Storage Sheds: Walk the Line between Function and Beauty

Storage sheds are an invaluable storage area for your home. Frequently, an outdoor storage shed can make the difference in having a garage where you can park your car. This doesn't mean your storage shed has to be an eye sore in your yard either. A shed with good wood design and quality can fit in with the rest of your backyard. Size is entirely up to you, a smaller shed might be appropriate for your yard or a bigger shed will allow for all the storage you might need.

Steel v. Wood
As with many areas of home improvement, metal, mostly stainless steel, is becoming an alternative for wood projects. People choose steel sheds because they're cheaper, easier to install, generally require less maintenance, and their construction creates larger clear spans for storing large items.

On the other hand, not many people like a metal building in their backyard and a basic wood shed is still reasonably priced and usually meets the needs of the typical homeowner. More recently, vinyl and vinyl-coated steel sheds have become available. If you're looking for an extremely durable shed, but don't like the look of a steel building this might be the shed for you.

Cost and Installation
More than the building material you choose, size is likely going to be the determining factor when it comes to cost and installation. Making due with a shed that covers no more than 100 sq. ft. will enable you to build a lasting shed that doesn't require a foundation. Other than size, you need to sit down and think about your storage needs. If you think you're only going to need your storage shed for a few years, you can probably go with a more lightly engineered shed. If you think you're going to need a storage shed indefinitely or are hoping to retain some of the shed's value in property value, you should probably make the investment in a higher quality shed. A high-end shed should probably include some basic insulation.

Storage Rental
On the other end of the spectrum if you need a ton of storage space for a relatively short amount of time—less than a year—the best thing to do may be to just rent a storage unit. Be warned now, though, these units aren't cheap either. Even a moderately sized unit may run you more than a grand in just a year. A good rule of thumb is if you're going to store something for a year or longer a storage shed will more than pay for itself.

*** Tip: To help an outdoor storage shed look like it belongs in your yard, build a small stone walkway leading up to its entrance. ***