Cheat Sheet: Expand storage space with an outdoor shed

An outdoor storage shed might be just the ticket - if you have the room.

Need to know: Whether your town has zoning rules about sheds. The information generally is available from municipal building departments. But even if there are no rules, consider your neighbors. Nothing creates ill will as quickly as a shed that blocks sunlight to the garden of the folks next door.

Shabby isn't chic: If the shed looks shabby, it will make your yard look that way, too. If you're not willing to pay a bit more for quality, you might as well keep your equipment where it is. Typically, the difference between attractive and ugly is only a few hundred dollars. And remember, an outdoor shed is an investment in your property, like a kitchen or a powder room - you don't want to create a stumbling block to a quick and profitable sale in the future.

Sheds made of cedar siding are the most expensive, followed by those made of vinyl. Whichever you choose, the shed's design should complement the style of your house. If you live in a 1950s airlight rowhouse in Northeast Philadelphia, a Victorian-style shed will be more than jarring to the eye.

Too cute: You don't want the shed to look too precious either - it's a utility structure, not a dollhouse. So skip the porch feature unless there's a critical need for a place where you and your lawn mower can get out of the sun.

What will it cost? Be ready to spend a minimum of $350 on a shed. Good quality and good looks can be yours for about $2,000.

Material world: Some people consider metal sheds ugly, but one made of aluminum will hold up a long time. Steel tends to rust quickly, although some is coated to reduce, though not avoid, corrosion.

Wood sheds - especially cedar - look better, so there are more of them available. They aren't fireproof, though, and are subject to mold and rot, so they need regular maintenance. Squirrels and other rodents can easily chew through wood, too. Cedar sheds should be recoated with a special sealer/preservative every other year to protect them from ultraviolet solar radiation.

Vinyl may not be everyone's cup of tea, but sheds made of it pretty much last forever and require little maintenance, except for an occasional power-washing to remove mildew in shaded locations. Unlike metal, vinyl doesn't dent or ding and seems to withstand extremes of weather, especially moisture, very well.

Size matters: Make sure the shed you buy will accommodate your equipment. If you have a ride-on mower, you'll need to have an extra-large shed, so the machine can get in and out easily. If you have a regular-size mower, make sure what you store is organized carefully, so you can get everything else in and out. Consider shelves to hold pots and materials, hooks for rakes, shovels, etc., and a ramp and extra-wide doors.

Firm foundation: Check with the manufacturer first, but sheds are typically placed on cinder blocks, concrete piers, a concrete slab, or crushed stone. Supports for the structure are usually made of pressure-treated wood.

Room to grow: As you've learned with your garage and basement, there is never enough room - hence the need for a shed in the first place. But even a shed can be expanded with plastic add-ons costing a couple of hundred dollars. Check for them at the local home center.