Thinking About Adding a Lean-To? Here’s Something to Consider

Hayshed with a lean-to

Adding a lean-to to your shop is a great way to increase storage space, but here’s something you might not have thought about—it’s not always the best option.

There are a couple of ways to get that extra covered space. The obvious one is adding a lean-to on the side. But another way—one that might actually make more sense—is just making the building longer.

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Instead of adding a lean-to, you can extend the post and beam structure past one end of the building, say 20, 30, or even 40 feet, and carry the same roofline through for a covered storage area.

The benefit? Later on, if you ever want to enclose it, you’ve got a full-height space that’s easy to close in. On the other hand, a side lean-to is a great option when you don’t have the length to extend, since it adds width without needing bigger trusses. The trade-off is that your ceiling height will drop as the roof slopes down.

Shop with an extended roof

So, if you're planning extra storage space, think about whether a lean-to or a roof extension makes more sense for your setup. Either way, we can help you design it to fit your needs.