How to Buy a Storage Shed

Don’t make the mistake of throwing caution to the wind and buying a shed on impulse, especially if you live in a village or town with strict rules or belong to a Homeowners Association. Preparation will save you time and money later on. 

“Our biggest mistake was not knowing the local code requirements that stated sheds had to be 10 feet from the house and property line,” says Jason Holmes, CR’s director of testing. “This left our new shed placed in an awkward location in the yard. We eventually moved it once we put in raised garden beds so that it was in a more useful location.”

Look into your HOA and local regulations before shopping. “Depending on the size of the shed and where you live, you may also need a building permit and associated permit fees,” says John Galeotafiore, CR’s associate director of product testing. “In some municipalities, you may even be required to submit a site plan showing where the shed will be located.”

Shannon Latham, owner of Shed Geek Podcast, says on-site builds make the most sense if you belong to an HOA or are restricted by zoning, but it’s worth checking with your neighborhood shed dealer to see what options exist. 

“Take the time to measure and plan accordingly for power lines, fences, and buried items such as septic tanks in the yard,” Latham says.

You know how every house looks enormous if you’re moving from a small apartment—until you begin filling that house with stuff? A storage shed may seem like it’s the perfect fit, but you might be surprised at how much more space you’ll wish it had later on. 

“In all my years, no one has ever come back and said, ‘I should have bought a smaller shed.’ They always wished they had gone bigger,” Latham says. 

The key to getting your proportions right is to first make a list of everything you want to store. “We laid out the items we wanted to store in the shed: a push lawn mower, manual reel mower, wheelbarrow, and fertilizer spreader, and figured out how many square feet they would take up,” Holmes says. “We then planned on hanging the garden tools on the walls to maximize floor space. I would get larger if you can, as more storage space is always better.”

Galeotafiore reminds us to factor in space to walk around the items in your shed and easily access them. “Inevitably, you’ll also end up storing more items over time, so buying one size larger isn’t a bad idea if you have the space and budget,” he says.

The foundation beneath your shed needs careful consideration before you place any material over it. “The foundation plays a big role in both the performance and longevity of a shed,” Galeotafiore says. “It shouldn’t be placed directly on grass or dirt because the ground can settle, causing the shed to shift, and moisture can become a problem. Some smaller sheds include prefabricated floor systems, while others require a gravel base, concrete blocks, or a concrete slab.”

The most common foundation is a level rock pad built by someone familiar with landscape or hardscape, according to Latham, who says that although sheds can be put directly on the ground, the added layer of blocks allows air to move freely beneath the shed, which significantly extends its lifespan.

Now that we’ve established the importance of ensuring your foundation is prepped for a shed, let’s dwell on one crucial consideration: the role that proper ventilation and humidity control can play in your shed’s longevity. 

“You don’t want the shed to be in a low-lying, damp location or hidden under too much shade,” Holmes says. “The excess humidity is bad for a wood or metal shed and can also be bad for any equipment stored in the shed.”

Latham agrees that if the area is damp or wet, you should avoid placing the shed there. “Watch for large trees above. If the shed will be exposed to long bouts of sunshine, consider how to move air throughout or even under the shed,” Latham says. “Good ventilation will help lengthen the life of the building, especially in dry, hot climates. Ensuring that water does not pool underneath or on the building is also important for more damp and wet climates.”

The three most common types of sheds are made of wood, which Latham says are the most commonly purchased; metal; and resin or plastic sheds from big-box stores, which are better suited for customers with limited space or budget constraints. Each material has its own pros and cons. 

“Wood sheds are attractive and structurally very strong, but they require the most maintenance,” Galeotafiore says. “Resin sheds are relatively easy to assemble and require little maintenance, but they generally aren’t as strong as wood when it comes to supporting heavy shelving or hanging large items. Metal sheds are durable and low maintenance but can dent, and if the protective finish is damaged, they can rust.”

