10 Must Have Features in a Wood Storage Shed
Jared Reiff - November 22, 2023
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(Excludes add-ons and upgrades.)
When shopping for portable buildings for sale you’ll find that wood storage shed builders have different ways of doing things. They also have different standard features that are built into the different backyard shed models. When doing your research, pay attention to the standard features and any additional options that the builder may offer. If you do your research well and make your decisions based on features rather than cost, you’ll up end with an out building that will serve you well for many years. Here is a list of 10 features that you should expect in your new shed
1. Pressure Treated 4×6 Runners
The runners will serve as the foundation of your new wood shed, so you’ll want to make sure that the runners are pressure treated to prevent rot and decay. An extra bonus is if a builder uses 4×6 runners rather than 4×4 runners which helps to strengthen the floor of the shed.
2. Pressure-Treated 2×6 Floor Joists at 16” on Center
Just like the runners, the floor joists are a part of the foundation of your wooden shed. Pressure-treated floor joists are important because the underside of the storage shed may be exposed to moisture from rain and wet grass. The floor joists should be a minimum of 16” on center which is ideal for most uses. If you’re planning to use your structure as a car shed to store a vehicle, you may want to ask for an upgrade to 12” on-center for the floor joists.
3. 5/8″ to 3/4” Floor Plywood
In order to end up with a superior quality floor you should expect floor plywood with a thickness of at least 5/8″. The flooring should be at least 3/4″ in garage sheds to ensure that you get a rugged floor that stands up to heavy use for many years.
4. 2×4 Wall Studs 16” on Center
This is a standard construction feature in all new housing and should be applied to outbuildings as well. 16” on center (as opposed to 24” on center) helps to ensure that the exterior plywood (and interior if the interior is finished) lays nice and flat without warping over time. It also makes for a nice solid wall that is easy to insulate using the most commonly available fiberglass insulation width.
5. Rot-Resistant Siding and Trim
The exterior siding and trim should be manufactured to stand up to the harshest weather conditions since this is the part that will take the hardest beating from the rain and sun. While a good coat of paint is important, siding that is not made to weather well will only become a maintenance headache. Look for siding with a 50-year rating.
6. Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing
An uninsulated wood storage shed can collect a significant amount of heat in the summer time. This is why the roof sheathing should have radiant barrier technology. Radiant barrier technology helps to deflect the heat of the sun and keep the interior temperature of the shed lower. This is good for you and your items in storage. Click here for a video on radiant barrier roof sheathing.
7. Ventilation
For the same reasons as mentioned above, all outdoor buildings should come with ventilation. Vents in the gable and along the roof ridge help to remove hot air that would otherwise build up inside the shed.
8. Wider Doors
Your storage shed is only as useful as the doors that allow you and your belongings to get inside. Make sure the shed your thinking about buying has doors that are wide enough for anything that you might need to place into storage.
9. 25 yr. Rated Paint
Paint plays a major role in protecting the outside of your wood shed and keeping it looking good. While your shed should eventually be repainted as part of routine maintenance, making sure that the builder uses quality paint is an important part of reducing your workload in the long run.
10. 30 yr. Roof Shingles
Your wood storage shed is only as good as its roof. For this reason, you’ll want to make sure that the roofing materials used will stand up to many years of exposure to sun and rain.
Watch Those Details!
You’ll find that paying attention to the details is well worth your time when shopping for a wood storage shed. A shed is not something that you want to replace in a few years so any features that add to the overall quality and durability of the shed add to the value of your investment. If you pay attention to the ten features listed above, you’ll have little to worry about when you purchase your new shed. And if you have any other shed construction questions, feel free to contact us. (you may also be interested in our article on portable storage building prices)
