PSF Shed Houses

• A shed house differs from a standard shed primarily in terms of compliance and design. While standard sheds are built for storage and don’t need to meet residential standards, a shed house must comply with all the regulations required for a regular home. This includes detailed building plans, engineering designs, insulation, energy efficiency, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity. Shed houses are designed with the same high standards as any residential building to ensure they are safe, durable, and comfortable for living. Additionally, modern shed houses must meet the new 7 Star NatHERS Energy Rating, ensuring they are highly energy-efficient. The “Whole of Home Energy Usage” requirement also means considering the overall energy consumption of the house, including appliances and climate control, for more sustainable living.

• The growing focus on sustainability has significantly influenced the design of shed houses. Modern shed houses are now built with energy-efficient materials and systems to reduce their environmental footprint. Features such as solar panel integration, high-performance insulation, and energy-efficient windows are standard. Water recycling systems, rainwater tanks, and greywater systems are also incorporated to minimize water usage. Shed houses are designed to meet strict energy efficiency standards like the 7 Star NatHERS Energy Rating, including the “Whole of Home Energy Usage” requirement, ensuring that energy consumption from appliances and climate control systems is minimized.
• In addition, older materials and systems no longer comply with current standards. The need for thicker insulation requires larger roof purlins and wall girts than previously used. New materials are also being introduced, with an emphasis on sustainability and thermal performance. For example, thermal breaks are now mandatory to prevent metal-on-metal contact, which can cause thermal bridging and reduce energy efficiency. These design upgrades ensure that shed houses not only meet compliance but are also built for long-term sustainability and comfort.

• Compliance Gaps: Standard sheds are built for non-habitable use, which means they often don’t account for the rigorous safety, structural, and energy efficiency requirements needed for residential buildings. This leads to major compliance gaps, especially in areas like insulation, structural integrity, and energy performance.
• Common Upgrades for Shed Houses:
• Slab Engineering Upgrades: Standard sheds usually have basic slabs, which lack the reinforcement needed for a Class 1 habitable building. Upgrades ensure the foundation can handle the load of residential features like heavier roofing, insulation, and interior walls.
• Frame Upgrades: The steel frames of standard sheds are not designed to meet Class 1 building codes. For a shed to be used as a house, the frame must be reinforced to support additional structural requirements, such as thicker insulation, heavier roofing, and more stringent wind and fire safety standards.
• Energy Efficiency: Standard sheds don’t meet modern energy efficiency requirements, like the 7 Star NatHERS Energy Rating. Shed houses must incorporate upgraded insulation, energy-efficient windows, and thermal breaks to prevent heat transfer, ensuring they minimize energy consumption. This may also include upgrading roof purlins and wall girts to accommodate thicker insulation.
• Thermal Breaks: Metal-on-metal contact creates thermal bridges, leading to energy loss and poor temperature control. For shed houses, thermal breaks between metal components are now mandatory to ensure proper insulation and energy efficiency.
• Fire and Safety Standards: Shed houses must meet strict fire safety regulations, which require upgrades like fire-rated materials, appropriate cladding, and ensuring there are safe egress points (doors and windows) in case of emergency.
• Plans and Engineering Designs: Standard sheds often lack proper building plans or detailed engineering designs. For a shed to meet residential compliance, these designs must be done from the ground up, accounting for plumbing, electrical systems, and the overall layout of a livable space. This ensures the building is structurally sound and meets all regulatory requirements.
• Ventilation and Airflow: Proper ventilation is another area where standard sheds fall short. Shed houses must have proper airflow and ventilation systems installed to maintain air quality and comply with health standards for residential buildings.

These upgrades ensure that shed houses comply with modern building codes and offer a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient living environment.

• This rating ensures homes meet strict energy efficiency standards, leading to high-performance insulation, energy-efficient glazing, and optimized design.
• The 7 Star NatHERS Energy Rating is a national standard that measures the thermal performance of a home based on its design, insulation, materials, and orientation. For shed houses, achieving this rating is crucial as it ensures the building meets high energy efficiency standards, making it both environmentally friendly and cost-effective to run.
• Impact on Design: The NatHERS rating directly influences how shed houses are designed. Key elements like window placement, building orientation, and material choices must be optimized to ensure the structure maintains a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling. For instance, large windows may be oriented to capture passive solar heat during winter, while shading solutions are employed to minimize heat gain in summer.
• Insulation: One of the biggest factors in meeting the 7 Star rating is insulation. Shed houses need high-performance insulation in the walls, roof, and floors to maintain thermal efficiency. This may require thicker insulation materials than those used in standard sheds, and even the design of the framing (larger roof purlins and wall girts) must account for this.
• Glazing: Energy-efficient glazing plays a significant role in achieving the 7 Star rating. Double-glazed or low-emissivity windows are often used to minimize heat loss in winter and reduce heat gain in summer. This ensures that shed houses retain internal temperature more effectively, lowering energy use for heating and cooling.
• Thermal Breaks: Metal components in shed houses, such as frames and cladding, are prone to thermal bridging, which can reduce energy efficiency. Thermal breaks—such as layers of insulation or non-metallic materials between metal surfaces—are essential to prevent heat transfer between inside and outside, helping shed houses maintain the required energy efficiency levels.
• Building Materials: Sustainable, energy-efficient materials like insulated roof panels, recycled steel, and energy-efficient cladding systems are often used to meet the 7 Star rating. These materials ensure not only compliance with energy standards but also a reduced environmental footprint. Even the colours you choose for your Colorbond is assessed, the colours you choose may not pass.
• Whole of Home Energy Usage: The 7 Star NatHERS Energy Rating also works in tandem with the “Whole of Home Energy Usage” requirement, which takes into account the total energy consumption of the house, including appliances, heating, cooling, and water systems. This holistic approach ensures that energy use is minimized throughout the building’s life cycle.
• Long-Term Benefits: Achieving a 7 Star NatHERS rating provides long-term savings for homeowners through reduced energy bills, while also adding to the home’s value. For owner-builders, it’s an opportunity to create a sustainable, comfortable living environment that adheres to modern energy standards.

