Dutch Barn

Both are gambrel (barn-style) roof sheds, but the Dutch Barn has a steeper roof pitch and goes up to 12×40, while the Mini Barn caps at 12×32. The steeper pitch means noticeably more usable headroom in the loft area — if you want a real second-floor storage volume rather than just rafter space, the Dutch Barn is the pick. The Mini Barn is the right call when you want the gambrel look in a smaller footprint and a slightly lower starting price.

On a 10×16 Dutch Barn (one of our most popular sizes), the gambrel adds roughly 70 sq ft of usable storage above the main floor with about 4–5 feet of headroom at the peak. We don’t include a finished loft floor by default — most customers add 5/8" plywood loft decking either as an upgrade with us or on their own once it’s on-site. If you plan to load the loft with totes or bulky seasonal stuff, mention it on your quote and we’ll spec heavier joists.

For backyard storage, 10×16 (starting at $4,410 in LP SmartSide) is the sweet spot — it fits a riding mower, push mower, garden tools, and bikes with room to spare. If you’re storing a snowblower, ATV, or lawn tractor with attachments, customers typically size up to 12×16 or 12×20. Anything above 12×24 starts to feel like a dedicated workshop or small barn, so think about whether you actually need that footprint before committing.

Yes — standard Dutch Barn doors are a 6-foot-wide double-door opening that handles every consumer-grade lawn tractor (John Deere E-series, Cub Cadet XT-series, Husqvarna YTH, etc.). For zero-turns, commercial mowers, or compact tractors, give us the deck width and overall length on your quote and we’ll spec a wider 7-foot or 8-foot opening at no upcharge on most sizes.

Yes — every Dutch Barn through 12×40 is built fully assembled at our Parkesburg, PA shop and delivered on a low-profile mule trailer. We need roughly 12 feet of clearance width on your access path to roll it in. If your gate, fence, or mature landscaping is tighter than that, mention it when you request a quote — we’ve placed Dutch Barns through 10-foot gates with a stub-axle trailer, and on-site assembly is also available for the larger sizes if access is tight.

It depends on the size and your township. Most municipalities in PA, NJ, DE, and MD allow accessory structures under 200 sq ft (10×20 or smaller) without a permit, though setbacks from property lines still apply. A 12×24 or larger Dutch Barn usually needs a zoning permit, and any structure used for habitable purposes (insulation, electric, plumbing) will trigger a residential building permit. We always recommend a quick call to your zoning office before ordering, and we can supply spec drawings for your inspector at no charge.