About this shed
This 10′ x 12′ gable garden shed (120 sq/ft) was built in Dundarave, West Vancouver. The owner wanted to replace a rusty metal shed with something useful and long-lasting, and most of all with a shed that skunks couldn’t dig under. The result is a cream shed with white trim, double doors, a wooden ramp and galvanized wire mesh around the base.
Quick facts about this West Vancouver garden shed
- Location: Dundarave, West Vancouver, BC
- Size: 10′ x 12′ (120 sq/ft, about 11.1 m²)
- Design: Gable shed
- Overhangs: Front 6″
- Siding: LP SmartSide
- Door: 60″ shop door
A shed the skunks can’t get under
Skunks had been digging under the old shed. To stop that, the new shed has galvanized wire mesh screens set along the base of the walls and down into crushed gravel. The mesh keeps small animals from crawling or digging underneath, while the gravel lets water drain away.
Replacing the old shed
The old metal shed was removed, the site was leveled, and the topsoil was taken out and replaced with crushed gravel. The new shed was then set up on the gravel base. The whole job, from taking down the old shed to handing over the finished building, took a couple of days.
The ramp and the doors
The shed has a wide set of double shop doors, 60 inches across, and a wooden ramp up to the threshold. The ramp makes it easier to roll a lawn mower or a wheelbarrow in and out. A vented opening in the gable wall lets air move through the shed.
Inside the shed
Inside, the walls are framed and sheathed with OSB, the floor is plywood and the roof frame is left open. A small vented window and the gable vent let in light and air.
Why a gable shed suits a garden
A gable shed has a simple peaked roof that sheds rain and snow to both sides. The shape is easy to build and gives headroom under the ridge, which is useful for hanging tools or storing long items overhead. Cream siding with white trim fits most houses and gardens.
Keeping skunks and other animals out
Skunks, raccoons and rats often dig under sheds that sit above bare ground. A mesh skirt that runs down into the ground and out along the surface blocks them. Crushed gravel under and around the shed adds a second layer of protection and keeps the soil from turning to mud.
What a 120 sq/ft shed can store
At 10 feet by 12 feet, this shed has 120 sq/ft of floor space. That is enough for a lawn mower, garden tools, bikes, patio furniture and bins, with room for shelves along the walls.
Preparing the site
A building is only as flat and solid as the ground under it. Before delivery, it helps to:
- Pick a spot with clear access for people, materials and a delivery trailer, and keep it away from overhead wires and low branches.
- Level the area and set a firm base, such as compacted gravel or a leveled frame, so the floor stays flat and water drains away.
- Check the setbacks from the property lines and any easements in your city’s shed rules.
- Leave room around the shed to open the double doors fully and to reach the walls for painting.
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 the building over once a year, repaint any worn spots, keep soil, mulch and plants from touching the bottom of the walls, and keep the roof edges clear of leaves.
| Location | Dundarave, West Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 10′ x 12′ (120 sq/ft, about 11.1 m²) |
| Design | Gable shed |
| Decking | Wooden ramp |
| Overhangs | Front 6″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide |
| Ceiling | Bare |
| Door | 60″ shop door |
| Windows | One 18″ x 24″ vented window |
| Customization | Wire mesh to keep animals from crawling underneath |
More photos
The photos below show more views of the shed, the wire mesh and the inside.
What to plan before building a garden shed
A garden shed is a simple building, but the site and the animals around it still need some thought.
- Size and permit: at 120 sq/ft (about 11.1 m²) this shed is just over the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that the BC Building Code leaves out, so check the West Vancouver shed rules before building.
- Animal proofing: if skunks or other animals dig in the yard, add a mesh skirt and gravel around the base.
- Gravel base: crushed gravel drains well and gives a level, firm base.
- Old shed: plan to remove and dispose of an old shed before the new one goes in.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this shed?
It’s 10 feet by 12 feet, which is 120 sq/ft (about 11.1 m²).
How does the wire mesh work?
Galvanized wire mesh runs along the base of the walls and into the crushed gravel, so small animals cannot crawl or dig under the shed.
Does a shed this size need a building permit?
At 120 sq/ft it is just over the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that the BC Building Code leaves out, so check with the District of West Vancouver. See the West Vancouver shed rules and the maximum shed size without a permit guide.
How long did the job take?
Removing the old shed, leveling the site, adding crushed gravel and setting up the new shed took a couple of days.
What is the shed made of?
A framed gable shed with LP SmartSide siding, a 60-inch shop door and a vented 18-inch by 24-inch window.
Why use a ramp?
A ramp makes it easier to move a lawn mower, wheelbarrow or bikes in and out over the threshold.
Why does a shed need gravel under it?
Gravel drains water away, keeps the floor off wet soil and makes it harder for animals to dig in.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see all sheds, garages and barns, or read the Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit guide.