New to Sheds? Here’s What You Need To Know

Your shed should match your style and personality.

In the beginning, your shed might seem like a daunting project. The first step is to decide on the material. When considering the structure of your shed, most people think of wood. But there are a number of materials you can use when building sheds.

In recent years, sheds have become increasingly stylish and customizable in an effort to match homeowner’s varying tastes and preferences. And though many homeowners tend to shy away from non-wooden options for their sheds, these more modern materials are great for creating a unique space that fits your personality and lifestyle perfectly—all at a fraction of the cost of other alternatives!

As with any large project like this, it’s important to make sure you stay within budget. Luckily, sheds don’t have to be expensive or complicated; just pick out the material that suits you best!

There are lots of different types of sheds.

Sheds are great ways to add valuable extra space to your home and yard. Whether you want a simple spot to store extra gardening tools or a workshop to build that backyard shed you’ve always dreamed of, sheds can help make that happen—and they’re not just for the pros!

If you’re wondering where to start when buying a shed, there are three main styles worth keeping in mind: garden, utility, and storage. Each type of shed is used for different things and has its own unique characteristics. Let’s look at an example of each one so we can get an idea for how they work!

Not all sheds are built the same way.

When it comes to sheds, the first thing people think of is their utility. What can I store in a shed? How well does my shed keep my stuff safe from inclement weather and pests? Does my shed have enough space for everything I need?

The answers to these questions are important, but there’s another question often left unanswered: what goes into the making of a shed? If you’re new to this world, maybe you’ve never thought about that before. We’ll cover the ins and outs of shed construction here so that whether you’re building your first one or just looking for some tips on how to improve yours, you’ll know what to expect.

Don’t feel like you need to spend a lot of money.

You’ve seen them all over the place—those little buildings in backyards, tucked discretely behind trees or fences. Maybe you’ve wondered what they were and how you could get one of your own. Sheds are smaller versions of garages, but with a lot less space: they’re generally used to store lawn and garden equipment out of site, as well as any other items you want to keep safe from the elements (electronics, bicycles) or away from prying eyes (storage for paintball guns). If you have a big yard that’s hard to keep tidy and find things in, a shed is an ideal way to stay organized and neat.

Pulling up Google images on sheds brings up hundreds of different styles and shapes; there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing your shed. Before you get too attached to any one idea though, it’s good to know that there are five main kinds of sheds:

  • Gable Shed – This style has two identical sides joined by about half its length in the middle. It can be gabled on both ends (where the roof slopes down) or on just one end if that suits your purpose better. Generally this kind is not very tall—about 6–8 feet high at most—and has wide eaves that extend outward more than in other styles. Gabled sheds are popular because they aren’t imposing; they don’t take as much room as other styles do while still giving ample storage space.
  • Lean-to Shed – These run parallel with another structure like your garage or house. The structure makes an angle with the wall so it doesn’t take up much floor space but still provides ample storage space for any tools you want stored far away from prying eyes. They’re great for storing long-handled items like rakes and hoes since their handles can run straight along the wall instead of having to be bent into 90 degree angles so they can fit into a traditional shed design.
  • A-frame

Measure your space before you buy a shed.

Before you start shopping for a shed, it’s important to know how much space you have. This will help you decide if a shed is the right choice for your space and how much storage room you’ll need.

Measure your space: The best way to do this is to measure the length of your open floor plan (without furniture or appliances). Then check with your local building code department to see if the measurement falls into the acceptable range so that you can safely add a shed.

Measure the shed: To measure the width, start at one corner of the exterior walls at ground level, then proceed straight across one whole side of the structure. Don’t include doors or windows in this measurement—just take down all four sides. To measure height, start at ground level and go up as high as possible without hitting any obstructions such as a peak in roofing, etc. Again, don’t include windows or doors when taking down this measurement. Once again confirming with building department guidelines on what’s acceptable for your area before proceeding further. If your full measurements fall within those guidelines then move on to deciding if the size of shed will work for your needs.

If you’re not sure about anything covered here feel free to ask any questions that come up!

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