Thinking of getting a little shed area for your garden? How about a patio outside your living room or your bedroom? Yes, with lean-to metal buildings, it is possible. If you have a metal carport or a steel garage, you can add a lean-to to get additional storage space.
You can get metal lean-to attached to any existing building of yours. But first, let’s see what lean-tos are, its usages & advantages.
What Are Lean-To Metal Buildings?
It is one of the simplest steel structures that have a minimum of two posts, a frame, and a roof. That’s it! It is sturdy compared to a wooden post. It is also one of the most inexpensive metal structures.
Types Of Lean-Tos
From a structural point of view, it can be of two types:
- Attached – leaned against an already existing building.
- Detached – stand alone on its own.
Depending upon the situation, you can have any of the two. In fact, you can have more than one lean-tos installed on either side of the building.
Cost Of Metal Building Lean-To’s
It can cost you around $6-$16 per square foot. Note that the price varies with customization, location, and global steel price. A lean-to can be 8 ft. to 20 ft. in width. The height of a lean-to is 3 ft. less than the height of the building it is attached to.
To give you a rough idea, a 24 ft. wide, 25 ft. long & 9 ft. high carport opened from all sides with a vertical roof will cost you around $5,200, whereas a 24 ft. wide, 41 ft. long & 10 ft. high carport opened from all sides with a vertical roof will cost you around $6,890.
Creative Uses Of Lean-Tos
1. Car Park
The obvious use is for parking any vehicle. Be it your medium sized sedan car or a high roof RV, metal lean-to can accommodate any vehicle easily. You can customize it according to your car shape.
The only downside is that your vehicle will remain open from all sides. So, for daily use, a regular car is a perfect parking shed area.
2. Storage Shed
Need a place to store your gardening tools, or do you have a small boat or kayak that you use occasionally? Whatever your need is, a steel lean-to is there at your service. With features like cost effective & fastest installation, a metal lean-to can shelter most of your equipment.
However, you can’t store temperature sensitive items like a washer & dryer in the metal shed as it would be open and subjected to rain & storm. For temperature sensitive & reasonably expensive items, we recommend getting a metal utility unit with a lean-to.
3. Chicken Coop
Owning animals comes with a responsibility. You can smartly convert a metal lean-to into a chicken coop or pet home by attaching a net to it. You can keep small animals in your shed and protect them from direct sunray and rain.
If you have a larger steel lean-to, you can also shelter horses or cattle.
4. Home Gym
Need a place to exercise or to store your gym equipment? Choose a lean-to attached to your main house. One side will be closed, or you can have a door to access it from your home directly. This will free up the space in your home for other uses.
5. Patio
Who doesn’t like watching a sunset or a sunrise with a cup of coffee? A metal shed will be a perfect and durable friend to keep your lounge chairs and table and enjoy brunch with your friends.
6. Outdoor Sitting Area With Fire Pit
You can use a steel lean-to as an outdoor shed area. You can also get a fire pit around without the danger of burning the frame. Just ensure the fire smoke has a proper exhaust to pass through.
Metal is non-combustible, hence, a perfect choice for shading fire pit areas without the danger of causing fire.
7. Play Area
A metal lean-to can act as a play area for your kids and pets. They can play freely and be protected from harsh sun beans and rain.
8. Verandah
A little shed area outside your bedroom where you can place a table & chair to plan the rest of your day. Sounds divine! The good news is that you can install a metal lean-to as a shed area outside your room & wake up to the beauty of nature.
9. Kaleidoscope Shed
You can get a kaleidoscopic roof for your metal lean-to. It will display a fascinating range of colors, and you will enjoy every moment spent in it.
Some Advantages of Lean-To Metal Buildings Are:
- It acts as a complimentary space for a house.
- You don’t necessarily need a permit to install a lean-to to an already existing building.
- It has the durability of steel.
- Lean-to metal buildings are robust and easy to maintain.
- You can customize the size, roof, color & panels as per your taste.
Multiple Things To Do With Lean-Tos:
As we have seen from above, lean-to metal buildings are incredibly versatile when it comes to practical uses. So, next time you consider getting a patio, an animal shed, or a shade for your pool or lawn, consider getting a metal lean-to. You won’t regret it.
