When it comes to backyard storage, you don't
have to settle for metal.
Outdoor stylish storage sheds are here to stay.
There's no denying it: Homeowners collect stuff; cram it into the
crawl space, box it up in the basement and stack it high in the garage.
We even park the car out in the driveway and we still don't have
enough storage space to accommodate it all. Sound familiar? Then
you might want to consider the benefits of a backyard storage shed.
An outdoor storage shed (or utility shed) provides a place for
mowers, bikes, ladders, tires, garden tools, lumber, old furniture
and everything else clogging up your garage. From the tool shed
to the wood storage shed, and just about any other application,
sheds are in. outdoor sheds provide a weatherproof haven for tractors,
snow throwers, canoes and garden tillers, as well as for the luggage,
steamer trunks, boxes of books and old clothing currently roosting
in the attic. There's even a growing trend toward using larger
sheds for everything from potting sheds and playhouses to studios
and workshops.
The challenge is finding a shed that's as attractive as it
is useful. Most of the metal storage utility sheds and prefabricated
wood sheds sold at home centers and garden shops are strictly utilitarian
(real ugly), and that goes for the result of the average shed kit
as well. Of course the goal is to end up with a outdoor stylish
storage shed. Although prices can be enticing you can often get
a 6x8-foot metal shed for $200 and an 8x8-foot pine shed for about
$395 with few exceptions, these basic buildings get uglier within
a couple of years as they're exposed to the elements.
Fortunately, even a basic wood storage shed can be functional,
good-looking and durable. We've gathered a variety of handsome
sheds that fit most any backyard. Some come as ready-to-assemble
kits, while others are sold through mail order as plans that guide
you or a carpenter you've hired through the building process.
We've focused on wood storage sheds, which come in the greatest
range of sizes, styles and prices. They're also the most attractive,
and any person with strong, basic carpentry skills and tools can
build one.
There are some basic ways to get wood sheds:
- Order a set of plans and build it from scratch.
- Buy a ready-to-assemble shed kit and build it
yourself.
- Hire a company that specializes in building sheds
and yard barns such as Better Barns LLC, in Bethlehem, Connecticut
(www.BarnsBuilt.com).
WORKING FROM PLANS
Building a shed yourself from plans is the least-expensive option,
not counting the time you will invest in constructing your outdoor
shed--obviously it entails the most work and time, and requires
moderate to advanced carpentry skills. Mail-order shed plans
can cost from $30 to $50. HomeStyles, for example, offers more
than two dozen plans for small outbuildings, such as sheds, garages
and playhouses. Books on shed building illustrate plans or sell
blueprints separately by mail order. Local yard barn/shed contractors
are another possible source of plans, though most prefer to sell
the complete shed.
ASSEMBLING A KIT
Not up to building a stylish outdoor shed from scratch? Then consider
a ready-to-assemble (RTA) shed. These kits are an appealing compromise
between economy and ease. Their large, preassembled panels go together
like a jigsaw puzzle. And all the parts are precut, so there's
nothing to saw - even the doors are prehung.
GETTING IT BUILT
The easiest way to get a outdoor storage shed is to:
- Hire a yard barn/shed building company.
This is a more expensive option - but this option
does provide the greatest design flexibility, because most contractors
will alter a style or custom-build a shed to suit your specific
property, storage requirements and personal taste.
What's more, the contractor can usually build the
entire yard barn/shed in one day by preassembling some of
the components in the workshop beforehand.
We tagged along with the Better Barns crew as they built a 10X12-foot
cedar shed in about seven hours. Contractors typically yard shed
models available for you to view. Visit them, and use a tape measure
to make sure the doorway is wide enough and the ceiling tall enough
to suit your storage needs. If yard shed models aren't available,
ask for the names of former clients and try to arrange to visit
their sheds.
Keep in mind that not all yard sheds / wood sheds are created equal.
Those made of untreated pine or fir typically show signs of rot
or insect infestation within two years, so youll want a tuff shed.
Look for a shed made of decay-resistant lumber, cedar or redwood.
The floor frame and support posts should be pressure-treated wood
rated for ground contact, which offers optimum protection from
rot and wood-boring bugs.
A tuff shed requires particular attention to heavy duty hardware
and fasteners. Be sure the doors and windows operate smoothly.
And take a close look at the screws, nails and bolts for signs
of rust; all metal parts should be made of either hot-dipped galvanized
metal or stainless steel.
Whether you decide to use a plan or a ready-to-assemble kit or
hire a contractor, consider adding one or more of the following
accessories to your shed:
- A ramp, especially if you plan to store a mower,
tractor, or bikes
- Enlarged doorways, required for driving in wide
tractors and riding mowers
- Built-in shelving to help keep tools and supplies
neatly organized
- A loft for extra storage in the "attic" area,
and a workbench, useful in a potting shed or woodworking shop
- A skylight to brighten the interior
- Gable or ridge vents to let hot air escape
- An extra window, which adds more light, though
it also reduces storage space for wall-hung items
- Window screens to keep out insects, especially
bees
- Shutters and window boxes, which give the shed
a charming cottage look
- A cupola with weather vane for a bit of country
elegance, especially on larger sheds.
Before building a shed, bring a set of plans to your
local building department and apply for a building permit. In some
towns, a building permit is required only for sheds that are larger
than 10X12 feet. Check with your building department to be sure.
Local building codes also dictate the type of foundation needed.
Again, requirements differ from town to town, but in most areas
smaller sheds can be built on concrete blocks set on the ground.
Siting the shed is another important consideration too many homeowners
overlook. Never build a shed at the bottom of a hill where water
collects. Which style you choose also brings some practical concerns.
For example, sheds with gable roofs offer tall walls that are useful
for putting up shelves and hanging long-handled tools. But they
provide little headroom when you stand near the walls. Gambrel-style
roofs (also called Dutch barns), or barn roofs, have shorter walls
but much more headroom. In todays modern world, your yard barn,
tool shed, wood storage shed, outdoor stylish storage shed can
be practical and beautiful. An outdoor shed should do more than
provide a place to store items.
One final tip if you're planning to build an outdoor shed that's
10X20 feet or larger: Place the doors in the middle of the sidewall.
Doors located in the end gable wall will make it hard to reach
items stored at the very back of the shed, again, depending on
your needs.
Mention utility shed, storage shed kit, storage sheds or the like,
and most people envision old, rusty metal buildings. Unfortunately,
that's a pretty accurate image. Most metal sheds sacrifice quality
and structural integrity for low price and quick assembly. If you
live in an area that gets a fair amount of snow and you're thinking
of purchasing a metal shed, be sure to buy one that offers a roof-reinforcement
kit. It costs $50 to $100 extra, depending on shed size, but can
boost the load capacity of the roof by 50 percent.
Bottom line is that if you want a storage building go for the one
that will last and bring youre a beautiful solution; an outdoor
stylish storage shed. You certainly dont have to settle for metal.
*Note: This article has been revised. The original article was
written by Joseph Truini for Today's Home Owner Magazine
Revised 12/07
Back to feature articles page
|
