Backyard Storage Sheds

If you are in need of storage and are lucky enough to have a back yard, a storage shed is a logical choice for you. Storage sheds are available in a wide variety of styles and materials and they range in size from the miniature heavy-duty plastic lean-to all the way to the two-story, wood-sided yard barn.

You can purchase a shed at your local home-improvement or hardware store as a pre-built unit, a ready-to-assemble kit, a prefabricated building package or a basic building package composed of raw materials. You can also have a shed built for you off-site and delivered to your back yard or have one built to your specifications on your lot by a contractor.

Only a few years ago, if you were looking for backyard storage space you basically had two choices: settle for a one-size-fits-all 6x6 aluminum garden shed or hire a contractor to design and build a custom storage shed to suit your needs. Although both of these options are still available today, modern materials and manufacturing techniques mean that you can easily find a backyard shed that fits your unique storage needs.

The simplest storage sheds are small, weather-resistant storage trunks meant to fit easily beneath a deck or unobtrusively next to a pool. Often constructed of pressure-treated wood or heavy duty, impact-resistant plastic, these sheds are excellent for small yards or for storing specialized equipment. One of the oldest types of storage shed is the lean-to, which is typically a closet-sized, three- or four-sided plastic or wood shed with a slanted roof that is designed to fit snugly against an exterior wall of your home. These units easily accommodate long-handled tools such as rakes and weed eaters.

Larger sheds that allow you to walk into them are often made of aluminum, wood or high-impact plastic. These are ideal for storing larger items such as lawn mowers, generators and holiday decorations. Some larger units have work areas or tool benches built into them, and one popular design is the potting shed, complete with a work bench, sink and greenhouse window.

Although all of these designs can be found in a variety of materials as pre-assembled or ready-to-assemble units, if you want a larger unit, or one with a second floor, you will probably have to have your shed built. Sheds built according to standard plans are often available from local landscaping companies or lawn structure specialists. These are typically built off-site and the completed unit is then delivered to your site. Custom designs or very large sheds will generally require the services of a general contractor, unless you have the skills and time necessary to tackle such a large project on your own.

Size, materials and features are not the only things to consider when you are thinking about adding outdoor storage space. Some additional things to bear in mind are local building codes, homeowner's association rules, if applicable, and how your new shed will fit in with the existing architecture and materials of your home and back yard.

In many areas, sheds with a footprint, or floor area, under a specified size do not require either a permit or a foundation. Some areas do require that all sheds be "tied down" with hurricane straps or similar devices, however, and some areas require permits and foundations for all but the smallest sheds. Be sure to check with your local zoning board about the specific regulations in your area.

Homeowners' association rules may have regulations that restrict whether or not you can have a backyard shed, and, if so, dictate the design and materials that may be used, as well as minimum and maximum square footage. Some types of storage sheds, particularly smaller bench or trunk-style units, may be classified as outdoor furniture for homeowner's association purposes and may be exempt from rules that restrict outdoor structures.

In addition to homeowner's association and zoning rules, some areas, especially historical districts, have special rules regarding outdoor structures. These regulations are typically intended to prevent residents from adding anachronistic structures or elements that would disrupt the architectural integrity of the neighborhood. Storage sheds in these areas may have to be designed to resemble carriage houses or antique potting sheds, or to be constructed of special materials such as stone and slate.

There are many attractive and functional options available for the homeowner who requires a backyard storage shed. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer looking for a weekend project or a dedicated hobbyist in need of a specialized structure, there is a backyard shed to suit your needs.