For January 2012, the Shed of the Month goes to the Rainier….our most popular model.

• 6ft. tall side walls…plenty or room to hang shelves to get stuff off the floor!  Maximizing your space-that’s important!

• Extra-wide 64in. double doors…for that riding lawn mower.

• Standard wood floor…believe it or not, floors aren’t standard with all shed companies.

• Over 10ft. tall roof peak..and there is a free 4′ x 10′ loft for extra storage.

• Patented EZ Frame construction

• Available as a DIY kit, or have it professionally installed by visiting your local Lowe’s store.

Here is a nice interior shot, showing how you can fit in all kinds of lawn mowers, hobby “stuff”, leaving plenty of room to walk around.  We find when planning for their shed, many people forget to leave space to actually walk around in it, as well as space they will need as the number of items they own grows over time.

We liked this building so much, we featured it in our Heartland shed video on YouTube!  This video, as well as a few others on the Heartland channel, shows you how easy it is build this shed.  You can also view shingling and roofing tips.

Also, you can view the Heartland Rainier reviews on Lowe’s.com…4.5 star rating!

Well, we have uncovered many a use for sheds at Heartland, however, THIS surpasses anything we’ve ever seen!  Enjoy!

Well much like the shed building itself, the meaning of woodshed has changed over time.  It has changed from a place where images of medieval torture occur to someplace hip, inspirational,where talent grows.  Consider the following, courtesy of the Urban Dictionary:

So recently we were thrilled to see one customer email us pictures of her Heartland Rainier shed that she converted into a chicken coop.  What’s great about this was not only did it require just a few minor changes, but purchasing the shed kit was apparently cheaper than a prefab coop. And the end result is a VERY nice looking shed that makes a great home for the chickens, protecting them from the elements.  (LOVE the sign above the door and the finishing touches!)

So…. how was the shed converted into the chicken coop?

1. A roof vent was purchased and added.
2. 2 windows that the customer happened to have were added, although your standard shed windows can be used.
3. A pop door was made in the rear of the shed for the chickens to use as an outdoor run.
4. The interior was adjusted for the chickens to be able to nest and sleep.

There are many things to keep in mind when building a shed for storage. While the process of building a shed might be straight forward, there are many considerations that must be made ahead of time. Here are some of the pitfalls to watch out for and issues that should be tended to when you decide to expand your storage space and wish to start building a shed.

City Zoning Requirements

Some cities could care less what you do when building a shed or what it looks like. Others are involved down the minutia of the flooring and how close storage sheds are to the property line. You must be compliant with the city when building sheds or installing sheds on the property. To determine where your local government stands, contact the building department. They should have a printout you can pick up regarding size limits for building a shed, foundation requirements, placement limitations and information on getting a permit.

Decide what its Purpose will be
Additional storage is always great, but you want the storage sheds to meet your needs. If you’ll be putting bikes in the building shed, for example, then you want to take steps to avoid condensation that will rust the bikes. The same consideration is vital if you will be storing camping gear in the building shed that might be prone to mildew. Stop to consider the size of the different items as that may impact the sheds shape. Think about the special storage needs of any items you want stored in the sheds before deciding on materials and final design. This will prepare you for building a shed that perfectly matches your needs.  Once you decide the purpose, you can more easily pick the best material for you shed, such as plastic, metal, wood, or vinyl.

Location
If you will be storing items that are used on a regular basis in sheds then you may want the building shed closer to the house. If you’ll only go in it a few times a year, then it can go further away without a problem. Before making a final decision on location, check that area the next time it rains. You don’t want to waste time building the shed in a low spot where the ground tends to get swampy as building a shed on land that will have standing water is never a good idea. Choose the area for your shed building project with care so you won’t have to deal with the large task of moving a storage shed later, which can void the warranty of a shed, depending on the manufacturer.

Foundation
Every storage shed needs a proper foundation and this should be considered before building.  Whether that will be a full concrete slab or a simple wooden floor depends on your individual needs. Before deciding on the type of flooring, understand the many purposes of it. It will support the weight of the shed and spread it evenly over the ground. It will protect the wood of the shed from ground moisture and prevent vegetation from growing under the shed. A good foundation will also keep your shed firmly in place, even as the ground freezes and lifts.

