Shed kits explained: how to choose the right structure for your needs

When you hear the term ‘shed kit’, you might picture a small, flat-packed garden shed from a hardware store, complete with a confusing instruction manual. While that’s one type of kit, the reality is that almost all modern sheds, from small tool sheds to massive aircraft hangars, are technically delivered as shed kits.

The term simply means the components are manufactured and prepared off-site before being transported to your property for assembly. The real difference between kit sheds isn't whether they come in a kit, but rather the scale, materials, and level of expertise required to construct them.

Understanding this distinction is the first step to finding a practical, reliable solution that protects your valuable assets for decades to come.

What Exactly is a Shed Kit? Debunking the Myths

A shed kit is a pre-engineered building system. Every beam, bracket, sheet, and screw has been designed, fabricated, and organised for efficient on-site construction. This approach offers significant advantages over traditional building methods, including greater quality control, faster construction times, and reduced waste.

However, the market for shed kits is vast. At one end, you have small, lightweight sheds designed for a single person with basic tools. At the other, you have large-scale industrial and agricultural buildings made from heavy-duty structural steel, which are also delivered as a kit but require a professional team and specialised equipment to erect.

The term ‘kit’ refers to the delivery method, not the quality or complexity of the final structure. This distinction between a pre-designed kit and a fully bespoke building is crucial. 

To understand which path is right for your project, it's helpful to explore the differences in more detail. Learn more by heading to the link below.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Shed Kit

Choosing the right shed kit is a solution-focused process that comes down to three key factors: size, materials, and assembly.

1. Size and scale: from workshops to yard covers

The size of your shed is the single biggest factor determining the complexity of the project.

• Small Sheds (e.g., garden or tool sheds): These are typically designed for DIY assembly. They require minimal tools and can often be put together by one or two people over a weekend.
  

• Medium Sheds (e.g., double garages, small workshops): These kits often require more hands, some specialised tools, and a good understanding of construction principles. While some experienced individuals can tackle these, many opt for a local builder.

• Large Sheds (e.g., farm machinery sheds, dressage arenas, commercial buildings): This is where professional-grade kit sheds shine. A structure like a grain shed or aircraft hangar is delivered as a comprehensive kit, but its assembly is a major construction project. It demands a skilled building crew, concrete slab experts, and heavy equipment like cranes and scissor lifts.

2. Materials and durability: the structural steel advantage

The materials used in a shed kit directly impact its strength, longevity, and ability to protect what’s inside. Many smaller kits use thin, roll-formed steel, which is lightweight but susceptible to damage from weather and impact.

For any serious application, from protecting expensive farm machinery from the elements to creating a safe commercial workspace, structural steel is the only reliable choice. At ABC Sheds, our buildings are made with robust, hot-dip galvanised structural steel frames. This provides superior strength and corrosion resistance, ensuring your assets are secure.

Our clearspan design, which eliminates the need for centre supports or purlins in the roof, is only possible with the strength of structural steel. This means you get a massive, unobstructed internal space perfect for storing large vehicles and equipment.

3. Assembly requirements: DIY vs professional installation

Finally, consider who will build the shed. While the idea of a DIY project is appealing, it’s not practical for large-scale structures. The value of a professional shed kit isn't that you can build it yourself; it's that it provides your builders with everything they need for a straightforward, efficient, and hassle-free construction process.

A capable kit for a large shed includes:

• All fabricated structural components.
• Cladding, gutters, and downpipes.
• All necessary bolts, brackets, and fasteners.
• Full, easy-to-read engineering plans and instructions.

This comprehensive approach saves you and your builders significant time and eliminates the stress of sourcing materials, ensuring the project runs smoothly from start to finish.

The ABC Sheds Approach: Capable and Practical Solutions

At ABC Sheds, we specialise in providing straightforward, solution-focused shed kits for agricultural, industrial, and commercial applications across Australia. We handle the entire process, from design and engineering to managing the building consent process for you.

Our fully complete kitsets - the Durakit range - are designed for professional builders, giving them everything they need to construct a reliable and practical structure that stands the test of time. Whether you need a feedlot shelter, a shearing shed, or a series of horse stables, our kits provide the robust foundation for your operations.

For those looking for a pre-engineered solution that doesn't compromise on strength, our Durakit range offers a reliable starting point. To see the specifications and pricing available, download our Durakit brochure.