A front porch can be a great addition to a garden shed, providing extra space for walking and decorating! Learn how to build a porch to enhance your own garden shed with this easy step-by-step tutorial.

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Noting the changing weather of a rain storm ahead, I was skeptical that the flowers blooming around the garden shed would hold out. So I decided that I’d quickly do a photo shoot of the shed while they looked their best!

But it needed a front step of some kind. Because, whadda mess, thanks to the continuous spouting falling bird seed!

I had built THIS pallet shed porch about 2 years ago, but the wood finally rotted, so it was time to lift them and come up with another idea. But what could I do quickly….

Only problem was… the shed was dirty. So I quickly yanked out my electric pressure washer, then proceeded to knock the paint off the shed door.

Well this was going well… so much for my quick shoot!

Fusion Mineral Paint in Coal Black (get 10% off HERE)

Or use code funkyjunkinteriorsfmp at checkout

So I quickly painted the door a gorgeous tone of Coal Black by Fusion Mineral Paint. What an improvement!

But there was the situation with no porch or step…

That’s when I decided this would not be an instant fix. The shed needed some improvements that would stand the test of time since it’s a treasured feature to the entire back yard.

So I decided to chance the next rain storm and do some improvements to the garden shed… and quickly figure out how to build a porch! 

Having enough wood for the top, off to the hardware store we went for framing wood so we could get this thing done before all the flowers left for the season!

Nothing like a flower deadline, huh?

And I’m so glad I did! Not only was how to build a porch a relatively easy addition, the addition really enhances the entire look of the shed! Adding some nice footing, along with plenty more space to display flower planters or even add a chair, the decorating possibilities certainly increased!

Plus, it’s so low to the ground, no porch stairs nor railing posts are even needed!

So here’s how to build a porch that’s fairly quick, easy and somewhat price efficient too!

Note: it’s a good idea to check your professional local building codes and regulations / restrictions before building a porch or a deck.

How to build a porch (for a garden shed)

 

Supplies I used:

 

Our average cost, without the wood on top nor labor costs was $100 Canadian.

10′ Pressure-treated 2x4s for the frame

6 small concrete slabs (similar to THIS) for the footings

3″ deck screws

Reclaimed wood for the top

Olympic WaterGuard outdoor wood protection

Fusion Mineral Paint in Coal Black (get 10% off HERE)

Bosch cordless drill

Construction level

Tape measure

Miter saw (I LOVE this Bosch miter saw that saves space!)

Orbital sander (I prefer Bosch variable speed)

Cutting the framing

 

Since there are many different types of porches one can build, we decided to keep things super simple that didn’t require pouring concrete, a concrete slab, form tubes, etc.

I was lucky enough to enlist help from my son so he could help me with pick up the wood and positioning the footings. Doesn’t he look excited?! Trust me, it’s pretend. Then I ended up building the rest on my own.

1. Measure how large you’d like your porch, then cut a rectangle out of treated wood to that size.

Porch details and lumber cutting list:

• Finished size: 10′ x 4′
• 10′ long x 4
• 4′ long x 2
• Inner framework: approx 15.5″ x 10
• Planks for the top – reclaimed cedar to fit

I used 2x4s since the shed door was so low to the ground. Using 2×6 would offer more support, however since this porch wouldn’t carry much weight, this is more than adequate.

If you wish for something that can handle more weight, HERE is how we built an 8′ x ‘8 deck for our inflatable hot tub, which is basically the same kind of build.

Installing the basic frame (end and rim joists)

 

2. Join the four corners of the frame using 3″ deck screws.

3. Smooth out the entire soil area with a garden rake, leaving the soil fluffy so it’s easy to embed the footings.

4. Place 6 concrete slabs where desired, with the frame on top.

5. Position a construction level on top of the frame boards in all directions, then level each footing until there is a slight lean towards the front for water run-off.

The most challenging part was leveling the footers. Once that’s done, everything else went super fast! 

Adding 10′ floor joists

 

6. Attach two more 2x4s inside the rectangle frame.

How you position the extra framework ought to be compatible with how you plan to build the top of the deck. Since I desired my top deck boards to run vertically against the shed, running the framework inside horizontally offers more places to attach the top deck boards.

The inner 10′ boards boards are spaced approximately 15″ apart. (approx 16″ on-center)

Installing floor joists

 

7. Cut smaller 2x4s to fit inside the framework, positioned in the opposite direction to create a strong brace.

Staggering the floor joists for easier installation

 

The smaller inner boards were staggered in placement so I had the ability to easily attach all the ends with screws.

Preparing the porch floor boards

 

8. Cut and sand the top deck boards.

Since I desired to use up some reclaimed wood cedar planks from an old fence I had on hand, I cut all the planks to the desired length, then sanded the tops and sides using an orbital sander.

These boards were previously pressure washed before storage. HERE is how I clean reclaimed wood.

