Outdoor Storage Shed Buying Guide

All too often the items that are needed for use in a home, including the items used for maintaining the home, take up more space than the house has available for storage. The house and garage can be so overrun with tools, toys, and equipment that there is hardly space for people in the house and cars in the garage. Home owners who find themselves caught in this situation can consider purchasing an outdoor storage shed to create more storage space for the things they need to keep for usage, but also want out of the way.

A good storage shed does not have to be an eye sore on the landscape. In fact, it can be a very good way for making the yard or garden more attractive, hiding lawn and garden equipment, outdoor toys, and other unsightly items from view. Many outdoor storage sheds come in attractive designs, allowing home owners to hide their clutter with class and style. Storage sheds help maximize a home's land area, creating more space for keeping the things needed about the house and yard, and yet keeping them out of view when they are not in use. Lawn mowers, toys, bicycles, and lawn equipment are often best kept in a storage shed. Items that are only of seasonal use are also well-placed, being protected against bad weather and theft, if they are stored in a shed in the off-season. Some home owners like to use a stylish storage shed in the back yard as a playroom for the kids, or a room in which a hobby can be practiced.

Metal Storage Sheds Visually, metal storage sheds are usually thought to be the least attractive of the styles available. However, they are usually very affordable and durable. Aluminum is the metal of preference when looking for a storage shed because it won't rust. Steel, on the other hand, is prone to rust, and therefore less durable. A metal storage shed comes with a baked enamel coating to make it more visually appealing and more lasting. The coating will help some to minimize rust, but it will not solve the problem forever. A steel storage shed in a wet environment will not be very workable, though an aluminum shed can function reasonably well.

Wood Storage Sheds Wood storage sheds have a more classic look than any other type of storage shed available, and are often thought of as the most attractive sort of outbuilding. Wood sheds are also the most common sort of storage shed used. A nice wood shed looks like a small house in the yard, and can be made to match the house very nicely. There are, however, a couple of drawbacks to wood storage sheds. Perhaps the biggest is that, in the event of a fire, wood is not fireproof. Further, it is not weatherproof, and mold and rot can both be a problem in wet climates. To protect the wood shed from wet conditions, regular maintenance is needed. Cedar is the most weatherproof wood used in the making of wood storage sheds, and is the type of wood most preferred.

Vinyl Storage Sheds Vinyl storage sheds have many advantages and very few disadvantages. Vinyl storage sheds are built with double panel walls, in order to resist dents and dings in the walls. They usually come with steel doors, making them able to be securely locked up when not in use. The design of vinyl storage sheds is efficient, and vinyl sheds require no maintenance at all.

Along with cedar storage sheds, vinyl sheds are the highest quality of sheds available. Vinyl is very good for extreme weather conditions, and vinyl storage sheds will have a long life span.

Add-on Space for Storage Sheds Some home owners will find that their storage needs are overrunning even the storage sheds for their home. If this happens, there are several types of small sheds available to manage the overflow of the storage shed. Corner sheds are made to fit snugly into corner spaces, with dimensions of 3' x 3' x 2'. Vertical sheds are 5' x 3' x 4', and horizontal sheds are 3' x 5' x 4'.

There are many add-ons that can be bought to go with your storage shed. Most often, these are used to maximize storage space. Other features are meant to make the items in the storage shed more accessible, or to brighten up the work space in the shed.

Windows and Skylights

A storage shed with windows will use natural light. It means that there will be no need to install additional electric lights inside the storage shed. Natural lighting is especially desirable for sheds in which the home owner will practice a hobby. Skylights are especially popular for allowing natural light to come in from above.

Porches

A porch area on a storage shed can be useful for making the unit more visually appealing. It can also be useful for creating an additional area for storage sheds that are used for housing the home owner's hobbies, or perhaps a playroom for the children.

Ramps

A ramp at the entry of the storage shed will allow for easier access into the shed. It is especially useful for bringing wheeled items into or out of the shed.

Extra Wide Doors

Sheds with extra wide doors are useful for storing bulky items. If the shed will be used for storing riding lawn mowers, motorcycles, or other similarly large items, extra wide doors will make for easier access to the items stored.

Storage Space Inside the Shed

Some storage sheds come with lofts inside the units. A loft is useful for storing items that are not used very often. It uses the upper spaces of the unit for storing these items, maximizing the available internal space.

Shelves are also available for storage sheds. Rubbermaid has several models of sheds that include grooves in the wall for easily inserting shelves. The shelves are sold separately.

A work bench in the unit is also very useful if the shed is going to be used as a work space. Work benches that include storage space are also available.

Shed Size

It is important, when purchasing a storage shed, to consider the space available. Having a large enough space to store items, and having sufficient shelf space, are important. If the unit is to be used as a work space, it is equally important to consider whether there is enough headroom for the user to walk about inside the shed.

One of the main complaints heard from buyers of storage sheds is that the units are often quite difficult to assemble. Many users are surprised to find that the storage shed is not as easy to put together when they get it home as they had been led to believe. Many buyers prefer to buy a unit and have it assembled onsite by the seller.

It is also important to consider the zoning laws and building codes of the area where the shed is to be built. The buyer should check into the local regulations before purchasing a storage shed.

It is important, also, to give good attention to laying a good foundation for your storage shed. Cinder blocks, a solid concrete slab, or at the very least a layer of crushed stone should be used to form a solid base for the storage shed. The supports under the floor should be made of pressure-treated wood. Some storage sheds come with a floor kit.

The price range of the storage shed will depend on the size of the unit bought, as well as on the material of which it is made. When searching for an outdoor storage shed, the buyer should be ready to spend a minimum of $350. For $2,000, most buyers' storage needs can be met with a good quality, attractive storage shed.

Metal Storage Sheds

Metal storage sheds can be found for very affordable prices, as low as $300 for moderate sized units. Even for aluminum storage sheds large enough to store a tractor-style lawn mower, the price range is from $1,000 to $1,500.

Wood Storage Sheds

There are many designs of wood storage sheds available for buyers to consider. Those with lower price tags sell in the range of $500 to $600. Some of the bigger, more stylish units sell for over $2,000. Arrow sells some cedar units with many extra features, such as a high ceiling and windows, for prices just over $2,000.

Vinyl Storage Sheds

Vinyl storage sheds come in a very wide range of sizes. Some of the smaller units sell for as low as $350. Most of the vinyl sheds are priced for around $500, and larger units range between $1,000 and $2,000. Some of the more stylish designs sell for over $2,000. These usually include many accessories, such as extra wide doors, windows, and attractive designs for blending nicely into the landscaping. A vinyl garage big enough to store most tractors costs just under $2,000. Prices for the biggest and nicest designs of vinyl storage sheds can nearly reach $3,500. Arrow Buildings and Handy Home Products are the main manufacturers for this range of vinyl storage sheds.

Arrow's Estator is one of the most popular models of storage sheds. It sells for around $700, and has extra wide doors and enough space to store most tractor mowers.

Add-On Storage Units

Add-on units can cost from $100 to $250. Rubbermaid sells several varieties of add-on storage units, including vertical, horizontal, and corner units. Suncast has several styles of vertical units available for prices ranging from $100 to $200.

Rubbermaid
Suncast
Arrow