How to Build a Green Shed

Planning and Design

• 1

  Understand your green options. Consult the Green Home Guide, a website published by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC, a national member organization of more than 20,000 stakeholders in green building, publishes the extensive Green Home Guide website to facilitate consumers in understanding their options. On this site, you can review green flooring, roofs and walls. If you are not an experienced contractor, this site will also help you find one in your area with experience in green building to help you translate your plan into reality.

• 2

  Plan the features of your green shed. Features you should consider include the degree of weatherproofing, the size (10x12 is a fairly standard shed size) and the kind of roof you want, such as one that increases storage space or is simpler to build. Finally, you will need to decide on your doors, which are based on what you plan to store in the shed. For example, a shed that will store a riding lawnmower needs large doors that open and a ramp to enter.

• 3

  Purchase sustainable materials. Green building starts with renewable, sustainable and recycled materials. Lumber from sustainable sources, or recycled materials, present good green choices. What you use depends largely on your climate and needs. Many building suppliers specialize in reclaimed and recycled materials.

Choose Green Materials

• 4

  Choose sustainable, non-toxic materials. From floors to paint on the walls, you have several non-toxic, green choices. Most sheds have concrete or wood floors. Seal these with non-toxic products for a green option. Most people want a waterproof shed; look for paints and others ways to seal your shed that will not emit toxic substances into the air.

• 5

  Place windows for light and ventilation. Making your shed electricity-free will cut down on your costs and use fewer resources. Windows should be large, sealed well and placed to receive the most light. In many locations, this is facing south. Placing windows to get a cross breeze keeps the shed cool and ventilated. You may also consider skylights to let in more light. Specific locations for windows depend on your climate and property.

• 6

  Insulate. Insulation will make the shed warmer and more pleasant, particularly if you plan to use it as a workspace and not only to store equipment. You can find recycled, non-toxic insulation materials easily.

• 7

  Consider a green roof, which is an excellent option for a green shed. Green roofs have a thin layer of soil and allow plant life to grow on top of them. This keeps the shed warm, helps eliminate flooding from water runoff and replaces the growing area lost to the shed's "footprint."