By Mark Wolfe | Published Sep 8, 2023 9:54 AM
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Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Tired of all that clutter in your garage? Maybe it’s time to give your yard tools their own space. When it comes to storing lawn tools and equipment, sheds are the best. Not only will a good tool shed help you clear the clutter, but it’ll also allow you to store lawn care equipment close to where the work takes place. Building your own shed could be cheaper and faster than you think, but DIY steel shed kits are not for everyone.
ShelterLogic manufactures affordable shed kits in a range of styles and sizes. I recently spent a weekend building a ShelterLogic Arrow Select steel storage shed for my garden tools, and now I wonder why I didn’t do it 15 years ago. I’m glad I finally have the shed, but I encountered a few snags you should know about. In the review ahead, I’ll share my observations about the kit’s quality and assembly process, as well as the storage problems it solves.
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Get the ShelterLogic Arrow Select steel storage shed at:
If you’re thinking about building your own shed but planning and gathering materials seems like a hassle, a kit like the ShelterLogic Arrow Select steel storage shed might be a good choice. The kit contains all the precut and predrilled parts, hardware, and instructions to build a durable steel storage shed within a couple of days.
ShelterLogic’s Arrow Select steel storage sheds are durable outdoor storage solutions with attractive styling details such as horizontal siding panels and hinged doors. The galvanized steel kits are treated for long-term resistance to rust and corrosion and are finished with a smooth coat of polyester paint in a variety of popular colors.
The model I tested measures 8 feet wide by 4 feet long by 6 feet high. It features swinging double doors that help maximize both opening size and usable storage space. The single-plane shed roof slopes from 6.5 feet high in the front to 6 feet high in the back, which allows for good drainage with no sagging or leaks. Another standout feature is that the door handles are lockable for added security.
With an interior footprint of 28 square feet and a total storage volume of 170 cubic feet, the shed offers plenty of space for a small collection of lawn and garden equipment. It comes as a blank slate, so you’ll need to add your own racks, shelves, or other organizational systems. I plan to build a tool rack around the interior perimeter for long items such as rakes and shovels, with a shelf across the top for small things. That way, I’ll still have enough floor space to park a push mower and rototiller and be able to move around in the middle.
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
The first thing to note about assembly is that this shed kit does not include a floor. It can be built on a gravel pad, a concrete pad, or a wood-framed floor. This flexibility is convenient, but it is a factor that makes it more of an intermediate or advanced DIY project. You need the knowledge and skills to prepare the site, construct the type of floor you prefer, and anchor the shed accordingly. I poured a concrete slab floor, and after the shed was fully assembled, I anchored it with masonry bolts.
In addition to floor construction, assembling the shed took about 12 hours. I worked mostly by myself, but working with an experienced partner might reduce assembly time to 8 hours. For larger kits, you should definitely work with a helper.
Although it took more than entry-level knowledge and experience to complete this project, some aspects of assembling the Arrow Select steel shed were very easy. The kit eliminated much of the project planning, as well as buying and cutting materials. Everything arrived neatly packed on a pallet, and assembling the kit required only a few hand tools: a screwdriver, a nut driver, and a tape measure.
But building the kit comes with some unique challenges, including the risk of getting cut on sharp steel edges and the hassle of predrilled holes occasionally not lining up. Also, some nuts and bolts were missing from my kit. I opted to swing by the hardware store and shell out the additional $4 instead of contacting customer service and waiting however long to get the parts from the factory. The last hurdle was aligning the doors so they would open and close properly.
To anyone accustomed to building with wood, the Arrow Select steel storage shed might seem a bit weak. After all, it’s made of lightweight, rolled-edge steel framing covered in bendy steel sheet panels. Several of the longer framing pieces require two sections to be spliced together with screws. The stubby ½-inch screws and bolts that hold it all are similar in size to those found inside household appliances, and the plastic washers used to make the screw holes waterproof hardly built up my confidence.
Up to the point when it was fully assembled and anchored on its foundation, the shed felt kind of flimsy. But now that it’s fully installed, I feel better about it. It doesn’t wrack or sway in the wind, and the doors work as intended. I’m not totally convinced that the keyed locks will keep thieves from getting my stuff—the thin-gauge steel building is just too susceptible to damage by intentional force—but they’ll keep the honest people honest.
The old adage that you get what you pay for holds true with this shed. It’s of fine quality for the price and looks really nice, but let’s not forget that it is one of the most affordable shed kits available. It’s a good, money-saving choice for those who trust their neighbors and need a convenient place to store tools and equipment out of the weather, but it has significant limitations, starting with impact resistance.
The lightweight framing and thin steel siding were easy to maneuver around the worksite but certainly aren’t the most durable materials available. During construction, a 2×4 left over from the concrete floor forms fell onto a siding panel and dented it. I imagine it will be damaged significantly if a large branch falls onto it or someone runs into it with our riding mower. Barring intentional damage or a major accident, I expect this shed to withstand rain, snow, small to medium hail, and moderate winds for many years.
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
The price of lumber and other building materials makes it very difficult to build a shed for less than $1,000. In fact, comparably sized wood shed kits average more than $2,000. Even plastic sheds in this size range sell for over $1,000 and are susceptible to warping and UV damage. So at a retail price of around $800 to $900, the ShelterLogic Arrow Select steel storage shed is a good value. After buying this kit, you’ll still have enough in the budget to build whatever type of floor you choose and install a tool rack or shelves inside.
The ShelterLogic Arrow Select steel storage shed offers a durable and attractive storage solution at a budget-friendly price for those with a little bit of DIY know-how. You can save time and money by choosing a precut and predrilled steel shed kit that comes with all the hardware you need and have it delivered to your door. It will likely be something you can build over a weekend, and you’ll have the convenient dry storage you’ve needed.
But this kit isn’t for everyone—it will frustrate new DIYers and probably even some experienced builders. It doesn’t include a floor, nor does it include detailed instructions on building a floor and anchoring the shed to it. The kit has many small parts, some of which may be missing, and the instructions are limited to illustrations with part numbers. Beyond the assembly challenges, it may simply not be sturdy enough for some locations or applications. There’s also no easy way to modify the kit if, for instance, you want to add electricity for lights and battery chargers.
That said, experienced DIYers who only need covered outdoor storage space will find a useful kit with the ShelterLogic shed. It looks good, protects your stuff from the weather, and will hold up to the elements for years to come. What more could you ask?
Get the ShelterLogic Arrow Select steel storage shed at:
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than 20 years he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor-living goods.
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