Advantages of Amish Firewood Sheds

Perhaps you use a fireplace or wood stove to heat your home, or parts of your home, during cold months. It’s imperative to keep firewood in good, burning condition. Maybe you need a little extra storage space without taking up a lot of room or money. Amish firewood sheds are attractive, sturdy little buildings that have several advantages.

Coverage

Moist wood makes for a low heat, overly smoky, short burning fire. These fires are difficult to start, keep going, and create a fast build-up of dangerous creosote. Keeping wood covered without smothering it ensures it will remain dry and mold free. Firewood sheds protect wood from rain and snow. This means dry wood is always at the ready and your fires are as efficient as possible. You don’t have to worry about shaking off snow from the top layer of wood, or sifting through soaked pieces to find the dry ones.

Airflow

Airflow is important in a stack of firewood in order to prevent mold and rot, keep wood dry, and continue the drying process for wood that’s not quite seasoned. When firewood sits directly on the ground, the moisture has the potential to rot and mold the bottom rows. Firewood sheds keep stacks of wood off the ground. Additionally, the open front, along with proper stacking, allows air to flow around and through the firewood, adding extra protection against moisture.

Diverse Uses

It’s a good idea to fill your firewood shed in the spring so that the wood is all ready for those cold autumn and winter days. However, there are many alternative uses for firewood sheds other than storing wood. A firewood shed can also serve as a work space for activities such as gardening. It’s good for not only storing garden supplies, but also creating a planting area that is shielded from the sun or harsh breezes. Additionally, a firewood shed, meant for storing wood, houses almost anything else. You can use it for riding lawnmowers, landscaping tools, sports equipment, bicycles, patio furniture cushions and umbrellas, and so much more.

With a firewood shed, you can protect your wood from the elements year round, so that when you need a cozy fire, you’ll have one. Without taking up a lot of space, a firewood shed will serve your storage needs, be it for wood, tools, or anything else.

For more information about Amish firewood sheds, or to discuss if they’re right for your needs, pleasecontact us.

Star Gazer Garden Sheds Take Your Love of Astronomy to the Next Level

Do you get your telescope out every time Venus makes an appearance in the night sky? Do you mark meteor showers on your calendar? Are you constantly reminding people that Pluto isn't considered a planet anymore? If you love tracking the night sky, or just enjoy teaching your children about the solar system, we know of a fun way for you to invest in your passion.

You don't have to only enjoy looking at the stars on warm summer nights. If you're tired of taking a trek to an observatory every time you want to catch a cool astronomical event when it's too chilly, snowy or damp outside, there is another way. You can have a star gazer garden shed installed in your back yard.

Sky sheds offer a roll off rooftop, so you can leave all of your equipment set up and ready to go, roll the roof off when you're ready to observe the night sky, and roll it back in place when you're done. Your equipment can stay safely in place ready to go for the next time you want to enjoy the celestial wonder. 

Sky sheds are also perfect for photographers who specialize in photographing the sky. The sheds can be wired for electricity so you have outlets to power your equipment.

If you are teaching your children to love science and astronomy you can start hosting some really stellar sleepovers in your observatory shed during meteor showers. 

For more information on how an affordable garden shed can make your astronomy hobby much more fun and accessible, please contact us.

Backyard Trends: The Pub Shed, or Man Cave Shed

Want to be the talk of the neighborhood? The place where all the parents want to hang out? Look no further than your backyard storage shed. There's a new trend going around: the Pub Shed and gives you an excuse to have friends over all year long.

Many owners of pub sheds have running water and electricity along with fittings that may be found in a licensed hostelry. A selection of beers in the fridge or even on tap, a TV to watch the game, and friends to go with it...all the comforts of a traditional pub. Some go for the a stately look, while other go for simpler modern decor l

A Pub Shed is simply a storage or garden shed which has been turned into a gathering place behind your home. The great thing about a Pub Shed is the versatility. They can range from plain-Jane with tools still hanging on the walls to a great meeting place with a TV, bar and, if you're getting adventurous a tap, or an espresso machine!

You could clean out that old tool shed in the back, install drywall, French doors, windows, lights, and all your bar supplies and you've got your own version the new man-cave. 

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Or you could have an affordable professionally built shed fully assembled and delivered right to your backyard. Want to revamp your current shed? Make it your next family DIY project! If this is a family affair, add a freezer for some ice cream to sweeten the deal. You know what? That sounds good to me, too!

So what are you waiting for? You pick the beverages to stock, you set your own closing time, and when it's closing time you can retire about 20 ft. from your house. Sounds like a win/win to us.. Contact us to learn about your options and to find out soon yo can have your very own backyard Pub Shed.

Why Amish Construction Just Makes Sense For Sheds

When you decide to improve your home with a shed to increase your storage or add to the enjoyment of your favorite hobbies, you are investing in your quality of life.

You have plenty of options when it comes to sheds. You can certainly find a pre-built modular style shed, or you can buy an Amish shed, built by hand, with materials that are made to last. With an Amish built shed you can expect heirloom quality, using traditional construction methods that  have stood the test of time.

If you are considering an Amish shed, there are a few things you will want to look for before finalizing a shed purchase.

• Do they offer a written guarantee? A company that builds quality sheds should stand behind their work.
• Will they allow you to come see the construction process firsthand?  Even if you don't actually want to see your shed being built, it's nice to know the option exists, because it shows the company you are buying a shed from has nothing to hide.
• How long have they been in business? You should try to find a company that has been in business for at least 20 years. A long history in business means that satisfied customers have been referring friends and family members which is helping grow the business.

Stoltzfus Structures employees between 30 and 40 Amish carpenters to make our sheds the way they have been made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for centuries. Please contact us to find out why our sheds are the best in the business.

