This 8×12 (96 sq/ft) contemporary garden shed was built in North Vancouver, BC. It has a single-slope metal roof, a row of high clear windows under the roof, a 36 in. steel door and a slider window. It sits on a gravel pad beside a rock retaining wall.
About this shed
A contemporary shed keeps the shape simple: one roof slope, flat wall panels and clean white trim. The tall front wall leaves room for a band of high windows that light the inside without giving up wall space for shelves and tools. The roof slopes to the back, so rain runs away from the door.
The siding is LP SmartSide, a primed engineered wood siding, painted grey. The inside is left open to the rafters, which gives more headroom and makes it easy to add shelves later.
Photo album
Click any photo to see it full size. The last three show the clear high windows close up and from inside, where the rafters are left open.
| Location | North Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 8×12 (96 sq/ft) |
| Style | Contemporary, single-slope roof |
| Roof | Metal |
| Overhangs | Front 18 in. | Sides and rear 6 in. |
| Siding | LP SmartSide, painted grey with white trim |
| Ceiling | Open to the rafters |
| Door | 36 in. steel door |
| Windows | 32 in. x 32 in. slider, plus a row of high windows |
| Base | Gravel pad |
| Electrical and heat | None |
Frequently asked questions
Does an 8×12 shed need a building permit?
Usually not. At 96 sq/ft it is under the 10 m² (107 sq/ft) limit most BC cities use. Setbacks and height rules still apply, so check the shed rules for your city first.
Why put the windows up high?
High windows bring in daylight but leave the walls free for shelves, hooks and tools. They also keep what’s inside out of view.
Can it be made bigger?
Yes. The same design can be built longer, for example 8×13 (105 sq/ft), which still stays under the usual permit limit.