Arrow storage sheds are absolute garbage

[some zilch]

here is my 6 month old arrow storage shed under 8 inches of snow. did not even last one winter. there was extensive damage to the following stored inside: kawasaki bayou atv, honda big red atv, yamaha phazer snowmobile, john deere mower, webber gas grill. i know i cant expect it take 18" of snow, but 8"-come on. they sell the shed 15 miles from my house, so they know its gonna see snow. Arrow is refusing to stand behind their ****** product, and says the shed is not meant to withstand 8" of snow. it seems everyone has one of these sheds, or similar around here.

the last pic is after is ripped the roof off with my tractor to get the 2 atvs and snowmobile out. the big red atv is beyond repair.

Arrow buildings *****, their customer service *****, and they make a ****** product. i honestly cant believe i wasted my money on this. they did offer to sell me another shed for $350, even though they dont recommended it for my area

 

[tkaotic]

I figured they were **** but 8" of snow isnt really that much.

 

[TONE]

You should send a corporate manager a link to this thread

 

[38Chevy454]

I agree, an 8-inch snow load is not excessive and the shed should not have fallen in from that. Sounds like the company is weasling out of any responsibility.

Only consolation I can give is now you have an excuse to build a better (bigger and stronger) storage shed.

 

[weicm3]

does it have flat or sloped roof?

 

[KINGY2]

I agree with Tone , send a link to this thread .

 

[scotstern]

Simply stated, sue them! They will settle....

 

[Tom2]

Wow..That is bad. If it hadn't been 8" of snow, a gentle breeze would have destroyed that piece of ****.

Definitely get in touch with corporate. Talk to everyone's boss. Tell them you want the money back for the shed, and a reasonable amount for damage sustained to the items inside.

 

[Gary S]

It looks like a lightweight metal shed. I've owned two different lightweight metal sheds in my lifetime, and they both were inadequate. The construction was flimsy. The seams weren't sealed, so snow blew into them in the winter.
If I ever have another shed, it will probably be either a stick build wood shed that I'll design and build myself, or one of the stronger resin sheds I see being sold today. My first choice would still be a build-it-myself stick build shed because I would want to insulate it, and stick build buildings are the easiest to work with after they are in place.

 

[Tman]

It looks like a lightweight metal shed. I've owned two different lightweight metal sheds in my lifetime, and they both were inadequate. The construction was flimsy. The seams weren't sealed, so snow blew into them in the winter.
If I ever have another shed, it will probably be either a stick build wood shed that I'll design and build myself, or one of the stronger resin sheds I see being sold today. My first choice would still be a build-it-myself stick build shed because I would want to insulate it, and stick build buildings are the easiest to work with after they are in place.

Yup metal sheds are garbage, always been. They are meant for folks in trailorparks to feel like they have a detached "garage". I woud have pushed that wet snow off ASAP. Live and learn.

 

[Az Scooter]

I love my tuff shed, and I don't even get snow. What it boils down to, is a tuff shed is a stick built shed on site. They prefab the walls, and erect it, and paint it all in one day. Mine is a 10 x 16 barn. I can get a lot of stuff in there.

 

[Kevin54]

here is my 6 month old arrow storage shed under 8 inches of snow. did not even last one winter. there was extensive damage to the following stored inside: kawasaki bayou atv, honda big red atv, yamaha phazer snowmobile, john deere mower, webber gas grill. i know i cant expect it take 18" of snow, but 8"-come on. they sell the shed 15 miles from my house, so they know its gonna see snow. Arrow is refusing to stand behind their ****** product, and says the shed is not meant to withstand 8" of snow. it seems everyone has one of these sheds, or similar around here.

the last pic is after is ripped the roof off with my tractor to get the 2 atvs and snowmobile out. the big red atv is beyond repair.

Arrow buildings *****, their customer service *****, and they make a ****** product. i honestly cant believe i wasted my money on this. they did offer to sell me another shed for $350, even though they dont recommended it for my area
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That don't sound like 8" of snow, it sounds more like a meteorite hit it.

What I am seeing is the roof collapsed under the snow. How did it damage ALL of that stuff and damage the ATV beyond repair or are we just trying to make a good claim with the insurance company? It looks to me like an ATV will take a worse beating going through the woods.

Those sheds were never meant to hold weight let alone some minor wind. All they are good for is keeping rain off of something.

 

[nehog]

They (Arrow) clearly state that these buildings are not rated for snow loads. Eight inches, especially heavy (wet) snow will be way more than the building is designed to hold. Been there, done that.

Arrow tells you to get the roof reinforcement kit (or make your own, which is what I did) if you live where there is snow. The roof purlins are sized to allow a 2x4 to fit into them exactly, the ridge pole is also designed to that size specification. You then, at the end walls bring these do the foundation and you will then have a building which will take snow loads.

I never allow more than six inches of snow to accumulate on my storage building.

