About this shed
This contemporary garden shed sits among the trees in Coquitlam, BC. It’s 8′ x 12′ (96 sq/ft) with a single-slope roof, grey LP SmartSide siding and a row of clerestory windows high on the wall. A steel door with a window opens one side, and a 4-foot roll-up door on the end makes it easy to roll in a mower or bikes. The shed rests on a timber-framed gravel pad.
Quick facts about this garden shed
- Location: Coquitlam, BC
- Size: 8′ x 12′ (96 sq/ft)
- Design: Contemporary, single-slope roof
- Overhangs: Front 12″; sides 8″
- Siding: LP SmartSide
- Roofing: Galvalume
Two greys and a roll-up door
The front and one side are a lighter grey and the other side is a darker grey, which gives the plain box a bit of character. The roll-up door suits a shed that mostly stores bigger gear, and the steel door with a window is for everyday trips.
A gravel pad in the trees
The shed sits on a pad of gravel held in by a timber frame. That keeps the floor off the wet ground and lets the water drain away, which matters in the rain-forest climate around Coquitlam.
Why a contemporary style suits a garden shed
A contemporary shed keeps things simple: a single-slope roof, straight walls and one row of windows. The roof pitch sends rain and snow to one side, so there are no valleys where water can collect, and the plain shape is easy to build in a shop and set on a pad. In a wooded yard like this one, the dark grey siding blends in with the trees instead of competing with them.
What a shed this size stores
At 96 sq/ft, an 8×12 shed has room for the things that usually crowd a garage: a lawn mower, bikes, garden tools, bins and seasonal gear. The roll-up door suits bulky items because it opens without swinging into the yard, and a single steel door covers quick trips for a tool or a bag of soil.
Shop-built panels, quick assembly
Prefab sheds like this one are built from panels 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. The shed arrives ready to set on its pad instead of being framed on site.
Preparing the site
A shed is only as flat and solid as the ground under it. Before delivery, it helps to:
- Pick a spot with clear access for people, equipment and materials, away from tree limbs and overhead wires.
- Level the area and set a firm base, such as a timber frame filled with compacted gravel, so the floor stays flat and water drains away.
- Check the setbacks from the property lines and any easements in the city shed rules.
- Leave room around the shed to open the doors 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 over the shed once a year, repaint any worn spots, and keep soil, leaves and plants from touching the lower edge of the siding.
| Location | Coquitlam, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 8′ x 12′ (96 sq/ft) |
| Design | Contemporary, single-slope roof |
| Build | Modular (built in a shop and delivered) |
| Porch or deck | None |
| Overhangs | Front 12″; sides 8″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide |
| Ceiling, walls and floor | Plywood |
| Doors | 36″ steel door; 4′ roll-up garage door |
| Windows | Vinyl |
| Roofing | Galvalume |
| Electrical | None |
| Heat | None |
| Extras | Roll-up door |
What to plan before building a garden shed
A small shed still needs a few decisions before it arrives.
- Size and permit: at 96 sq/ft this shed is under 10 m² (about 108 sq/ft), the size below which the BC Building Code usually does not apply to an accessory building. Zoning, setbacks and height limits still apply.
- Door type: a roll-up door saves the swing space a hinged door needs, which helps when the shed is close to a fence or tree.
- Foundation: a levelled gravel pad on a timber frame is quick to build and drains well.
- Siding and roof: LP SmartSide and a Galvalume roof both need little upkeep in a wet climate.
- Power: this shed has no power or heat. Adding either means an electrical permit and a licensed electrician.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this garden shed?
It’s 8 feet by 12 feet, which is 96 sq/ft (about 8.9 m²).
What is the siding and roof made of?
The siding is LP SmartSide, an engineered wood product, and the roof is Galvalume metal. Inside, the walls, ceiling and floor are plywood.
Do you need a permit for a shed this size in Coquitlam?
At 96 sq/ft the shed is under 10 m² (about 108 sq/ft), so the BC Building Code generally does not require a building permit. Coquitlam zoning still sets height and setback rules. See Coquitlam Shed Regulations before you build.
How long does it take to assemble a prefab shed?
Because the panels are built in a shop first, assembly on site is short. Most of the on-site time goes into setting the shed on its pad and finishing the trim and doors.
Why is there a gravel pad under the shed?
Gravel drains well and gives a firm, level base. A timber frame holds the gravel in place and keeps the shed floor off the wet ground.
What can you store in an 8×12 shed?
An 8×12 shed has 96 sq/ft of floor space, enough for a lawn mower, bikes, 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 Coquitlam Shed Regulations, or see Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit.