Install (2) two 61" and (2) two 42-1/2" long 2x3s on
the front gable flush with the top of the gable frame.
Install the top 2x3s with the blue ends together. Use
10d sinkers.
Siding w/ Tongue Edge
Install First

If installing the building on a cement slab cut the siding flush with the bottom plate.
Square wall frame before installing siding. Measure diagonally (corner to corner).
The measurements will be the same when the wall is square.
Pre-cut wall stud will measure 92-5/8" or 92-1/4" in length.
If you are installing the optional walk-in door see the instructions at Step 24.
Step 6 Apply Siding and Trim to Rear Roof Gable
1. Install pre-cut siding on the rear gable frame.
Blue Marks on End
2. Install (2) two 61" long 1x4 gable trim flush with the top edge of the gable.
Install the ends with blue marks together. Install trim with 8d galv. nails.
3. Install (2) two 42-1/2" long 1x4 gable trim
flush with the side edge of the gable.
LAP Edge
Siding Extends 3/4" Below Plate
Notes on assembling wall frames.

Step 8 Assemble Front Wall
5. Cut a 4x8 siding panel in half and install the siding with the tongue edge on the left end. The
siding will extend 3-1/2" beyond the end of the wall stud. Siding should extend 3/4" below the
bottom plate unless installing building on concrete slab.
1. Cut (2) two 2x4-12' boards to 11'- 5" in length.
2. Install (4) four pre-cut wall studs between the plates as shown below.
3. Install the 2x10 door header assembled in Step 7.
4. Cut (2) two pre-cut wall studs and install under the door header.
Cut Edge
Tongue Edge
OSB Filler
2x4 Header Supports
cut to fit
2x10 Door header
Assembled in Step 7
99" Opening Between Wall Studs
Pre-cut Wall
Studs
6. Install (2) two 3-1/2" x 48" OSB fillers under the door header.
7. Install pre-cut siding from our kit over the door opening.
8. Install remaining siding panel on right side.
Siding Extends 3-1/2"
Past 2x4 Stud
11' - 5"
2x4 Plate
17-1/2"
11' - 5"
2x4 Plate
17-1/2"

Pre-cut” Wall Studs
68-1/2" Wall Plate
4. Install the other siding panels. Cut
the last panel to extend 3-1/2"
beyond the wall frame.
Step 9 Assemble Back Wall
1. Position (4) four 2x4x68-1/2" boards together and indicate with 'X' marks where the wall studs
will be located. Mark the ends that will butt together with the letters 'A' and 'B'.
2. Install (8) eight pre-cut wall studs, between the 2x4 plates, over the 'X' marks and where the
plates butt. Use (2) two 10d sinkers at each end of stud. Nail walls together using 10d sinkers.
A
A
B
B
XX
XX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
68-1/2" Wall Plate
24"
19-3/4" 24"
23-1/4"
68-1/2" Wall Plate
AB
3. Install the 1st siding panel with the 'LAP' edge extending 3-1/2" past the wall frame. The
bottom will extend 3/4" below the bottom plate. Tip: Use 3/4" trim board as a gauge.
Siding to extend 3/4”
below bottom plate
LAP
Edge
A
B
Siding Extends 3-1/2"
Past 2x4 Stud

Cut the siding flush with the
bottom plate if installing the
building on a cement slab.
Step 10 Assemble Sidewalls
4. Cut one of the 48" wide siding panels in half lengthways.
5. Select the 2' wide panel, with the 'tongue' edge, and install this panel with the 'cut' edge
'flush with the end of the wall and extending 3/4" below the bottom plate.
6. Install (2) two more siding panels.
Siding Extends 3/4" Below Plate
LAP Edge
1. Position (2) two 2x4-48" boards and (2) two 2x4-72" boards together and indicate
with 'X' marks where the wall studs will be located.
2. Install (7) seven pre-cut wall studs between the wall plates. Use (2) two 10d sinkers at
each end of stud. Nail the frames together with 10d sinkers.
3. Repeat to assemble (3) three more 10' long sidewall frames. You will need to cut (2) two
64" long 2x4s to a length of 48" to assemble the last 48" wall frame.
7. Select (1) one of the 10' wall frames and repeat to apply siding to another sidewall 10' frame.
XX
XX
X
X
X
X
24"
23-1/4"
72" Wall Plate
X
X
X
X
X
X
48" Wall Plate
23-1/4"
Cut Edge
Tongue Edge
72" Wall Plate
48" Wall Plate

4. Repeat to apply siding to the other 10' wall frame.
Step 11 Assemble Sidewalls Continued
1. Select one of the 10' sidewalls assembled in Step 10. Butt a 10' wall frame against the
wall with siding. DO NOT nail these frames together so they can be separated later.
10' Wall Panel from Step 10
6' Wall Plate
2. Square the wall frame. Install a full width siding panel but do not nail along the long edge
that overlaps the 10' wall frame. You can nail this edge after the wall panels are installed.
This will enable you to separate the wall panels making them easier to handle.
Do Not Nail Along This Edge
LAP Edge
4' Wall Plate
3. Install another full width siding panel and
the 2' wide siding panel.

