How to Finish Off a Pole Shed

Select roofing material that complements the surrounding buildings. Install cedar shakes, metal roofing or asphalt shingles, for example. Add roof sheathing comprised of 1/2-inch plywood and roofing felt over the roof surface first. Extend the sheathing a couple of inches beyond the overhang to shed rain.

Install house siding with screws that are at least 12 millimeters thick on a pole shed. Cut faux tongue-and-groove sheeting to fit on a 45-degree angle in upper sections above 8 feet. Add this siding with grooves running vertically from 8-feet off the ground down to ground level. Place the grooves running vertically, so the siding will shed rain much faster.

Cut high-quality framing boards made of 2-by-6-inch oak or redwood to construct the basic door shapes, which you will cover with siding. Construct a double entry door with two sets of hinges on both the upper and lower sections. Buy heavy-duty hinges that will take a lot of wear and tear. Build the doors with decorative framework, such as an X-shape in the middle of 1-by-6-inch framing boards, for a barn-type look or country cottage look.

Paint the shed with exterior-grade paint. Brush on a primer coat or use paint with primer mixed in. Add colors that are appropriate for the landscaping and locale, as well as surrounding buildings. Avoid making a pole shed stand out too brightly, or this can devalue nearby homes and business property. Paint the shed in shades of paint that will look appropriate for decades. Touch up the paint in future years versus using a totally different color, because touching up and adding the same color will be less costly.

Finish up details of the structure. Install a guttering system with downspouts and splashblocks to protect the shed foundation from too much rain and snow. Add metal or wooden decorative pieces, such as metal horses or wooden scrollwork to enhance the visual appeal of the shed.