Shed House Design Elements for a Modern Home - Owner Builder Club

Shed House Design Elements for a Modern Home

|  Reviewed by:Steven Spies
Shed House Design

In the first article of this three-part series, we uncovered what a shed house truly is – also referred to as a “modern home” and “modern shed home”.

We explored how these structures blend the practicality of a standard shed with all the features needed for comfortable living.

In this second article, we’re taking a closer look at shed house design elements that make modern houses so unique.

From stylish roof options to smart use of space, we’ll show you how thoughtful design transforms these modern homes into beautiful, functional living spaces.

How Have Shed House Designs Changed Over Time?

Shed house design has definitely evolved a lot over time.

They started as basic, functional structures – just standard sheds that people would retrofit as they could afford, often going for the cheapest option with minimal upgrades allowed by Councils.

But now, they've become much more.

People dream of big, open plans and focus on aesthetics. I don’t really call them shed houses anymore; they’ve transitioned into modern homes in terms of design.

This shift happened as compliance and building standards changed over time.

What are options when it comes to materials?

There are other options depending on how far your client wants to go and which shed builder they work with:

  • Conventional Materials
    You can still use materials like brick if you want a blend, though many people skip that to save money.
  • Steel Products
    Traditional corrugated and custom orbs are popular for both heritage and modern buildings. You can also go for Trimdek or Monoclad if you’re after a more architectural look.
  • Roofing Trends
    Black roofs, once trendy, may start phasing out due to compliance issues.
  • SharpLine
    SharpLine is gaining popularity for its bold, American barn-style aesthetic. It’s more expensive, but it’s a premium product.
  • Premier 300
    Another option is Premier 300, a vertical or horizontal board with concealed fixings, so no visible screws. It’s a beautiful board – we just finished a shed with it.
  • C-Clad 280 Series
    We also use C-Clad 280 Series, which is similar to chamfer board.
  • Bondor System
    The Bondor product is a pre-finished system that offers VJ looks and even wood grain finishes, so you’re not limited to just Colorbond or Zinc – you can get timber-looking steel. Since it’s steel, Bondor can integrate these materials seamlessly. You can even go for a timber ceiling with insulated polystyrene and corrugated or Trimdek roofing on top.

So yeah, you can still use brickwork, linear boards, or conventional materials, because these are houses, after all!

Can you elaborate on the PSF Pre-finished ‘Bondor system’?

It’s a system that’s unique to us. We’ve built it using the Bondor product to test its suitability as a new and innovative product. It’s fast because it requires fewer trades on-site, so you save at scale.

In a conventional build, you add everything in layers – frame, cladding, insulation etc. But with the Bondor system, it’s all in one sheet – cladding, insulation, and metal interior. Once you put the last sheet on, you’re done.

Same with the roof. The bottom is timber wood grain, and the top could be black mono, for example. It’s a streamlined, pre-finished building method that cuts out trades, which is great for owner builders or DIYers who don’t want to hire a plasterer.

We’re finishing one in Brook Street, Toowoomba, and everyone who’s seen it loves it. It’s metal, so it’s not for everyone, but those who’ve seen it think it’s really cool.

So you’ve pre-fabbed the Bondor product? Like pre-fab frames etc used for a traditional build?

The easiest way to explain it is that Bondor panels come prefabricated with insulation sandwiched between two layers of cladding, usually Colorbond steel, in a range of finishes and colours.

These panels offer various profiles and finishes, including wood grains for a modern touch. The system is designed for quick and easy assembly – just click the panel into the bottom plate, fix it at the top, and as you go, the panels handle multiple jobs at once, both for roofing and walls.

It’s a streamlined process.

Since it’s a newer system, we’re still refining a few things to make it even better, but its thermal performance is already fantastic. Everything is airtight, so even owner builders can be confident the insulation is done right, unlike conventional builds where installation might not be perfect.

The system is so strong that it reduces the need for extra steel support. You barely need any steel structure before you start putting the sheets up, and within a few days, you’ll be well on your way to finishing the build.

Of course, like any build, you’ll still have to finish the internals. But for an owner builder, this system takes away the stress of thinking, “I don’t know how to build a house.”

It’s not about building from scratch, it’s like assembling a puzzle, clicking the panels into place.

That’s the essence of the innovation.

Once the codes are finalised, we’ll be able to embrace new technology more widely, which the industry will have to do, especially as we work to bring house prices down.

