How To Use Portable Outdoor Sheds and Tarp Buildings

Portable outdoor sheds and tarp buildings are among the most versatile and functional features you can add to any outdoor space. Whether you want more storage, a storehouse for your livestock feed, an office space, or a portable garage, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

There are many different options on the market, but not all portable outdoor buildings are created equally and so in this article, we'll go over the best models and look at some great ways to use them to enhance your property.

Keep reading to learn:

Five great ways to use your portable outdoor shed
Why you should choose ShelterLogic Fabric Buildings and Sheds
The best outdoor shed and tarp buildings on the market
And much more!

Five Great Ways to Use a Portable Outdoor Shed or Tarp Building

There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of great ways to use your portable outdoor shed or tarp building. Some people dedicate their outdoor buildings to one purpose, such as a studio space or storage shed, but others prefer to use the space for different purposes depending on what they need it for at the moment; both options are nice to have. Although the possibilities are endless, let's look at five of the best and most common ways to use a portable outdoor shed or fabric building.

The best ways to use your portable outdoor shed or tarp building:

1. Use it to store cars

One great way to use a portable outdoor building is to use it as an extra garage. Some homes don’t have garages, or they have more vehicles than they can fit in their garage, and so using a portable shed or tarp building is an ideal solution. Portable outdoor buildings also allow you to offer your guests a parking space in your temporary garage when your driveway is full, which is always nice, and they can also be used for storing your snowmobile or snow removal equipment during the winter months.

2. Use it to store landscaping equipment

Another excellent way to use your portable outdoor shed or tarp building is as storage for your landscaping equipment. Let’s face it – tractors, mowers, and trimmers are big, and they take up a ton of space in your garage. By storing all of your landscaping equipment in a portable outdoor shed, you’ll be able to access it whenever you want, without tripping over it, and you’ll also be able to protect your gear from the elements, so it’s a win-win.

3. Use it as a livestock feed storehouse

If you have livestock, then you know that storing feed can be an issue. A convenient solution is to store your livestock feed in a portable outdoor shed. By having a dedicated space for quick and easy access to your feed, you'll be able to keep your farm organized while increasing the aesthetic of your property.

5. Use it as an office space

Finally, why not use it as an office space? Portable outdoor office spaces are common on most construction sites and film sets because of their convenience. It's also nice to have a separate office outside of your home for when you want to focus on your work without being distracted by what's going on in your house. Outdoor offices are ideal when you need to make calls or video conference with clients, colleagues, and customers because you'll be able to attend to your business without worrying about any unexpected disruptions or distractions.

No conversation about portable outdoor sheds or fabric buildings would be complete without talking about ShelterLogic, the leaders in outdoor sheds and tarp buildings. So, let’s look at some of the reasons for why you should consider ShelterLogic for your next new fabric building or portable outdoor shed.

The Features and Benefits of ShelterLogic Fabric Buildings and Sheds

There are a few different manufacturers of fabric buildings and sheds. But there are some advantages to choosing a high-quality shelter from ShelterLogic. To understand why ShelterLogic is the leader in portable outdoor buildings, let's look at some of their best outdoor sheds and tarp buildings and go over some of the features and benefits you can expect when choosing a new portable outdoor building from ShelterLogic.

Farm equipment in a ShelterTech SP building

The Best Outdoor Sheds and Tarp Buildings

Garage-in-a-Box

One of the best portable garages on the market, Garage-in-a-box, is one of the only temporary garages that can fit a large truck, or full-size SUV, making it the best choice for people who need extra vehicle storage year-round for their large vehicles. Some of the best features of Garage-in-a-box include:

A durable all-steel frame
A triple-layer, ripstop waterproof cover
A reinforced door
ShelterLock Stabilizers
And an easy slide cross rail system

Best of all, Garage-in-a-box is easy to set up, so you won't have to spend all day installing your new outdoor garage.

ShelterCoat

ShelterCoat shelters and garages feature a heavy-duty frame construction and come with a ten-year prorated warranty so that you can have peace of mind knowing that your outdoor building will serve you well for many years to come. Some of the best features available with ShelterCoat buildings include:

A heavy-duty frame constructed with 2-inch steel diameter
A powder coat finish that protects the frame from rust and corrosion
A Ripstop engineered polyethylene fabric cover that’s been UV treated
Heat-welded seams that are 100% waterproof
ShelterLock stabilizers for stability and strength
A Ratchet Tite tension system with Easy-Slide cross rails

ShelterTech

The ShelterTech line of outdoor fabric buildings is among the very best available on the market and includes a number of advanced features designed to make sure that your portable building lasts long and serves you well. Some of the best features of ShelterTech outdoor portable building include:

An available 15-year prorated warranty
UV coating to protect from the sun’s harmful rays
A 100% waterproof design and construction
ShelterTech buildings are expandable for future needs
Easy to assemble and dis-assemble
Designed to perform well year-round

ShelterTech portable outdoor buildings are available in all shapes and sizes, so adding on to your outdoor space is almost effortless when you choose a ShelterTech building from ShelterLogic.

