Have you been thinking about creating a place to store all the garden tools, outdoor gear and equipment that your household has accumulated? Or maybe you’re looking for a play or craft room for your children to escape to? Whatever the case, building a shed in your backyard is an excellent and cost-effective option for both its form and function!

However, sheds come in a variety of shapes and sizes and since there isn’t a set guideline to build just one kind, costs between styles will vary greatly. Of course, with our shed price guide, this is something we have taken into consideration. So, keep reading while thinking about the various needs that you might want your backyard shed to fulfill.

Materials to build a shed

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Next, let’s go over some popular material types that you may consider constructing your shed with, these include but are not limited to:

Wood

This is one of the strongest material types. Wood is easily customizable with shelves, lofts and tool holders. It can be painted or shingled to match or contrast the facade of your home. This material will not rust or dent and there are a wide variety of sizes and styles on the market. However, bear in mind that wood is not resistant to rot or insects, so choose one that comes equipped with a weather-resistant stain.

Metal

Metal has the lowest cost per square foot of material, and is exceptionally durable. Metal sheds are generally made of steel or galvanized aluminum. This material is beneficial in that it is resistant to rot as well as insects. However, it is not the most versatile and is also not as strong as resin or wood sheds.

Resin

Resin is also referred to as plastic, vinyl as well as polyethylene. It is easy to work with, light to lift while being strong and more durable than wooden sheds. This material is very low maintenance. On top of that, it is resistant to rust, insects, rot and decay so it will stand up in even the most humid of climates.

Shed Cost

In Canada, the average cost to build a shed can range anywhere between $1000 and $10 000, and the price will greatly depend on the materials you choose as well as if you hire a pro to complete this renovation project.

Walls and Roofing: 

If you are using wood: $200-$4000, $40-50 per sq.ft. 

If you are using metal: $1000-4000, $25-30 per sq.ft.

If you are using resin: $400-5000, $45-50 per sq.ft.

Bear in mind that these prices do not include the materials needed for flooring, doors and hardware, additional material costs including nails, screws and trim. Also, this cost does not take into consideration the electricity and labour fees involved so if you are creating a budget, make sure to keep these things in mind.

Again, the cost will also depend on the size of the shed, so do keep size in mind when budgeting!

Shed Styles

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Not only is it important to consider the material you want to build your shed with, but it is also important to consider the style of shed you want to house in your backyard. Of course, you don't have to follow specific guidelines when it comes to the creation of your own shed. These are just rough ideas that offer homeowners a little bit of inspiration! If you're looking for more, be sure to check out our 6 Shed Styles article.

Gable

This contemporary style is built to complement a wide variety of homes. It is simple to build or install and is very cost-effective.

Gambrel

This is a more traditional shed style, as it is built to resemble a small barn. This style is built slightly larger than the rest but thus incorporates plenty of overhead storage space and is functional.

Saltbox

the saltbox shed, also referred to as the “tack room” shed, is a particularly elegant and dainty style that features an extended front and roof overhang.

Lean-to Shed

This type of shed is the smallest style, and is usually constructed directly beside the house or fence. It has the quickest assembly time of all the fences listed and is a low-cost shed.

Construction of a shed: Some questions you should ask yourself

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Do you need a permit? 

In some Canadian provinces, cities and municipalities, you need a permit to build a shed in your backyard. Make sure to consider this before starting any form of construction, as well as any height restrictions.

What size and model of shed would you like to have? 

As we’ve stated, this could greatly depend on budget and permits, but it is important to think about what you want instead of buying materials blindly.

Where will the shed be going?

Measure out the area in your yard where your potential shed will be going. This will also help to determine the material you end up using, as certain materials will hold up better in specific environments.

What is your budget?

This is inherent in the other questions that we’ve asked. However, it is important to start with a base amount as well as a little bit of cushion, as this can often help determine shed-building factors such as material and size.

Shed Size

Next, it is important to determine the size of the shed you will be building. Some questions you can ask yourself are as follows: what will you be storing inside the shed? Will it be multifunctional, or will it be used to hold tools alone? Make sure to consider walking room and not just storage space alone.

With the size of the shed in mind, here are the basic materials that will be incorporated into the building and design of a shed:

• Foundation materials, 

• flooring (including rim joists and floor joists or concrete blocks), 

• floor covering materials such as treated plywood, 

• wall framing as well as wall covering, 

• extra framing for door(s) as well as door hardware, 

• roof framing/sheathing such as OSB or plywood, 

• roof covering such as shingles, 

• materials for trim, nails and screws.

Keep in mind that the cost of these items will be multiplied, as they will be used in various places. 

To find out about the average prices of different home renovation projects, check out our Home renovation price guide.