How to Find the Right Horizontal Storage Shed for Your Stuff
Understand the usage and advantage of a horizontal storage shed...
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THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL storage shed can be the perfect solution for use in your garden, backyard, or even on a deck or balcony.
This type of shed can also add extra storage to a larger garden for a number of smaller garden tools or a lawn mower.
The big question is "what is a horizontal storage shed?"
Well, it certainly isn't a shed in the most traditional of meanings, you can stand upright in it, walk into it, or sit back and read a book in one. However, the right shed will provide you with a large storage box or chest that adds watertight storage to your garden or yard.
Why Add a Horizontal Storage Shed?
When your current shed is already overcrowded, but the last thing you want to do is tear it down to build a bigger one or add a second full-sized shed, a horizontal shed that takes up less room and is far less expensive can be the perfect solution for adding extra storage to your garden or yard.
I currently have two of them placed in strategic locations in my garden, one for tools and the other for fertilizers, weed killers, and bug sprays.
Horizontal storage sheds are also a great way to hide your trash cans and recycling bins. No one likes having these unsightly bins out in the open where they can attract bugs and other pests who get into them and scatter refuse all over the yard. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to invest in a horizontal storage unit that will keep them safely and securely out of sight.
What to Look for in a Horizontal Storage Shed
The first question concerns whether you should be looking for a wood, metal, or plastic shed. Horizontal sheds are available in all three materials, and each has their advantages and disadvantages.
Wooden storage units can be built to fit in with practically any garden décor and style.
LEISURE SEASON Horizontal Storage Shed
These sheds also come with a cost, that of having to actively work to maintain them if you want them to remain weatherproof and in good condition.
Metal sheds require less maintenance than a wooden shed but are relatively easily dented or scratched, especially if you place your horizontal shed in an area of high traffic.
Not only do these scratches and dents detract from the way your shed looks, but in time the loss of paint will lead to rust and rot.
Metal sheds also require a certain level of maintenance if you want them to remain looking their best and to provide you with years of reliable service.
Plastic is probably the most convenient material for use in horizontal storage sheds. Plastic sheds do not require any form of maintenance beyond the occasional rinse off with a hose, they are weatherproof, scratch and dent proof, do not rust or rot, and come in an incredible range of sizes, shapes, and colors
Not What They Used to Be
When I first thought about a plastic storage shed, I have to admit I had my doubts. These were based solely on my memories of early plastic sheds that not only looked cheap but tended to fade and crack easily when exposed to the sun or freezing temperatures.
The good news is that thanks to the invention of a number of new plastics and resins, this is no longer the case.
Top manufacturers such as Rubbermaid, Keter, and Suncast specialize in creating a range of resins and plastics used in their sheds that are resistant to the UV rays of the sun, extremes in temperature, and physical damage.
SUNCAST Glidetop Slide Lid Shed 52 x 58 x 80 Inches
Plastic horizontal storage sheds are now available in sizes ranging from approximately 18 cubic feet in capacity to those that are significantly larger.
When looking at sizes, you should consider buying the largest one that will fit in the space you have. This will ensure you have the most storage space possible to suit your needs now and as they change in the future.
Different Styles for Different People
You will also find that these sheds come in a range of styles including those with hinged lids, single or double entry doors, and those with a combination of both to suit your needs.
There are even some styles that include a split top for added access and storage convenience.
No matter how you look at it, today's plastic horizontal storage sheds offer an ideal storage solution for those with limited space or are looking to add a little extra storage space to their garden, deck, patio, or yard.
Along with all of this, you need to factor ease of assembly or construction and cost into your final decision.
While you can certainly build your own horizontal storage shed from wood or metal and a set of plans or a kit, both of these options tend to be quite expensive and as stated, they also require a significant amount of maintenance and upkeep.
Plastic sheds, on the other hand, are relatively affordable and are maintenance free.
One final thought before we look at six of the most popular horizontal storage sheds on the market, choose one that not only offers you the best possible storage options for your needs, but also one that lets you get into and out of your shed easily and has plenty of room for everything you plan to store in it both now and in the future.
Now let's take a look at six sheds I found during my search that may be just what you are looking for!
Suncast BMS4900D Glidetop Slide Lid Shed
Features a Sliding Lid for Walk in Access
SUNCAST Glidetop Slide Lid Shed
While most horizontal storage sheds have a hinged lid that is hinged on the long side, this one from Suncast has a sliding lid and double doors on the short end for easy access.
The bolt together assembly means it might take a little longer to build but build a much sturdier shed than those that snap together.
It also has a reinforced floor that is strong enough to support the weight of a riding lawn mower or small garden tractor. However, according to the manufacturer, you will need a foundation.
pros | cons |
|---|---|
Bolt together assembly builds a more solid shed | Needs a foundation or no warranty |
Sturdy floor supports a lot of weight | Parts do not fit together very well |
Sliding roof makes access very easy | Customer support is poor |
The Yard Stash IV
A Heavy Duty Tent Storage Unit that Can Take a Beating
Most people would never consider using a tent as a storage unit, but this is no ordinary tent.
Made from heavy duty vinyl that is safe from UV damage, completely weatherproof, and made to take on any climate, this shed is big enough to fit two adult sized bikes along with room for your gear and more.
It should take you less than ten minutes to assemble or take down. The rugged zippers are covered with storm flaps and the seams have been sealed to keep snow and rain out.
