Amish shed thoughts.

[Johnny Generic]

Looking to buy a shed 12 x 16. Have looked at about 4 different sellers, all pretty much in the same ball park of construction and price. Stopped by and looked at an Amish built shed. Appears to be built from raw sawmill wood ruff cut. Dimensions of wood seem to be true. looks sturdy and heavy. Built like a pole building. 6x8 runners, floor joist. planks across joists, osb over that for flooring. Walls board and batter. Roof metal. Not sealed or painted, no treated wood. One or two nails for anchoring. Need to last 15-20 years ( years left in me ). The Amish shed is about half the price as other sheds same size. Need your, thoughts, ideas, suggestions. Thanks in advance. Johnny Generic.

 

[MrWrench]

Hi!
What would be the main purpose of your shed. Would you treat it as a garage? Workshop? Storage? Please forgive me if the question is too generic. I, personally, didn't have much in common with Amish Sheds. However my uncle from out of state had and said they are reliable and after constructing it, he never looked back.
Looking at myself, I would probably go the Amish way as well.
Sorry if it is not too helpful.

 

[fourbyford]

We were in Indiana a couple years ago. We looked at a couple dozen Amish built sheds and cabins. I was very impressed with the workmanship I saw. If it wasn't for the distance, one of those buildings would be sitting on our place now!

...D

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Not sure what " Built like a pole building." means. Is it built on side with poles set in the ground?
You will want it painted or at least protected. Would be better to have painted/treated the boards before the battens (actually before they were installed). Also painted the battens before being put on.

 

[yeldogt]

There are it seems endless independent saw mills in PA producing all kinds of lumber ... PA has a lot of hemlock trees --- good lumber for utility building. The Amish claim may or may not be true -- unless he is.

Anyway -- it's my typical shed utility building. I'm in PA/NJ/NY. With some basic maintenance they have no problem lasting 20+ years. Your description is a little off from what I typically get. I get the units with PT floors -- basically 4 or 5 4x4's for the base with PT 2x floor framing above and PT plywood for the floor. Everything above is pine B & B. Concrete block under the 4x4 to get above the ground. Mine have all use asphalt shingles .... metal would be nicer.

I treat the inside with clear polly and use a good stain on the outside -- the ket to having them last is to get them high enough off the ground and hit them with some bleach occasionally if in a damp spot //make sure the bottoms of the boards are coated well. Not sure I would go with untreated for the floors -- or OSB.

It's funny -- most of the shed shops have gone to IMO cheaper construction -- vinyl siding .. windows ... things that look like a doll house. More money -- they look silly

 

[dcs13]

When you say "Amish built" is that a brand or marketing slogan, or is it actually built by Amish craftsman ? If the later, I'm definitely in. I have always been impressed by the quality and craftsmanship of true Amish work. I have some of the most beautiful and lasting furniture from some of our local Amish builders.

 

[harley jim]

I agree, there is a local amish community nearby and they custom build to your spec. If you talked to them they would probably apply a coat of what you want on it while building it. Just go ask them.
I had a porch swing built by there carpenter and he sent me a letter in the mail to let me know it was ready, they dont use phones.

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

 

[Skiff Builder]

Johnny, go with the rough sawn shed. I am biased though. Custom site built over 1500 of them in my 20's after getting out of military( wanted to see the sun again). We used 3x4 posts and rails. 1x10 planks for floor,wall,roof. 1x3 battens. All rough sawn, true dimension Pine,Spruce,Hemlock. The wood loved an oil based semi transparent stain applied with a garden sprayer.
I would restain after the first season or two, to account for shrinkage of the battens and because the rough sawn was thirsty. Than the shed would be set for a good # of years between staining.
We only used cement coated sinkers- 40d and 10d.
Cut my old 10x 24 down to 1/3 size and moved it when building new shop. Used the old plank floor for trim on the new shop. Higher off ground is good -but you can keep them low if needed. Just make sure there is no dirt around building. A 2' wide bed of decorative stone will keep dirt from being sprayed up into end grain pores during rains. Mine was 3" above level grade-no treated material.
Mine is 33 years old and doing fine. Hope you and yours do the same. Enjoy your new shed!
SkiffBuilder

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I looked at all the ones around here claiming to be Amish built. They were turds compared to the one I ended up getting from a local shed company and it was priced about the same. Mine was built on site, not hauled in after being trailered at 80 mph, has all treated wood, no OSB or particle board, fiberglass doors, vinyl windows & siding and a decent tab asphalt shingle roof, not rolled junk roofing. The "Amish" ones were all super cheaply built. Particle board walls and roof sheathing, Low buck 2x4 20" OC beams and joists, . 5/8" particle board floors. I'd give the average one I saw about 10 years before it rotted. Come to think of it, my BIL had exactly that type of shed. Fell apart at around 8 years...

Tommy

 

[Matt M PA]

My shed and garage were built by an Amish firm, Stoltzfus Structures in Atlgen, PA.

They are using very modern materials in their construction and I'm more than well pleased with what they have done for me. I should add, I have referred them to many, and all had a great experience.

