Buying an Outdoor Storage Shed – Things to Consider
When buying a new shed for your outdoors, there are a few points to think about before you commit to a purchase. Things to consider when making a purchase go beyond the basics of size, cost, hue, and design; there is more to think about. Investing in a storage shed can be a costly decision, and you’ll be depending on it for the foreseeable future, likely for the next 15-20 years. Inquiring further initially will assist you in selecting the best possible option for the future. This guide offers an array of information to help you evaluate factors to consider when purchasing an outdoor storage shed.
Buying Considerations for an Outdoor Shed
Price vs. Quality
Do not make the cost of a fresh shed the only element you take into consideration. Some shoppers, who are initially attracted to the lowest cost, immediately focus on that single factor and neglect other important factors.
Higher-grade materials and sturdy construction ensure that outdoor storage sheds will not only stay in good shape for a longer period of time, but also look more attractive than the budget alternatives. Spending a bit of extra money to purchase a shed or other outbuilding can often be a good decision. If money is a major factor in making the decision (it usually is), then it is recommended to go with simple, solid constructed sheds made with basic components instead of those with extravagant features or materials of a higher quality.
Design Considerations
Outdoor structures are not merely for storing things away. The look of a shed that is set up outdoors can be just as vital as its practicality and can have an impact on the complete aesthetic of your land. It is suggested that the unit you select should match the aesthetic of your residence. If you have a home that is countryside-style, you should make sure your shed has a rural look, perhaps made with timber strips and wood sections. If your home has a more formal look, pick an outside storage shed with similar formal visuals. You may want to go along with certain aspects of your house, like a curved window or door, and also include that into your extra building.
Wall and Siding Materials
The choices of materials available to construct storage sheds are wood, metal, and plastic. Wood sheds usually have walls that resemble a house or garage, constructed with wooden beams and covered with panels of pressed wood. High-end wooden sheds could feature plywood panels attached to the rafters, completed with conventional lap siding applied over the plywood. Wood sheds have a framework made out of wood for the roof and the material used to cover it is usually conventional roofing like asphalt shingles.
Metal sheds are generally built with a metal frame which is insulated by a factory-painted or vinyl-coated metal covering on both the walls and roof. Sheds constructed of plastic often are made out of vinyl (polyvinyl chloride or PVC) or some other kind of plastic material. The color of their material is natural, so there is no need to worry about any paint or covering. Kits of both plastic and metal sheds are available which can be put together by the owner themselves.
A woodshed necessitates the same care (respraying, patching up damaged or rotted parts, and mending unfastened components) that a home does. Metal and plastic outbuildings do not require painting and require very minimal upkeep. Nevertheless, if the paint or protective covering of metal shed items is scraped or harmed, they will break down, and the metal doors and other components will show indications of deterioration after some time. Plastic sheds generally need the least maintenance of all.
Zoning Laws and HOA Rules
Prior to investing in a shed or selecting its dimensions, contact your local authorities to discover any regulations regarding sheds in your zoning laws. In multiple locations, sheds up to a certain limit (which is usually 120 square feet) are allowed to be built without preliminary permission from zoning laws, though there are often limitations surrounding where you can put the shed.
If you are a part of a homeowner’s association, examine the regulations related to outbuildings. For instance, you might need to make sure that your shed is located a specific distance away from the border of your property. In certain locations, zoning regulations necessitate a shed to maintain a distance of no less than three feet from the boundary of the parcel.
The total height of a shed is something else that needs to be taken into account for zoning regulations. You don’t want to spend money on a costly shed only to later find out that you have violated a regulation.
Foundation and Flooring
Some sheds include a floor while others do not. Woodsheds usually possess traditional frames with construction of plywood for the floor. For a majority of metal and some plastic sheds, you can buy the floor separately from the main shed construction. Your options include either the builder’s suggested flooring system or constructing your own floor. In any event, the price tag of the shed may climb by at least $100 due to the inclusion of a floor.
