About this shed
This 8×12 craftsman garden shed was built for a North Vancouver backyard that had just been renovated. The owner wanted an upscale shed to match the new yard, and the big-box choices were plastic or resin sheds and lightly built wooden ones. The result is a 96 sq/ft shed with grey siding, white trim, a shingle roof and a 60″ set of French doors.
Quick facts about this craftsman garden shed
- Location: North Vancouver, BC
- Size: 8×12 (96 sq/ft)
- Design: Craftsman garden shed with a gable roof
- Overhangs: Front and rear 12″; sides 6″
- Siding: LP SmartSide
- Door: 60″ craftsman French doors
Matching the new backyard
The shed sits on a gravel pad framed by a stone retaining wall, with a flagstone path leading to it. The grey siding and white trim echo the craftsman-style house behind it, and the French doors face the yard.
The French doors
The 60″ craftsman French doors are the main feature. They open wide enough to carry in garden equipment, a lawn mower or a workbench, and the four-pane windows in the top of each door let in daylight.
Inside the shed
Inside, the walls are left as open studs with OSB sheathing, and the gable roof trusses stay exposed. There’s no electrical or heat, so the shed works as dry storage or a simple garden workshop.
Why not a plastic or big-box shed?
Most big-box sheds fall into two groups: plastic or resin sheds, and lightly built wooden sheds. Plastic sheds are easy to put up but can look out of place next to a finished house and garden, and light wood kits often rack and sag over time. A shed built from engineered panels, with a real gable roof and trusses, is stiffer and can be matched to the house, which is why some owners choose one when they want the backyard to look finished.
Shop-built panels, quick assembly
Prefab sheds like this one are built in sections in a shop and assembled on site. Building indoors keeps the lumber dry and the cuts accurate, and it keeps the on-site work short, so the yard isn’t torn up for long. The roof trusses stay exposed inside, which gives the shed extra headroom and makes it easy to add hooks or a shelf above the door.
What an 8×12 shed can store
At 96 sq/ft, an 8×12 shed is large enough for a lawn mower, a wheelbarrow, bikes, garden tools and a small workbench. The 60-inch French doors open wide, so bulky items can be carried straight in. With no electrical or heat, it works best as dry storage or a simple garden workshop.
Preparing the site
A level, well-drained base keeps the doors opening smoothly and the floor dry. Before delivery, it helps to:
- Build a firm base, such as a framed gravel pad, and make sure water drains away from the shed.
- Plan a clear path to the doors, since the shed shown here has a flagstone path leading to it.
- Check the setbacks from the property lines and any easements in your city’s shed rules.
- Leave room for the French doors to swing fully open.
Keeping the siding in good shape
The siding is LP SmartSide, a primed engineered wood siding that is painted after it is installed. Look it over once a year, repaint any worn spots, and keep soil, mulch and plants from touching the bottom of the walls.
| Location | North Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 8×12 (96 sq/ft) |
| Design | Craftsman garden shed with a gable roof |
| Overhangs | Front and rear 12″; sides 6″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide |
| Ceiling | Open stud |
| Door | 60″ craftsman French doors |
| Windows | None (four-pane windows in the doors) |
| Roofing | Shingle |
| Electrical | No |
| Heat | No |
| Customization | Door configuration |
More photos
The photos below show the shed from other angles and close-ups of the door, the window and the trim.
What to plan before building a garden shed
A shed that matches the house and the yard takes a little planning before it arrives.
- Size and permit: at 96 sq/ft this shed is under the 10 m² (about 108 sq/ft) size where most BC cities don’t require a building permit. Zoning rules still apply, so check the North Vancouver shed regulations and the maximum shed size without a permit guide.
- Base: a level gravel pad keeps water away from the floor and gives the shed a firm footing.
- Door size: French doors make it easy to move large items in and out. Pick the width for the biggest thing that will go inside.
- Finish: match the siding colour and trim to the house so the shed looks like part of the yard.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this garden shed?
It’s 8×12, which is 96 sq/ft.
Does a shed this size need a building permit?
At 96 sq/ft it’s under 10 m² (about 108 sq/ft), the size under which most BC cities don’t require a building permit. Zoning rules such as setbacks and height still apply, so check with your city or district first.
What is the siding made of?
The siding is LP SmartSide, a primed engineered wood siding, painted grey with white trim.
Does it have power or heat?
No. The shed has no electrical or heat.
Why was the shed built in a shop first?
Building the floor, wall and roof panels indoors keeps the work out of the weather and makes the on-site assembly quick.
What can you keep in an 8×12 shed?
An 8×12 shed is large enough for a lawn mower, bikes, garden tools and a small workbench, with the wide French doors making it easy to move bulky items in and out.
Can a shed match the style of a house?
Yes. This shed uses grey siding, white trim, a gable shingle roof and craftsman-style doors to match the craftsman house behind it.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see more sheds, garages and barns, or read the Shed Rules by City.