Adding a storage shed to your yard and garden can make everyday projects and errands easier to manage. There are, however, some things to consider when making your shed investment. These guidelines can help you to choose a shed that’s functional, beautiful and worth every penny.
Start With the Way You Use the Yard
There are many beautiful sheds to choose from. You might be tempted to order the first shed that catches your eye, but a storage shed that’s inconvenient to reach or awkward to use becomes an obstacle instead of a useful, functional resource. Think through your shed project before you place your order and consider questions like:
What will you use the building to store? Is it going to house your lawn mower and seasonal furniture? Gardening and potting supplies? Bikes? A mini-workshop? Each one of these sheds requires a different layout and style.
How quickly will the space fill up? Chances are good that you’ll end up storing a few extras in there, like hand tools, a couple bags of soil, a small ladder, holiday decorations, sports equipment, etc.
Will you do any work in the space? If you’re potting plants, organizing seeds or crafting in your shed, natural light, electrical access and dry footing are higher priorities.
Here are other design considerations:
Single doors are great for smaller sheds, but consider investing in double doors to make it easier to get your mower or other large items in and out. Check out some designs here: https://www.houzz.com/photos/shed-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_24681
Windows bring natural light and can be lovely additions, but think through placement before you invest in them. Make sure windows provide the privacy you need. Also consider if losing wall space (needed for storage, shelving and organization) or blocking a great view from your kitchen window is worth the natural light they add.
Do you want to be able to see your shed from the patio? Does the yard tend to flood? Should you build a ramp instead of doors to help manage drainage?
Think through how you’ll organize your supplies and projects in the space, too. Leave an area to store shovels, brooms and rakes; think about where you can stack totes and smaller supplies, etc. And leave room for bigger items that need to live on the floor. Keep everyday items closest to the door to make them easy to access, as there is nothing worse than emptying half of your storage shed to get to your watering can!
Choose Materials for Real Outdoor Conditions
Storage sheds get rained on, snow-covered and scorched by the summer heat. Select a building style that will look great in your yard and stand up well to local weather conditions. Ask the following questions when you shop:
How much maintenance are you willing to invest? Wood sheds look beautiful, especially in more planted gardens. And they are versatile, meaning you can paint or stain them and refresh the color later. They do, however, require maintenance to make sure they are not weathering badly. Consider alternatives like engineered siding, vinyl or metal. A metal shed may fit your aesthetic perfectly (especially for a utilitarian building that simply houses the lawn mower) or vinyl siding can provide a beautiful, easy-care alternative.
How important is natural light? Windows provide lots of benefits to hobby sheds, but a simpler building can be plenty functional for storage-only buildings.
Does the building have room for future projects? Check how sturdy the walls are – are you able to add shelving, hooks, storage and even counter space later?
How well-built is the roof? Steeper roofs can help water shed quickly, and offer more headspace in your building. Watch for wide eaves to keep drips away from siding, too.
Placement Is More Than an Empty Patch of Ground
Think through the shed’s location carefully before installation. Can large equipment access the site to deliver or assemble the shed? An experienced shed builder in Greenville PA, can help you plan for challenging access and tight spaces. Low branches, narrow gates, tight turns, and fences that may need to be removed can all affect shed delivery and construction. Let your builder know about these obstacles in advance to help ensure smooth installation.
Take a few photos after or during a rain, too. This can help you (and your shed builder) visualize puddling and drainage that you may not notice on sunny days.
Questions to Ask a Shed Builder
Call around to local builders to get a sense of options available to you. A few good questions to ask:
How will the shed foundation be built? What do you recommend in my yard?
Can I see examples of sheds that you’ve built in our area?
Can you visit my site before we place our shed? I want to make sure of the best shed footprint (and doorway style) for our yard.
We’d like to store these larger items in the shed . . . Do you have suggestions? And we may add (future storage items/projects).
How well-ventilated will this style shed be?
Is the framing sturdy enough to store heavier items (like a riding mower, or shop vac)? Will the walls hold cabinets? Hooks? Etc.