I don't know if they are close enough to the OP for him to use. mysheds.com

 

[TexMedium]

Around here the Amish are, uh, different. They abuse their animals mercilessly, they run puppy mills, and every farm around has an old dump site where the local battery manufacturers(there used to be four, now there is just one BIG one) used to dump stuff back in the bad, old, days before recycling. EVERY ONE. If you, or i, were to do these things, we'd be in prison. Around here we are told to "respect other cultures." Many refuse to do business with them, no matter how good the quality.

 

[Stuart in MN]

There are good and bad craftsmen in any demographic, just putting the word Amish in the description of a shed won't guarantee it's a good one. You'll have to look at one in person from your local supplier to determine that.

 

[MikeinNorthWales]

My shed and garage were built by an Amish firm, Stoltzfus Structures in Atlgen, PA.

They are using very modern materials in their construction and I'm more than well pleased with what they have done for me. I should add, I have referred them to many, and all had a great experience.

I don't know if they are close enough to the OP for him to use. mysheds.com

That's a good one. There are at least 5 Stoltzfus buildings on my block, both pole and off-site construction. I would call them quality builds. They are well contructed, with good materials.

Hopefully, this year there will be 6...

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Yetti37]

My shed and garage were built by an Amish firm, Stoltzfus Structures in Atlgen, PA.

They are using very modern materials in their construction and I'm more than well pleased with what they have done for me. I should add, I have referred them to many, and all had a great experience.

I don't know if they are close enough to the OP for him to use. mysheds.com

This is a great recommendation. I purchased a build on-site garage from Stoltzfus Structures six years ago and it was a great purchase. I haven't had a single issue with their work. They were fantastic in answering my questions, revising building plans to meet my local building codes, and their construction crew showed up and built the garage in less than a day. Their total price was one-third of local contractors that I got bids from.

Also, they deliver all of the east coast so the OP could use them.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Amish sheds?..... Here ya go! www.mysheds.com

BTW! Good company to deal with!

 

[theoldwizard1]

The surface that you place it on makes a HUGE difference in longevity of the skids/runners, joists and flooring. (See if you can get PT runners. Worth the extra $$ !)

If you park it directly on top of grass or even bare dirt, first you will have critters living underneath and second the floor will probably rot out in about 10 years.

You need to remove 4"-6" of top soil in an area that is at least 1' wider on all sides. Then lay down gravel and compact it. Last the shed it sell need to be raised 6"-12" ABOVE the gravel so that air and light get underneath. Now you have a chance at making it last 15-20 years !

 

[Kevkx125]

Sounds like the shed is well built but will require up keep to last any length of time. How much up keep are you willing to put up with?

 

[NUTTSGT]

There are good and bad craftsmen in any demographic, just putting the word Amish in the description of a shed won't guarantee it's a good one. You'll have to look at one in person from your local supplier to determine that.

My thoughts exactly.



Building or buying a shed, it better have some PT lumber on underside of exposed members.

 

[yeldogt]

That's a good one. There are at least 5 Stoltzfus buildings on my block, both pole and off-site construction. I would call them quality builds. They are well contructed, with good materials.

Hopefully, this year there will be 6...

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Maybe things have changed and they are doing more custom work (pole building?) ... when my buddy had them do a garage a few years back they would modify one of the designs to a point .. but, not full custom. They work around a module that will fit on a truck -- all pre cut. It was well constructed and a good value ..

There are also others with same names .... it's like someone telling you to call ........Moyer

 

[Matt M PA]

Since I didn't mention it...mine was built on site. It's not a pole barn.

I had no problems with Stoltzfus building my 3 car, 2 story garage as I wanted. They even used special trusses on the one end so that I could fit a lift. If built on site, I would assume you could almost have whatever you wanted. I'd also assume that if you're having one delivered already built...only so much could be done so that it can be transported.

It did arrive on a big trailer with the walls and trusses pre-built. In the decade or more since mine was built, they have gotten even more custom with features, designs, etc.

They are now building two car, two story garages that arrive on a truck..are slid together...then unfolded for the second floor. It's amazing what they are building these days.

 

[THF409]

I used to work for a mennonite shed builder back in the early 1980s, Zook’s utility shed, in Gap Pennsylvania. They were good quality well built sheds. I don’t know if this company is still in business. I remember we delivering sheds to New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware.

 

[yeldogt]

I used to work for a mennonite shed builder back in the early 1980s, Zook’s utility shed, in Gap Pennsylvania. They were good quality well built sheds. I don’t know if this company is still in business. I remember we delivering sheds to New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware.

Interesting .... did you deliver to resellers. I used to get them for my rehabs back in the 80's from a reseller -- they came from that area

 

[Tim Kennedy]

Johnny Generic:
Check out: riversidestructures.com

814/273-7273 Corry, PA

Type in --- storage shed --- Pittsburgh Craigslist, for some pics. There used to be a guy around Pittsburgh several years ago that sold them also but can't remember the business name. I'd go for the board & batten look next time for sure.

 

[MikeinNorthWales]

Maybe things have changed and they are doing more custom work (pole building?) ... when my buddy had them do a garage a few years back they would modify one of the designs to a point .. but, not full custom. They work around a module that will fit on a truck -- all pre cut. It was well constructed and a good value ..