View: Olympic Waterguard HERE

How to protect outdoor wood from the elements

 

9. If using dry reclaimed wood, use a weather protecting product before installation.

I brushed the top and sides of the boards with one coat of Olympic WaterGuard which is a clear wood sealer that is water-based. It’s very easy to work with, and only very slightly deepens the original wood tone once dry.

Since the weather called for rain, I decided to protect the boards inside my garage so they’d have additional drying time. However you can use this product on a fully installed porch outdoors if the weather cooperates.

To seal the edges quicker, I flipped the boards up on their edges, then brushed both sides first.

Then I laid down the boards and coated the tops. This product goes on milky-white. However once dried, it pretty much disappears.

Then I allowed the boards to dry for approximately 2 days until the rain passed. It’s best to read the directions on the product you use to ensure you get optimum results.

Installing the porch floor boards

 

10. Dry-fit the top porch boards to ensure they fit.

Spacing the floor boards for water run-off

 

11. Attach the top porch boards to frame with deck screws, allowing for a small gap in between each board for water run-off.

I just eyed the spacing, however you could use a piece of small wood as a spacer. 

I installed the boards using two 3″ deck screws per attachment.

Completed shed porch

 

And there you have it! That is how to build a porch for a shed that is super easy to customize to suit!

So let’s take a full tour of the shed before those flowers wilt!

Complete view of the shed

 

Welcome to my garden shed, now with a newly built and substantially nicer porch than I’ve ever had before!

While the past pallet porch worked, it was always meant as a temporary fix. This shed porch cost me about $100 Canadian, and it was well worth it since this ought to last, thanks to the pressure treated wood frame placed on concrete slabs with wood protection on top.

I really like how the shed is enhanced, making it feel much larger! And isn’t that newly painted Coal Black door decadent?

Bird feeders with stump risers

 

And of course, the porch allows for more space for not only walking, but for pretty decorative things as well!

The bird feeder resides on the shed these days, so I positioned two tree stumps underneath, one with a pan to catch falling bird seed, and the other as a stand for a DIY acorn bird feeder resides, filled with black oil sunflower seeds. I use this secondary feeder mainly for stellar jays and squirrels so they leave the main feeder alone for the smaller birds to use. This setup works great!

If you’d like to see how I made the acorn bird feeder using a thrift store wooden bowl and hardware cloth, watch the video in THIS HOMETALK POST. It was such a fun challenge! 

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Check out a similar squirrel-proof bird feeder HERE

On the other side of the porch, my vivid red petunias fit perfectly, sitting inside a galvanized collar I used for THIS solar water fountain project.

Isn’t that porch space fabulous though?! Plus it’ll help keep the door and front of the shed much cleaner too!

I think the 4′ x 10′ sized porch is perfect!

Garden shed side-view with flowers in bloom

 

And here’s the side of the shed, in its full summer flower blooming glory!

Last year the flowers were a little fuller, so you can take that epic tour HERE

View: How to build this bird feeding station HERE

Bird feeding station on a garden shed

 

The bird feeding station (see how I made it HERE) is currently housing suet and a bird bell while being positioned over flowers, which works ok since this makes much less mess than a bird feeder.

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View Wild Birds Sanctuary stencil HERE

Pick up some bird seed bells / bird suet 

Check out some unique bird baths

Doesn’t it look so cozy tucked in amongst all the flowers?

I’m also using an enamel tub tucked into a galvanized small garbage can as a bird bath with a large flat rock positioned in the middle of the water. On most days you’ll see birds waiting their turn standing around the rim.

I’d love to add a real birdbath to this space one day, however I do like how light and easy it is to tip over to refill as desired.

The shed is fairly well protected and shaded, thanks to the larger sumac tree up above.

And in case you are wondering, the shed’s roof is covered with a grapevine that produces very well!

Garden view with blueberry barrels

 

Along the side of the yard are a few barrels of blueberry plants I haven’t blogged about yet. Egads… where does the time go? 

Sunflower and millet growing from bird seed

 

However one barrel planter really took flight thanks to a few sprouted bird seeds I repositioned, so now I have a sunflower and perhaps millet filling the barrel. How fun! I’m curious to see what that millet does.

HERE is another sunflower garden created thanks to more fallen birdseed.

And that’s how to build a porch for a shed that honestly couldn’t have been much easier to do. And at the cost of about $100 for the entire porch (minus the top boards and labour of course)…

Shed before:

 

Cleaned up:

 

Shed after!

 

… I think the garden shed looks a million times better!

With the flowers still alive too!

HERE is another fab tour of the shed from last summer… it’s even more abundant!

Think this how to build a porch tutorial will encourage one of your own?

More unique backyard projects:

 

How to build an 8′ x 8′ deck for an inflatable hot tub (without cutting wood!)

Easy shed ideas to add to your garden shed!

How to build a reclaimed wood garden fence

Cable reel potting table in a sunflower bed

Visit all rustic garden shed projects HERE