8 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Shed

Buying a shed shouldn’t be complicated. In this guide, we answer all your burning questions, like: What size shed do I need? What’s the best material? How do I prepare my yard? This shed buying guide will cover everything you need to know, so you can be confident in your purchase.

Quick Answer: 8 Things to Know Before You Buy A Shed

Buying vs. Renting: Buying offers much better long-term value than renting a unit, and rent-to-own programs can make the initial investment highly manageable.

Best Materials: Vinyl siding is low-maintenance and naturally rot-resistant, while wood offers a classic, natural look at a lower upfront cost.

Roof Durability: Opt for architectural shingles instead of standard 3-tab shingles for superior weather resistance and a premium look.

Choosing a Style: There are over 15 styles (like A-Frames, Chalets, and Dutch Barns) that can be tailored to match your home’s aesthetic.

Sizing: Choose based on your largest equipment (e.g., 14′ x 28′ for riding mowers), but always factor in at least three feet of clearance from fences or trees.

Customizations: You can personalize nearly everything, including adding lofts, cupolas, custom paint, ramps, and shelving.

HOA & Zoning: Always check local zoning laws and your HOA’s restrictions on height, placement, and color before ordering.

Foundation Needs: You cannot put a shed directly on grass; you must prepare a level gravel or concrete foundation before delivery.

1. Is Buying a Shed Better Than Renting?

When you’re out of storage space, your first thought may be to rent a storage unit rather than buying a shed. This is a quick and easy way to get items out of your house. But is it the most financially savvy choice? 

On average, monthly costs for a storage unit can range from $75 to $300 depending on size. And this only includes the physical space. You may also need additional fees for insurance, climate-control, and taxes.

Let’s look at the other side. Buying a shed is a larger investment upfront, but it provides more long-term value. You’ll have full control over your storage space and everything is accessible from your backyard.

If you’re unsure about the initial cost of a shed, there are rent-to-own programs available. This allows you to make smaller monthly payments until you pay it off fully. 

2. What’s the Best Material for a Shed?

Your shed siding options are wood or vinyl. Both are extremely durable, but they have some differences in terms of resistance, lifespan, and customizations. 

All vinyl siding on a shed is naturally rot- and insect-resistant, so it lasts a bit longer than wood. If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your landscaping, vinyl is the perfect choice. We offer vinyl siding in a variety of colors, from sage green to berry red, so you don’t have to sacrifice your vision for quality. Plus, it’s low-maintenance, so you can enjoy extra storage with minimal effort. 

Now let’s talk wood. Only certain types of wood are moisture- and pest-resistant, and they all require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. However, they have a lower upfront cost than vinyl. If you want a more natural look, wood siding can provide that.

There is no one best material for a shed. It depends on what backyard theme you’re going for, your budget, and the amount of effort you want to put into maintenance.

Both wood and vinyl siding on a shed can be styled lots of ways. Here are four of the most common to choose from: 

1. Clapboards
2. Tongue-and-Groove
3. Board-and-Batten
4. Shingles

3. Will My Shed Roof Last?

When you’re buying a shed, don’t just focus on the siding materials. The roof is also important. At Penn Dutch Structures, we use architectural shingles as our main roof material, rather than 3-tab shingles. Architectural shingles provide more dimension and texture to your roof, which has a greater visual appeal.

But architectural shingles are thicker and more durable as well. In bad weather or severe storms, they’re less likely to warp, peel, or buckle.

4. What Shed Styles Are There?

Now comes the exciting section of our shed buying guide! Choosing a shed style is where you can let your personality shine. You can pick a traditional look for some country charm, or find a unique design that speaks to you. Then customize your structure so it matches your home and backyard.

We offer 18 unique shed styles for you to pick from. Learn more about all of our options below:

A-Frame

A classic, versatile design featuring a standard peaked roof that blends seamlessly with most residential home styles.

A-Frame Elite

An upgraded take on the standard A-Frame, featuring wider roof overhangs and enhanced architectural details for a premium look.

Board and Batten

A rustic, highly durable option featuring vertical wood siding that brings authentic, traditional country charm to your yard.

Cape

Inspired by classic New England architecture, this style features a steeper roof pitch that provides excellent overhead storage space.

Cape Elite

Builds on the Cape design with upgraded trim, wider overhangs, and added aesthetic touches for a more refined backyard presence.

