Mason Mark McCullough takes us on a road trip to help a family install a gravel base for their new shed. With most of the area already excavated, Mark shows the couple how to clear the remaining ground, frame a new base with landscape timber, and fill it with gravel. They work together to tamp the gravel in place before the shed installation crew arrives to finish the project with a ready-to-assemble Tuff-Shed.

Next, we meet general contractor Tom Silva, carpenter Nathan Gilbert, and host Kevin O’Connor back at the shop to discuss partition framing. Tom and Nathan explain all of the best practices when installing a new wall. They also discuss all of the different components of the wall, including top and bottom plates, studs, king studs, jack studs, and headers.

Finally, we head out on a house call with Nathan as he helps a homeowner improve his guests’ first impressions. Rather than walk into a laundry room-meets-mudroom situation, Nathan and the homeowner frame a partition wall to hide the washer, dryer, and storage. After framing and installing the drywall, Nathan and the homeowner get to work installing the door jamb and bifold door kit for a polished entryway.

How to Make a Gravel Shed Foundation

When homeowners run out of space in their homes and garages, they often turn to a shed for a bit more flexibility. But, these outdoor structures need a sturdy, level base that sheds water for longevity’s sake. When a pair of homeowners needed a gravel foundation for their new shed purchase, mason Mark McCullough was happy to help out.

Where to find it?

Shed: Tuff Shed – Custom Premier Tall Ranch 8’x6’

Before building a shed base, check city setback requirements to find the distance the shed must be away from property lines and the house.

Use a tape measure and flags or spray paint to measure and mark the shed base’s placement. Using shovels and a wheelbarrow, dig out the base area about 4-6″ deep. Mark used a sledgehammer to break up some concrete and rocks that were in the way. Compact the soil with hand tampers or rent a plate compactor from a local tool rental company. Use a hose to spray water in the area to help with compaction. Heavy-duty landscape fabric was added to separate the soil from the gravel.

The wood frame was made from 4×6 ground contact rated pressure treated wood. Lumber can be cut to size by using a circular saw with a wood blade. Secure the frame by using a drill and 8” structural wood screws. Use a speed square to keep the corners at a 90-degree angle. Use a level to make sure the frame is level.

Add crushed gravel and spread out with metal rakes and shovels. About 1 ton of gravel was used for this project. A 2×4 was used to level out the gravel by laying it across the frame and shimmying it back and forth across the base. Repeat the process for the length and width. Hand tampers and water were used to compact the gravel. Use a fine metal rake to give the gravel one more once over to get rid of any larger rocks that may be at the top.

Extra assistance provided by Motor City Grounds Crew.

Partition Wall Framing 101

General contractor Tom Silva and carpenter Nathan Gilbert explain everything there is to know about building a non-load-bearing partition wall for host Kevin O’Connor. The three discuss how to layout a new wall, the different components of a wall, and how to prepare the wall for a door.

How to Install Bifold Doors

For homes without dedicated mudrooms and laundry rooms, the two often meet, creating a messy, cluttered entryway. When a homeowner grew tired of this first impression, he called the team at Ask This Old House for help. Carpenter Nathan Gilbert got to work framing a partition wall and installing a set of bifold doors to dress up the space.

Where to find it?

Nathan helps a homeowner install bifold doors to hide a laundry and storage area.

To map out the project Nathan used a laser level. He then removed the interfering baseboard with an oscillating tool to make room for the frame. To cut the 2×4’s and drywall to size Nathan used a miter saw. To fasten the frame together Nathan used multipurpose screws and to fasten the drywall to the frame he used a drywall screw gun and drywall screws.

Nathan then assembled the bifold door kit which includes the jamb, door tracks, door handles, and the doors themselves. Nathan fastened the jamb into place with a nail gun. He then assembled the door hardware based on the manufacturer’s instructions and used screws to hold the door tracks in place.

Finally, Nathan added trim to cover the door tracks and blend the doorway into the rest of the house.

Original Air Date: Jan 16, 2025, Season 23; Ep. 11 23:42

Products and services from this episode

• Shed manufacturer: Tuff Shed
• Extra assistance: Motor City Grounds Crew
• Bifold closet kit supplier: Home Depot