ShelterTube

ShelterTube features one of the best wind and snow ratings available on the market, making it an excellent choice for those who live in areas with less-than-ideal weather or where the winters are particularly wet and snowy.

AutoShelter

The AutoShelter is an excellent outdoor instant garage. With an all-steel frame, waterproof ripstop cover, quick assembly, easy-slide cross rail system, and ShelterLock stabilizers, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to go with the AutoShelter from ShelterLogic to protect their vehicles.

AccelaFrame

Among the very best of the best portable outdoor garages and buildings, Accelaframe garage platforms are designed to last the longest and offer the best protection for your vehicles during the winter or when the weather conditions are wet and windy. AccelaFrame is the only patented, quick assembly, fully custom garage, making it the top-of-the-line outdoor solution for protecting your vehicles. Some of the best features and benefits of AccelaFrame garage platforms include:

The AccelaFrame can be assembled and disassembled in minutes
Built with a heavy-duty, reinforced high-grade steel frame
Galvanized steel joints for added stability
A variety of colors to choose from
Fully waterproof construction

If you want an outdoor garage that will last for years to come and provide you with the very best protection, then investing in the one and only AccelaFrame may very well be your best bet. Not only will a genuine AccelaFrame last a long time, but it will hold up in even the toughest weather conditions.

Portable Outdoor Sheds Extend the Functionality of Your Property

Portable outdoor sheds and fabric buildings allow you to extend the functionality of your property by adding extra storage, parking, studio space, office space, and much more. There are tons of ways to use your portable outdoor building, and there are tons of outdoor buildings to choose from, but some portable outdoor buildings are certainly better than others. ShelterLogic has some of the very best portable outdoor sheds, garages, and fabric buildings on the market, and most of their buildings feature high-grade, high-quality materials and come with long-lasting prorated warranties. For all of these reasons and many more, ShelterLogic is a leader in the portable outdoor shelter industry.

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17 Comment(s)

Keith Kleinschmidt

May 02, 2019 10:12

Do you have any that are lockable?

ShelterLogic Group Staff

Jul 18, 2019 12:56

Hi Keith,

Thank you so much for reaching out to us.

We have several units that are lockable. In fact, all of our Arrow Storage Products sheds are lockable for safety and security of your belongings. You can view all of our sheds by visiting the store page for <a href="/shop/manufacturer/arrow-storage-products" rel="nofollow">Arrow Storage Products sheds, here</a>.

Some of our recommendations include:
<a href="/shop/manufacturer/spacemaker/patio-storage/versa-shed" rel="nofollow">The Versa Shed:</a> from Spacemaker is an attractive small footprint storage shed that's perfect for patio storage. Store your bicycles, garden tools, compact trash bins and trash cans in the Versa Shed. The best part? It's lockable, which is just what you're looking for.

If you need a bigger unit, The <a href="/shop/viking-series-vinyl-coated-steel-storage-shed" rel="nofollow">Arrow Viking storage shed</a> could be a good option. The Viking storage shed comes in two sizes: the 8 x 5 ft. and the 10 x 7 ft. The Viking is made with a strong, vinyl coated steel and is an excellent steel storage shed option for your patio or garden.

Tracey Terrazas

Nov 28, 2017 20:54

I am putting up shelter logic model 71342 , it is 20' long.How do you keep the door rolled up?The description says the back panel is solid, mine has two zippered panels,somebody goof?

Staff

Aug 27, 2019 13:25

Hi Tracey,

You have one of our <a href="https://www.shelterlogic.com/shop/department/outdoor-storage-buildings/garages?brands=483" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ShelterCoat</a> models which offers double entry points! You can manually roll up your door and tuck the ends behind the cover. We suggest checking our our <a href="https://www.shelterlogic.com/shop/pull-eaze-roll-up-door-kit">Roll Up Door Kit</a> which allow you to quickly open doors through a simple pulley system.

Denise Pace

Nov 10, 2017 09:20

We purchased the 13 x 20 x 10 Round Frame Model #73342.

Where we live we have extremely high winds and wind gust throughout the winter months.

What is recommended during high gust periods for the two doors/panels?

