How to Secure a Storage Shed

One of the most common questions we receive regarding sheds has to do with shed security. Sheds are often designed to store valuable lawn equipment. It may also be used as a studio or even a home gym. Whatever is left in a shed can amount to thousands of dollars worth of equipment and investments. Due to that, you will want to do what you can to protect everything inside it. There are several security methods we recommend to help with this. So don’t worry, no matter what kind of shed you have or what you have stored inside, we have an answer to how to secure a storage shed.

How to Secure a Storage Shed

Location, Location, Location

There are a few things you need to consider when it comes to your shed. First, it should not be easily visible from the street. If anyone who walks past your home can instantly see your shed, it is already going to be a target for possible thieves. That is especially the case if they know you are gone for an extended period (such as on vacation).

The second point of emphasis you need to keep in mind when selecting a location for your shed is your ability to see it from the house. Please do not place the shed in an area where you absolutely can’t see it from your backyard window. Ideally, you’ll be able to follow both location pointers. However, there might be some instances where you can’t hide it from the road. Maybe you live on a large plot of land, and this is not a possibility. Or perhaps you don’t have any fences set up yet. Even if following the first step isn’t possible, it is critical to keep the shed visible from your home.

Choose A Solid Lock

First of all, you need to have a lock. Don’t consider having a shed without one. Next, you’ll need to choose a lock that is secure and reduces the possibility of breaking in. The best option for this is to go with a padlock that doesn’t have any slack in the curved metal portion that feeds through the door. If someone wants to get in and you’re using this kind of a lock, all they will need to have is a pair of bolt cutters. Bolt cutters do take some strength to use, but it’s possible to purchase an inexpensive pair and then snip off your padlock. However, if you have a lock with minimal slack (such as a disc-shaped padlock), there won’t be any room for bolt cutters to be used (of course, this means you should have a spare key produced, so you don’t end up locking yourself out, just in case).

Alarm Equipment

Not even a decade ago, if you wanted a home security system, you had to sign up for a home security system. This service might have cost you well over $100 a month, and at best, it had a camera or two and maybe a few sensors. Now, with Wi-Fi and cloud computing, it is possible to have your security system, even without someone monitoring it. You can spring for wireless cameras that are motion-controlled and will record when the motion detection goes off. With this equipment, you can watch your shed.

These kinds of devices, which will pair with a digital home assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, you can either directly record the footage for use in prosecuting someone who attempts to break in. Or, if you want, you can pay a few dollars a month to have the camera feeds monitored by professionals.

The benefits with the cloud-based security equipment monitoring your shed are you’ll receive notifications when you’re at home, at the kid’s sporting event, or vacationing on the other side of the globe. This way, no matter where you are, you will always be able to protect and monitor your shed.

Check The Door Hinges

Your home shed is only as secure as the weakest link. You can have the most durable shed in the world, but it is all for naught if the hinges are rusted. Rusted sheds are fragile and easily broken. Someone who wants to break into your shed can use a hammer and screwdriver to pry off the hinges. When this happens, all the money you put into the monitoring equipment and the high-end lock won’t do you any good. So, make sure you routinely check the door hinges. If the door hinges are showing signs of wear and tear, you’ll want to replace them. Some hinges can be installed on the inside of the shed. These kinds of hinges will not wear out or deteriorate as the hinges are not exposed to the elements.

If you need help selecting the right kind of replacement hinges, or even a shed that has hinges on the interior of the shed, our team here at Barnyard Utility Buildings can help.

Securing Your Shed Begins With The Right Construction

The best way to protect your belongings begins with having the right shed. An inferior construction will break down and, no matter how strong the lock, will still leave your valuables inside susceptible. Whether it is from easily dismantled wood siding, cheap rusted metal, or a leaky roof that damages your goods due to water exposure, you need to make sure and select the right construction. Here at Barnyard Utility Buildings, we can help you with precisely that. No matter what you intend on using the shed for or what you want to store inside, we have an assortment of pre-planned shed designs. We can also work with you and customize a shed that meets all of your requirements, including the right security methods. So, if you’re ready to select a new shed construction, want additional tips regarding how to secure storage shed, or you have further questions you’d like answered, all you need to do is reach out and contact Barnyard Utility Buildings at your earliest convenience.