Step 12 Set Walls
Layout both beams for the spacing of the loft floor joists.
The 'X' marks where the floor joist will be placed.
Step 13 Layout Loft Joist Spacing on 2x6 Beam
2x4 Bottom Plates
1. Set the back wall panel between the sidewalls. Secure wall panels together at the corners.
Use (4) four 10d coated nails per corner. Nail wall panels to the floor. Nail through the bottom
plate. Space 10d sinkers 24" apart.
2. Install the front wall frame between the sidewalls.
3. Nail along the siding edge where the sidewall siding panels overlap.
4. Remove the 2x4s from the shipping pallet and use them to brace the wall to hold them straight.
5. Cut and remove the bottom 2x4 in the door opening.
Nail Along
Siding Edge 2x4 Wall
Brace
23-1/4"
24"
24"

2. Use the beam as a reference to mark
where the floor joist will be placed.
The 2x4 floor joist, when installed,
will be aligned with the wall studs.
Step 14 Install Loft Joist Headers & 2x6 Loft Beams
4. Install the rear 2x6 beam, 84" from the 2x4 joist header boards, with the 'X' marks on the
beam facing the back wall. You can use a 2x4-7' board as a gauge to properly space the beam.
Refer to Step 15 to see how the loft floor joist will be installed.
Place the notch under the top plate and support the beam by cutting a pre-cut wall stud and
placing under the beam. Further secure the beam with a 3" wood screw through the top of
the wall plate.
2x6 Beam
5. Repeat to Install the other beam with the 'X' marks on the beam facing the front wall.
When the front beam is installed there will be 56" between the beams
1. Install (2) two 68-1/2" long 2x4s on the back wall to support the floor joist. Install
the 2x4s flush with the top of the 2x4 wall plate. Secure to wall studs with 10d sinkers.
68-1/2" Long 2x4
3. Repeat to install joist header support boards on the front wall.
Back Wall
84" to 2x4 Joist Header
2x4 Cut to Length

2x4 Hanger
Cover 'X' Marks on
2x6 Beams
Step 15 Install Loft Floor Joists
Step 16 Install Loft Flooring
Install 84" long 2x4s between the front and
rear beams and the 2x4s joist headers. Use
2x4 hangers with hanger nails.
1. Install 7/16" OSB loft flooring on back loft floor joists. Loft flooring is flush with outside of
top wall plate. Use 7d sinkers spaced 12” apart. See layout pattern below:
2. Repeat to install loft flooring at the front of the building.
3. Install 3-1/2" x 56" floor fillers on top of side wall plates between the loft flooring.
48" x 96" Flooring
3-1/2" x 56" Filler
48" x 48" Flooring
44" x96" Flooring
44"x48" Flooring

1x4-8' Corner Trim
Sidewall
Back and Front Walls
1x4 72" Top Trim
Cut to Fit
1x4 Trim
Step 17 Install Wall Trim
Loft Floor
flush
1. Install (2) two 1x4-8' corner trim on the back wall, flush with the siding on the sidewall and
flush with the top of the loft flooring. Use 8d galv. nails.
2. Install (2) two 1x4-72" trim boards across the top of the back wall. Cut to fit. Install the 1x4
boards flush with the top of the loft flooring. See diagram below.
3. Repeat steps for front wall trim.

Step 18 Set Rear and Front Gables
WARNING: The gable ends are heavy
and awkward. You'll need helpers to lift
and set gables in place.
1. Install the rear gable on the rear wall. The siding on the gable must extend over the 1x4 trim
board, not behind it. See detail below. Nail gable to loft flooring. Use 10d nails.
1x4 Trim
Bottom Edge of Gable Siding
Overlaps Top Wall Trim
Rear Gable & Wall

24"
18-3/4"
Rear Gable
Step 19 Install 2x4 Truss Plates
1. Install a 72" long 2x4 tie plate against the rear
gable and flush with outside edge of wall plate.
Cut a 2x4-12' board to finish. Use 10d nails.
2. Repeat to install tie plates on the opposite side.
72” Tie Plate
Cut 2x4-12' To Fit
Measure from Face
of Gable Plate
Rear Gable
3. Layout the truss spacing. Measure from the inside face of the 2x4 gable plate to mark the
location of the first truss. The last truss space will be more than 24".
Important: When marking the opposite wall, place the 'X' mark on the same side of the line
so your trusses are parallel when they are installed.

Straight Edge
Metal Truss Hanger
Soffit Board Flush With Siding
To prevent the nails from protruding
thought the bottom of the soffit board,
do not nail at an angle when nailing roof
sheathing to the soffit boards.
1. Place trusses over the 'X' marks and secure
trusses to 2x4 tie plate using 2x4 hangers and
1-1/2" hanger nails.
2. Locate 84" long soffit boards that have a beveled
edge. Install one of these boards flush with the
top of the siding and butting against the rear
gable trim. Secure soffit boards to the top wall
plate with 3" long screws. Cut to length and
Install the last soffit board to fit behind 2x3
boards on the front gable.
Step 20 Install Trusses & Soffit Boards
1. Install a 42" x 96" OSB roof panel flush with
the face of the rear gable trim. Use a straight
edge to align the top of the sheathing with the
top of the truss. Continue adding sheathing
following the layout on the next page. Use
7d sinkers, spaced 12" apart.
2. Repeat step for opposite side.
Step 21 Install Roof Sheathing
Before installing the overhang to the
sidewall, use a straight edge to make
sure the trusses are align with the bevel
cut on the overhang board. Adjust up
or down if necessary.
Straight edge