Is it safer to keep them open or closed during those times in regards to damage to the structure?

We have used your EasyHook 30" anchors on each leg (12) of the shelter.

The wind usually blows straight at the front end (nearest the street).

Keep front and back open?
Keep both front and back closed?
Keep front closed, and back open?

Thanks.

Staff

Aug 07, 2019 18:16

Hi Denise,

These shelters hold up against wind gusts significantly better when both ends closed.

Hope this helps!

Aug 31, 2017 04:21

A shed is something in which you can place all your gardening tools , brooms, pool equipment , etc also other necessary things for which you don't have space in your home.It's nice to see post sharing image description of storage sheds.

Derek Dewitt

Aug 09, 2017 14:26

I have been looking for a place to store my boat during the offseason but I'm not sure where to start. I've never considered using a portable shed to protect it during the winter. Like you said, having space for it instead of trying to tightly pack it away will also be good for it condition. Thanks for sharing!

Terry Henry

Jul 19, 2017 20:19

I purchased an outdoor shed about 5 months ago and It is already ripping in several places what type of warranty do I have to replace it.

Staff

Jul 30, 2019 15:05

Hi Terry,

We are sorry to hear about your cover! Fabric life is affected by application, location and the physical elements the shelter is exposed to. All of our covers have a minimum one year warranty. If you may <a href="https://www.shelterlogic.com/support/forms/warranty-claim/">file a warranty claim</a> and have one of our representatives review your submission and provide a solution. We also offer many replacement cover options, including heavier materials that may have longer warranties and life expectancies. If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to call us at 1-800-932-9344.

John Nappi

Jul 17, 2017 14:53

Is it possible to add vents to a shelter logic tarp building that did not come with vents ?

Staff

Jul 18, 2017 14:35

Hi there John,

Absolutely! We offer vents that are sold separately and come as 2 per pack which you can install on virtually any ShelterLogic shed or garage. In fact, some people put as many as 3 vents in their shed or garage per end panel! In any case, these are very easy to install (it takes about 30 minutes) and you can purchase our vents online: http://www.shelterlogic.com/shop/autovent-automatic-shelter-vent-kit

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-560-8383.

John C

Jun 25, 2017 19:24

I was going to build a plywood wood floor supported by pressure treated 4 x 4 's for my equipment to sit on in my shed MODEL #78807 - 1. do you recommend this?
2. Should I make the floor size slightly smaller that the Length and width of the shed?

Staff

Jul 18, 2017 15:06

Hi John,

You can absolutely create a floor for your ShelterCoat 8 x 8 x 8 ft. shed. Many of our customers custom build floors for their sheds and garages in order to eliminate contact between the dirt/ground and the items they want to store. Our only recommendation is that the shed is properly anchored to the ground and not to the flooring you're looking to create. Proper anchoring is very important for the stability of the shed or garage and the lifespan of your structure. That being said, if you've already assembled your ShelterCoat garage or shed, you can probably make the flooring slightly smaller than the width and length of your shed or garage and then you will not need to disassemble the entire unit.

If it's an existing building, you may be better off making the flooring slightly smaller - otherwise you'll need to remove the anchoring from the building and disassemble a portion of your structure. If you have not yet built your ShelterCoat, you still have the option of making the flooring larger than the width and length of your garage or shed, but you'll need to anchor both the flooring as well as the building itself. We also don't recommend anchoring the building to the floor - you should always try to anchor the building to the ground.

We hope that answers your questions, good luck!

So you have it, here's a link to our anchor guide: https://www.shelterlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/anchor_guide.pdf

Jenni

Jun 22, 2017 08:45

Hi!

By this type of sheds, I think you can also use PVC for durability and waterproof shade sails.

Kris Tuttle

May 17, 2017 12:05

It would be helpful to review the fabric choices here so we have some idea what to select given our planned use.

Staff

May 19, 2017 20:40

Hi Kris,

Thank you for the comment. We do have information about the different grade covers we have available, and sometime this year we will be rolling out some informational content pages that talk about the different types of covers, materials and steel we use when manufacturing ShelterLogic products. Here is some information about the different covers we have available:
http://www.shelterlogic.com/products/replacement-covers/
Scroll down about halfway and you'll be able to see the upgradable cover options.
We don't have the standard cover options listed on the page I linked to above, but typically all of our retail buildings have a standard grade of between 5 to 7 ounces depending on the building clear buildings like the greenhouse line of products are about 5 oz., for example). Feel free to <a href="http://www.shelterlogic.com/contact-us/" target="_blank">contact us with any questions</a>!

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