You may be thinking about building an outdoor structure for a variety of reasons: to store all your cumbersome yard equipment, to reclaim your garage, or to create an office or workshop sanctuary away from the distractions of your main house. But these days, sheds and barns don’t have to be those dark, musty places where your off-duty lawnmower and tools go to grow cobwebs and rust, and there are countless options to help you create your dream space. But before you make a purchase, there are some important things you need to consider to ensure you end up with the perfect structure to suit your needs!
The Basics:
When it comes to building a shed or barn, there are a few crucial steps that you’ll need to take first to ensure you don’t end up with a headache and a costly mistake. The first thing you’ll need to consider is whether or not you can actually place the sort of structure you’re looking to build on your property. If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association or have deed restrictions on your property, your options may be limited. The structure’s size, the structure’s peak height, and the type of siding are just a few examples of restrictions that may be placed on your structure. Before going forward in the purchasing process, it’s best to check with your HOA or review any potential deed restrictions to ensure any structure you may be interested in would be in compliance.
Similarly, local building and zoning departments may affect your ability to build and your options. In some areas, you may have to first pull a permit before you can get the construction of your shed or barn approved. Beyond that, much like an HOA, building codes may restrict the size, height, and style of your structure as well as where you can place it to be in proper observance of all necessary setbacks and easements. Regulations could also possibly determine for what purposes you are permitted to use the structure; for example, some codes may prohibit you from configuring it as a residence. As you begin to think about building a structure, you’ll want to inform yourself as well as possible and do your research; a quick Google search should allow you to find which jurisdiction you fall under and start learning the local codes and regulations that will impact your construction project.
The last entity to consider is your neighbors. While it is not mandatory, in certain scenarios, it may be polite to check with your neighbors before building a structure on your property. If the crew is going to be required to drive on a neighbor’s property, even briefly, to get a shed or barn into position or if your new structure might impact their property or view in any way, you should speak with them prior to any construction.
If you have all of your regulatory ducks in order, the next step to take is site preparation. It’s important to factor site prep into your building budget as homeowners are responsible for completing prep before the day of delivery or assembly. You can complete this prep yourselves or hire the job out, but it is a necessary cost as just setting your barn or shed directly on the ground is not advisable for the long term. Without proper site prep, your structure will be subject to uneven settling, causing the door frames to wrack and stick as well as causing issues with premature deterioration.
When it comes to site prep, you have a few options. The most basic option is concrete blocks. This method requires 2” & 4” concrete blocks to be placed at the front and the back of every skid, as well as in the middle if the end blocks are more than 6’ apart. However, this method allows for more settling than other methods and is not recommended for sites with more than an 8” grade.
The typical and often most ideal site prep is crushed limestone: a 4” thick pad of crushed and compacted limestone with an extra foot of stone on all sides of the structure. This method is helpful with uneven or graded sites as it allows you to easily create a level surface. Similarly, a post platform is a good option if you’re looking to combat a slope. You’ll need to dig holes between 32” - 42” deep and place post pads or concrete in the bottom of these holes before inserting your treated posts and fastening them to a cross beam.
The fourth option is a concrete foundation. With this method, you’ll need to pour a concrete pad and footings, making the pad half an inch shorter than the dimensions of the building to allow treated plates to be attached to the pad. A concrete foundation is ideal for workshops or for space where you wouldn’t want a wooden floor, but there are potential repercussions to this method you’ll need to consider. Attaching your structure to the concrete may change its designation from a temporary structure to a permanent structure, which can affect your property tax assessment.
The Specs & Logistics:
Once you have ensured that you can build a structure and you’ve considered which foundation you’d like to use, you can start planning your shed or barn in more detail, such as determining the size of the structure. Most structures are available in a wide variety of sizes, so it’s merely a matter of working out what size best suits your particular situation.
One key factor in choosing a size is the function you need the structure to serve. If you’re going to be primarily using your shed or barn for storage, consider the items you want to store in the structure, how much space each individual item might take up, and how much room needs to be left over to allow easy access. The size charts below can help you visualize how much equipment different sizes of structures can accommodate.
