Design & Build A Backyard Shed

By Todd Fratzel on Design, Garages

Need Helping Designing and Building a Backyard Shed?

The old saying “there’s never enough storage space” is especially true when it comes to garden tools and outdoor power equipment. I have a rather large garage but there’s simply not enough room for the riding mower, push mower, car top carrier, lawn and garden tools and 4 bicycles. In the near future I’ve got to build a shed so I’d like to share some information that you can use if you’re looking to design and/or build a new backyard shed.

LP SmartSide Visualizer

Find Your Shed Inspiration

The first step in designing or building a new shed is figuring out what you want it to look like, and how big to make it. For some people that’s an easy task but most of us need some inspiration and ideas. The folks over at LP Outdoor Building Solutions have created a shed visualizer to help you get started.

Their free visualizer lets you look at different materials and colors for an outdoor shed. It allows you to change the type of roofing, trim, and siding with the click of your mouse. You can save your designs and print them out for yourself or builder.

LP SmartSide Visualizer

In addition to the visualizer they have a gallery full of shed ideas from small to large. I like how they show different styles including different types of roofs, siding, doors and windows. This is really important for home owners that might not be well versed in architecture and different building styles.

Not only do they have a gallery of sheds, but they also have a gallery with other outdoor structures including: dog houses, wood sheds, barns and garages. Whether you plan on building the structure yourself or hiring a contractor these ideas can be used to design the structure. You can even print the images and give them to your builder.

LP Outdoor Building Solutions Products

I’ve been using LP SmartSide siding products for several years and I’ve been very impressed with them. Two years ago we used their lap siding on a million dollar custom home after evaluating several materials including cedar and cement lap siding. We chose the LP SmartSide due to a combination of price, warranty, and long term reduced maintenance costs. I’m happy to say that after two years the house still looks like the day we finished.

My experience with LP SmartSide is why I really like their outdoor building solutions. Their outdoor building solutions site showcases several products that are a great match for sheds and garages including:

  • LP SmartSide Panels
  • LP ProStruct® Roof Sheathing with SilverTech®
  • LP ProStruct® Panel with SilverTech®
  • LP SmartSide Panels with SmartFinish®
  • LP ProStruct® Floor with SmartFinish®
  • LP SmartSide Trim and Lap Siding
LPShedInterior_0002_SmartFinishFloor_SilverTechWalls

LP ProStruct® Floor with SmartFinish® and LP ProStruct® Panel with SilverTech®

So why is all this so important? With LP SmartSide trim and siding products, you get the beauty of wood with a much more durable product that’s been engineered to resist fungal decay and termites. If you choose the SmartFinish products you get the same fungal decay and termite resistance plus a very nice aesthetic appearance on the inside. And if you choose the SilverTech products they can help reduce radiant heat on those blistering summer days.

LPShedInterior_0004_SmartFinishFloor_LPSSPanelWalls

LP ProStruct® Floor with SmartFinish®

The images above give you a great sense of the versatility and aesthetic value the LP SmartSide products can bring to your new shed or garage. I really like the LP SmartSide Panels with SmartFinish because it looks similar to MDO plywood and creates a much more “finished” appearance.

As a builder I can tell you that the LP SmartSide products give me an added level of confidence that the material will perform very well with not only the weather, but also the physical punishment that outdoor structures take. The warranties speak volumes to the level of commitment LP has with their products and certainly resonate with my customers and other builders I’ve spoken to.

Disclosure

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of LP® Outdoor Building Solutions for hfa. All opinions are 100% mine.

About the author

Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

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