How do I figure out the slope of the ramp?

by Mike
(Merritt Island, FL)

How do I figure the slope of the ramp going into my shed?

John's Answer

Hi Mike,

The best way I know of is this:

Measure 1-1/2" down from your shed floor where you want to put your shed ramp. Tack in a nail here. Tie on a piece of heavy string or rope to the nail and stretch the other end out to the ground at a location that looks like you will have a not to steep slope, one that looks just right to you.

Fasten this end of the twine to the ground with a spike so that it meets the ground.

Now, take a speed square, which you can find a any hardware store, and hold the flat end against your shed floor close to the rope or twine. The rope will will cross your speed square at an angle measurement which you can now record and transfer to a support board like a 2x6.

Where the twine is meeting the ground, dig this area out enough so that your bottom corner of the 2x6 will rest on a treated piece of wood and the top surface will be flush with the ground.

The width of this dig out should equal the width of whatever you want your ramp to be. Make sure the board your support boards rest on is level.

Cut as many support boards as needed. Plank with 2x6s and nail with coated 16d nails. (3.5" long.)

The top of your ramp should be just below your shed doors so they close freely.

Don't forget to add a 90 degree angle aluminum threshold guard to protect your shed floor.

You can view a picture of the above at
http://www.shedking.net/shed-ramp.html