Outdoor living today 8x12 Gardener's Shed User manual

8x12 Gardener’s
Shed
Assembly Manual
Thank you for purchasing
an 8x12 Gardener’s Shed
from Outdoor Living
Today. Please take the time
to identify all the parts prior
to assembly.
Safety Points and Other Considerations
Our products are built for use based on
proper installation and normal residential
use, on level ground. Please follow the
instruction manual when building your
Cabana and retain the manual for future
maintenance purposes.
Some of the safety and usage measures you may wish to consider include:
-snow load ratings vary by geographical location. If heavy or wet snowfall occurs, it is advisable to sweep the
snow off the roof(s).
-if the product is elevated, any structural and building code requirements are solely the customer's
responsibility, and should be abided by.
-in high or gusty wind conditions it is advisable to keep the structure securely grounded.
-have a regular maintenance plan to ensure screws, doors, windows and parts are tight.
Customer agrees to hold Outdoor Living Today Partnership and any Authorized Dealers free
of any liability for improper installation, maintenance and repair.
Version #9
November 15, 2009
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 1
In the event of a missing or broken piece, simply call the Outdoor Living Today
Customer Support Line @ 1-888-658-1658 within 30 days of the delivery of your
purchase. It is our commitment to you to courier replacement parts, free of charge,
within 10 business days of this notification. Replacement parts will not be
provided free of charge after the 30 day grace period.

Thank you for purchasing our 8x12 Gardener’s Shed.
Please take the time to identify all the parts prior to assembly.
Parts List:
A. Floor Section
3 - 45 1/2” x 75” Floor - Joist Frames
6 - 1 1/2” x 3 1/2” x 72” - Center Floor Joists - Unattached
3 - 45 1/2” x 21” - Floor Joist Frames
3 - 45 1/2” x 75” - Plywood Floor - Large
3 - 45 1/2” x 21” - Plywood Floor - Small
10- 1 1/2” x 3 1/2” x 68” - Floor Runners
B. Wall Section
8 - 45 1/2” x 75” - Solid Wall Panels
8 - 1 1/2” x 2 1//2 x 45 1/2” - Bottom Wall Plates
1 - 45 1/2” x 75” - Window Wall Panel
1 - 12” x 73” - Narrow Wall Panels
1 - Fixed Window Insert
Door Jamb & Header
1 - 1 1/2” x 3” x 73” - Door Jamb
1 - 2” x 3” x 45 1/2” - Door Header (Dado cut on edge)
2 - 2 1/2” x 1/2”t x 72” - Interior Vertical Door Stops
1 - 2 1/2” x 1/2” x 36” - Interior Top Horizontal Door Stop
1 - Solid Door Panel
Top Wall Plates
6- 3/4” x 2 1/2” x 32” - Front & Rear Top Plates
(2 pieces Angle cut on end, 1 piece straight cut both ends)
4 - 3/4” x 2 1/2” x 65 3/4” - Side Top Plates
(Angle cut on edge -65 3/4”)
Gable Walls
4 - Gable Half Walls - Triangular Shaped
C. Rafter Section
18- 1 1/2” x 3 1/2” x 56 1/2” - Roof Rafters
2 - 3/4” x 4 1/2” x 84” - Roof Ridge Boards
2 - 3/4” x 4 1/2” x 52 1/2” - Roof Ridge Boards
4 - 1/2” x 4 1/2” x 68 1/4” - Soffits
D. Roof Section
4 - Outside Rear Roof Panels (Shingles overhanging roof battens
on 1 end)
2 - Middle Roof Panel (Shingles flush with roof battens)
3 - 3/4” x 3 1/2” x 72” Roof Gussets - (angle cut on ends)
E. Miscellaneous Section
Bottom Skirting
10 - 1/2” x4 1/2” x 45 1/4” - Side Bottom Skirting
Corner & Sidewall Trim
8 - 1/2”x 2 1/2” x 79” - Narrow Trims
3 - 1/2” x 2 1/2” x 77 1/2” - Doorway / Rear Wall Trims
4 - 1/2” x 2 1/2” x 75” - Filler Trim
4 - 1/2” x 4 1/2” x 82” - Wide Corner Trim
4 - 1/2” x 4 1/2” x 44 1/2” - Horizontal Gable Trim
Facia Trim
4 - 3/4” x 3 1/2” x 58” - Front and Rear Facia
(Angle cut on ends - 2 right / 2 left)
4 - 3/4” x 3 1/2” x 72 1/4” - Side Facia - Square Cut Ends
Filler Shingles (6” wide)
12 pcs - Long
4 pcs - Short
Ridge Caps
22 - Cedar Roof Ridge Caps
Misc. Pieces
1- Flower Box Kit (Assembly Manual & Hardware found in each
Kit)
2- Pentagon Facia Plates
2 -Side Facia Detail Trim Plates - Smaller
2 - Horizontal Gable Trim Detail Plates - Larger
1 pc - Spare Wall Siding
2 pcs - Spare Shingles- use to shim door, etc
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 2

