5 Types of Sheds You Can Build with a Portable Sawmill (With Examples)

Unless you live in sawmill paradise, you’ll likely have to deal with inclement weather at some point in your milling life. Building a sawmill shed will not only protect your sawmill from the harsh elements, but will allow you to keep working through rain, snow, or any other weather that might get in your way.

Many sawmill owners choose to make a sawmill shed their first project to protect their investment. Phil C. built his sawmill shed to house his sawmill and his drying lumber, and estimates he saved thousands of dollars by milling his own hemlock and ash wood!

If you’ve got a gardener in the family, seed sheds are a perfect addition to the yard. Often small but spacious, a seed shed allows you to store, organize, and protect seeds, gardening supplies, and more.

If you choose to go the extra mile like Theodore T. did, you can attach a small greenhouse. This makes for a smart location to propagate seeds, experiment with new plant varieties, and pot plants for placing elsewhere.

Why mess with a classic? As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it—but you do need to build it. Storage sheds are ideal multipurpose storage areas for lawnmowers, rakes, bikes, and any other outdoor item that wouldn’t have a home otherwise.

Bruce G. used his shed project as a learning experience, not only to build a shed, but also to learn how to make lap siding with his LX25 Portable Sawmill.

A short summer project turned into many years of convenience, storage, and knowledge gained for other projects. Building a traditional storage shed is an excellent opportunity to sharpen your skills, run your sawmill, and earn experience.

For detailed instructions on building a storage shed, visit https://shedplans.org/how-to-build-a-shed/

Sometimes referred to as a “sugar shack,” a sugar shed is designed and built to boil maple sap into syrup. These sheds are unique in their structure, as they require special venting on the roof which allows for extreme heat to escape effectively, preventing the shed itself from becoming too hot.

Ron A. built his own sugar shack with his LX25 Portable Sawmill for Rock Acres Maple Farm, where he now sells wood-fired organic maple syrup from the Adirondacks. It’s a niche category, but sugar sheds are not limited to syrup. If you’re doing any sort of work that requires heat, the ventilation design of these sheds make for an ideal working space.

If you’re looking to get into the syrup business, be sure to check out the USDA Maple Syrup regulations here.

For many sawmill owners, sawing wood isn’t a primary source of income, but rather a necessity for other work. Farmers who manage their own land need buildings to store their equipment, and a tractor shed serves this purpose well.

Keith K. owns a Wood-Mizer from 1995, and it’s still sawing strong—strong enough to cut through the pine that made this beautiful tractor shed. It provides a secure location for his tractor to be stored, away from the harsh elements of winter. Keith estimates that it took about four months to build, but he saved over $7,000 in the process.

Whether you choose a sugar shack or a storage shed, be sure to use the proper materials. Cedar is recommended due to its natural rot resistance, but it isn’t as affordable as other wood species. Fir and pine can be used as well, but they need to be treated or stained before use to be protected from rot and moisture infiltration.

What's the easiest shed to build with a sawmill?

A traditional storage shed is the easiest first project. It requires basic framing skills and takes 2-4 weeks for a beginner.

How much money can I save building my own shed?

Sawmill owners save $2,000-$7,000 on average by milling their own lumber vs. buying pre-cut materials.

What wood is best for shed building?

Cedar is best due to natural rot resistance, but treated pine or fir are affordable alternatives.

Do I need building permits for a shed?

Most municipalities require permits for sheds over 120 square feet. Check local building codes.