After watching boxes pile up inside your home and garage, it’s finally time to get a shed. Now, maybe you’ll have enough room in the garage for your vehicle—however, have you looked at all of the available options on the market? 

You can find sheds in almost any size and the designs are almost endless. You may even be able to find a shed that matches your home’s exterior design. So, what are the common types and styles of storage sheds? We’re looking at some of the popular options so you have a better idea of what’s available.

Types of Shed Materials

When it comes to the shed’s architectural design, you have plenty of options. You can go with a Victorian or New England-style shed. Maybe you prefer something with a more modern design. 

You can even go retro with a Craftsman design. Your shed can even resemble a greenhouse, garage, or artist studio. However, before you start planning the shed’s style, you need to decide on the material. 

The material used to construct the shed plays a role in everything from its style and functionality to its durability. Here’s a look at some of the common types of shed materials.

Metal

If you live in a rainy climate and insects are almost a year-round problem, you may want to consider a metal shed. You can go with either aluminum or steel. Both materials have similar advantages. The primary difference is aluminum is typically a little cheaper than steel but both types of materials are relatively affordable.

Metal sheds are durable and can withstand pretty much any weather condition. If you’re working on reducing your carbon footprint, metal may be the way to go. The material is recyclable so sustainability is covered. Metal sheds also require little annual maintenance and are resistant to rot, pest damage, and even fire.

Wood

Homeowners tend to naturally gravitate to wood. The building material is affordable and you can even find sheds made from reclaimed lumber. You get a great-looking shed while also helping keep waste out of landfills.

Wood blends great with the other natural elements in your yard. If you want a ton of design, size, and style options, it’s tough to beat wood. You can easily customize a wood shed with a coat of outdoor-rated paint and some decorations like trim.

A quick tip if you’re planning on painting your wood shed. Always use outdoor-rated paint. Yes, it’s a little pricier than its indoor counterpart but there’s a good reason. Outdoor paint can better withstand the elements. So, your shed looks great with less maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance, this can be a downside to using wood. Unlike metal, wood is susceptible to rot, fire, and pest damage. You can protect the wood with a sealant but issues can still occur.

Vinyl

Vinyl, also known as PVC or plastic, is a good option for smaller sheds. You probably don’t want to use vinyl to build a large shed. 

Vinyl comes in sheets that are attached to form the shed walls. While extremely affordable, vinyl isn’t exactly known for its stability or durability. Storing heavy equipment in a vinyl shed can damage the material, sometimes beyond easy repair.

Even though vinyl is suited for areas prone to harsh weather or for storing heavy machinery, it does have a few advantages. Vinyl is inexpensive and available in different colors and textures. If creating a custom shed is a priority, it may pay to consider vinyl.

Deciding on a Roof

You’ve decided on the type of material; now it’s time to look at roof styles. The type of roof can also affect the shed’s style. Slanted roofs have excellent drainage. The water runs off, along with most debris. A slanted roof also gives you a bit more overhead space inside the shed.

An A-frame roof is also slanted. The slant is a little more subtle but looks great on almost any style of outdoor shed. Do you love the look of barns? If so, you may want to choose a gambrel roof. This type of roof has a steep slope, giving you tons of indoor overhead space. If you’re considering adding a loft to the shed later down the road, a gambrel roof is probably the best option.

Flat roofs are another option you can go with but are not always the best one in areas with a lot of snow or annual rainfall. Since the roof lacks a slope, it’s up to you to remove any excess water and debris. Hopefully, you have a better idea of what to look for in a shed so you can finally get the storage space you need.

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