8x12 GARDENER HARDWARE SHEET
2 1/2”
Note: screws and nails shown actual size.
2”
1 1/4”
3/4”
2”
3/4”
1 1/4”
1 1/4”
Tee Hinge x3 Pull Handle Ridge Board
Connector x 2
Black
Silver
Black
Finishing
Shingle
Square Drive Bit
Hardware Kit (Provided)
Safety Glasses Work Gloves
Safety Equipment Required (Not Provided)
Ladder
Screw Gun/Drill Tape Measure
Hammer Wood Clamp
Level Pliers
Tools Required (Not Provided)
1/8” Drill Bits
Simpson Strong Tie
(8@90 deg.& 10@22 deg.)
Black Barrel
Bolt
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 3

A. Floor Section
Plywood Floor
Large (3)
Floor Joist
Frames
Large (3)
Floor Runners (10)
Plywood Floor
Small (3)
Exploded view of all parts necessary to complete
Floor Section. Identify all parts prior to starting.
Note, Floor Footprint is 136 1/2” Deep x 96” Wide.
Concrete Pad
(optional foundation method)
Floor Joist
Frames
Small (3)
1. Lay out Large Floor Joist Frame and 2 Floor Joists as illustrated above. Position Joists
equally in Floor Joist Frame. Use Small Floor Joist Frame as a template to determine joist position.
Position Joist so flush with framing.
Flush
with
framing
2. When correctly positioned, attach each Joist with 4 - 2 1/2” screws (2 per end). If door
location to be on left, position Small Floor Joist Frame to right. Reverse if opposite. You can find the
Square Drive Screw Bit in the Hardware Kit Bag.
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 4
You can find the
Square Drive Bit for
the screws in with
the Hardware Kit
Bag.

7.Attach Floor Runners to completed floor
frame. There are 2 floor runners per 136 1/2” side
and 5 completed runners in total. Use 6 - 2.5”
screws per Runner.
96”
5. Complete all large and small frame attachments. Screw
each completed section together with 8 - 2.5” screws.
6. When completed, your floor footprint
should be 136 1/2” deep x 96” wide.
136 1/2”
8. Make sure Runners are flush with outside and
front and rear floor framing but not overhanging.
3. Lay out Floor Joist Frames as
illustrated at left. There are 3 larger and
3 smaller Frame Sections. The Footprint
for the floor when attached together will
be 136 1/2” wide x 96” deep.
4.Attach each large and small floor joist frames
together with 6 - 2.5” screws per section.
Front of Shed
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 5