When Holmes bought his shed, he said he wanted a traditional look with durability, so he chose one with galvanized steel floor joists, while the rest of the structure was wood. “We were able to pick the color so that it would match the house,” Holmes says. If you decide to go with a wood shed, Holmes recommends painting the exterior as needed and keeping an eye out for roof leaks, because you don’t want the wood or your equipment to get wet.

The quality of the paint itself is another factor to consider if you’re choosing a metal-sided shed. “There are 10-, 20-, 40-year, and longer warrantied metal options to choose from,” Latham says. 

The lifespan for each shed type will vary depending on the brand and material used. But, according to experts, the typical lifespan of a wooden shed is 10 to 30 years, metal sheds can last 20 to 25 years, and plastic/resin sheds last about 10 to 15 years.

There are a few green flags to look for in a well-constructed shed, according to Latham. Better-warrantied products are key, 16 inches on-center studs vs. 24 inches on-center, upgraded lumber free of any wane and bark, double pane vinyl windows, actual headers above doors and windows, hurricane straps, and thicker flooring—it’s common to see a 3/4-inch Advantech product for flooring, Latham says. 

“Ventilation is imperative,” Latham says. “As I purchased my own shed recently, I added a few Solar Blaster Fans and Light Blasters to help move the air throughout the shed, and using natural lighting is an added benefit when entering the shed. I think products like LuxGuard are super valuable and creative, helping to keep the floor in good shape and prolonging the life of the floor system. Ultimately, finding a manufacturer that can explain in great detail the benefits of a well-built shed—especially those who have engineered drawings—will help minimize snow load and wind load concerns.”

Even though your shed will ideally protect whatever you store inside, it’s still an outdoor storage solution susceptible to the elements, so be careful about what you store inside. 

“I would avoid storing anything that’s sensitive to moisture or temperature extremes, such as electronics or certain paints,” Galeotafiore says. “I also wouldn’t store anything of sentimental or irreplaceable value, such as a wedding dress or important paperwork.” 

There are often hidden costs associated with home improvement projects—and sheds are no exception. It’s smart to create a budget and factor in unknowns. 

“Many homeowners plan to assemble the shed themselves but decide otherwise once they see what’s involved, so installation can become an unexpected expense,” Galeotafiore says. “Depending on the size of the shed and where you live, you may also need a building permit and associated permit fees.”

Latham tells CR that built-on-site sheds can be simpler to manage; however, there is usually a fee of 15 percent or more for companies to build on-site rather than deliver a shed from the lot or a custom-ordered shed. It’s also a good idea not to skimp on cost when selecting a shed.

“The cost of buying a lesser quality shed isn’t felt at the moment of purchase, it’s noticed in the years after when the shed that was 25 percent cheaper lasted only half as long as a more quality-driven product,” Latham says. 

And Holmes reminds us of another possible expense that we’d rather not think about: Your yard might be damaged during installation by a truck or equipment. It’s better to prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised by the best outcome.

It’s important to consider where you buy your shed, particularly if you’re planning to have it professionally installed through the retailer, Galeotafiore says. After you check local codes and HOA rules, measure carefully, decide on the best material for your needs and budget, and take inventory of your present and future storage requirements, our experts suggest reaching out to a leading shed expert to start the process. Here are three they recommend:

Home Depot partners with Tuff Shed to install custom sheds in different materials and styles. Holmes had a positive experience going this route: “We bought a Tuff Shed through Home Depot years ago,” he says. “It was pricey but had a very robust floor (galvanized floor joists) and the overall construction seemed very solid. We had that shed for about 10 years before we moved, and it held up well.”

Latham recommends Stor-More Portable Buildings for customized shed needs. You can choose from options like utility sheds, garden sheds, side-lofted barns, and more, and siding, trim, and roof colors can be customized.

Latham also recommends Marten Portable Buildings, which offers 11 shed styles (Cape Cod, classic cabin, barn, and more) and five exterior siding options. You can even use their virtual custom shed builder to help envision the exact shed you want.