Carriage

A stylish option boasting a unique roofline and overhang, designed to mimic the charming look of a historic carriage house.

Chalet

Features a distinctive dormer over the front doors, adding natural light and a highly decorative, upscale appearance.

Classic

A timeless, straightforward design with clean lines, making it an attractive and functional addition to any property.

Cottage

Features a distinctive asymmetrical roofline with a charming front overhang, providing a cozy, welcoming aesthetic.

Dutch Barn

Designed with a classic gambrel roof, this style maximizes overhead space, making it perfect for adding a loft.

Garden A-Frame

A picturesque variation of the A-Frame designed specifically to complement landscaping, often featuring charming window placements.

Mini

A compact, low-profile storage solution perfect for tight spaces or yards with strict height restrictions.

Mini Barn

A traditional barn look scaled down for the backyard, offering excellent ground-level storage at an economical price point.

Monterey

A modern, eye-catching design with a unique front porch inset, perfect for a poolhouse or a backyard office.

Quaker

Characterized by its distinctive offset roofline with a longer back pitch and a protective front overhang.

Studio Shed

A sleek, contemporary structure with a modern single-slope roof, ideal for home offices, art studios, or modern storage.

Trash Can Sheds

Purpose-built, low-profile enclosures designed to securely and attractively hide unsightly garbage and recycling bins.

Villa

An elegant structure featuring a built-in porch area, perfect for creating a shaded relaxation space alongside your storage.

Quaker

Characterized by its distinctive offset roofline with a longer back pitch and a protective front overhang.

5. What Size Shed Do I Need?

The perfect size for a shed depends on its purpose. Ask yourself this: 

1. What are the main tools, items, or pieces of equipment that I’ll be storing?
2. Where will I put this shed? 
3. Are there any rules about what size shed I can have on my property?

Here’s our general guidelines for storage shed sizes.

• 8’ x 10’ — Perfect for a small yard
• 10’ x 10’ — Ideal for a gardening shed
• 10’ x 20’ or 12’ x 24’ — Roomy enough for a workshop
• 14’ x 28’ — Best for large equipment like riding lawn mowers and ATVs

When buying a shed, you also need to take into account your foundation. This requires at least one foot of additional space on all sides of your shed. From there, you’ll need at least three feet between your shed and any fencing or trees. Lastly, there might be neighborhood-specific rules about additional setback from property lines, roads, or floodplains.

Our hand-crafted sheds come in a variety of sizes, depending on the style you choose, ranging from 6’ x 6’ to 14’ x 44’. No matter what you’re looking for, we know you can find the perfect fit at Penn Dutch Structures.

6. Can I Add Accessories and Customizations?

Take our standard designs to the next level by adding some accessories! Want a garage door? Done. Need more headroom to make space for a loft? We got you covered. Envisioning a decorative weathervane for that final touch? We love your taste.

You can customize every corner of your shed, including: 

• Building, roof, and trim colors
• Windows and doors
• Vents
• Lofts
• Cupolas 
• Weathervanes 
• Wall upgrades

The accessorizing doesn’t stop there. Make moving items in and out easier with a shed ramp. You can build your own or buy one from a local home improvement store. Also consider adding exterior lighting and locks for security, and flower boxes for a decorative accent. Keep your shed organized with interior shelves, hooks, and bins.

7. Are There Any Zoning Regulations?

If you’re part of a Homeowners Association (HOA), they may have restrictions on buying a shed. Many HOAs limit the maximum height of your shed, and have rules about where you can place it. Specifically, you can’t put it too close to the edge of your property line, your driveway, or the main house. In some neighborhoods, your shed cannot be visible from the road.

Your HOA may also have restrictions about the shed color, material, and style you choose. Before buying a shed, check your HOA’s committee process so you can submit the right documentation. Some examples would be site plans, images of the shed and dimensions, and a topographic map. 

8. Do I Need to Build a Shed Foundation?

The last piece of this shed buying guide is the foundation. You can’t just plop a new shed onto your lawn and call it a day. Instead, you need to prepare your site for installation. 

You’ll need a solid, level foundation of gravel or concrete to prevent the structure from moving over time. Then you’ll want a retaining wall. Finally, when you’re ready for our team to deliver and install your shed, we’ll need a clear path to the spot.
We don’t handle excavation or site preparation, but we work closely with BedRock Siteworks to ensure your property is ready.