How To Build a Shed

how to build a shed from start to finish
Sep 17

Ever heard of building a machine shed (metal building) and making part of it your living quarters?

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I want to buy a home, but my boyfriend wants to buy land. We can’t afford to buy land and build a house. He says it’s really cheap and convenient to build a "machine shed" and actually design your home inside the building. I’ve seen a house that is actually a working barn and the family just lives in a decent sized portion of the barn. It looks totally normal on the inside but from the outside, it’s just a barn. Has anyone ever heard of this?


Yes I’ve seen it work. As you build inside you can install windows and make it much like a house. The accommodations can be comfortable and if you do it right (insulate the walls etc) you will have a home with an almost indestructible outside that will require little maintenance.

This is OK if you live where zoning laws do not prohibit it.


5 Responses to “Ever heard of building a machine shed (metal building) and making part of it your living quarters?”

  1. rightasrain(most of the time) Says:
    September 17th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    Not here. How do you keep the smellls out of the house portion?
    References :

  2. brandontremain Says:
    September 17th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    Yes, there are a few barn/houses where I live. It is not common but it is done.
    I was going to buy a steel building myself and make a house out of it. They can even put a facing on the building so it doesnt look like metal anymore. Stone or brick fissad.
    Its not a bad idea for a cheap house to live in.
    References :

  3. Bullfrog21 Says:
    September 17th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    Yes I’ve seen it work. As you build inside you can install windows and make it much like a house. The accommodations can be comfortable and if you do it right (insulate the walls etc) you will have a home with an almost indestructible outside that will require little maintenance.

    This is OK if you live where zoning laws do not prohibit it.
    References :

  4. 4 strings Says:
    September 17th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Never heard of it…But it could be possible if you one big enough.
    References :

  5. Terry Z Says:
    September 17th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    Yes, I’ve seen it done before. I’ve seen a metal shed building and living quarters are inside, theres a rock covering of the outside of the building and the windows are all decked out with little shutters. Looks really cool.
    References :

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