But it’s not just the interior space you should take into account. You’ll also want to think about the size of your backyard. You don’t want to cram a large structure into a small yard and leave the space crowded and unusable. At the same time, if you have ample space, why not make the most of it? Though, as mentioned above, if you are subject to an HOA or local building authority, be sure to review any potential size restrictions before you make your decision.
Another factor that could impact the size of your structure is whether or not you want your shed or barn delivered pre-assembled or built on-site. If you want to go with a pre-assembled structure, this will limit the width available to you as a 10’ wide structure is the widest that can be easily transported on a trailer; however, a trailer can still accommodate up to a 20’ length.
Furthermore, pre-assembled structures will require that you have the space to maneuver the structure to the site. You’ll need to ensure that any fences, gates, trees, or overhead obstructions and wires will not hamper the delivery and placement of your structure. And keep in mind that the actual size of your shed or barn may be slightly larger than the “nominal” size you ordered as some styles include gables and eaves that will create additional length and width. If you have any questions or concerns about your site, you can speak to a sales rep, but you can avoid the hassle and any unpleasant, costly surprises on delivery day by building on-site instead. This option doesn’t cost much more than pre-assembled delivery and it allows you to choose from any size.
The Quality:
Of course, while it’s crucial to carefully consider the large details of your shed or barn, it’s also important to think about the finer details of the structure that may seem relatively minor as these can indicate quite a lot about the structure’s quality and how it will wear. When you’re making an investment in a shed or barn, you want to be sure you’re going to get your money’s worth with a durable, well-constructed product, so here are a few things you’ll want to look for.
At the most basic level, look at what kind of lumber is being used and how it is framed. Our builder, Weaver Barns, uses premium grade pine for all framing with double 2” x 6” headers and double 2” x 4” frames for all doors; this is critical to help ensure the door frames resist wracking. Additionally, in a Weaver shed or barn, all studs and rafters are 16” on center to provide the same durability you would have in your home, and the trim is rot-resistant to help avoid moisture damage.
Similarly, you’ll want to examine what kind of floor is being used. Many builders will use plywood floors, but these can delaminate over time and will not hold up to moisture that can runoff from mowers and other equipment, so it’s best to avoid these floors if possible. Weaver Barns uses one of the heaviest-duty floors in the industry with 2” x 8” pressure-treated pine tongue-and-groove floors that are rated for up to 1000 lb per square foot, built on 4” x 4” or 4” x 6” pressure-treated runners to ensure that it will hold up to your needs.
Other areas of construction you’ll want to look at are the sidewalls and the roof. Firstly, how high are the sidewalls? Economy builders will offer sheds with a short sidewall to save on materials, but Weaver Barns builds with 7’H sidewalls to allow for more storage and better appearance. Secondly, how is the roof constructed? Many budget builders may build their roofs with oriented strand board (OSB), which can swell with water and have an unfinished appearance. Weaver Barns, on the other hand, use true veneer-core plywood sheathing for the roof, making it more durable with a higher level of integrity on the off-chance that there is ever a shingle failure. They also offer dimensional asphalt shingles with a 30-year warranty as their entry-point shingle, and higher-rated shingles and metal roofs are also available.
Another thing that may not be top of mind but is important to consider is how the building is ventilated. Some sheds and barns will simply have a cheap metal vent stamped in each gable end of the building, but this really isn’t ideal and will not provide effective ventilation. It is preferable to have a ridge-vent and honeycomb soffit vents in the eaves much like your home does; Weaver Barns sees that each shed and barn is built this way.
Lastly, the doors are some of the heaviest wear items on a shed, and therefore, they need to be well-built. Weaver Barns builds their doors with triple layers of cedar framing to ensure that they don’t warp or flex easily. They also add drop bolts, chain latches, and quality door locks and pulls to keep the doors working properly for years to come.