It also features mesh vents to keep moisture at bay and a Velcro panel on the back so you can lock your bikes to a pole or fence.
pros | cons |
|---|---|
Lightweight and easily portable | Can be blown away by high winds |
Takes 10 minutes to set up | Takes 2 people to set up quickly |
Industrial grade vinyl is completely weatherproof | Not very secure, you need to have a post to secure things to |
Rubbermaid Horizontal Storage Shed
Easy Assembly Makes this Shed Very Popular
One the best things about this plastic storage shed is that it can literally be put together in minutes. The double wall construction makes it dent, leak, and weather resistant.
There is a total of seven pieces including a pair of opening front doors and a hinged lid. Inside the walls have places built into them that are designed for wooden or wire shelving, note the shelving does not come with the shed.
You can buy shelves from the manufacturer or at your local lumberyard. The lid is strong enough to support a moderate snow load.
pros | cons |
|---|---|
Consists of 7 pieces of heavy duty resin plastic | Snap together assembly not very stable |
Very easy assembly | Light enough to blow away in a strong wind |
Completely weatherproof with a hasp for padlock security | Rubbermaid recommends using a mallet to aid assembly but doing so can damage plastic pieces |
Keter Store-It-Out MIDI
A Full 30 Cubic Feet of Storage Capacity
KETER Outdoor Horizontal Storage Shed
This plastic horizontal storage shed is relatively easy to put together, and offer plenty of storage for lawn mowers, garden tools, toys, pool equipment, and just about anything else you can think of.
It features dual front doors and a hinged lid for ease of access. The polypropylene material used in its construction has been designed to withstand extremes in temperature and the sun's UV rays without fading, cracking, or turning white over time like so many others.
The floor panel can support up to 330 pounds per square inch and there are built-in shelf supports for added storage convenience.
pros | cons |
|---|---|
Rigid lid and wall construction | Shelf lengths in instructions incorrect measure first then cut |
Hydraulic lifts for the lid | Shed doesn't hold up well over the long haul |
Single hasp secures doors and lid | Top tends to warp when exposed to hot summer sun |
Rubbermaid 3748 Horizontal Storage Shed
Double-Wall Construction with an Impact Resistant Floor
RUBBERMAID 3748 Horizontal Storage Shed, 18-Cubic Ft
This shed is currently the only one in the 156 to 25 cubic foot capacity range that features double wall construction. It is made from Rubbermaid's unique resin plastic that is UV and weatherproof.
Total storage capacity is a full 18 cubic feet and there is a set of built-in shelf supports for a single shelf that is not included. Like other Rubbermaid horizontal sheds, this one comes in seven pieces that snap together for easy of assembly.
It features dual front doors and a hinged lid that can all be locked securely using a single padlock. Inside is plenty of room for bikes, a lawn mower, garden tools, toys, and more.
pros | cons |
|---|---|
Easy snap together assembly | Roof warps in hot summer sun |
Small size makes it easy for a single person to move this shed around | Floor might warp in you load it with too much weight |
Shed design is fully weatherproof | Assembly falls apart easily |
Large Horizontal Wooden Refuse Storage Shed
Solid Cypress Wood Construction
LEISURE SEASON Large Horizontal Refuse Storage Shed
If a plastic horizontal storage shed is not quite what you had in mind, this cyp might be a better choice. The wood has been completely sealed and is weatherproof.
Designed specifically for use as a shed to store your rolling recycling cans and refuse bins there is no floor, making it easy to roll them in and out. The lid features hydraulic lifts to make opening it easy, the dual front doors make getting your bins in and out simple.
The cypress tree wood has similar decay resistance to that of Western Red Cedar and the tongue and groove construction is very strong.
pros | cons |
|---|---|
Cypress is decay and pest resistant | Does not fit large trash bins |
Triple doors for easy access | Lid tends to warp when it gets wet |
Big enough for medium trash/recycling bins | No assembly instructions included |
Just in Case
Just in case the above horizontal sheds are not quite what you are looking for, here is a vertical shed that might do the job for you.
Suncast BMS1500 Vertical Utility Shed
Upright Convenient and Built to Last
Not everyone has room for a horizontal shed, this one from Suncast might fill the need for a storage shed when you don't have a lot of ground space to work with.
Made from double wall resin that features a wood grain texture and a reinforced floor for added strength and durability. There are built-in shelf supports for four shelves (not included).
Features bolt together assembly and should only take one person to put together in less than an hour or so.
pros | cons |
|---|---|
Thick resin pieces are made to last | Shelf template is not accurate, measure before you cut or buy shelves |
Bolt together assembly for added strength | Plastic bolts break easily |
Relatively easy to put together with basic hand tools | Gaps between walls and roof mean it is not fully watertight, but it will keep out most of the rain |
Final thoughts
Finding the perfect horizontal storage shed is no easy task as there are so many out there. Your best bet is to decide on three things first, size, cost, materials. Once you have this down, your search will go much faster.
These storage sheds above are the best of the rest, I spent a lot of time looking at what is out there so you didn't have to. Bear in mind that sometimes you have to spend a little more to get a shed that will provide you with many years of exceptional service.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this and it has helped you find the perfect horizontal storage shed for your garden or back yard.
If you liked what I have put together for you here, please let me know.
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