Outdoor storage sheds are slowly becoming essential in every home. We all love to keep our indoors very tidy, and one of the best ways to ensure that is by investing in an outdoor storage shed.
Buying a storage shed will provide you with space to keep all your house junk and add value to your home when you decide to sell it. Most home buyers will pay the extra money and go for a house with an outdoor shed rather than buy a home without a shed.
So you’ve decided to invest in an outdoor shed but are overwhelmed and afraid to make the wrong choice. Don’t worry; we’re here to guide you.
When buying an outdoor storage shed, dive in to find the top and most crucial things to consider.
1. Your Local Building Codes
Your local bylaws are the first things to look at before choosing a shed. Most locales require you to obtain a building permit before adding a new structure to your home. A shed is also a structure. Therefore, it can’t be added until you have gotten a permit.
However, these laws vary from location to location. In some locations, a permit is only required for a structure over a specified size; therefore, if you build a shed that’s not up to that size, you won’t require a permit.
You must have a good knowledge of your local building codes before investing in a shed. We can’t have you buy your dream shed to find out it requires a permit when you haven’t budgeted for that. If you’re hiring contractors to build your shed, talk to them about whether the shed you want is worth getting a permit for or not.
2. The Material Of Your Shed
A crucial thing to consider when buying a shed is the material it’s made from. You don’t want to make mistakes when choosing the material for your shed. Every homeowner will love to invest in a shed material that’s sturdy, durable, and can withstand the perils of mother nature.
There are wooden sheds, plastic (resin), and wooden sheds. Each of these materials has its pros and cons. Let’s look at them each:
- Wooden Sheds: They’re the most common type of shed. Being very sturdy and durable, they can last for a lifetime. Wood sheds are also the most customizable and aesthetically appealing type; therefore, if you love it stylishly, consider a wooden shed. However, they are likely to rot if built from low-quality wood. Also, they require a lot of maintenance and are prone to termite infestation.
- Plastic Sheds: Their core advantage is that they’re easy to move and are resistant to rotting and insect infestation. However, they’re not as customizable as wooden sheds and tend to deform when exposed to harsh weather conditions. Also, plastic sheds are usually expensive compared to wooden sheds.
- Metal Sheds: They’re the latest trend. Before, most homeowners stayed away from metal sheds because of corrosion and leaks; however, these problems have been overcome with the coming of galvanized steel. Metal sheds are also resistant to insects and rotting; however, the cheap ones aren’t usually strong and durable. Therefore, if you want to invest in a metal shed, go for a durable one worth its price.
3. The Size of the Shed
Before moving on to shop for an outdoor storage shed, ponder over the right size, you’ll want. Here you’re to consider two factors – the size of your backyard and what you’re storing in your shed.
Since placing the shed in your outdoor home space, measure the area and see if the size you’ve in mind will fit. Also, look at the amount of gear you want to be stored in the shed. If you’re storing only garden equipment and some workshop tools, there’s no need to invest in a 14 by 14 shed.
Also, invest in a shed with a large door that can fit even the largest item you own or what you might own in the future.
It’s good you know that sheds aren’t something you’ll be replacing every few years; therefore, invest in a shed that can contain all you’d have even in the future.
4. How Customized Do you Want it?
It’s recommended you invest in a shed that will blend with the exterior design of your home so the two have an aesthetically appealing look.
However, some homeowners still want their shed to stand out; this isn’t wrong; make sure you’ve made some beautiful plantations around the shed to highlight it. If you choose this, you’ve to ensure weeds don’t grow around the shed.
Also, think of how much you want to customize your shed. If you love it creatively, you’d want to install closets, shelves, and hooks and create organization ideas in your shed. This helps in maximizing space and giving your shed a beautiful look.
Choosing a wooden shed will give you the privilege of customizing as much as you want. However, plastic and metal have limited customization options. Even if you’ve managed to install closets and shelves, they won’t be able to withstand significant weight on them.
5. Your Budget
Lastly, before reaching out to your contractors, ask yourself, “what’s my price range?” “I’m willing to go over your budget to get the right shed or not?” This way, you’ll be able to choose between what you can afford and what you want.
Your budget will determine the size and quality of the outdoor storage shed you’re getting. If you’re on a tight budget and need a large shed, consider going for a wooden one. While if you value durability oversize, you can go for a smaller galvanized steel that comes at a higher price.
Just make sure you invest in a shed that will last a long time, and you won’t have to be spending a lot on maintaining it.
Wrap Up
After reading this guide, you better understand the essential things to consider before investing in an outdoor shed. The most important thing, however, is to invest in a high-quality and durable outdoor storage shed that will last for decades, if not a lifetime.