Transform Your Shed: 4 Updates You Never Thought Of

As a rule sheds are used for backyard storage, But what if your shed could do so much more? Here are four ways you haven't thought of yet... or at least we hope not! 

1. Grow a Green Roof! 

That's right, a green roof. Those waterproof shingles can come in handy. First, be sure that your shed can hold the load of some extra soil on top. After that you are going to want to put down an additional waterproof layer for extra security and build a frame, so you have a place to hold your soil. Next, add in some potting soil and start planting! Here's a reference that walks you through the process. Some recommend using alpines and other hardy plants that don't need much water.Succulents would be another great option, if you don't live in an area that gets rain everyday! Photo Credit:

2. Add a Murphy Table Outside- Picture This on Your Shed.

Murphy beds, tables and benches have become very popular lately. If you haven't seen/heard of them, a Murphy bed/bench/table is a structure that is attached to a wall that can either extend down, as bed/bench/table, or fold up to save space. We thought this would work especially well in a garden setting. If your shed is already filled, but you would like a little bit of space to pot in the garden, this quick project will give you the best of both worlds! Attach the frame to an exterior wall of your shed when it is down you can use it to pot. When you have it up it's out of the way! Take a look here for instructions and the supplies you need.  And use your imagination. The ones on their site are not in your garden. Adjust the width, accordingly. Photo Credit: Pinterest

Pro-tip: Take it one step further by painting it when it is in the upright position. That way you'll have the extra value of some artwork in your backyard!

3. Find Yourself a Tip-Out Bin

This is a quickie, but a goodie. Find a tip-out bin to keep your potting soil in for easy access. Keep it right inside of the door to keep away the elements and the unwanted bugs!

4. The Green House Effect

With the reminder of Earth Day still on our minds let's keep planting! Create an easy green house on the side of your shed. Pick up some lumber, 2 hinges and a couple of old windows at your local vintage store. Grab your circle saw and get to work. Build out your back frame, first. If you would like more than one level be sure to angle your side pieces at a downward pitch to accommodate for levels within the green house. After the frame has been built out then attach your hinges along with your windows and you're good to go! You can start growing just as spring is ramping up! Want a visual? Check out this blog post that explains it very well! 

So, now that you see all the neat ways to make your shed work for you it's probably time to get one, or if you already have one, to get a new one. Check out all of our newest sheds and the Stoltzfus Classics you love here! Have questions on your shed, or want to trade your old one in? Give us a call! 

An Organized Garage: 3 Simple Steps

Your garage gets cluttered sometimes. With the warm weather coming, here's an easy guide for a quick clean to increase the space and decrease the clutter!

First things, first...set aside 2 hours (this may take more or less time depending on how much clutter you have). It generally won't take any longer than that, but in case you are a slow mover we didn't want you to be disappointed! Second: back your car/cars out, so we can get started!

1. Get Seasonal Items Outside

If you store any large seasonal items like a grill, deck furniture, umbrellas or lawn gnomes, etc. in your garage get them out where they belong. It is getting warm and you're going to want to have easy access when you're wife wants you to fire up the grill! 

*PRO-TIP: Be sure to take a hose and clean these items off before you use them. They can gather up a good deal of dirt over the winter months. 

2. Shape Up or Ship Out

Once you have the seasonal stuff out of the way, take a look to see if there are any other items you have that may have seen better days. For instance, get rid of rusty yard tools that don't work, sports gear that hasn't been used in years or even broken pots. The long and short of it: clean out junk!  If it's still useful place it in the back for your truck for donation and if not... you know what to do!

3. Clean House... Or Garage

Now that everything is out of the way we can get to the easy part. If you're in colder climates salt from the winter gathers along with pine needles and other various kinds of floor debris. So, take a broom and sweep up that floor! You are going to be amazed at how much of a difference a clean garage floor makes. Plus, you have so much more space to work with! 

Warning: Only do this once a year. Your wife might get the wrong impression!

Don't have a garage to clean out? We can help you with that and you can skip these three steps. Check out our latest garages!

28x24 2 Story Carriage Style Garage

Garden Sheds Add Organization To Your Favorite Hobbies

Your hobbies make your life enjoyable. They add purpose and beauty to your day, and they give you something to pour your passion into, unfortunately if you're not careful, the tools and equipment you need to pursue your favorite hobby can overflow into your living spaces, making your house feel cluttered, disorganized and frustrating. Adding a little extra storage space to your home with a garden shed is an affordable, addition to your home that will improve your quality of life, without impacting the structure of your house.

Organization is key when it comes to pursuing your hobby without giving in to an avalanche of miscellaneous supplies in your home. One, great way to keep the chaos in check is to build a beautiful garden shed. Garden sheds are, of course, the perfect place to store all of your gardening tools and supplies, but they don't have to be limited to just gardening equipment. You could store your ice fishing equipment, hunting supplies, camping gear, crafting materials or any other hobby supply in an affordable and modern garden shed. You can fill your shed with shelving, hooks, and all kinds of modifications to make it the perfect space to store items.

If your idea of a garden shed is a neglected hut in the back yard, then you are in for a big surprise. Garden sheds are a great place to store items you love and need, but that you don't need access to every day. Plus you might be surprised how many adorable ways there are to showcase your garden shed. It can quickly become the most attractive part of your home. A quick search for "garden shed" on Pinterest will bring up a lot of photos that will stir up your creativity and inspire you. One simple project that can add beauty and charm to your garden shed is to create window boxes for your shed to grow flowers in.

Boat Shed, Maryland

For more information on quality garden shed construction that will beautify and add value to your home, please contact us. Our sheds are Amish built and have a three year warranty!