We’re not aiming to replace every home with this system, that’s not the goal. We’re just filling a gap, helping people through a period of trade shortages, material costs, and rising house prices.

It’s just one step in helping people move forward.

Can you talk more about the Importance of Class 1A Engineering for Shed House Compliance?

Class One Compliance: Upgrading Materials

When it comes to shed house design, the Class 1 upgrade is really about improving materials to meet movement, cracking, and bracing requirements. Shed houses are completely different from regular sheds in that they require more bracing and heavier materials to avoid issues like cracks in the gyprock.

Heavier Slab Design

This is followed closely by the slab design, which needs to be heavier, with more steel and concrete, because it simply can’t move like a conventional slab.

Consumers often overlook the need for a soil test, which is critical because it leads to a slab design by an engineer.

This is one of the big differences with Class One structures.

Design Difference – Standard Sheds vs. Shed Houses

For a standard shed, it’s much easier – you usually just pick a design off a table, and engineers only check that the information aligns with those standard tables.

But now, we don’t really use the word “generic” anymore because shed house design has become much more site-specific. Shed companies now check the site, wind ratings, and shielding factors to ensure everything is compliant.

However, with a Class One shed house, there are no standard engineering tables. Every engineer has to create a custom design specific to the site.

Industry Challenges with Compliance Changes

I think the situation will improve as the new energy standards settle down.

But businesses like ours have really struggled with these changes. For example, I have an 80mm cold roll forming machine that we used to use for shed house stud wall framing, now it’s completely non-compliant, so I’ve had to pack it up and put it in the corner, just sitting there, unusable.

It’s frustrating, but those are the rules.

Adjusting to New Standards

We’ve been cautious because we’ve already lost one machine, and we can’t afford to make another wrong move. But now that these changes seem to be sticking around, we’re starting to see some consistency – whether it’s 90mm bats or other specifications. This should allow us to move forward with more standardisation in design.

What other upgrades are required for a modern home compared to a standard shed?

I’ll summarise these because they are simple concepts. 

Slab Engineering Upgrades

Apart from the compliance gaps we discussed earlier, slab engineering upgrades are huge. 

They’re necessary not just for plumbing, but to prevent cracking and movement. This happens differently with shed slabs compared to house slabs.

Sheds are allowed to move and crack more, whereas houses aren’t.

Frame Upgrades

Frame upgrades are essential too – you can’t just buy a standard shed and start adding gyprock. 

Standard sheds flex a lot, which leads to cracking if you line them. House frames are designed to meet cracking and movement standards, ensuring a stable structure.

Energy Compliance

For energy compliance, for instance, we use 100mm wall girts in our shed houses just to fit 90mm insulation. We could use a thinner girt and save $4 per metre, but the thicker one is necessary for proper insulation.

Custom Engineering Plans

Energy efficiency, thermal breaks, and proper engineering plans are critical now.

Standard plans don’t really exist anymore due to energy efficiency requirements. Everything is customised to the block and selections, right down to appliances.

Proper plans are needed for any shed house to get priced correctly, as insulation values and ventilation are more important than ever.

Airtight Buildings

Airtight buildings are also a big focus moving forward for air quality and temperature control. It’s almost as if they expect people to keep everything locked up with the air conditioner on. But where I am in Toowoomba, we often open windows and doors, so it’s a bit different here.

TO CONCLUDE:

I’m sure you’ll agree that when it comes to shed home design, or I should say, modern shed home design, it's come a long way from basic, budget-friendly roots. Once just retrofitted sheds, they’ve transformed into modern, stylish homes that meet today’s building and energy standards.

With materials like SharpLine and Bondor, plus custom engineering plans, these homes are more than just sheds – they’re designed for comfort, efficiency, and longevity offering a unique blend of style and practicality for modern living.

Get ready for the third and final instalment to our series where we’ll dive into the Energy Rating System for a modern home – don’t miss it!

ABOUT PRECISION STEEL FRAMING

Precision Steel Framing (PSF) is a 100% Australian-owned company based in Toowoomba, supplying high-quality steel-framed sheds, carports, garages, shed houses and storage solutions. Starting locally, PSF now serves customers Australia wide with steel shed kits and shed homes.

With over 50 years of industry experience, PSF delivers high-quality, customised solutions for their clients.

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