What Is a Siding Shed?

Purpose

• Homeowners use siding sheds primarily to store garden tools such as lawn mowers, mower bags, weed eaters, fertilizer, rakes, hoes, gasoline cans, garbage containers and other small gadgets. The shed provides space for items that may normally clutter up a person's garage. That way family members can easily park their car(s), especially in single garages, and still have room for other items like tool cabinets, brooms, mops and other common garage items. People may build their own siding sheds, hire carpenters for the job or place special orders through home improvement retailers.

Structural Advantages

• Siding sheds are less likely to be unsightly or to obstruct views for next-door neighbors than larger sheds constructed in backyards or away from a house. Vinyl siding, which is highly recommended for these units, is also rust-resistant and waterproof. The vinyl doesn't fade, mildew or rot like wood, and it doesn't corrode like metal.

Constructing the Unit

• Many people build their siding sheds out of cedar. Most use concrete slabs as the bases because of their durability. Homeowners then build three walls around the slab, abutting the back of the unit against the house. They then attach J-track chutes along the edges and middle for inserting the vinyl siding. J-track chutes are long, thin metal rails that can easily be screwed into the shed's cedar exterior. Double-hinged doors make for easy access. The doors can be easily attached to an open side of the unit. But it's best to first construct a doorjamb on the open side of the shed with 2-by-4 plywood.

Venting

• It is best to add a vent to a siding shed for proper air circulation. The vent can help prevent moisture buildup, which can warp or rot the interior wood of the unit, according to Popular Mechanics. Cut a space for the vent on one or more sides of the siding shed, especially near the roof. Another option is to insert the vents at the tops of both doors before connecting them.