Shedding light on sheds

By Nathan Byrne

Thinking of building an outbuilding? Check out these tips before you buy Like the used skin of a snake, our sheds are often left behind, hidden in the shadows (of our homes). But when your building plans are moved to the forefront, your shed will shine through.

We have many different uses for our outbuildings. Storage is the most common, but some are used as private getaways or guest houses. The use of the space after it is built is important in determining structure needs.

Is your shed going to be home to a lawnmower and various other garden tools, or will it host overnight guests — matching all the comforts of your home?

Let’s face it, size does matter. There are a few things to take into account when deciding how big or small to build. How much space is available to build in and what do I want the finished square footage of the shed to be? Bigger isn’t always better, but it is always good to give yourself room to grow, especially if storage is the main function of the shed.

Don’t forget vertical storage. If you are limited in size by the available land that you have on which to build, you can always go taller and add a loft.

There are lots of different materials available for building sheds, including vinyl, metal and wood. Each offers its own advantages and disadvantages.

Vinyl
Storage buildings made from vinyl composites provide a quick and easy, yet effi cient solution to those with smaller storage issues to fi gure out. Vinyl sheds won’t be terminated by termites, nor will they be hammered by hail. The durable substance stands up to the elements and won’t wear like its metal and wood cousins.

Metal
The metal shed has been a common backyard fixture for the better part of the past 50 years. Today’s metal sheds are often available in kits, and usually provide a variety of choices not only in color, confi guration and roofl ine, but also — in particular — in price point.

Metal shed kits range in size from 5’x5’ to a nearly unlimited capacity. The smaller kits usually provide only a single door with limited headroom. Larger shed kits will have provisions for double doors and greater ceiling height inside.

While they're relatively easy to assemble, metal shed kits call for a few basic hand tools. The typical kit will include so many small parts, you won’t imagine being able to use them all. However, it’s best to take an inventory before starting construction and then pay close attention to the directions.

Wood
Wood is an oldie, but a goodie. It usually provides the best combination of form and function. Wooden sheds typically come complete with a raised wooden fl oor, seven feet or more of interior headroom, sturdier doors and roofs covered with residential-type composition shingles. Some even have windows
and skylights.

Wooden 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 preprimed so that you can paint it to match your home.

Because of their weight, heavy-duty wood sheds are usually sold locally. They also are usually delivered to your site at no charge. Many options are available including windows, double doors, skylights, metal roofi ng, roll-up doors and special siding.

First things first Ensure the ground is level and building is squared for the easiest assembly. For best results, mount the shed on a fl oor of concrete or pressure-treated lumber, or use one of the metal foundation kits that are sold as an option with many kits.

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. Anchoring and floor frame kits are available where sheds are sold, such as your local hardware store or home-improvement center.

Depending on the size and installation method of the shed, a building permit may be required, so be sure to 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.

If you build it… Vinyl sheds go together in an afternoon. Metal kits don’t take much longer. And just because wood is the preferred option for sheds doesn’t mean it will take forever and a day to build. Most wooden sheds come with easy-to-follow plans, or you can find detailed plans online on web sites like www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Shed.

Appearance is another important factor in deciding what type of shed is best. You don’t want your storage solution to be an eyesore. For example, landscaping around a shed can add beauty and a touch of class.

And last but not least, take inspiration from your home. The shed needn’t be a miniature version of
your house, but if the two structures share some style in common, the flow will feel more natural and you’ll be proud to be the owner (and creator) of something beautiful.

Writers Bio/Nathan Byrne
Nathan Byrne is reporter/producer/anchor for KQTV in St. Joseph, Mo. And is a contributing writer for Acreage, Ruralpolitan, Tower Topics and Kansas Monks magazines.. Nathan is also editor of Elegant Living, an upscale lifestyle publication for which he is also a contributing writer. A proud graduate of the University of Missouri- Columbia's world-renowned School of Journalism, Nathan lives in St. Joseph, Mo. with his wife and their three sons.