 

[rwhite692]

I had one of these P.O.S. Arrow sheds on our property when we bought the place.

When I decided to get rid of it, I put a rope (with a small loop tied at the end) around it and slipped the free end of the rope through the loop, drawing it tight around the shed. I tied the free end to my truck, and jumped on the gas.

The rope instantly constricted the shed like an aluminum beer can. It was very satisfying. It looked like a giant metal bow tie.

I dragged it down the road to a construction site debris pile.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

I have to agree...I can't understand why everything is so "badly damaged" or "beyond repair". ??? The roof sank slowly and rested on the contents below.

 

[Lhorn]

Seems like if they don't make product that will stand up to the outdoors in that area then they shouldn't sell it and take your money. Where do they expect you to put the storage shed...inside? Kinda defeats the purpose.

I'm gonna start selling paper umbrellas. Don't expect your money back when your head gets wet. They aren't supposed to be used in the rain.

 

[PassnThru]

That's funny - we seem to have lost a reply on this thread. First time I've seen that happen. If it got deleted I can certainly understand why

 

[Teken]

1. Wet snow, weighs more . . .

2. It's tin, I can't believe anyone would expect something like that to hold anything other than used as a shelter against rain.

3. The maker clearly indicates this unit is not designed for snow load.

4. I can't understand how something gradually sinking could damage something as sturdy as the items you have mentioned. Unless you're saying they are scratched etc and that is your definition of damaged and that is valid too.

But if you're saying they are not operable at all because that snow caved in on all the items, I would have to know more to understand that . . .

 

[Abbott]

I need another shed, I plan to purchase a 20'x8' oversea shipping container and have it dropped near my shop.

 

[srmofo]

My metal shed held up just fine this winter with over 12 inches of heavy wet snow on it. Honestly I never really thought about the snow load on it....My neighbor gave it to me a few years back and we just carried it down the alley. It had to look hilarious with 12 legs just sticking out the bottom. It might have a snowload kit already built it, because it does have metal braces that runfrom the peak to the walls to act as a support for the roof....or maybe its just not a cheap pos shed.

This summer I get to rig it up on a trailor and move it to a buddies house cause I finished my garage up last november. Im not sure what brand it is, but I know he bought it at home depot and Ive seen the same one still for sale out in the parking lot. Maybe you should try one of those home depot models, although Im pretty sure its over twice the money of your current shed.

In for more info on how a collapsing shed roof destroys an atv beyond repair.

 

[Lhorn]

I just don't know why a manufacturer would sell an item that is not made for that area. They have to know that most people buy a storage shed for outdoor use. If a little bit of snow is gonna cave it in, your asking for a 100% failure rate in some parts of the country. Whether or not you specified that it isn't made for snow, I'd think you'd still get a lot of angry customers. I think it says a lot about this company's customer service that they don't have a problem with disappointing their customers.

 

[35mastr]

Those metal sheds are not up to par for snow loads. If I had one in that type of climate I would have reinforced the whole thing before it ever saw snow.

Its not the companys fault that they people sell them. They are just distributors selling products.

I guess this will be a leaning experience. Always over build in snow states. Better to be safe than sorry in the end.

 

[Vinko]

I need another shed, I plan to purchase a 20'x8' oversea shipping container and have it dropped near my shop.

That would be nice. If I were in an area with snow, however, I'd put it on some sort of foundation, else you'd never get the doors open after a good storm.

 

[Bull]

I guess this will be a leaning experience.

Now, that's one funny typo!

 

[nate379]

My folks had a shed just like that and it lasted about 15 years before it caved in. When it caved in, there was 6ft of snow on it.

Growing up us kids would shovel it off once or twice a winter so it never saw more than maybe 4feet of snow on it, but after we left my Dad never bothered to mess with it. Was just garden stuff in there anyhow so nothing was really damaged.

 

[rickcact]

File a claim with your insurance company.

 

[Kevin54]

File a claim with your insurance company.

I bet that is happening seeing that EVERYTHING was totally destroyed beyond repair.

 

[BoostedOne]

Wow, Im kinda suprised to see that, but not real suprised...

I have been tempted to pick up one of those for temporary use because our new house had no outside storage. But I think to every time I been to a friends house that has one, and I think of just how flimsy they are and think I will have a 400 dollar scrap pile in a few years.

Im not sure where they would be suitable as is. Ok, so they arent suitable for snow areas... Non snow areas though have hurricanes. Or earthquakes. Etc.

 

[Falcon67]

We've had a 10x12 for about 15 years. It'll need replacement pretty soon, or at least an over roof to protect it. Sorry for your loss, but I think you were expecting too much out of a $350 shed. We hardly get snow here, but all you have to do is look at the pieces and you'll know the thing won't handle any kind of heavy roof loading. They sell them at Sears everywhere. Not the mfg or the seller's problem to decide if it is suitable for your intended use.

