For better or worse, the impression most people have of “sheds” is defined by what we refer to as “slap together roadside boxes or mail-order kits.” Gardensheds® was founded in 1993 by Nellie Ahl, who had the bold and brilliant idea to challenge this notion. She wanted a garden building to complement her stately Georgian home and was frustrated by what she found. She believed that a garden building could and should be every bit as beautiful in design and craftsmanship as good architecture.

Apparently Nellie was not the only one who shared this frustration. Soon enough people began to take notice of her exquisitely designed and constructed “sheds,” and like all great ideas, the business was off and running to early acclaim. Along the way Nellie teamed up with a group of dedicated Amish craftsmen who shared equally in her vision that craftsmanship was not about cutting costs and corners, but that craftsmanship was about integrity and art. A decision was made that each building would leave the Pennsylvania workshop fully assembled and finished so that each building was ready to use the day it arrived at a customer’s residence. This seemingly simple philosophy and perfect union between design and craftsmanship became the cornerstone of Gardensheds’ reputation and continues to this day. No one ever saw an original Gardenshed® design and mistook it for a “roadside box.”

Framing

The very first thing someone notices when they step in to a Gardenshed® building is the framing. To even the uneducated eye it looks different, to the hand it feels different, to the nose it smells different. There’s a reason for this. The materials we use are genuine and authentic.

We mill our own material for framing and siding. Each fall we bring in over 400,000 board feet of rough timber that we let cure in special drying shelters during the winter. Only when we have achieved the proper moisture level in early spring do we begin the milling process. We ease the edges of all boards so that there are no sharp, splintery edges. Our framing material is dimensioned to a true two inches by four inches rather than the more common nominal dimension of 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. The difference is significant. The difference in material and structural integrity is 50%. Our framing is spaced at 16”, not the industry norm of 24”. All of which is to say that our framing, the structural foundation of any building, is rock solid. You won’t find any plywood, OSB sheathing, or composite materials in our buildings. You will find our buildings aromatic because of the cypress siding and cedar roof shingles we use.

Exclusivity

What makes a Gardenshed® design unique is the combination of original design and uncompromising craftsmanship. Architects know that our designs are original with copyright registrations; Carpenters know that our buildings can not be reproduced because the materials are not readily available, the dimensions are not stock or standard, and the craftsmanship is without equal. All things considered, and we hope that you will consider all things, we know that our buildings represent a value investment—one that will bring a lifetime of pleasure and utility.