Shed Buying Guide
We know that purchasing a shed can be a significant investment for any household. It’s a large structure that will be in your yard for many years, so you want to make sure you’re making the right choice for your needs and preferences. With so many shed styles and sizes to choose from, there are several things that homeowners should take into consideration before deciding on a shed. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you find the best one for your household.
Quality
Since sheds are something you want to keep for a decade or more, quality should be at the front of your mind. But what makes a shed premium quality? Make sure you are aware of the following factors that can indicate a quality shed.
Siding
Siding is a big indicator of quality. Wood is often the material of choice because it remains strong for a long time. By comparison, resin sheds can melt and sag in the sunlight over time, and metal sheds are prone to rusting once the coating wears off.
The highest quality sheds are built with treated engineered wood that has been carefully tested for strength, durability, and resistance to moisture while providing a natural look. Our sheds use wood siding that comes pre-treated and pre-primed and includes a 50-year warranty.
Framing
Framing is what gives a shed its strength. When inspecting the framing, it’s important to look at the size of the studs. 2x4 and 2x3 studs are the most common sizes. 2x4 will be more resistant to heavy winds. The type of tree from which the materials are sourced can also make a difference. At Shed Liquidators, we use spruce-fir studs because they are stronger and more lightweight when compared to more economical alternatives.
Floor System
Choosing a shed with a durable floor is important since it’s a part of your shed that will get a lot of wear and tear. While plywood flooring can look great and used to be the industry standard, it’s not as strong as OSB. Our sheds come with a complete floor system that includes 2x4 joists at 16 inches on-center and OSB floor panels. The OSB boards are pressure treated to resist moisture and can hold up to 40 lbs./sq. ft.
If you want a more finished look and extra strength out of your shed floor, we offer an upgraded heavy-duty floor at checkout called the LP Prostruct Floor with SmartFinish. The floor system includes 2x4 joists at 12 inches on-center and can hold up to 52 lbs./sq. ft.
OSB boards are treated with a proprietary SmartGuard process. This ensures that every strand of wood is treated with a carefully formulated mix of resins, waxes, and zinc borate, and finished with an overlay to offer complete protection against hail, moisture, termites, and fungal decay.
Purpose & Location
What will your shed be used for? How much space will you need inside for storage? Where will the shed be placed? Do you live in an area with strong winds? Will you need ventilation for airflow, electricity access, windows for natural light, or extra vertical space? Answering these questions will help you understand what to look for when shopping around for the perfect shed.
Size
When selecting a size for your shed, consider what you’re going to store so you can determine how much overhead, floor, and wall space you’ll need. You'll need more floor space if you’re storing large equipment like bikes or a lawnmower. If you’re storing long-handled tools, you may need more wall and vertical space. Remember to plan for room to walk around. We recommend having at least 2 feet in between large items.
It’s a good idea to plan on purchasing a bigger shed than you need. That way, you will always have some extra space, and the shed will accommodate your needs as they change over time.
Style
We offer 4 styles of sheds: barn, modern, gable, and ranch sheds. The style you select primarily depends on your aesthetic preference, with a few functionalities to consider.
Barn sheds offer a country look with extra overhead space inside. The extra vertical space can easily accommodate a storage loft to keep your stuff off the ground. The roof's steep slopes also provide better drainage than a gable roof.
Modern sheds are built with clean, angular lines and a single-slope roof for a stylish look.
Gable sheds have a gable (A-frame) roof with two panels that slope down to the walls from a central ridge. The simplicity and affordability make this our best-selling style.
Ranch sheds have a gable (A-frame) roof with doors positioned on the eave side of the wall. The eave side is the side of the shed where the roof hangs over the siding. Ranch sheds are a favorite of those looking for more vertical space inside and a classic cottage look.
Doors
When thinking about the doors for your shed, you'll want to consider the size of the equipment you’re planning to store. Your shed's doorway will need to be wide enough for your largest equipment to fit through, especially lawnmowers and ATVs that will come in and out regularly. With a few exceptions, our sheds come with wide double doors and are hung on continuous steel hinges to prevent sagging over time.
Width
Our doors range from 32 to 64 inches. You'll have no issue finding a shed with an entryway wide enough to store your lawn equipment and other large items.
Hinged or Sliding
Most of our shed doors are hinged, although the Sedalia features sliding barn-style doors. The choice between these styles is mostly up to your aesthetic preference, but could be important if one style is easier for you to operate.
Dual Entry
Most of our sheds have a single entrance, but the Samara allows you to access your things from two different doors.
Door Handles & Latches
All our sheds come with one of four types of handles/latches to keep your belongings safe and secure.
Ventilation
Having proper ventilation is a good idea if you plan on spending long periods of time in your shed. The main reasons for ventilating a shed are to release excess heat in the summer and to prevent damp, stale air from lingering in the winter. The added air circulation also helps prevent fume buildup from chemicals that you may store or use in your shed.
Many of our sheds come with vents in one of the styles below. If the shed you’re eyeing doesn’t come with a vent, you can add one to your cart when you check out. 
Other Interior Features
Some of our sheds come with additional interior features such as an overhead storage loft, a work bench, shelves, and/or a pegboard. If the shed you’re eyeing doesn’t come with any additional interior features, you can add those later when you check out.
Additional add-ons available at checkout include venting skylights, skylights, operable windows, flower boxes, wood ramps, a metal two-track ramp, and anchors.
Shingle Type
All of our installed shed kits include standard shingles that are backed by a 25-year limited warranty. Standard (3-tab) asphalt shingles have three regularly spaced asphalt tabs, giving the roofing material a pattern that is pleasing to the eye.
As an upgrade, we also offer dimensional (architectural) shingles that are backed by a lifetime limited warranty. Dimensional shingles have two layers of shingle material bonded together, giving them a three-dimensional appearance. Both shingle options come in five color options.
Note: Shingles, felt, and nails are not included in DIY kits.
Foundation
Our sheds are built on 4×4 pressure-treated runners, so you can install any shed without needing a foundation. If you would like to build a foundation, or if you have an existing foundation, the shed can also be built on top.
Permits & Permissions
Before purchasing, we recommend contacting your local homeowner’s association and/or local building authority to ensure your shed meets any restrictions on the intended purpose, building size, siding, roof type, and foundations. For example, some states require sheds to be built with a rat wall. Restrictions can vary by state, county, or city, so check with your local municipality for in-depth information on building and zoning codes.
Price
Do not let the price of a new shed be your sole determining factor. A low price can look attractive, but don't let it convince you to ignore some more important considerations.
Sheds with higher-quality materials and solid construction last longer and look better than cheaper alternatives. A cheap shed is quicker to fall apart and need replacing, costing you more in the long run. Paying just a few hundred dollars more for an outdoor structure is usually a smart investment.
What are the most popular sheds?
Check out our top selling sheds:
Questions Before You Buy?
Talk to one of our Shed Experts to get answers to any of your questions.
