Encyclopedia

of Home Improvements

*Storage Shed Types*

So you have finally come to a decision that you need a storage shed.
It seems that these days we all tend to accumulate more stuff that we really need.

Before deciding to build a shed, call your local building inspector to determine whether you need a building permit or whether you will be allowed to put up a storage shed on your property. Building codes vary by town. Most towns have specific requirements pertaining to size, setbacks, heights, foundations, etc. There may be restrictions on the type of use it may serve. For example; storage, living space, or housing of animals. So before you build make sure you are legal. You as the homeowner are responsible for what happens on your property. If you allow someone to build a shed and find out later that it is not legal, its your responsibility. Get out your survey, it will show you where your property lines are. If your not 100% sure where the property line is, give yourself some extra distance just to be safe.

WOODEN SHEDS

Wood Storage Sheds & Buildings. Wood provides strength and beauty that no other shed material can provide. Wood storage buildings are strong enough to withstand demanding wind and snow loads. This makes wood the ideal choice, especially for those living in areas that are subject to severe weather conditions.
For a step up in both quality and durability, you might want to consider investing in a wooden shed. Wooden sheds typically come complete with a raised wooden floor, seven feet or more of interior headroom, sturdier doors and roofs covered with residential-type composition shingles - some even have windows and skylights.
Wood sheds are available in barn, ranch, lean to and loft styles, and with everything from inexpensive wafer board panels for siding up to clear cedar lap siding. They are also available pre-painted, or you can get one that's either unpainted or pre-primed so that you can paint it to match your home. Because of their weight, heavy duty wood sheds are usually built and sold locally. They also are usually delivered to your site at no charge. Many options are available including windows, double doors, skylights, metal roofing, roll-up doors and special siding.

Depending on the size and installation method of the shed, a building permit may be required, so be sure and check with your local building department before purchasing a shed. Also, check with your homeowner's association to make sure there are no restrictions on installing a shed in your neighborhood. Storage seems to be a premium in any home, and that applies to outdoors as well as in. If you're searching for someplace to store anything from lawn clippers to a lawn tractor, a handy outdoor storage shed may be just what you need.

VINYL STORAGE SHEDS

For a quick and efficient solution to smaller storage problems, there are a variety of storage buildings made from vinyl composites. They are impervious to insects and just about any weather conditions, and won't dent, chip, rust or otherwise deteriorate.


METAL SHEDS

Not my favorite storage solution, but one of the most common solutions for backyard storage. Available in kit form, there are a wide variety of sizes and styles to choose from, as well as many different colors, roof designs, door configurations, and price ranges.

You'll find metal shed kits in sizes ranging from as small as around 5 feet by 4 feet to 14 feet by 31 feet or even larger. Smaller sheds may have only a single door, and the headroom will be limited. With the larger kits, you get double doors and enough clear height inside to stand and move around comfortably.

Metal sheds are sold in kit form, and while they're relatively easy to assemble, they do require a few basic hand tools and fairly large amount of patience - the typical kit has a plastic bag full of screws and nuts that seem sufficient to assemble a small battleship. This is one time where it really pays to lay out and check all of the parts, and follow the instructions carefully to ensure a trouble free assembly.
Ensure the ground is level and building is squared for the easiest assembly. For best results, mount the shed on a floor of concrete or pressure-treated lumber. Mounting the shed to a solid surface is especially important in high wind areas, where the lightweight enclosures might otherwise have a tendency to depart your yard at an inopportune moment.

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