About this shed
This craftsman garden shed replaced an old, run-down garage in a Kitsilano backyard in Vancouver. It’s 10′ x 10′ (100 sq/ft) with a gable roof, a craftsman-style fibreglass door, grey trim and a 2′ x 10′ treated-wood porch across the front. Planter boxes made from reclaimed fence boards are mounted under the windows.
Quick facts about this craftsman shed
- Location: Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC
- Size: 10′ x 10′ (100 sq/ft)
- Design: Craftsman gable shed
- Overhangs: Front and rear 12″; sides 6″
- Siding: LP SmartSide
- Door: Craftsman fibreglass door
The old garage comes down
The old garage at the back of the yard had seen better days, so it was taken down to make room for something smaller and better looking.
Built in a shop and moved into the yard
The shed was built indoors, in a shop, so the walls, trim, door and porch were finished before it left. It then rode to the yard on a trailer and was carefully moved into place.
Reclaimed planters and craftsman details
Old fence boards were turned into planter boxes and mounted under the windows, so the shed comes with a small garden. The craftsman door, grey trim and shingle roof finish the look.
Why a craftsman style suits a garden shed
Craftsman details make a small building look finished: a gable roof with a steady pitch, wide trim around the doors and windows, and a door with a window in it. The gable gives a little extra headroom inside, and the trim colour sets off the siding. A shed in this style also fits well with older neighbourhoods like Kitsilano.
What a shed this size stores
At 100 sq/ft, a 10×10 shed is a roomy size. It gives space for a lawn mower, bikes, garden tools, bins and furniture that comes out each summer, and it still leaves room for shelves. The porch keeps the doorway dry when you’re carrying things in and out.
Shop-built panels, quick assembly
Prefab sheds are built from sections made in a shop. Building indoors keeps the lumber dry and the cuts accurate, and it means the work in the yard is short and quiet. In this case the finished shed rode to the yard on a trailer and was moved into place.
Preparing the site
A shed is only as flat and solid as the ground under it. Before delivery, it helps to:
- Take down any old building on the spot and clear away the debris.
- Pick a spot with clear access for the delivery, away from tree limbs and overhead wires.
- Level the area and set a firm base so that the floor stays flat and water drains away.
- Check the setbacks from the property lines and any easements in the city shed rules.
Keeping the siding in good shape
The siding is LP SmartSide, a primed engineered wood siding that is painted after it is installed. Like any painted wood product, it lasts longest when the paint is kept in good condition. Look over the shed once a year, repaint any worn spots, and keep soil, leaves and plants from touching the lower edge of the siding. Planter boxes should be mounted so that wet soil does not sit against the wall.
| Location | Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 10′ x 10′ (100 sq/ft) |
| Design | Craftsman gable shed |
| Porch | 2′ x 10′ front porch |
| Decking | 1×6 treated wood |
| Overhangs | Front and rear 12″; sides 6″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide |
| Door | Craftsman fibreglass door |
| Windows | 30″ x 36″ |
| Roofing | Shingles |
| Electrical | None |
| Heat | None |
| Extras | Custom door; reclaimed-wood planter boxes |
More photos
The photos below show more of the finished shed, the porch and the details.
What to plan before building a craftsman shed
A shed with a porch and trim takes a little more planning than a plain box.
- Size and permit: at 100 sq/ft the shed is under 10 m² (about 108 sq/ft), but a porch, power or heat change what a city requires, and zoning, height and setbacks always apply.
- Replacing an old building: plan for taking down and getting rid of the old garage first.
- Porch: a 2-foot porch adds a step up and a dry place to stand at the door.
- Reuse: reclaimed fence boards can make planters and keep material out of the landfill.
- Roof: shingles match most houses, and an overhang protects the siding.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this garden shed?
It’s 10 feet by 10 feet, which is 100 sq/ft (about 9.3 m²), plus a 2 by 10 foot porch.
What are the planters made from?
They were built from reclaimed fence boards and mounted under the windows with simple brackets.
Do you need a permit for a shed this size in Vancouver?
At 100 sq/ft the shed is under 10 m² (about 108 sq/ft), the size below which the BC Building Code generally does not apply to an accessory building, but Vancouver zoning, height and setback rules still apply. See Vancouver Shed Regulations.
How long does it take to move a prefab shed into place?
The shed arrives finished, so the move is short. Most of the on-site time goes into placing it on its base and leveling it.
What is a craftsman style shed?
A craftsman shed has a gable roof, wide trim around the doors and windows, and a door with a window in it, in the style of craftsman houses.
What can you store in a 10×10 shed?
A 10×10 shed has 100 sq/ft of floor space, enough for a lawn mower, bikes, garden tools and bins, with room left for shelves along the walls.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, the shed and garage albums, read the Vancouver Shed Regulations, or see Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit.