Thoughts on metal sheds?

[mike758]

I'm currently putting together a little home wood shop in my wooden shed. My shed is very small to begin with, it's only 9x16 I believe. In order to fit my tools in here, I need to get a lot of the junk I have in my shed now out of there. The stuff I have in there now is stuff I care about, but stuff that I don't use too often and take up a lot of space. The kind of stuff I have in there are 6 bicycles I believe, 2 dirt bikes, a bunch of outdoor toys and sports equipment, and some decorations.

I was thinking about building a wooden 8x7 storage shed myself, just to cram as much stuff as possible out of the shed I have now. Built properly, an 8x7 wooden shed would run me about $800 in material cost.

I explored other options, and these include a cheap wooden shed, tent shed, and metal shed. The cheap wooden shed is pretty much not an option anymore because even though it would save me a lot of time, it wouldn't be much cheaper and it would be junk. My friend has one of those tent sheds, and those are really cheap but I don't know if those are even worth it, don't know how they hold up. A vinyl shed was never an option because it would cost more than one I could build myself.

I considered my best alternative option to be a metal shed. An 8x10 shed kit would cost me about $300, a third of the cost to build my own shed. Problem though is that I heard these sheds are completely junk. I haven't had one person recommend these. So I'm wondering what people think on these and what I should really do here

 

[John in OH]

Add your location to your profile. Very difficult to offer building suggestions when no one can determine your geographic location.

 

[mayday0017]

The thin Arrrow metal sheds have a place. I will say they are paper thin, they have zero strength so you can't add shelves in them or hang stuff from walls. It will start to rust in about 2 years if you are not in the rust belt and my guess would be it will start to rust in the spring if you are in the rust belt. They are a pain in the *** to assemble (I can build a wood shed much faster). They are not as water proof as a wood shed is (but are not that bad).

There is a time and a place for them, I have had mine for 2.5 years now and it has done pretty good for me. That said I have started thinking about building a wooden one and will most likely do that next year. One of the most expensive things about a shed is the floor. Something I came up with to do for a floor that is cheap is using plastic pallets. They are plenty strong enough for anything you could possibly want to put on them, and then you just need sheething on top of them. My next shed will be built on top of plastic pallets, had I done the math before buying the arrow and took out the cost of an expensive pressure treated floor I would have not bought the metal shed and would have built wood in the first place. You can do it for about the same price then....

 

[R-132 Fan]

I helped put up on of the 8 X 10 sheds from Sears about eight years ago in Corpus Christi Texas. So far it has worked out well, but the roof is covered in rust. Not rusted through, but rust color. It's about a mile inland from the bay so it's probably the salt air causing it to rust. We put the cables over the roof tied into anchors screwed into the ground and it hasn't blown away yet.
Over all, the Sears sheds are a good quick way to get some storage space.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I've never heard anything good of the metal sheds or seen one that looked nice after a few years. I'd avoid one if I could.

Hvae you considered just adding a back lean-to to what you have now or extending it and opening from the opposite end ?

 

[mike758]

Just updated my location, Glen mills PA (southeast PA). And I did consider adding onto the shed, but I just don't see any cost advantages as to building another one. If a metal shed only lasts a few years like people say, I may be better off with a tent shed for short term, and if I want something long term building my own wooden one would be the better option. We already have a two car garage and two sheds on the property so I don't know what I'm going to do. When I move out in about 4 years the tools will probably come with me.

 

[48RON54]

I have a metal shed and I can't wait to replace it with a wooden one. Corners rust out from dogs ******* on them, door never seems to open or close right when even a tiny amount of dirt is introduced into them and they drip water all over my stuff.. so it's rusting slower in a metal shed than it would just sitting outside but that about wraps it up... I look forward to the day i see the scrap metal guys picking it up off my sidewalk lol

 

[mike758]

How about tent sheds? Anyone have experience with those?

 

[kevin206]

Have you thought about building with a combination of mentioned materials? It sounds like your budget is small, as are your current needs. What about building a small carport-type structure and wrapping it in a tarp? 4x4 corner posts and some 2x6 rafters and you have a quick frame ready for a metal roof. You could nail up some 2x4 bands to give a little "structure" to tarp walls.

Those little metal sheds really are kinda crappy. For the same money and time you could probably build something much better.

 

[HOTFR8]

Come to Australia and a metal building is about all you will get. Steel frame and colorbond cladding is very popular here.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I just removed my uncles 10x12 metal shed for him. The snow and wind from this winter caved the roof in and twisted the whole structure. Not to mention the rust and this was only 3yrs old.

 

[etijsma]

My friend and I put an 8x8 or so up and it was a horrible experience. All those damn little screws, nuts and plastic washers. Like someone else mentioned you hate the doors as well.

 

[NUTTSGT]

We already have a two car garage and two sheds on the property so I don't know what I'm going to do. When I move out in about 4 years the tools will probably come with me.

It sounds like you may live at home with Mom and Dad ? If so, is the current 9x16 yours ? If your parents are letting you use it, why not just build something a little bigger (leave the stuff in the shed) and take it with you when you do leave ?

 

[mike758]

It sounds like you may live at home with Mom and Dad ? If so, is the current 9x16 yours ? If your parents are letting you use it, why not just build something a little bigger (leave the stuff in the shed) and take it with you when you do leave ?