No matter what kind of surface the area has, it is recommended to build the shed on a foundation that prevents it from being on earth or wet terrain. This can be fabricated from pressure-treated wood planks, concrete blocks, or a bed of pressed gravel. Having a foundation that is elevated or that allows water to run off will be very beneficial in stopping decay or rusting of shed materials.
Air Circulation
When constructing a shed, it is essential to consider what environment it will be creating. As long as the shed is constructed and maintained properly, it can be used for a neat and properly ventilated area for secure storage of typical shed material.
Every shed we chose to purchase has at least one vent included to help prevent humid air. It is important to consider your climate, however. Areas with a lot of sunshine and heat can cause wood or inferior plastic to weaken more quickly, while areas with a great deal of rain may cause metal to corrode faster.
Type of Door
It is essential to take into account the design of the door when deciding what to keep in your garden shed. It is possible to secure the contents of these sheds by utilizing the external locking mechanism on the door handles. Take a look at options that have multiple doors or double doors if you want to store bigger yard devices. Constructing a sizeable entrance to your shed makes it simpler to get to and take out belongings.
Capacity and Storage
If you’re shopping, consider what you’re going to store. Do you need a shed outside for your riding lawnmower, or are you searching for a place to keep your garden rake and additional patio tiles? Take into account putting in a shed with shelves or another form of storage solution if you own smaller items. If you organize larger tools on fewer shelves, you will have more freedom of movement.
Although a shed may be sealed so that it is watertight, moisture can still get inside. The weather conditions outside have a much bigger impact on outdoor sheds than those located indoors. It is not a good idea to keep paper items, like pictures or paperwork, in an outside shed since they can become ruined by moisture. Electronics and fabrics are also affected by this. It is essential to maintain any item which is affected by temperature in an atmosphere that is more closely monitored, such as within your home. Examples of objects that require this would include chemical solutions, musical instruments and wine.
The size of your garden area and the quantity of stuff you need to keep will tell you how extensive your storage should be. If you go with an outdoor shed having a storage capacity ranging from 20 to 700 cubic feet, you will have a large selection of options.
Types of Outdoor Sheds
Lean-to Shed
This kind of outbuilding usually joins onto an already existing building, like a home or garage. It has a tilted roof, and its typical dimensions of 4×8 feet make it a perfect place for keeping gardening tools, a bike, a barbeque, or a push-type lawnmower. You have the choice of constructing it as a free-standing shed. A shed with a sloped roof that attaches to an existing structure is one of the most cost-effective types of outdoor storage.
A-Frame Shed
An A-frame shed is a traditional and common style of exterior building which features a roof that descends from peak to side. It usually has two gates, making it easy to bring in and take out large equipment. There are various dimensions available, such as 8″x10″, 10″x16″, and 12″x24″, and a wide selection of materials, like wood, metal, or plastic for the construction, with the choice of whether the structure has windows or not. These can be used to keep tools and gadgets for the lawn or can be made fancy for a female den or a male sanctuary.
Barn-Style Shed
Imagine a small barn situated in your backyard, and that is similar to the appearance of a barn-style shed. Sheds of this variety have the highest amount of room from floor to ceiling, so it is simple to affix a shelf above. The barn-style shed has a lot of the same properties as an A-Frame – it comes in a variety of dimensions and constructions, has two doors, and can either be fitted with windows or not.
Studio Shed
The studio shed is an expensive and versatile item, perfect for a home office, art studio, or craft studio; it acts as an extended area for living, completely separate from one’s house. Lots of choices and tailor-made designs are available for this kind of shed that you can choose from.
Cost
One should anticipate shelling out anywhere from two hundred dollars to as much as twenty thousand for an outside shed. In the springtime, particularly in April and May, the majority of stores have filled shelves with the newest types of sheds. Be on the lookout for discounts during the spring season and on special days like Memorial Day. It’s possible to spot discounts during the autumn season as outlets seek to clear out their existing inventory so they can introduce items from the fresh collection of the following year.
