DIY Network

Outdoor Storage Closet Build this great garage annex. From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-212

Greg Gilbert has run out of room in his garage – but there’s plenty of space in the great outdoors. Host Karl Champley shows this former pro football player how to build a new outdoor cabinet that will open up major yardage in the garage. They start by creating a cedar base for the cabinet floor and building a wall section from plywood.

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Outdoor Closet

	Karl rescues Greg and Caryl’s garage...
	With an outdoor closet that conquers the clutter.

Materials:

safety glasses
2x10 cedar planks
cedar lumber
3/4" plywood
1/4" plywood
primer and paint
screws
lag screws
washers
masonry anchors
galvanized hinges and screws
bolts
latch
siding (J-track system)
nails
lead anchors
metal roofing sheets
roofing screws with rubber washers
cabinet accessories

Tools:

safety glasses
ear protection
carpenter’s pencil
socket wrench
screw gun
chalk line
circular saw
citer saw
hammer
tape measure
scissors
screwdriver
power drill
masonry bit

Paint Colors:

Benjamin Moore Brandon beige 977, exterior low-luster finish

Building the Base and Support

• Karl’s design for the outdoor cabinet will give Greg the maximum amount of storage with the smallest possible "footprint" on the exterior of the house. Before cutting any lumber, sketch out a design for the piece based on your own space and needs. Karl and Greg built Greg’s new outdoor cabinet to sit about 10 inches out from the house so the doors could open fully without hitting the utility meter, downspout or vent.

  Note: Cedar’s natural resistance to weather makes it a great material for the cabinet base.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B

• The base or floor of the cabinet consists of 2x10 cedar planks laid flush with each other and tied together with additional planks at the ends. Cut several cedar planks to the required length and lay them out until there are enough to create the base, then cut additional planks to match the width of the base. Nail the cross-pieces to the other planks, making sure to connect each plank (figure A).

  Safety Alert: Wear safety glasses and use extreme caution when working with a power saw or any power tool. Be especially careful when working with a nail gun: These powerful tools drive nails through boards, or hands and feet, instantly.

• Cut two pieces of 10x2 lumber to serve as the supports for the back of the cabinet. These pieces should be the same length as the height of the cabinet.

• Cut a piece of plywood to serve as the back wall of the cabinet. Prime the plywood and let the primer dry.

• Stand the 10x2 side pieces on edge up edgewise against the house and line up the plywood flush with the side pieces. Drill pilot holes and use lag screws to screw the plywood to the side pieces (figure B).

• Turn the piece so the plywood lays flush against the wall. Use a masonry bit to drill through the plywood and into the wall, then attach the piece with lag screws. The plywood will be against the wall, with the 10x2 side pieces sticking straight out to give the 10-inch offset.

  Safety Alert: Always wear ear protection when drilling into brick, concrete or any type of masonry material.

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