How to Choose the Right Shed for Your Backyard

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Colin's Construction Blog: Building a House

Hi, there! My name is Colin. Last year, I finally completed some construction work on my home. For many years, I had been meaning to do lots of jobs around the place. I wanted to install a new bathroom downstairs. However, I had no idea how to do this so I avoided everything. My wife continued to complain about the lack of progress so I eventually contacted a team of contractors. A plumber, an electrician and a construction team visited my home and completed the work. As they did so, they taught me an awful lot about the best way to complete the job. I hope you find my blog useful.

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How to Choose the Right Shed for Your Backyard

2 April 2018
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog


If you don't have a garage on your property, or want to protect your car from the risk of damage caused by lawn care equipment and tools, you might consider adding a shed to your backyard. A shed can also double as a workspace for your hobbies, and might be used to care for delicate flowers or seedlings before they're ready to be planted. Since you might have more options for backyard sheds than you realize, note a few tips on how to choose the best one for your needs and your yard in particular.

Consider Size

Obviously you want a shed that will be large enough to fit all the tools and equipment you own, but you also need to consider the overall footprint of the shed, and how it will fit in your backyard. If you've determined where you want to put the shed, note if there is room for the door to swing open freely, and if you would be able to fit a lawnmower between the shed and a fence, tree, or other obstacle.

If you need to reduce the shed's exterior footprint, consider a lean-to design that can be put against the home. This can provide the storage space you need with a smaller exterior body that will take up less room in the backyard.

Consider Height & Roof

Consider the roof of a shed and how it's constructed. An A-frame or pointed roof might be better for storing bikes from the ceiling of the shed, as this will get them off the ground and out of the way. You also want to ensure you can easily walk into the shed without hitting your head on the doorframe or ceiling! A higher ceiling can also mean better ventilation inside the shed, something to consider if you'll be using it as a workspace. On the other hand, a shorter shed with a flat roof won't obstruct your view of the horizon, which might be needed if you enjoy lounging in your home's backyard.

Consider Material

Wood sheds are very classic and attractive, and they can be easily painted and fabricated, so you can make changes to a wood shed over time. However, wood might not be recommended in areas with high humidity levels, and for a shed you'll be putting near a pool, as wood may tend to warp, rot, or hold mildew when exposed to water and pool chemicals. Vinyl sheds, on the other hand, are very durable and lightweight, and some plastic sheds literally snap together, so you can quickly build and install it on your own.