• Class 1a engineering is crucial to ensure a shed house complies with residential building standards, focusing on structural strength to handle deflection and prevent issues like gyprock cracking.
• Slab design is key, tailored to accommodate plumbing and minimize movement, ensuring long-term durability. A soil test is also required to ensure the foundation suits the specific site conditions, preventing settling and cracking.
• Unlike standard sheds, which often rely on generic designs with a simple confirmation check by an engineer, shed houses require site-specific engineering. This includes customized plans to suit the actual location, ensuring the structure is fully compliant and safe for residential living.

• Glazing and insulation are essential for ensuring shed houses are energy-efficient and comfortable. Glazing helps control heat transfer, and the specific requirements vary based on climate zones. For example, in colder regions, double or triple-glazed windows might be needed to retain heat, whereas in hotter climates, low-emissivity (low-E) glass can block solar heat.
• Insulation plays a key role in maintaining indoor temperature. In colder zones, thicker insulation with higher R-values is required to trap heat, while in hotter zones, reflective or radiant barriers in the roof can prevent overheating. Both insulation and glazing need to be suited to the climate zone where the shed house is built, as different zones have distinct requirements.
• Orientation is also a critical factor. The positioning of windows relative to the sun affects how much passive solar heat enters the home. In cooler climates, north-facing windows can help capture warmth, while in warmer climates, careful placement and shading can reduce overheating and minimize the need for cooling.
• Final energy analysis: Even with good planning, shed houses must undergo a final analysis by an energy designer to determine if they meet the required energy efficiency standards. Until this analysis is complete, you won’t know if your shed house passes or fails compliance. This assessment ensures that glazing, insulation, and overall design are aligned with local energy requirements, preventing costly retrofits down the line.

• The Council approval process for a shed house is the same as that for a conventional home. Shed houses must meet all the same building codes and regulations, including structural engineering, energy efficiency, and safety standards. Just like a regular home, a shed house must pass inspections for compliance in areas such as plumbing, electrical, insulation, and fire safety. 

• Speed of Construction: Shed houses are known for their fast construction times, primarily due to their prefabricated components and simplified designs. The steel frame structures are lightweight, making them quicker to assemble on-site compared to traditional builds. These steel frames also require less labor and specialized equipment during installation, which speeds up the overall building process.
• Simple Roof Styles: Most shed houses utilize simple roof designs like gable or skillion roofs. These roof styles are not only cost-effective but also faster to install compared to more complex residential roofing systems, reducing both time and labor costs.
• External Cladding: The use of metal cladding for the exterior of the shed house further contributes to its affordability and speed. Metal cladding is easy to install and durable, offering long-term protection against weather conditions. Its lightweight nature also allows for quicker handling and installation on-site, saving significant time during the construction process.
• Lightweight Structure: Shed houses are typically lighter than conventional homes, which means they often require less material for the foundation and framing. This light weight reduces the need for extensive site preparation and heavy-duty construction materials, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.
• Lower Labor Costs: Due to the streamlined nature of the design and construction process, shed houses often require less labor, contributing to their overall affordability. This is especially appealing for owner-builders looking to manage construction costs while still meeting compliance requirements.

Despite the need to meet residential compliance standards, shed houses remain a faster and more affordable option compared to traditional homes, making them an attractive choice for homeowners seeking both efficiency and cost savings.

Frame Styles: The two most common frame styles used in shed houses are portal frames and steel stud framing.

• Portal frames are popular because they provide large, open spaces without the need for interior load-bearing walls. This is ideal for creating open-plan living areas and allows for flexibility in interior design. Portal frames are strong and easy to erect, which helps speed up construction while maintaining structural integrity.
• Steel stud framing is another common option, often used when a more conventional house layout is desired. Steel stud frames are lighter and more versatile, allowing for precise wall placements and easier integration of plumbing and electrical systems. This type of framing is also resistant to termites, rot, and fire, which adds to its durability.

Roof Types: The most common roof styles used in shed houses are gable and skillion roofs.

• Gable roofs offer a classic look, with two sloping sides meeting at a peak. They are not only aesthetically appealing but also practical, providing good drainage and extra space for ventilation or attic areas. Gable roofs are ideal for areas with high rainfall or snow, as they effectively shed water and prevent buildup.
• Skillion roofs, with their single, sloping surface, offer a more modern, minimalist appearance. Skillion roofs are cost-effective and easy to install, making them a popular choice for those looking for a sleek, contemporary look. They also allow for the easy installation of solar panels due to their clean, angled surface.

Impact on Look and Function:

• Portal frames contribute to the industrial, open-plan aesthetic that many modern shed houses aim for, while steel stud framing allows for more flexibility in interior room layout.
• The roof style impacts both the exterior appearance and functionality of the home. Gable roofs offer a traditional look, while skillion roofs create a modern, minimalist design. Both styles are efficient for drainage and energy efficiency, but skillion roofs tend to suit those who are focused on incorporating renewable energy options like solar panels.