14×20 Gable Workshop Plans

About This Design

The 14×20 is a purpose-built workshop — not a storage shed with a workbench added as an afterthought. At 280 square feet and 14 feet wide, you have room for a table saw with full outfeed clearance in both directions, a dedicated miter station along one wall, and a 4-foot-deep workbench on the back wall, all without moving anything to make room.

The 14-foot width is the key dimension. Standard table saws need roughly 10 feet of front-to-back clearance for a full sheet of plywood — a 14-foot-wide building gives you that clearance plus room to walk behind the operator. The side entry door on the east wall means you do not have to open the main double door every time you step in to check a glue-up or grab a clamp.

Five windows and the side door provide generous natural light and ventilation. The 2×6 wall framing makes it easy to run electrical circuits for a 20-amp tool circuit, dust collection, and overhead lighting without surface-mounting conduit.

Key Features

• 280 sq ft floor area — real table saw clearance in both directions
• 72" double-door main entry plus 36" side entry door
• 2×6 wall framing for in-wall electrical runs and insulation
• Five windows for natural light throughout the workshop
• 14' width provides full outfeed clearance for sheet goods
• 8' walls for overhead dust collection runs and pendant lights

Build Notes

A 14×20 is a substantial building that benefits from a concrete pier or post-and-beam foundation rather than floating skids, though skids work if the site is well-drained and level. If using skids, run six 4×6 timbers the 20-foot direction at approximately 3 feet on center with 2×8 or 2×10 floor joists at 16-inch spacing to handle workshop loads.

Frame with 2×6 studs at 16 inches on center. The extra wall depth accommodates R-19 insulation if you plan to heat the shop and provides a clean cavity for 12/2 Romex runs to dedicated tool circuits. The 72-inch main door header requires an LVL or 3-ply 2×12.

At 14 feet wide, 2×8 rafters at 24-inch spacing are the right call for a 6/12 pitch — 2×6 rafters work structurally but leave minimal margin for snow load in northern climates. Install collar ties at every rafter pair given the wider span.

Best For

This is for the woodworker, fabricator, or serious hobbyist who needs a dedicated shop separate from the house. The layout supports a table saw at center, a miter station on one long wall, a workbench on the back wall, and lumber storage along the opposite long wall. With 2×6 walls, it is straightforward to insulate and condition for year-round use. The side door means you can lock the main door during a long glue-up and still come and go through the east wall.