My garden shed build is coming along nicely, and, in fact, I have almost got it dried in (protected from the elements). Next I need to work on the soffits and fascia, which needs to be done before I put the roof on—or, according to my philosophy it does. I think of a building project like a lasagna, where each layer needs to be completed before moving on to the next one.
To cut the soffit material, you need just a couple of tools. One is a straight edge, and for this I’m using a track system that fits on my circular saw. This track system will allow me to make pretty straight cuts, but I’m going to cut my fascia boards from my two pieces first because I want to keep the factory edge. Why? Because, even using a track, the circular saw can cut a slightly wavy line and, if that happens, it’ll be hidden by the trim layer. The dead-straight factory edge, though, will be on the bottom and visible.
Make sure you check out the video, where I show you how to adjust the saw so the teeth will barely clear the wood—and leave my sawhorses intact.
You’ll see in the video that I’ve got some slight gaps between the top of the garden shed wall and the roof beams. Is this a problem? No, it’s not. In following steps, we’ll be installing trim that will cover that up and, at the end, caulking the gap to ensure the shed is weather tight and not so easy for bugs to enter.
But, as I said, that’s a future “lasagna” layer, as are window installation and hanging the door. Next up, it’s time for me to put on the roof, at which point this shed will be pretty close to done.
