Most people don’t tend to replace or buy a new shed every few years like they do with their cars. What we like to do at All Style Sheds & Structures is try to understand us much as we can about your needs and what you’ll be using your shed for before we get stuck into the detail. We find that this method works best for our customers as they gain an understanding of the componentry used and what makes our sheds stronger and better than the rest.
This page is to help anyone trying to get a better understanding of some of the key terms used in the shed industry. It will also assist you when requesting a quote as you’ll have a better idea so the information that we need to be able to assist you.
Sizing Terms
Span/Width: This is the measurement across the gable wall of a shed.
Height: The height of a shed is usually interpreted at the eave. The peak of the roof varies according to the span measurement and the degree of the roof pitch.
Length: The length is the measurement of the gutter side of a shed. In most cases a shed usually has a greater measurement of length than the span.
Roof Pitch: Is a measurement taken from a horizontal plane down to the slope of the roof. We have roof pitches available from 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30. The average pitch of a house roof is 25 degrees, most liveable sheds require a the same pitch. Popular and economic shed roof pitches are 10 and 15 degrees.
Bays: The length of a shed is usually determined by how many bays are required and how long each bay will need to be, eg. A shed that has 4 bays and each bay is 3 metres in length would make the total shed length of 12 metres, at each 3 metre bay increment there would be a set of columns and rafters to provide structure support.
Roller Doors and Bays sizes
Start with how wide and high you need your roller doors to be, as roller doors are narrower relative to the length and height of the bays
If you have a caravan or farm tractor and need a 3 metre wide x 3 metre high opening, you need to allow an additional 15% margin in the bay size to accommodate a 3 metre wide x 3 metre high roller door. The reason for this is a roller door of that size needs space to roll up so an allowance of about 40 cm is needed on top of the door opening height to allow for this.
How long should I make my bays?
For car bays allow about 3 – 3.5 metres in length depending on the size of your car to have plenty of room to get in and out.
Bays for a light truck or caravan should be at least 3.5 metres in length to allow for mirrors and accessibility.
Bays for large trucks or trailers should be at least 4 metres wide.
Machinery sheds should have bay sizes of 6 metres and greater to allow for headers and wide machinery.
Hay sheds vary between 4 – 6 metres depending on bale sizes and stacking methods.
Stable bays need to be a minimum of 4 metres to give your animal room to move around freely.