About this shed
This 10′ x 20′ contemporary storage shed (200 sq/ft) stands at the back of a large yard in the District of North Vancouver. It replaced a cedar garden shed that had been leaning to one side for years. The new shed has grey LP SmartSide siding with dark trim, a steel door on the side and a roll-up door at one end.
Quick facts about this contemporary storage shed
- Location: Riverside, District of North Vancouver, BC
- Size: 10′ x 20′ (200 sq/ft, about 18.6 m²)
- Design: Contemporary storage shed
- Overhangs: Front 18″; sides 6″
- Siding: LP SmartSide
- Door: 32″ steel door and a 5′ x 7′ roll-up door
Replacing a leaning shed
The old shed leaned four to five degrees or more to the left, its door barely opened and a skunk had moved in underneath. It was only a matter of time before it came down. Instead of repairing it, the owner chose a new contemporary storage shed.
The old shed was taken down and removed, the site was prepared, and the building permit was obtained from the District of North Vancouver before the new shed went up. The photos show the outline of the new building marked out on the lawn.
Built in a shop
The floor and wall panels were built in a shop, away from the weather. The photos show the floor frame, a wall panel with its framed opening and a floor panel with stacked lumber before the parts went to the site.
Set up on site
On site, the floor frame was laid out on the ground and the first wall went up behind it. The shed was then finished with its siding, trim, roll-up door and steel door.
The roll-up door
At one end of the shed is a 5-foot by 7-foot roll-up door. A roll-up door rolls into a coil about 18 inches across at the top of the opening, so it takes almost no storage room. A regular overhead door is made of panels that lie flat under the ceiling when the door is open, which uses up space inside.
Inside the shed and in the yard
Inside, the walls are open framing wrapped in house wrap, with the roof frame left exposed. A row of high windows under the roof lets in daylight without giving up wall space. From the house deck, the shed sits at the back of the lawn with cedars and a hedge behind it.
Why a contemporary shed suits a modern yard
A contemporary shed has clean lines, a low roof and little trim, so it sits quietly at the back of a yard instead of drawing the eye. Dark trim around the doors and corners gives it a crisp outline. A contemporary design also pairs well with a modern house or a landscaped garden.
What a 200 sq/ft shed can store
A shed that is 10 feet wide and 20 feet long gives 200 sq/ft of floor space. That is enough for a lawn mower, garden tools, bikes, patio furniture and bins, with room left for shelves and a workbench along the walls. Two doors make it easy to move long items in and out.
Prefab panels and quick assembly
Prefab sheds are built in sections in a shop, where the lumber stays dry and the cuts stay accurate. The panels are then assembled on site, which keeps the work in the yard short and tidy. Building indoors also means the weather rarely delays the project.
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 steel door 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 | Riverside, District of North Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 10′ x 20′ (200 sq/ft, about 18.6 m²) |
| Design | Contemporary storage shed |
| Overhangs | Front 18″; sides 6″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide |
| Ceiling | Bare |
| Door | 32″ steel door and a 5′ x 7′ roll-up door |
| Windows | Row of high windows under the roof (seen in the photos) |
| Customization | Extra door |
| Permit | Building permit obtained from the District of North Vancouver |
What to plan before building a storage shed
A large storage shed is a real building, so the permit, the doors and the old shed all need planning.
- Permit: at 200 sq/ft (about 18.6 m²) this shed is over the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that the BC Building Code leaves out, so a building permit is needed. See the North Vancouver shed rules.
- Old shed: if a shed is leaning or damaged, plan to take it down and haul it away before the new building goes in.
- Door choice: a roll-up door saves space inside because it coils at the top of the opening.
- Access: check that a delivery trailer and a crew can reach the site.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this shed?
It’s 10 feet by 20 feet, which is 200 sq/ft (about 18.6 m²).
What kind of doors does it have?
A 32-inch steel door on the side and a 5-foot by 7-foot roll-up door at one end.
Did it need a building permit?
Yes. At 200 sq/ft the shed is over the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that the BC Building Code leaves out, and the permit was obtained from the District of North Vancouver. See the North Vancouver shed rules and the maximum shed size without a permit guide.
Why was the old shed replaced?
The old cedar shed leaned several degrees to one side, its door barely opened and a skunk was living underneath it.
What is a roll-up door?
A roll-up door rolls into a coil of about 18 inches at the top of the opening, so it uses almost no room inside the shed.
What is the shed made of?
A framed shed with LP SmartSide siding and dark trim, built from panels made in a shop.
What can you store in a 10×20 shed?
A 200 sq/ft shed fits a lawn mower, garden tools, bikes, bins and patio furniture, with space for shelves and a workbench.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see all sheds, garages and barns, or read the Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit guide.