Build Quality & Materials

What makes a quality shed?

Look at the floor system, framing spacing, siding, and roofing. Real dimensional lumber, treated runners, tight joist spacing, engineered wood siding, and architectural shingles are what separate a 30-year building from a five-year kit. The full checklist is in how to determine a quality shed.

What floor joist spacing do you use?

Our sheds are framed with floor joists 16 inches on center, and our garages step up to 8 inches on center. Both sit on pressure-treated 4x4 runners with PerformMAX flooring above. We explain spacing and spans in what is a floor joist.

What siding, paint, and shingles do you use?

We use LP SmartSide engineered siding finished with Sherwin-Williams A-100 exterior paint, and Owens Corning TruDefinition 30-year architectural shingles. Standard buildings arrive painted and trimmed. Material details are covered in how to determine a quality shed.

Which shed style should I choose?

Match the style to headroom and looks. A-Frame is the value workhorse, Quaker adds curb appeal with an offset roof, Hi-Wall Barn maximizes loft and standing room, and Studio's single slope suits modern homes and offices. Compare every style in how to choose the right shed style.

Can I get a metal roof on my shed?

Yes. You can choose a 29-gauge metal roof, offered in pitches designed to shed heavy snow, instead of the standard Owens Corning 30-year architectural shingles. Metal suits high snow-load and mountain areas and comes in several colors. Pick your roof in the customizer or with our team. Compare options in how to determine a quality shed.

Can I choose the colors of my shed?

Yes. You choose the siding, trim, and roof colors for a new build, and standard buildings arrive painted and trimmed with Sherwin-Williams exterior paint over LP SmartSide siding. Matching your house is a common choice, and some HOAs require it. Browse the options in our shed color guide.

Can I get James Hardie siding on my shed?

Yes, as an upgrade. Our standard siding is LP SmartSide engineered wood; James Hardie fiber-cement siding is an option that costs more and is often considered where wildfire-resilient materials matter. Whether it is required depends on your location and code. The trade-offs and pricing are covered in our Hardie siding and Colorado wildfire code guide.

What is the difference between ground snow load and roof snow load?

Ground snow load describes the snow weight used as a starting point for a site; roof snow load accounts for factors such as exposure, temperature, roof slope, and drifting. They are not interchangeable ratings—our Colorado shed snow-load guide explains which number to compare with your building’s documentation.