Note: The floor will be flipped over and floor
runners will sit on your foundation. It is
important to note that having a level
foundation is critical. Choosing a foundation will
vary between regions. Typical foundations can
be concrete pads or patio stones positioned
underneath the floor runners.
10. With Floor Runners attached, carefully flip the
floor over and place on your foundation. Caution-
you will need 2 people to assist you. Be careful
when laying floor down not to bend or twist floor.
When in place, level floor completely.
Concrete Slab
Foundation
Foundations
9. Complete all Floor Runners.
11. Position Plywood Floor pieces (6) on top
of completed floor joists. Plywood is cut slightly
smaller than floor framing. Keep plywood
seams tight.
Hint: Use a chalk line
to mark location of
floor joists to
determine screw
placement.
Front
12. With Plywood positioned correctly on floor
framing, attach with 1 1/4” screws. Use screws
every 16”.
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 6
plywood
pushed together
at seam.

13. Lay out all the wall panels and
become familiar with their
location.
On Standard Kits, there is 1
Window Wall Panels, 8 Solid Wall
Panels and 1 Narrow Wall Panel
for the front.
Make sure to position panels right
side up so water is directed away
from and not into shed. Look at
window wall panels to determine
proper wall position to confirm.
Front
B. Wall Section
Exploded view of all parts necessary to complete the
Wall Section. Identify all parts prior to starting.
Window Wall
Panel (1)
Side Top
Plates (4)
Angle cut on side
Rear Top
Plates (3)
Gable Walls
(4)
2 per side
Narrow Wall Panel
12” wide
Solid Wall
Panel (8)
Window
Insert (1)
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 7
Door Header
Door Jamb
Front Top
Plates (3)

15. Starting at Rear Corner, position a Solid Wall Panel
on top of plywood floor. The Wall Panel bottom framing
will sit flush with plywood. Wall siding will overhang the
floor.
Important:
Make sure all walls are aligned in their
upright position. If not ,water may leak into
your shed. Unsure if panel is facing up or
down? check siding on window wall panel
to match alignment.
16.The rear wall panels will sit flush at the end
of the plywood floor with the sidewall panels will
be sandwiched between them.
Note: Siding will overhang the floor by approx.
1/2”
Outside 2x3 framing of wall panel
is flush with outside of plywood
when properly aligned.
Rear Side Panel
Rear
Bottom Wall Plate
14. Starting with Solid Wall Panels, carefully lay panel face down. Position and attach Wall
Plate to bottom of wall studs of each wall panel with 3 - 2 1/2” screws. Position so plates are flush
with framing.
Front of Shed
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 8

Do Not Attach Walls To
Floor until Step 27.
17. Position rear solid wall into
place on plywood floor. Butt
both vertical wall studs of side
and rear walls together and
attach with 3- 2 1/2” screws.
Screw at the bottom, middle
and top of stud to secure
properly.
Rear Wall Panels
Rear Solid Wall
Side Solid Wall
18. With the corner wall
attachment complete, position
rear wall so bottom 2x3 wall
framing is sitting flush with
outside floor joists and
plywood floor. Wall siding
should overhang floor by
approximately 1/2”
When positioned correctly,
add a second rear wall panel
and attach both rear wall
panel studs together as per
Step 17.
Rear Solid Wall
2x3 wall framing flush
with outside of plywood.
Be sure that rear
wall panels fit
between the side
wall panels
(sandwiched)
Side Wall Panel
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 9
Optional - Caulking
seams will help prevent
moisture from entering at
seam.
Caulking not included in
kit.

20. Next, complete all side wall panel attachments. Typically, Window Wall Panel is positioned in front.
Attach wall studs together as per Step 17.
21. Complete all remaining side wall attachments. Attach wall studs together as per Step 17.
Front of Shed
Wall panel
will sit flush
with plywood
at front of
shed.
22. Locate Window Insert. Place Window Insert into wall opening tight to wall siding.
On the inside, shim Window Insert evenly in cavity. Kits include 2 Shim Singles for shimming of the
window. When properly positioned, secure Window Insert to wall framing cavity with 4 - 2” screws.
Front of Shed
Toll Free 1-888-658-1658 www.outdoorlivingtoday.com [e-mail]
Page 10