16x20 Shed Material List

Quick Answer

A 16x20 gable shed with 8 ft walls, 16 inch on center framing, 4/12 roof pitch, pressure treated floor framing, OSB or plywood sheathing, a basic double door, and gravel foundation is a very large backyard structure. This size is commonly used as a full workshop, garage alternative, vehicle storage, or hobby space.

See all shed material lists by size

You will need:

• Heavy pressure treated lumber for the floor system
• 2x4 wall framing
• 2x8 or larger roof framing for the wide span
• Extensive floor, wall, and roof sheathing
• Panel or lap siding
• Asphalt shingles and underlayment
• Reinforced double door framing
• Large quantities of fasteners and hardware

In 2026 pricing, expect a realistic total material cost of: $7,500 to $12,500

This assumes a gravel base and basic exterior finishes only.

Need a smaller option? See our 12x24 shed material list. Want more space? See our 18x18 shed material list.

Full Material List

Quantities assume 8 ft wall height, 16 inch on center spacing, and a standard double door on one gable end.

Floor Framing

A 16 ft span requires substantial framing strength to prevent deflection.

Gravel Base

• 8 to 10 cubic yards of compacted 3/4 inch crushed gravel

Floor Frame (Pressure Treated)

Perimeter

• 2x10x20 PT – 2 (long rim joists)
• 2x10x16 PT – 2 (end band joists)

Long boards may need to be spliced if unavailable.

Floor Joists (16 inch OC across 16 ft span)

Upgrading to 2x12 joists is common for stiffness.

• 2x12x16 PT – 14 to 16

Floor Sheathing

• 3/4 inch tongue and groove plywood or OSB – 10 sheets

Fasteners

• Exterior-rated screws or galvanized framing nails
• Heavy-duty joist hangers strongly recommended

Wall Framing

Framed 16 inch on center.

• 2x4x8 studs
• 130 to 150 total
• Includes perimeter walls
• Additional studs for corners and door framing
• Waste allowance

Plates

• 2x4x20 – 6 (long walls, double top plates + bottom plates)
• 2x4x16 – 6 (end walls)

Splicing shorter boards over studs is acceptable.

Double Door Framing

Typical opening: 60 to 72 inches wide.

• 2x10x8 – 2 (header material)
• 1/2 inch plywood spacer
• Additional jack and king studs included in stud count

Roof Framing

A 16 ft span requires strong rafters.

Rafters (4/12 pitch, 16 inch OC)

• 2x8x18 or 2x10x18 – 32 to 36

Approximately 16 to 18 rafter pairs.

Ridge Board

• 2x12x20 – 1

Collar Ties or Ceiling Joists

• 2x4x16 – 16 to 18

Sheathing

Large sheds consume substantial sheet goods.

Wall Sheathing

• 7/16 inch OSB or plywood – 24 to 28 sheets

Panel siding may eliminate the need for separate wall sheathing.

Roof Sheathing

• 7/16 inch OSB or plywood – 16 to 18 sheets

Siding

Panel siding is commonly used for structures of this size.

T1-11 or LP SmartSide Panels

• 24 to 28 sheets

Vinyl or lap siding systems require additional trim and accessories.

Roofing

Underlayment

• 2 to 3 rolls synthetic underlayment

Drip Edge

• 12 to 14 pieces (10 ft lengths)

Shingles

• Approximately 3.5 to 4 squares
• 12 to 16 bundles depending on waste

Roofing Nails

• 12 to 15 lb box

Hardware and Fasteners

• 16d framing nails or structural screws
• 8d nails for sheathing
• Exterior construction screws
• Construction adhesive (6 to 8 tubes)
• Hurricane ties strongly recommended
• Heavy-duty hinges (3 per door)
• Exterior double-door latch or lockset
• Padlock hardware
• Flashing for door header

Estimated Cost Breakdown

Typical 2026 pricing ranges.