There are also others with same names .... it's like someone telling you to call ........Moyer

Well, he was pretty specific- Stoltzfus Structures in Atglen...

I use Moyer for my HVAC needs... lol

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[yeldogt]

Well, he was pretty specific- Stoltzfus Structures in Atglen...

I use Moyer for my HVAC needs... lol

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Yes .... But

-- My friend actually first went though another company. Ended up with Stoltzfus.

Amish .. can be a lot of things ... accurate or not.

It's like when I worked in Italy -- notice train tank cars coming from France. What's that ? OH that's Italian olive oil? Spanish olive oil being shipped to Italy .... Shipped on to the USA as Italian olive oil.

There are many of these companies in eastern Pa/NJ/MD/VA -- they are fronts for numerous companies. I'm not saying that's bad .. Some of the big companies sell kits to various resellers -- basically installers with store fronts.

When I did my rehabs -- I used a local company and they bought the shed kits made to the customers specifications. They bought from various companies. There is a place in Doylestown currently that does the same -- they sell sheds ... outside play land stuff ... horse stalls. The people who make the vinyl sided ones -- I think they come from NJ.

 

[Philpug]

Since I didn't mention it...mine was built on site. It's not a pole barn.

I had no problems with Stoltzfus building my 3 car, 2 story garage as I wanted. They even used special trusses on the one end so that I could fit a lift. If built on site, I would assume you could almost have whatever you wanted. I'd also assume that if you're having one delivered already built...only so much could be done so that it can be transported.

It did arrive on a big trailer with the walls and trusses pre-built. In the decade or more since mine was built, they have gotten even more custom with features, designs, etc.

They are now building two car, two story garages that arrive on a truck..are slid together...then unfolded for the second floor. It's amazing what they are building these days.

I have to ask, if you are in Atglen..I have to ask if you know another Matt there, Kehoe?

We had our shed built by Tuff Shed and are very happy with it. We went right to TuffShed and not Home Depot who is an agent.

 

[THF409]

Interesting .... did you deliver to resellers. I used to get them for my rehabs back in the 80's from a reseller -- they came from that area

We mostly delivered to homeowner customers and some businesses. I usually help setting up sheds on their properties. Sometimes help in the construction of sheds. Some of the bigger ones we build on site.
There are several shed builders in this area.

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[jeff lary]

There are several family's around here each of them (3) live in a terrible mess. Junk everywhere trash bags torn open animals not is good care or condition ,look like some 3rd world country. The Amish have many clans, some are great, some not so much.

Mostly they inspire a romantic sense / feeling of trust and hard work they get by on the myth of Amish living. Some of the sheds I have personally looked at closely are horribly built, crooked lumber, nail gun split studs or 8 nails where 2 should have been used just really poor workmanship.
I have a great friend that has used a (local to him about 200 miles from me) family to build him several 10 x 12 buildings he uses these as small camps to rent out on his property along a river here in northern Maine. The buildings he has are nice everything is built well looks good and he is happy. I have stayed several times in these small camps and they are neat all fixed up and painted up they are "cute my wife says" And then there are some that are built like a drunken blind man did the work with trash lumber and broken hands.

 

[yeldogt]

We mostly delivered to homeowner customers and some businesses. I usually help setting up sheds on their properties. Sometimes help in the construction of sheds. Some of the bigger ones we build on site.
There are several shed builders in this area.

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

The guy I used had a lot with many different types of sheds and backyard buildings from different makers -- husband and wife. Very nice people. I typically purchased the same shed from the guy. I think it came from Gap. 10x12 w/o any windows -- simple double shed door w/ ramp. B&B. The big decision was the roof color. He had his own installers for most of the items -- but the bigger things like garages -- he was a middle man who did all the leg work. The 10x12 came partially built -- walls and doors. All the timbers were pre-cut.

 

[Matt M PA]

I have to ask, if you are in Atglen..I have to ask if you know another Matt there, Kehoe?

We had our shed built by Tuff Shed and are very happy with it. We went right to TuffShed and not Home Depot who is an agent.

I'm in Langhorne, Stoltzfus is in Atglen.

 

[THF409]

The guy I used had a lot with many different types of sheds and backyard buildings from different makers -- husband and wife. Very nice people. I typically purchased the same shed from the guy. I think it came from Gap. 10x12 w/o any windows -- simple double shed door w/ ramp. B&B. The big decision was the roof color. He had his own installers for most of the items -- but the bigger things like garages -- he was a middle man who did all the leg work. The 10x12 came partially built -- walls and doors. All the timbers were pre-cut.

There’s a shed company north of Parkesburg Pa. next to the Walmart and another one along route 30 across from the rough and tumble tractor museum. There’s also a company on route 372 east of Atglen Pa.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[LS6 Tommy]

There are good and bad craftsmen in any demographic, just putting the word Amish in the description of a shed won't guarantee it's a good one. You'll have to look at one in person from your local supplier to determine that.

That kind of sums up where I was trying to go, but didn't put it in words very well.

I wasn't knocking "Amish built" stuff so much as the way the phrase is thrown around.

Tommy