Are you looking for an affordable storage solution that doesn’t take much out of your wallet yet gives your items ideal shelter? Then, you must consider getting a metal lean-to building. Let’s learn about it in more detail below.
What Is A Metal Lean-To Building?
A lean-to, known as an open shed, is a simple and practical solution for your storage problems. These stand-alone sheds are best for people looking for a quick, easy, and budget-friendly solution, notes Specialized Management Indianapolis team. It has a single slope generally attached to an existing wall. This structure has the simplest construction.
Types Of Steel Lean-Tos
Lean-tos can be of two types:
- Stand Alone: A minimum of four posts are attached to the base with anchors. The roof can be flat or tilted to slide off dirt and rainwater.
- Attached: There are two minimal posts, while the roof is a slant to the main building. The roof starts with the wall of the existing building and tilts away from it. This type of structure is suitable for restricted space.
Where Can You Install A Steel Lean-To Building?
Stand-alone lean-tos can be installed anywhere on your lot. They may or may not require you to follow setback rules. However, attached lean-tos can be installed along your main home or with an existing garage or carport.
When designing, opt for a sloped roof instead of a flat roof. It allows for easy drainage and reduces the chance of rusting. You can install corrugated vertical roof panels on the roof for extra strength and durability.
Advantages Of Lean-Tos
Economical
Metal lean-tos are the most affordable metal buildings you can install on your property. They usually cost between $14 and $17 per square foot.
Fast Installation
Lean-tos are simple structures and easy to install. Assembly takes less time and labor. You can also get a DIY installation kit, which requires less manpower.
Low Maintenance
Metal lean-tos are easy to clean. They only need water, a garden hose, and mild detergent. You don’t have to splurge on monthly termite inspection and control, and metal is anti-fungal, so you don’t need to worry about mold and mildew growth.
Metal is a non-porous material, and unlike wood, it does not absorb water and bend, crack, twist, rot, or decay. Once installed correctly, it will need fewer repairs and replacements.
Durable
Metal tends to be more robust and durable compared to traditional materials. They are value-for-money deals. Made with quality steel, they can resist bad weather such as high-speed wind, rain, and hail storms.
Structural steel has a higher load-bearing capacity than wood, so it won’t collapse under pressure from heavy snowfall. Also, since steel is produced in a factory, it is uniform in shape, size, load-bearing capacity, and density.
Customizable
How can you customize a metal lean-to? Is it even possible? Well, the short answer is yes. Almost all metal buildings are customizable. But we will discuss specific personalization for metal lean-tos only. So, let’s see what you can add to a lean-to.
Gutter: Instead of water falling all over the place at the roof’s eave, you can install a gutter carrying all the water toward a specific place. You can store this water, filter and reuse it.
Color: You can match the color of your metal lean-to shed with an existing building. It will increase the curb appeal of your entire property.
Sizing: Your metal lean-to can be any size, width, and height. The only limits are those imposed by local building codes and the architecture of your main home.
Closed Cabinets: While lean-tos are fairly open structures, you can install some closed cabinets attached to your wall. This will provide shade and allow you to lock away some items.
Flexible
Some common uses of steel lean-to buildings are as follows:
- Storing garden tools and lawn equipment
- Loafing shed for farms
- For storing farm small to medium-sized vehicles and tools
- Hay shed
- Sheltering recreational vehicles
- Shaded parking space for offices
Apart from storage, it can also be used for:
- Livestock shelter
- Outdoor gathering
- Patio space
- Poolside shed
- Solar panel cum parking
Pest & Fire Resistant
Metal is dense and hard to chew for rodents and insects, so you don’t have to deal with compromised panels and beams. In addition, metal, when coated with proper fire retardant, can withstand fire for a long time. So you can store flammable items easily. Just ensure that you are not exposing these items directly to heat and sunlight when keeping them in a shed.
Disadvantages Of Lean-Tos
Can’t Be Large Or Wide
Lean-tos are better for small to medium-sized sheds. For larger sheds, opt for a carport, as its structural strength is higher and more robust. You can pour in the foundation and insert more anchors to secure the shed firmly from the ground.
Drainage Issues
For areas with heavy rain or snowfall, a lean-to shed may not be suitable storage space. A better option would be to opt for a carport with vertical panels.
Not Fully Covered
Lean-tos aren’t fully covered from all sides. So, if you have to store stuff sensitive to temperature and moisture, it may not be an ideal place.
Challenging Expansion
Since one side of the steel lean-to shed is permanently attached to the wall, there isn’t much space to expand it in the future. However, for stand-alone lean-to, you might be able to expand in the future.
What You Can Store In A Lean-To?
You can keep the following in a metal lean-to building without worrying about it.
- Your vehicles, such as cars, boats, RVs, ATVs, etc.
- Garden tools
- Home equipment
- Livestock
- Farming tools
- Loafing shed
- Use it as a patio space
- Make it an open workshop space
- Convert it into a greenhouse
- Renovate it into a dog kennel
What You Can Not Store In A Lean-To?
Since lean-tos are open structures, you can’t keep items that are:
- Items that are susceptible to temperature fluctuation
- Perishable goods like packaged foods and medicines
- Items that can get damaged by rain or wind, such as documents, photos, glue, or electronics
- Seasonal clothing & bedding items
- Musical instruments
- Books and toys
- Pet food & art items
Keen On Affordable Storage – Try Metal Lean-To!
Metal lean-to buildings are extremely versatile, affordable, and open structures. Once installed on your property, they can be used multiple times. For a long-lasting and durable material, contact an experienced metal dealer with good reviews and ratings.