• Gravel Base: $450 to $900
• Pressure Treated Floor Framing: $1,400 to $2,400
• Wall Framing Lumber: $1,100 to $1,900
• Roof Framing Lumber: $1,200 to $2,100
• Sheathing (walls and roof): $1,700 to $2,700
• Siding: T1-11: $1,100 to $1,700; LP SmartSide: $2,100 to $3,300; Vinyl system: $3,000 to $4,800
• Roofing: $800 to $1,400
• Hardware and Fasteners: $350 to $700

Total Estimated Range

With basic panel siding: $7,500 to $9,500

With upgraded siding: $9,500 to $12,500

Costs rise sharply due to:

• Wide 16 ft span requiring heavy framing
• Large floor area (320 sq ft)
• Extensive wall length
• Large roof surface
• Reinforced door framing
• High material weight and volume
• Increased fastener usage
• Transportation and delivery costs may also be significant

If you want exact cut diagrams, printable framing layouts, and step-by-step blueprints for this 16x20 shed, detailed plans eliminate guesswork and reduce lumber waste.

Get the Complete 16x20 Shed Plans Here

Tools Required

Standard framing tools plus equipment capable of handling heavy materials.

Essential tools:

• Circular saw
• Miter saw
• Drill and impact driver
• Framing hammer
• 4 ft or longer level
• Speed square
• Tape measure
• Chalk line
• Multiple ladders
• Shovel and rake
• Plate compactor or heavy hand tamper

Helpful tools:

• Pneumatic framing nailer
• Roofing nailer
• Laser level
• Sawhorses
• Clamps

Assistance is required. Components are too large and heavy for solo construction.

Step-by-Step Build Overview

High-level sequence only.

• Prepare and compact gravel base across entire footprint.
• Build pressure treated floor frame and verify square.
• Install floor sheathing.
• Frame walls on the ground including double door opening.
• Raise walls with assistance, plumb, and brace securely.
• Install double top plates tying walls together.
• Install ridge board and rafters.
• Add collar ties or ceiling joists.
• Install roof sheathing.
• Install drip edge and underlayment.
• Install shingles.
• Install wall sheathing if required.
• Install siding.
• Build and hang double doors.
• Install trim and hardware.
• Frequent checks for level and square are critical.

Common Mistakes

• Using undersized floor framing. Causes bounce and structural issues.
• Poor foundation preparation. Large buildings amplify base problems.
• Attempting to build without assistance. Components are heavy and unsafe to lift alone.
• Underestimating materials. Leads to delays and extra delivery costs.
• Weak double-door framing. Causes sagging and alignment problems.
• Skipping structural connectors. Wind loads increase with building size.
• Inadequate roof framing for the span. Can lead to long-term sagging.

Is It Worth Building Yourself?

DIY material cost: $7,500 to $12,500

Typical prebuilt 16x20 shed delivered in 2026: $13,000 to $24,000 depending on quality and finishes.

DIY savings can range from $5,000 to $12,000.

Consider:

• Construction time of 6 to 10 days with help
• Material delivery logistics
• Structural accuracy requirements
• Possible permits or zoning restrictions

For experienced DIY builders with assistance, building yourself is usually financially worthwhile. If speed, warranty coverage, or labor limitations are concerns, a prebuilt structure may be preferable.

Get Exact Cut Diagrams and Printable Plans

This material list provides realistic quantities and cost expectations for a 16x20 shed.

It does not include:

• Exact rafter angle calculations
• Detailed wall framing layouts
• Header engineering details
• Precise overhang measurements
• Optimized cut lists
• Printable construction diagrams

On structures this large, errors can waste large amounts of material and time.

Detailed blueprints with exact measurements, framing layouts, and printable cut sheets simplify construction, reduce waste, and help ensure structural accuracy.

For large one-time builds, complete plans typically save more time and money than they cost by preventing mistakes and rework.

Get the Complete 16x20 Shed Plans Here