About this shed
This 8′ x 20′ gable storage shed (160 sq/ft) sits in a narrow side yard in Maple Ridge, BC. The owner’s garage was full of ATVs, motorbikes and other gear, and he wanted room to work on a hot rod. A storage locker would have put his vehicles far from home, with access limited to business hours, so he chose storage on his own lot.
Quick facts about this Maple Ridge storage shed
- Location: Maple Ridge, BC
- Size: 8′ x 20′ (160 sq/ft, about 14.9 m²)
- Design: Gable shed
- Overhangs: Front 6″; sides 6″
- Siding: LP SmartSide, painted to match the house
Fitting a long shed beside the house
The shed runs down the side of the house, next to the neighbour’s fence. The angles of the house and the hedge left little room, so the shed was built in a shop instead of on site. It was painted to match the house.
Inside the shed
The shed has a bare, framed interior with a plywood floor and open roof framing. It’s long and narrow, which suits tall tool chests and vehicle parts along the walls.
Delivered by trailer and set by crane
The finished shed was trucked to the site on a trailer. A crane then lifted it off the trailer and swung it into the side yard, and the crew set it into its final position.
Why a long, narrow shed works
Many yards have a strip of unused space along the side of the house. A long, narrow shed turns that strip into storage without taking any of the lawn or the garage. A gable roof sheds rain and snow to both sides, and the pitched roof leaves headroom inside.
What a shed like this stores
A 160 sq/ft shed is large enough to hold bikes, motorbikes, ATVs and tools, with room left for shelves or a workbench along one wall. A second door at the side makes it easier to get long items in and out. Keeping vehicles and tools in a shed on the same lot means they are close to home and available at any time of day.
Shop-built and set by crane
Prefab sheds are built in a shop, where the lumber stays dry and the cuts stay accurate. When a site is too tight to build on, as it was here, the finished shed can be carried to the lot on a trailer and lifted into place. A crane can place a shed in a spot a truck can’t reach, and the work in the yard is short.
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 and materials, and keep it away from trees and overhead wires.
- Level the area and set a firm base, such as compacted gravel or a leveled pad, 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 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 shed over once a year, repaint any worn spots, keep soil and mulch from touching the bottom of the siding, and trim back plants that hold moisture against the walls.
| Location | Maple Ridge, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 8′ x 20′ (160 sq/ft, about 14.9 m²) |
| Design | Gable shed |
| Build | Built in the shop, delivered fully built |
| Placement | Set in place by crane |
| Overhangs | Front 6″; sides 6″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide, painted to match the house |
| Ceiling | Bare |
| Doors | 54″ wood shop door and a 36″ steel door |
| Windows | None |
| Electrical | None |
| Heat | None |
More photos
The photos below show more of the shed on site, the inside and the lift.
What to plan before building a long storage shed
A long, narrow shed can fit where a square one cannot, but the site needs checking first.
- Permit: at 160 sq/ft (about 14.9 m²) this shed is over the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that the BC Building Code leaves out, so check the Maple Ridge shed rules before you build.
- Setbacks: measure the space between the house, hedge and fence, and check the required distances to property lines.
- Delivery: if the site is tight, a shed built in a shop and lifted in by crane can be easier than building on site.
- Doors: a second door at the side makes a long shed easier to use.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this shed?
It’s 8 feet by 20 feet, which is 160 sq/ft (about 14.9 m²).
How was it built and delivered?
It was built in a shop, trucked to the site as a finished building and lifted into place by crane.
Does a shed this size need a permit in Maple Ridge?
At 160 sq/ft it is larger than the 10 m² (108 sq/ft) size that the BC Building Code leaves out, so a building permit is likely. See the Maple Ridge shed rules and confirm with the city.
Can a shed match the house?
Yes. This one was painted to match the house colour.
Why was the shed built in a shop?
The angles of the house and the hedge made building on site impractical, so the shed was built in a shop, trucked to the site and lifted into place by crane.
What can you store in a 20-foot shed?
A shed that is 8 feet wide and 20 feet long gives 160 sq/ft of floor space. That is enough for bikes, motorbikes, tools and garden gear, with room for shelves along the walls.
Is a storage locker a better choice than a shed?
A locker puts belongings away from home, with access limited to its opening hours. A shed on the same lot keeps them close and available at any time.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see all sheds, garages and barns, or read the Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit guide.