J. came to us from Ottawa looking for a modern shed that could hold its own against an Eastern Ontario winter. Something that looked sharp year-round, not just in summer. What we built for his Spruce Street backyard is one of those projects that photographs just as well in the snow as it would on a warm July afternoon.

The contrast between warm cedar and flat black is a combination we keep coming back to, and this Ottawa build shows exactly why.

The Design

The 10x8 footprint makes smart use of a tight urban backyard without sacrificing the architectural presence that makes our Advanced Shed model stand out. The front wall is clad in 1x6 cedar tongue-and-groove siding, left in its natural tone to contrast sharply against the jet black corrugated steel wrapping the left, right, and back walls.

Two transom windows sit high on the front wall, letting natural light into the shed without taking up wall space below. The sliding barn door runs centered on the front face, keeping the layout clean and the opening wide.

The Door and Windows

The black sliding barn door features three frosted Lexan windows stacked vertically, the same bold configuration that has become a signature of our Advanced Shed builds. The door is stained flat black to match the steel siding, and the galvanized hardware keeps everything operating smoothly through freeze-thaw cycles.

Combined with the two upper transom windows, the front wall manages to feel open and light while still being completely secure.

The Roof and Finish

The Advanced Shed roofline sits at a higher pitch than our Essential model, front height at approximately 102 inches dropping to 92 inches at the back, giving it a more commanding presence in the yard. Overhangs of 20 inches on the front and sides protect the cedar siding from rain and snowmelt, while jet black flashing and trim tie the roofline to the steel walls below.

Rafters and soffits are stained black throughout, giving the underside of the overhang the same finished look as the rest of the build. GAF Liberty rolled roofing handles whatever an Ottawa winter throws at it.

Prefabricated in our London, Ontario shop and installed in Ottawa in a single day.

Interested in a modern garden shed for your Ottawa or Eastern Ontario property? Get in touch and we'll start designing yours today.

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