There are several options for your foundation. You can choose a heavy, poured concrete base. Some people choose building a shed over heavy timbers that are placed on the ground, digging out where necessary to get them level. Smaller storage sheds can be placed on patio blocks or you can make a foundation for building shed for storage using concrete paving slabs.

Roofing
The roof will complete your storage shed, keeping the items inside dry. Another feature of the roof for the building shed is that it will shed water where you want it, keeping it away from the entrance of the storage shed. Choose a straight roof that slants down one side or to the back for the ultimate in simplicity. A gable roof is two pitches that meet in the middle, like a traditional home. A hip roof on a building shed has a complex framework that puts a roof plane on each side of the shed.

Gambrel roofs are great, but a little more complex, when you are building a shed. They were commonly used in Dutch Colonial architecture and feature a great deal of headroom. The top pitch of two roof planes is very mild; however, each side drops into a steeper pitched roof plane. Choose the style of roof for building shed based on your needs for the shed, local government requirements and what will look nice with your home. Even though the shed is in the yard, you don’t want it to be an eyesore. Consider this roof type when building a shed if you will want the extra headroom or want to store things along the ceiling inside.

Ventilation
It’s tempting to build airtight sheds, but this should be avoided when building a shed. Airtight storage sheds are also musty places where the odor of garden tools lingers, the smell of the lawn mower,etc. Allow for some ventilation, much as an attic is ventilated. This will help prevent odors and condensation from building up inside new sheds.  Shed vents or skylights are easily added.

Greenhouses are wonderful.  When it’s cold and rainy outside, or snowy even, you can be warmly ensconced inside, raising your plants and growing your vegetables all year round.  There are some serious savings to be found by growing your own vegetables in the winter over paying for them when they are out of season!  You could just about grow everything you’d need for a salad…..

Combining the best of both worlds with the need to plant year round and storage is the solar shed.  Solar sheds provide the light and shelter needed to grow your plants, and provides an additional storage or work area. It truly is a multi-functional building, taking the best of a greenhouse and adding to it.

As with any addition to your house or yard, there are just a FEW things to think about before you jump in:

You only need to ask yourself one question really….it may branch off from there, but it all starts with:

 What is important to you?

Is it:

• Size?  Do you want something small to fit into a small space or do you want something large to grow into?

• Style?  Do you like the A-framed Gable style shed, or the barn shaped Gambrel?  Or do you prefer a saltbox style?

• Sidewall height?  Do you want 6 or 7 foot walls?

• Wall framing?   Do you want economical 2×3 framing, or 2×4 framing that will withstand a strong snow and wind load?

• The shed’s warranty?  Do you prefer a more economical building that has a 10-year warranty, or does a more premium shed with a 15-year warranty meet your needs?

• The door opening?  Does 48″ work, or would you like something more like 64″ to get that riding lawn mower in?

How much space do I need?

• Ideally, you’d like at least 6 feet of safety area around the entire swing set.  So find a nice flat area within your yard that is about 6 feet from fences and other items.  

If only someone would invent a diaper for my kid that also cleans up after itself….BUT anyway……

So many homeowners think of a shed as a place they can put their “stuff”.  True enough, it is that. But if you’ve got the room, can you imagine enlarging that and making it a multi-purpose building?   A place where you could park that special car, or bike, AND have a workshop, AND have place to store your “stuff”?

I for one might spend more hours inside the shed than I would the house!  A stocked mini-fridge or Kegerator and I would be all set….

 

So why not just get a garage you ask?  Simple….too mundane, too close to the house, and too small…you’ll have family members putting boxes in it all the time and taking up your space which in time, will cease to be “your space” and the next thing you know, you’re competing for room with faux Santa Clauses and other holiday decorations. With a shed that is also a garage, it is defined as YOURS.  It’s not “the garage”, viewed as communal property amongst the family, but known as “Dad’s Workshop”, or “The Hubby’s Man Cave.” that is off limits.  So look into getting yourself a Sher-age, or a Gar-ed.