Are you planning to build a new shed in your backyard? Do you need a secure, closed area for your tools and storage, or an open shelter for firewood, your lawn tractor or your kid's bikes?

With the beautiful Colonial-Style Two-In-One Shed, by Better Barns, you'll have both. It's one of the most versatile, well-designed backyard buildings you'll ever find. It has a 10'x12' tool shed for general storage and an 8'x10' open-bay extension that's ideal for keeping firewood stacked and dry. The open area is also great for storing large items that might not easily fit into the main shed, such as lawnmowers, bicycles, patio furniture, wheelbarrows and stepladders.

The horizontal 2x4s at the bottom of the roof trusses serve as floor joists for a small optional storage loft.

Like the truss roof, the walls of this shed are built more like a barn than like a conventional shed. Horizontal 2x4s strengthen the walls and serve as nailers for vertical siding boards. Although you can use any type of siding, tongue and groove cedar or pine will make this shed look great inside and out.

Read the original October, 2005 magazine article by Joseph Truini and download the drawings >>>

Blueprints by Better Barns  Your building department may require that you submit construction plans, and they're helpful to have on hand while you're at work on the shed. Complete blueprints are available from Better Barns, the original designers of the Two-In-One Shed. Better Barns also offer some of the attractive hardware and woodwork shown on the shed.