My Metal Storage Shed

Metal storage sheds have their place ... just not in my backyard (anymore). My first storage shed was built of metal. It came with our first house. It wasn't bought so much as it was inherited with the property (along with an aboveground pool and a cranky old furnace). While I needed the storage space for the lawnmower and a growing assortment of yard tools, I was never fond of that old metal shed.

The shed was tucked along the side of the lot, underneath some huge old pine trees. It blended into its surroundings. The roof of the shed was covered in pine needles. Corrosion crept up the green metal walls, resulting in a patina of decay. The sliding doors never really slid ... the tracks were shot. I had to literally pick up the doors and move them when I closed up the shed.

I honestly don't remember seeing the metal shed when we first went to look at the house (we were overwhelmed by the first-time experience, I guess). But I was happy to have a place for the mower when we moved in. I welcomed the storage space, but not the smell of oil and rust. It wasn't until I had lived with the old metal shed for a few years that I became a bit snobby about wood sheds.

While I can't recommend small metal storage sheds for backyard use, I do admire larger steel buildings. Steel barns can go up fast and can be very economical when compared to traditional wooden structures. When size, utility, and economics are more important than ambiance, steel gets the nod.