You know... That's actually a great idea! Never thought of that. Yes I'm a first year college student and still at home with mom and pops. I don't own the 9x16 shed, but I was told I can do whatever with it as long as their stuff still gets stored. The garage and bigger shed are off limits though. I have money for a good shed, I just never wanted to spend it that way because I figured it wouldn't be mine in a few years, and once I'm gone I doubt my parents would have use for another shed. Never thought of moving it. I would also like something insulated for my tools, so if I built my own I could do that! Only issue I could think of is that I wouldn't have electricity which the 9x16 has.

But thanks for the idea though, it's something I will definitely consider

 

[NUTTSGT]

Electricity oughta be the one of the least concerns if your parents have a big enough box that you could put in a subpanel. Do they have a 200 amp service in the house with some spare room ?

Wire the shed like you need it and when you leave, all you need to do is basically flip the breaker and disconnect the wire.

 

[mike758]

Electricity oughta be the one of the least concerns if your parents have a big enough box that you could put in a subpanel. Do they have a 200 amp service in the house with some spare room ?

Wire the shed like you need it and when you leave, all you need to do is basically flip the breaker and disconnect the wire.

Yes that's true, I can do that, shouldn't be too hard. Now what's the maximum size shed I can reasonably transport in your opinion?

 

[rayday]

I put up an 8x10 Sears metal shed for kids bikes lawnmower lawn chair Ect to get them out of my shop first good snow maybe 5 -6 in. Roof fell in! I built a 10x14 all rough cut hemlock metal roof for under 500$

 

[John in OH]

Yes that's true, I can do that, shouldn't be too hard. Now what's the maximum size shed I can reasonably transport in your opinion?

I'm sure there is a local shed building dealer near you somewhere that sells pre-fab sheds that get delivered and slid onto your base. Stop by, look over their sheds, chat a bit and pick their brains regarding how they deliver their sheds and how big they deliver. I don't imply you should buy from them, just get an idea of how the whole process works so you can make some decisions regarding size and handling techniques.

 

[bdamico]

Come to Australia and a metal building is about all you will get. Steel frame and colorbond cladding is very popular here.

Are you talking about ABSCO because they are now an Arrow alternative in the states. ABSCO makes big claims about rust resistance--any knowledge?

 

[KaotiK TrendZ]

Well I am on the final touches of upgrading my 12 year old arrow shed. This thing has been in the gulf coast region the entire time, not to mention 2 actual hurricanes. If I had a choice and money I would build a wood shed. I have moved this shed once and reassembled. I figured it was time to clean it up being since it has been good to me over the years. So I unstrapped it, picked it up by hand and moved it off the original foundation. I then layed several bags of sand and tampted down. Then I layed out 16"x16"x4" concrete blocks and leveled. Next I spread polymeric sand and sprayed down with water so it would harden. The next day I moved the shed in place and squared up. I purchased new metal screws with rubber washers to replace some of the original screws and also added in places I thought there should have been screws. Next was applying liquid nail adhesive under thebottom rail to get a good bond to the concrete blocks. Before I could secure it I had to add an extension piece to one of the tie down straps because it had rusted in two. I then strapped the tie down straps back down and siliconed the hell out of any holes I found, inside and out. The fun part began as I sprayed the entire shed with rustoleum spray paint, to include the tie down straps. Inside I just sprayed any rusty areas. I then figured I would insulate it like I did my garage door with polystyrene board. So I cut the insulation panels and liquid nailed them to the sides. I have get a few more 4x8 panels today to finish doing the entire inside. Being since I had time i used the spray foam to fill any voids anywhere around the shed. Also assembled a new firewood rack and placed on the leftover concrete pads I had beside the shed. Once I finish the insulation later today I am going to run power to it. I'm only installing a 4 gang outlet and running off it to the 4' shop light. After that I just need to install a couple of vents for air circulation, wait for and install the door tune up kit, and I'm done. Then my gf will have an awesome gardening shed. Oh and it's leakproof and comfy for times when she makes me mad and I send her to the garden shed haha, jk.

All in all I'm actually suprised at how this shed has held up. It's hasn't been taking care of and this is the first tlc it's ever had. Yes there where a couple of rust holes about the size of a quarter I had to fix but I attribute those from the weedeater. After this is all said and done I will have less in it than a wood shed and I have already gotten years of use. Hopefully it will last another 10 or so years now.

 

[bczygan]

One lat thing to check is your zoning.

2 accessory building may not be allowed.

And permits may be required for square footage over a certain size (Usually 120 to 200 SF).

8' 6" is maximum trailer width, so 8' wide is a useful size for the shed. Make it whatever length that can be easily loaded and moved. 16' would be the maximum size I would try for.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I've had a 10x10 metal shed since 1989 that has moved several times to new homes. I now have a 12x16 wood shed that is superior in every way, yet I can't quite find it in me to get rid of the metal one quiet yet. Maybe in the spring.

About every five years I throw another coat of snow roof on the top to seal the pinholes that form over time.

 

[readhead]

I sell wood portable buildings. From 8x12 to 12x32. Our delivery driver will move any shed as long as it is compatible with his trailer. We have also had a local towing company move smaller sheds on a roll-back truck. Average cost is $150-$200 depending on how far it is moving.