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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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”.
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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23. Place Window Wall Panel in front. Make sure top Wall framing is aligned together as illustrated
and attach as per Step 17.
24. Position and attach Narrow Wall Panel to left side wall stud with 3 - 2 1/2” screws as per Step 17.
Note, Narrow Wall is 73” high (2” shorter than wide walls). Siding overhangs wall stud and floor.
25.Locate Vertical Door Jamb and position flush against right wall panel stud. The Jamb is 3” wide and
will sit flush to outside of wall siding. When positioned correctly, secure Jamb using 4 - 2 1/2” screws.
Jamb sits flush with
outside of siding.

26. Position and attach the Door Header to Door Jamb and Narrow Wall Panel top framing. Header
should sit flush with Door Jamb and Outside of Narrow Wall Panel Siding. Attach with
4 - 2 1/2” screws. 27. When all walls are attached together,
check alignment with the floor. Bottom wall
framing should sit flush with outside of
floor joists and plywood floor. Confirm 32”
wide door opening at bottom.
When positioned correctly, fasten bottom
wall plates to floor using 4 - 2 1/2” screws
per wall panel.
Bottom Wall
Framing
Confirm 32” Wide Door Opening at Bottom
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Caulking
Optional - Caulking
seams will help prevent
moisture from entering at
seam.
Caulking not included in
kit.
Floor

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Page 13
28. Position Front and Rear Top
Plates on top of wall studs so it is flush
on the inside with 2x3 wall framing.
There are 3 pieces of Front Top Plates
(2 angle cut /1 end pieces and 1 middle
straight cut /both ends). Together, the
plates should be centered evenly on the
wall left to right.
Attach by screwing down into top wall
framing with 3 -2” screws.
Angle cut on ends.
Top Plates should be flush
with inside of wall framing.
29. Next, attach the Side Top Plates (2 per side). The side top plates are angle cut down the
Edge. Once again, position top plate on wall plate so it is flush with inside of wall framing. Side
plate should also be flush with Front Top Plate. Secure with 4 - 2” screws per piece.
Side Top Plate
Plate flush to inside
of wall framing

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Page 14
30. Locate Gable 1/2 Walls for both sides
of the shed. Align framing and wall siding
lapp together. Screw center wall
framing of each piece together with
3 - 2 1/2” screws.
Note, prior to attaching, try each
combination of Gables for best fit.
Notched at top
Flashing
Male / Female Wall
Lapp Siding
Rear Top Plates
29a. Position the Rear Top Plates on rear wall top framing to complete. Use 4 - 2” screws per piece.

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31. Lift up a completed gable section and place on top of Rear Top Plate on wall. The rear gable
framing should sit flush with the inside of the top plate.
32. The gable should be centered sideways (left to right) on the top plate. Hint: use a straight edge to
check the angle of the gable framing and top plate. Both angles should line up. Adjust gable accordingly.
Temporarily attach to walls and top plate with 2 - 2” screws. Gables may need slight adjustment in Step 43.
Complete attachment in Step 43 and additional 6 - 2” screws. Screw from the bottom of gable framing down
into Top Plate and Wall.
33. Complete positioning and attachment of front gable as per Step 31-32.
straight edge Gable Framing
Gable
Framing
flush with
Top Plate

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Page 16
C. & D. Rafter and Roof Section
Outside
Roof
Panels (2)
Middle Roof
Panels
(2)
Exploded view of all parts necessary to complete the Roof Section.
Identify all parts prior to starting. (Roof Filler Shingles Missing)
Outside
Roof
Panels (2)
Roof Rafters
(9 per side)
18 Tot.
Ridge Boards
(4) 84” and
52 1/2”long
Soffits (4)
1/2” x 4 1/2” x 68 1/4”
Ridge Board
Ridge Board
Metal Ridge Board Connector
34. Locate (1 each) 3/4” x 4 1/2” x 84” & 52 1/2” Ridge Boards and attach together with Metal
Ridge Board Connector using 8 - 3/4” screws. Total Length when connected is 136 1/2”. Complete
two Sets.Position Metal Ridge Board Connector evenly on Ridge Boards.
Metal Ridge
Board
Connectors (2)
Roof Gussets
(3)
8 - 3/4” Screws

