Two-Story Shed Benefits

Why Build a Two-Story Shed

There are so many reasons to consider a two-story shed rather than a one-story shed for your backyard or property. First, you get nearly twice the space with the same footprint, so having extra square footage for your shed doesn’t take up more of your backyard. Second, it’s a great way to block a less-than-stellar view from your yard or block traffic noise.

Third, the cost doesn’t go up that much per square foot for all the benefits you receive from the extra square footage. Fourth, it opens up more possibilities for dual-purpose sheds, so that you can use the downstairs for one use and the loft or upstairs can be used for another use. Double the benefits and not double the work to produce the finished product.

Types of Two-Story Sheds

There are as many ways to approach building a two-story shed as you have imagination, but here we will list the most common choices:

• Traditional Two-Story Shed with a full upstairs that is accessible from an outdoor staircase.
• Story & A Half Shed is more of a loft on the second floor, accessible from inside or outside by an outdoor staircase and/or a movable ladder inside the shed.
• Two-Story Shed where the first floor is partially built into the hillside and is more of a traditional basement constructed from stone or brick.
• Two-Story Shed with full basement builds out underneath of stone, bricks, or other good earth contact building materials options.

Depending on your backyard or property layout one of the above ideas would probably be one of the best choices for a two-story shed.

Added Benefits of a Two-Story Shed

Understanding the added benefits of a two-story shed will get you excited about the prospects of building your first two-story structure. Suddenly you have nearly twice the space and this opens up all sorts of possibilities:

With even a 10′ x 12′ two-story shed, you now have as much square footage as one of the smaller tiny homes. This opens up the option of using your backyard shed as a granny unit for a family member, or using your two-story shed as added income as a long-term rental, or putting it up on Airbnb. You need to check with your zoning laws and local ordinances, but it does open up all sorts of possibilities.

• You can use the downstairs for an entertainment area, crafts studio, gym shed, or office shed and use the upstairs for a sleeping area. Or reverse the purpose and use the upstairs as an entertainment area or office area and use the downstairs for a shop or guest shed. The possibilities are endless even in a smaller space. If you have a 12′ x 16′ foot shed or more amazing options open up.
• When building a shed on a hillside or with a full basement you really make use of your limited space and open up some interesting options for the use of the basement. From root cellars to a great wine cellar, from a controlled temperature shop to an entertainment area, you’ve got great options for building your basement out of stone or brick. Also with a stone or brick basement, you’ve incorporated part of your foundation into your building.

Two-Story Shed Construction

So how do construction planning and building parts change with a two-story shed? There are some changes that you encounter with a two-story shed that you don’t have to consider with a one-story shed, but it seems like the benefits far out way the added cost when you figure ROI.

• Two-story sheds need a deeper foundation than the one-story shed; since there will be more weight born on the foundation with a two-story structure.
• Framing changes some with some 2 x 4’s being switched out for 2 x 6’s in your framing. Some two-story sheds still utilize all 2 x 4 framing, but with the second story, you gain more strength with heftier framing.
• You are now looking at two flooring layouts, not just one, but in most cases, it’s just a duplication of your one-story framing for your second floor.
• Roof trusses change some, this depends on what type of roof, whether you will have windows or dormers on the second floor. So this area could be an added cost of building.
• You will need more windows, but your roofing materials will be the same as for a one-story structure.
• An added cost to a two-story shed is your access point to the second story; if only a loft–then it’s easy with a movable ladder. If you have a full two-story shed you will want to build an exterior staircase on the side of your two-story shed to gain entry and have a safe egress from your second story.
• Finish flooring materials is nearly doubled in a two-story shed, lighting, and windows also–but you have suddenly gained nearly twice the square footage and when you do the math it doesn’t come out to double the price.

When you are in the planning phase for your two-story shed, be sure to shop at Shed Windows and More for all those hard-to-find window sizes, finishing hardware, and more. Most of the photos you see on this page are from our very satisfied Shed Windows and More customers who sent us pictures of their incredible two-story sheds. Be sure to share your photos with us, we would love to see them!