Best Outdoor Storage Sheds With Windows
1. Handy Home Products Wooden Storage Shed
This pre-hung door measures 56 inches wide. The Handy Home Products outdoor storage sheds with windows came out on top in our ranking. Two doors that are each 6 ft. in width and 6 ft. tall are connected by galvanized steel hinges covering the full length of the doors.
The lengths of the sides are greater than usual, while the height of the peak is more than 10 feet and the roof overhang is longer.
Pre-primed wood shed siding is designed to combat decay and resist deterioration.
Factory-primed siding is ready to be coated with paint. This is the top suggestion for those searching for a shed with numerous windows. On the main floor there are three windows that can be operated, and three skylights up on the top floor.
2. Best Barns Fairview Backyard Shed with Windows Kit
For those with limited space in their yard, this Best Barns Fairview shed kit is also obtainable as a 12′ long kit. The walk-in door on the 12 ft. wall provides easy access to small gardening tools. An entrance measuring 5 by 4 inches wide exists on the 12-inch sidewall, big enough to fit your landscaping gear.
This package has two 4-inch by 4-inch framing pieces which are pre-constructed so they are ready to be put together. Speedy setup is achievable with pre-cut exterior cladding and roof decking. This is an excellent opportunity for households as the white pine has pre-sliced trim, and the barn doors are already made. A complete set of nails and hardware is included.
A cedar-like pattern is pressed onto Louisiana-Pacific’s exterior cladding. Roof trusses provide a wind load of 90 mph. Wall framing and roof trusses are spaced 24″ apart.
A shipping company with cargo trucks with lifting platforms will bring the construction kit to the end of the customer’s driveway. Before ordering, homeowners should check permit requirements. The duty of the owner of the house is to lay the floor, apply the paint and put up the shingles.
There is a separate charge for the windows shown. In the search box, type the name of the lower windows that you want to order. These best outdoor storage sheds with windows are absolutely necessary if you have a small yard. You can buy an octagonal gable window by searching for it in the search box.
3. Handy Home Palisade
If you’re in the market for an excellent shed with windows, this is it. Putting together is speedy and straightforward, owing to the already cut wood. The door has an opening of 60 inches and consists of two sets of wooden double doors in the style of a barn. These are the best double door outdoor sheds with a 6 ft. 4 in. wide opening and high ceilings, designed with a contemporary and studio-style look. A barrier with a nine-foot elevation and a nine-foot apex. Pre-primed wood sheds are equipped with siding that has been treated in order to keep it from decaying, as well as treated wood frameworks and wooden flooring for a complete wooden surface. Paint can be applied to the factory-primed siding. If you are searching for something to utilize as a space to store items, a place to be creative, or a safe haven for a lifestyle change, the sizable storage capacity will meet your requirements.
4. Rubbermaid Weather Resistant Resin Storage Shed
Rubbermaid sheds are suitable for keeping lawnmowers, gardening tools, and other such paraphernalia. Arrange all your gardening apparatus, yard necessities, receptacles, and lawnmowers with this 2-pack.
These Rubbermaid sheds are the epitome of outdoor storage plus they are highly attractive – perfect for transforming any outside space with their stylish design. Your tools will be safe and guarded due to the double-layered outer surface.
In these two exceptional portable storage units that come with windows, you can access tools and equipment with extended handles through a utility hook in the back of the building, thus freeing up precious floor space. The sheds come with attachment options such as hangers, racks, and boards with pins.
You won’t need to be concerned about upkeep or moisture getting in with a Rubbermaid shed that has windows. A strong, shock-resistant flooring enhances its strength and makes construction easier.
5. Lifetime Desert Sand Outdoor Storage Shed
Our Lifetme sheds come in 15-foot widths, and they stand apart due to their fortitude and good looks. In addition, they also help to improve the aesthetic of any outdoor area.
No hopping over obstacles is needed to access things located behind the doors, since they are all situated in an easily accessible spot. This storage unit is built to be sturdy and long-lasting, providing you with the ideal answer to your storage needs.
