Backyard Storage Sheds: Common Upgrades That Should Be Standard

Shopping and planning for a backyard storage shed involves style and size selection, color choice, placement decisions and much more. There are a number of other customization options to consider, too, but unfortunately, some retailers use the term “Upgrades” to refer to what should really be standard. In this blog you’ll learn about what 25 years’ of experience in the storage shed industry has taught us about the components that should be included in a quality storage shed.

Interior of Door is Painted: It’s important that the inside of the door on your storage shed is painted, as this helps protect it from the elements. After all, if you live in a region that experiences different seasons, your shed will be used on the extremely warm summer days; the frigid, snowy winters days; the rainy days of early spring and even the crisp days of autumn.

30-Year Architectural Shingles: Not only do architectural shingles look better than regular 3 tab shingles — the look offers more dimension and a textured feel — but they also will last much longer. Regular shingles have an average lifespan of about 15 years. With 30-year architectural shingles you will have the benefit of many added years before thinking about a roof replacement.

Gable End Vents: It is absolutely essential that your storage shed has vents in order for the building to be properly aerated. Most storage sheds will, at some point, house materials that give off fumes (think gasoline, paint, sealant, pool supplies, etc.), so any good storage shed supplier will include vents in their buildings.

Pressure-Treated Elements: When we think about the foundation of a storage shed, we liken the construction to that of a house. A well-built shed will feature paver blocks (unless you already have some sort of stone base), runners or skids, floor joists and a plywood floor, all of which should be pressure-treated. Pressure treating promises at least 20 years of use. In comparison, natural wood is not chemically-resistant, so eventually it will rot.

Plywood Roof Sheathing: We favor using plywood instead of oriented strand board (OSB) paneling or pressboard, as plywood provides strong, long-lasting support for the shingles.

Quality Wall/Roof Construction: The ideal wall/roof construction will feature 2×4” studs and rafters, 16” on center. A change in these measurements, such as using 2×3” timbers or spanning them 24” apart, will compromise the integrity of the structure.

Diamond Plate Door Sill: Adding this piece of metal to the foot of the doorway adds a bit of protection to your entryway. This is especially important when you are moving large machinery in and out via the ramp.

As you can see, it is important to look beyond the aesthetics and learn a bit about the technical aspects of backyard storage sheds as you start shopping. We recommend doing your research and investing the money in a quality building. Remember, we’re here to help if you have any questions or concerns.