6 Storage Building Features That Are More Important Than Size

Bigger feels safer, right? 

Bigger seems like the easiest way to avoid clutter, so when you think about how big your storage building needs to be, you figure you'll go as big as possible without the thing looking like an eyesore. But once you actually start using it, you'll notice that size isn't all you should have thought of. 

It can't fix changes in temperature, humidity, bad lighting, or the migraine you get each time you try to reach for tools that are buried under piles of bulky equipment. 

There's heat in summer, cold in winter, rain, fog, sleet, ice, storms, and the materials react to all of it. Inside the building, you have tools you need to be able to access quickly and then others you don't even look at for months, but you want the structure to protect all of it because, well… 

You paid for it. 

If size is all you focus on, the structure won't be efficient and organized, so let's see what else to look at besides how big it is. 

Key Features Every Functional Storage Building Has to Have

When it comes to building a storage shed, the first thing you want to do is to find a reliable company with a good track record, like Glick Woodworks or another business that specializes in building sheds, garages, or other structures that you can use as storage, to build it for you.

But before you decide on what exactly it is you want to build, it might be best to decide on a few important factors, so that you, at least, narrow down your choices, even if you end up not having a clear picture of the final product.

Insulation

Want a room that feels warm in the middle of winter and cold in the middle of summer? No problem. What you need is insulation.

There are A LOT of ways you can insulate something, but for this type of project, you'll most likely see foam boards or spray foam insulation. Fiberglass isn't out of the question either.

Foam boards are simple to work with and to cut, but if you're thinking of insulating a much larger area, then it's probably cheaper to go with fiberglass. Even glass or stone wool. 

Secret tip: Stone wool will be better at insulating sound as a bonus.

Ventilation

Even with great insulation, the building still needs the air to circulate, so think about ventilation. 

It stops warm, damp air from building up, which means you won't have to worry about that nasty musty smell you feel when a space sits closed for too long.

If the air is very humid, you might also be looking at mold issues (because storage units are usually kept in the dark for prolonged periods). So yeah, do that. Make sure there's access to fresh air. You have lots of options here (e.g., ridge vents, roof vents, vented doffits, small passive openings, etc.).

Even if you think that air won't cause any issues and you aren't sure whether you should fiddle with this at all, then decide based on what you plan on storing. If you plan on storing any types of fabrics, cupboards, chemicals, tools, books, etc., you'll need a well-ventilated storage unit.

Layout

A building that has a good layout 'feels' bigger, so yeah, keep that in mind. You want shelves, ideally a wall for all your tools, so that you have easy access, plus it's easy to find the ones you need. You want a small work surface (perhaps you'll want to fix something there, or use that for some of your hobbies. As for storage, you want to section off the unit so that you know where what is. Keep everything neatly organized to prevent chaos.

This way, you can always move around the place without having to do gymnastics or parkour, plus if anything changes, you can easily adapt it by tweaking things here and there.

Door (Width & Placement)

Where the door is is a huge factor. 

Does it open inwards or outwards? Another huge factor. 

How big is it? If the door's too small, you might have trouble putting things in or getting them out. A wider (or even double) door will make these things easier, and there isn't really MUCH in terms of negatives because of it. Sure, you'll have less room for shelving, but long-term and in terms of practicality/functionality, it's totally worth it. 

Think about placement, too. 

When the door is in the right spot, you can store big items without blocking anything. And, of course, strong frames and hinges are a must; otherwise, you'll need replacements all the time. 

Loft or Overhead Storage

If you have vertical space, you get extra capacity without expanding the building.

To maximize how the storage unit is used, it's best to use up the area near the ceiling. Not only do you have more room this way, but you also can store stuff high above, leaving more free space for maneuvering on the ground.

If you decide to go for overhead storage, make sure you have solid beams and reliable access (fixed ladder or a pull-down setup. 

Once you install it, you'll have two levels of storage that will work hand in hand. 

Lighting

Well, this one is a no-brainer because you can't do anything if you can't see what's in front of you. Windows and skylights will bring in natural light and keep the structure feeling open. 

For evenings, think about solar or electrical lights to make the building usable at all times of the day. 

When you look at all this, you realize that size isn't nearly as important as you thought it was. 

Still important – no one's denying that – but it's not REALLY priority now, is it? 

Now you know that bigger isn't necessarily better (we're talking storage here), but how it's being used (still talking storage).

Thanks to this article, you'll be better prepared to design the best storage unit you could possibly imagine, and regardless of whether you want to go the DIY route or call in a professional contractor to build it for you, you know where to start.

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