From the manual: "Roof: Keep roof clear of leaves and snow with long handled, soft-bristled broom. Heavyamounts of snow on roof can damage building making it unsafe to enter. In snow country,Roof Strengthening Kits are available for most Arrow Buildings for added protection against heavy snow accumulation"

 

[robertwhite]

I just lost 2 sheds just like that one. They are built side by side on top of solid floors.

20" of wet snow.

The older shed (13yrs?) fared better than the 5yr old one. The new one caved in like an aluminum can.

 

[mdoolittle]

I must say THANK YOU for posting this. I immediately went and checked my identical shed and it was starting to cave in under all the melting snow. I cleared the roof and after tomorrows rains and it dries, I will have to go crazy with the silicone caulk sealing the seams again. It was probably a day away from total collapse.

I do remember when I purchased the shed, there was an optional kit for the roof for people in snow areas. I chose not to get it as it would have DOUBLED the price of the shed.

 

[ultimatesooner]

had a friend put one of those together and 2 days later the wind picked it up, took it over his 6ft fence and dropped it in his neighbors front yard

 

[Gabriel J]

I have an Arrow 10x9 with a sloped roof..Survived a 24 inch nor'easter just fine, and the rest of the storms this winter.I bought it because I was running out of floorspace in my garage, and it's done it's job well. When I get a chance, i'll be getting a more permanent wood structure shed, but I cant complain for the price of under $200. My biggest complaint is that it's not secure at all...I'd like something that takes at least a little effort to break into.

 

[devilphrog]

Metal vs. Wood Sheds vs. dirtbike. It's not snow but proves a point somewhat

 

[nissan_crawler]

Wait, a cheap ***, FLAT tin-roofed shed won't handle the weight of 8" of soaking wet snow that is stuck to a highly peaked house roof?

The horror.

My fabric covered shed got a hole in it after a 3" branch fell on it. Piece of ****. I should write them a letter.

 

[Kevin54]

Wait, a cheap ***, FLAT tin-roofed shed won't handle the weight of 8" of soaking wet snow that is stuck to a highly peaked house roof?

The horror.

My fabric covered shed got a hole in it after a 3" branch fell on it. Piece of ****. I should write them a letter.

Sue the company and turn in thousands of dollars damage to the insurance company for the damage done to everything inside.

 

[some zilch]

the shed, i was told, would be able to handle "typical northeast snowfalls". i think 8" of snow is at best "typical northeast snowfall". everyone around here has one.
i mean, they sell them where i live, do they not expect to get snowed on? i would not ***** if 3ft of snow caved it in, but 8"? the entire "I" beam that supports the peak of the roof crumpled, and down came the roof with it on top of everything inside.

no, the roof is not flat, but not super sloped either. its probably 18" taller in the middle than at the sides.

"damaged beyond repair" might have been a bit over-stated, but hey, i was pissed. the big red did have some fairly extensive damage to the plastics, and all the other stuff had their handlebars/controls/windshields bent or broken. basically anything taller than the "body" of the machine was damaged.

arrow pretty much blew me off, saying the sheds arent recommended for my area, even though they are sold at every lowes/HD/home center in the state. yet they offered to sell me another one for $300. Lowes, OTOH, is stepping up and is going to give me store credit for the purchase price of the shed/floor kit, so i can purchase lumber and build a real one. Lowes has been great to deal with regarding this. They agree the shed should have been able to take the snow.

 

[Skin]

its not the manufacturers fault that stores stock their sheds.

and 8" of snow, especially when it gets wet, weighs a lot [few hundred lbs for the area of that roof].

And it just doesnt look sturdy. I'd sooner trust a plastic playschool house than i would that thing. The wood one will be vastly superior.

 

[PassnThru]

its not the manufacturers fault that stores stock their sheds.

I disagree to a point. Most manufacturers would be very concerned about allowing a retailer to sell their product for a totally inappropriate use. After all, it is their name that gets trashed when the product doesn't perform - not the store's name.
I obviously have no idea how Arrow handles this - but I would be very surprised if they were dumb enough to let Lowes sell sheds that were not appropriate for that particular location.
I'm glad to hear that Lowes is helping you out.

 

[Skin]

I disagree to a point. Most manufacturers would be very concerned about allowing a retailer to sell their product for a totally inappropriate use. After all, it is their name that gets trashed when the product doesn't perform - not the store's name.

It states its not meant to take snow loads. They sell a kit to reinforce the roof. It looks like a piece of tin. Not sure how much more than can do.

Understand that the stores stock themselves with the kits from a distribution center at their own request. Maybe the stores, and more importantly the sales people at said stores, should know better and actually explain the short comings of a product rather than going straight to blaming the manufacturer?

Thats what happens when you shop at a giant box store. Employees dont care or know squat. Now if he had purchase that from an established storage/shed building business i'm positive they would of gave him ample warning.