Storage Shed advice wanted

[PirateGirl]

We have lived in our home for approximately 3 years and the one thing that's been missing since before we moved in is a storage shed/garage. I think this spring the time has come to finally add a shed to our property. The building department permits up to a 200 square foot structure before things get more complicated with permits and zoning etc. so we will likely keep the size less than this. We may build something, but we may have something pre-fab dropped off as we are in the free delivery zone for a shed company.

So to those of you that have sheds...
What do you love about your shed?
What is your favorite handy feature of your shed?
What do you wish you did differently?
What is your shed lacking?
Anything random you'd like to share that I might not think of that would be good to know in advance?

A year from now I don't want to have buyers/builders remorse because I did it all wrong or skimped on something. Like does it matter if my shed has windows? Do I wish it had a second door? Would it be better if it was insulated? Should I have splurged to have electric run? I don't know, but I know the neighbors will be happy once we can hide the garden tools and snow tires!

Any photos of clever storage solutions would be appreciated as well! TIA

 

[nchls school]

So to those of you that have sheds...
What do you love about your shed?
What is your favorite handy feature of your shed?
What do you wish you did differently?
What is your shed lacking?
Anything random you'd like to share that I might not think of that would be good to know in advance?

We have a storage barn/shed; 10x12. It has no windows so it is dark; can't find what I want at times. It has a plywood floor which is rotting and breaking apart from use. The double doors don't fit right and are starting to sag. The walls are short making space for large objects limited. There isn't anything I like other than appearance. Beware prefab; look it over carefully. It was also a pain to put together. If there is a next time, I'll buy a shed that is already built and have it brought in-higher walls, windows, and a better door and floor.

 

[PirateGirl]

So to those of you that have sheds...
What do you love about your shed?
What is your favorite handy feature of your shed?
What do you wish you did differently?
What is your shed lacking?
Anything random you'd like to share that I might not think of that would be good to know in advance?

We have a storage barn/shed; 10x12. It has no windows so it is dark; can't find what I want at times. It has a plywood floor which is rotting and breaking apart from use. The double doors don't fit right and are starting to sag. The walls are short making space for large objects limited. There isn't anything I like other than appearance. Beware prefab; look it over carefully. It was also a pain to put together. If there is a next time, I'll buy a shed that is already built and have it brought in-higher walls, windows, and a better door and floor.

Thank you! I hadn't thought much about wall/ceiling height, but I did notice that some models of sheds boast a higher ceiling and/or loft space. This is definitely worth considering. Maybe a single door over time is better as well provided the doorway is wide enough.

Yes, with the prefab there is a yard with a bunch of models on display so we can walk through and look at them and see how good or bad the construction is. I know we have the skill set and tools to build one, I just don't realistically see us setting aside the time to do it or I feel like we'd already have a shed!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I've been very pleased with my Royal 8x10 vinyl shed. I bought one for $800 from Lowes over 20 years ago and it is still holding up really well and looks great. Easy to take down and reassemble if necessary. Much better strength and quality than the resin sheds you see for sale at places like Lowes.

I recently bought a used one like it on Craigslist for about $300. I don't see them anymore at Lowes, but they do sell them at Lowes in Canada. Apparently, they changed the name to Vision.

http://visionoutdoorproducts.com/outdoor-products/sheds/

https://www.lowes.ca/storage-tool-g...95-ft-x-8-ft-vinyl-storage-shed_g1819661.html

 

[PirateGirl]

Thank you for the links @HenOnAJuneBug I will look at these! It's nice to hear that it has lasted so long, that says a lot.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Thank you for the links @HenOnAJuneBug I will look at these! It's nice to hear that it has lasted so long, that says a lot.

Here's a video showing how they go together. They've made a few changes from mine. Walls in mine are 2.75 " thick. These look the same but join differently.

They look to be cheaper at Menards

https://www.menards.com/main/outdoo...-5-x-8-vinyl-shed/1934350/p-1451392199762.htm

 

[TwoCrows]

Definitely beef up the floor. Many of these kits come with or suggest 1/2 or 5/8 inch plywood. You will do better with 3/4 inch flooring which will support more. You don't want spongy flooring. You might also insulate with styrofoam or celotex cut and glued between the studs of walls and ceiling. Makes it much more comfortable inside. Celotex is easy to cut and fairly cheap.

Good luck with your shed build!

 

[TwoCrows]

Oh and I would definitely electrify it, lights are super helpful.

 

[Acre4Me]

@PirateGirl, how’s the shed decision?

My main add would be to determine exactly what you know you will store in it (for the most part). So, will things lean against the wall? If so, what height/what weight, and is there enough heigh/support. Where can you attach hooks etc to the wall. Do you want things on the doors for easy access, like small garden tools? if so, the doors need to be sturdy and the screws into the doorframe need to be extra long.

Floor: are you going to put in the foundation it will sit on? Can you make a beefed up one to help support the floor?


Light: yes, put in electric, but if it is cost prohibitive, then there are battery operated LED lights that can be mounted. Alternately, you can get a hand lantern that can reside in your home or garage for needs there, and you can take to the shed where you have added a holder or shelf for it. We had an under-stair storage area in a basement utility room (poor lighting magnified), so we put in a hook strategically placed and would use one of those hanging utility lights (often used by car mechanics to hang in the hood of a car while repairing something) when we needed to get in that storage area.

Hope your planning is going well!

 

[PirateGirl]

Thanks! I have. It made a 100% decision yet. It will definitely have a permanent foundation, required by the building department due to us being in a high wind area. I did find a good deal on a used shed on CL, however I'm struggling with logistics of moving it... it is disassembled but still will not fit in the SUV, so either need to borrow a pickup or rent a small trailer to make it work. I have also been making a mental list of what ideally needs to go in it, perhaps I should write this down, starts with snow tires for 2 vehicles, bicycles, and garden/yard tools...