Amish Sheds

The Amish are America's most prolific shed builders. With a population spread across more than twenty states, and a long history of raising sturdy post and beam barns, it's no wonder that Amish sheds have become so popular in recent years. Quality construction and reasonable prices have earned many a prized spot in backyards across the land.

While the small scale of most of their buildings is dictated by logistics, the Amish pay particular attention to architectural details and trim. The turn-key structures are designed with ease of transportation in mind. A great many, perhaps the majority, of Amish-built sheds originate in Pennsylvania Dutch country and are shipped via flatbed truck to dealers throughout the northeast and Midwest. Pint-size windows and shutters, as well as fancy trim are a frequent design feature. It's not unusual to see a tiny pergola perched upon a roof. Vinyl siding is commonplace. Typical designs include salt boxes, gables, gambrels, and hip-roofs. The smaller scale of these structures is often better suited to playhouses (where the gingerbread abounds) rather than full-sized workshops. Lower roof lines allow the tractor trailers to travel the highways without being impeded by height restrictions.

The Amish heritage of post and beam building has given way to conventional stick-built construction. Most Amish sheds are built with 2x4 stud walls. You might be hard-pressed to find a post frame shed on a local lot.

All-in-all, Amish sheds can be a fine choice for many backyard needs, primarily if the buyer is happy with what they see on their local dealer's lot. While customization of roofing and siding may be possible given time, the best deals will likely be found on completed sheds.