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37. Attach end of a 68 1/4” long Soffit Board flush to ends of
outside rafters with 2 - 1 1/4” screws per rafter end. Important: Drill
pilot hole in Soffit ends to prevent splitting. Complete both
outside rafter / Soffit connections first. Measure and position interior
Rafters as illustrated above. When positioned correctly, attach Soffits
to remaining rafters with 2 -1 1/4” screws /rafter.
Flip completed rafter section over. Complete 2nd Rafter section now
as per Steps 35 - 37 with the following exception.
When attaching Ridge Board to Rafter ends, make sure Metal
Ridge Board Connector is positioned so offset to first Rafter
Section. See Step 42 for illustration.
36. Attach completed Ridge Board to ends of both
outside rafters with 2 - 2” screws per end. Measure and
position interior Rafters as illustrated below. When
positioned correctly, attach Ridge Board to remaining
rafters with 2 - 2” screws /rafter end.
35. Locate 9 Rafters, 2 Soffits and completed
Ridge Board. Lay out on level ground as shown
to the right. Double up Rafters as illustrated.
Screw doubled up Rafters together with
3 - 2 1/2” screws per piece.
Note, completed rafter section will be flipped
over in Step 38.
Ridge Board
Soffits
Double up
Rafters
Rafter
Soffit
68.25”
45.5”
20.5”
20.5”
20.5”
45.5”
45.5”
136.5”
Connector
Board to
inside
2 1/2” Screws
into Doubled
up Rafters
2 1/2” Screws
into Doubled
up Rafters
Flip Rafter
Sections over
when complete
Important:
Pilot Hole
Ridge Board
to prevent
splitting!
Important:
Pilot Hole Soffit to
prevent splitting!

38. Starting with one side, lift
completed rafter section up.
(make sure Soffit is facing down).
Soffit
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40. When Rafter Section is correctly
positioned, outside rafters will sit
equally on gable framing and Soffit will
sit approximately 1/8” away from wall
panels.
Rafter should rest
on gable framing
39. Slide Rafter Section up on gable framing
until bottom of Ridge Board slips into gable
notch.
Soffit should sit
approx. 1/8” away
from wall panel.
Gable Notch
Ridge Board
Rafter
gable framing

41. Place 2nd completed Rafter Section on gable wall framing. Position as per Steps 38 & 40.
43. With both Rafter Ridge Boards
connected. Completely secure
Gable framing to both outside rafters
with 8 - 2” screws per gable side.
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Gable Notch
Ridge Board
Rafter
Offsetting Metal
Ridge Board
Connectors
42. At the peak, align Ridge Boards so they
are flush together and secure them with
12 - 1 1/4” screws. Important- if there is a
gap between Ridge Boards, try pushing side
walls closer together from outside. Walls
should be 91” apart at top from inside of wall
plate to wall plate.
To completely secure Ridge Boards, place
4 - 1 1/4” screws into any of the remaining
Metal Ridge Board Connectors holes.
Complete both sides.
Important: - If Gable framing does not
line up with Rafters, remove temporary 2”
screws from gable framing. Re-align
gable and secure with 8 - 2” screws total.

45. Roof Gussets are positioned on the Middle Rafters. Slide gusset up slightly below top of rafter,
use level to square gusset and attach to rafters with 4 - 2” screws. Pilot hole each Gusset end with 1/8”
drill bit. Complete remaining Gusset.
46. Identify Roof Panels. There are 2 Outside and 1 Middle Roof Panel per side.
Starting with outside rear panel, lift up and place on rafters.
Shingles overhang battens
on outside panels.
Shingles and battens
flush on middle panel.
Roof facing
down with
roofing felt
showing.
Outside Roof Panel.
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Page 20
44. Attach Simpson Strong Ties (22 degree bend) to Top Wall framing and plates and also to the
underside of the rafters. Use 4 - 1 1/4” screws to secure. There are 5 Ties per side. Have two helpers
push the side walls at the top from the outside of shed until inside to inside measurement between the
side plates is 91”.
91” across
1 Strong Tie on Doubled Up Rafters
below top
of Rafter