The Look:
Now, with the more technical aspects out of the way, it’s time for the fun stuff: style and custom options. Weaver Barns has ten styles of sheds and barns to choose from: Manchester, Gable, Sugarcreek, Craftsman, Estate, Woodshed, Highland, Grand Junction, Studio, and Gable Garage. When deciding on what style you want to go for there are three important factors: budget, function, and of course, aesthetics. Obviously, buildings with simpler styles and fewer details will also have a lower starting price tag; such is the case with the Manchester and Gable styles.
The intended use of your structure can also affect which style you would be best to choose. If you only want your shed or barn to act as storage, then the straightforward Manchester and Gable styles might be the way to go. If you want a structure that has a certain “wow” factor, you might want to look at the Craftsman or Grand Junction styles. Styles such as the Woodshed and the Highland offer a front porch for taking in the view, while the Gable Garage affords you the space and the overhead door to park an extra vehicle. For those who may be interested in using their structure as a detached home office and are looking for something a bit more contemporary, the Studio is an excellent choice. Keep in mind that if you’re going to be using your shed or barn as a workspace, you’ll want to select a model that allows you to add windows for natural light and shelves or woodworking benches as needed.
Speaking of adding windows and shelves, you want to be sure you’re buying from a builder who offers you all the basic features and standards of quality as listed above at a base price and then provides you with ample options to make the structure your own. Weaver Barns, for example, offer a wide range of options from decor to finishing materials to trim, windows, doors, ramps, and more. For example, if you want to add a weathervane, you have four options in two different sizes. If you want to customize your door, you have a variety of styles to choose from in wood, vinyl, and steel. If you want to add architectural interest to your shed or barn with a cupola or awning, there are plenty of options for those, too.
Weaver Barns’ range of paints and stains is particularly impressive: a high-quality line from Haley Paints in Pennsylvania that is sprayed on and baked in an oven to ensure each structure starts with a great finish. If you’d like to learn more about the options available from Weaver Barns, be sure to check out our online catalog, with options starting on page 76!
But before you can pick a color, you’ll need to pick your siding which will not only put your personal touch on your structure but also protect it. Much like the style, the siding you choose will be dependent on a few factors, such as budget, aesthetics, HOA restrictions, and maintenance expectations. You’ll want to find a builder who will offer you a range of options for your structure’s siding so you can choose what suits your needs best. Weaver Barns, in particular, offers five different siding choices.
One option is vinyl siding. This siding is the most expensive option; however, it is also very weather resistant and requires very little maintenance. As vinyl siding also comes in a variety of colors, this is a good choice if you want your shed or barn to match your home and look great, but you don’t want to spend much time, if any, to keep it looking like that.
Another option is Smart Lap Siding. Also towards the higher end, this siding comes with a 50-year limited warranty and requires little maintenance, aside from periodic repainting. Smart Lap has a natural wood grain texture and can approximate a home’s lap siding well if you’d like to create a cohesive look between your home and your structure.
Next, there’s Weaver Barns’ signature choice: pine siding. With a roughsawn finish, this mid-priced option provides a great natural look and high-quality construction with tongue-and-groove, premium quality pine. It must be noted, though, that this siding requires the most maintenance of Weaver Barns’ options; the paint or stain you choose will have to be reapplied more frequently with pine siding to keep it looking its best.
Lastly, there are the Duratemp and Smartside sidings. These are both engineered plywood sidings that have been designed for outdoor use and come in at a lower cost, with the EcoPro series of Smartside being the most budget-friendly. Though they are more affordable, these sidings still can be painted, feature natural wood grains, and come with a 50-year limited warranty.
Building a shed or barn on your property is a big investment, and as a result, the process comes with a few crucial components that need to be carefully considered before you can make your purchase. While all the options and requirements and limitations may seem overwhelming, if you go step by step and tick all the boxes, you can rest assured that you will be getting the best structure to suit your space and your needs. If you have any questions or would like to start exploring the outdoor structures available at Geitgey’s Amish Country Furnishings, feel free to call, email, or visit. Our sales team will be happy to help you create your dream shed or barn!
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