Hi-Wall Barn

They’re actually the same build — same gambrel roof, same 6’6″ sidewalls, same construction. The only difference is where the double door goes: the Hi-Wall Barn has its doors on the gable end (the narrow side), while the Dutch Barn has its doors on the eave side (the long side). We’re the only builder that gives them different names based on door placement. Pick whichever orientation works best for your site — the structure, price, and options are identical.

It can be done — the 6’6″ sidewalls give you full stud bays for insulation and room to run electrical without losing headroom. But the Hi-Wall Barn is still a storage/workshop structure that you’d be converting after delivery (insulation, drywall, flooring, electrical, mini-split — typically $4K–$8K via a local contractor). If a finished office or studio is your primary goal, check out our Studio Shed or Office Shed — they’re purpose-built for that use case. The Hi-Wall Barn is the better pick when you mainly need storage or workshop space and might occasionally use it as a flex room.

10×16 (starting at $4,410 in LP SmartSide) is the sweet spot for storage with a workbench, while 12×20 (starting at $5,705) is the go-to for buyers who want more floor space and the option to add a loft above. Above 12×28 we’d steer you toward the Portable Two Story instead if you really need that much enclosed space.

The gambrel loft on a Hi-Wall Barn gives you roughly 3 feet of clearance at the peak on a 10×16 or 12×20 — enough for totes, seasonal gear, and anything you can stack and slide in, but not standing room. The Dutch Barn gets similar loft volume since it’s the same gambrel build (just with the door on the eave wall instead of the gable end). Loft decking is not included by default; budget about $250–$450 to add 3/4" plywood at order time.

Yes — every Hi-Wall Barn up to 14′ wide is built fully assembled at our Parkesburg, PA shop and delivered on a specialized trailer. Your access path needs to be at least 2 feet wider than the structure — so a 10-ft Hi-Wall needs 12 ft of clearance, a 12-ft needs 14 ft. 14-wide Hi-Wall Barns can also be delivered fully assembled — we handle the road permit and pilot car ($7.50/mi one-way instead of $5). Once on-site, our Shed Mule lifts the structure off the trailer and positions it exactly where you want it. The Mule fits through most gate openings, but the building must clear every fence, gate, and passage. If it won’t fit through your gate, you can remove a fence section or go with an on-site build (30% surcharge). The Mule also can’t handle very steep hills or heavy mud. Also note the taller sidewalls mean a slightly higher overall delivery height (roughly 13′6″ tall during transit), so low-hanging branches or wires are worth flagging when you request a quote.

For storage use, most townships in PA, NJ, DE, and MD exempt accessory structures under 200 sq ft from a building permit — so a smaller Hi-Wall Barn used purely for tools, equipment, or seasonal items often needs no permit at all. Larger sizes or placement near property lines may still require a zoning permit, so it’s always worth a quick call to your local zoning office before ordering. If you decide down the road to add electrical, insulation, or convert it into a workspace, that’s when a full building permit and inspection typically come into play — and HOA rules or home-occupation restrictions may apply if you’re running a business out of it.