Lowe’s Is Selling a “Beautiful” $13K Convertible Shed (It’s Basically a Tiny Home!)
The tiny house phenomenon has inspired countless people to leave their full-size homes behind in favor of a simpler, more compact lifestyle (for much less money). In fact, there are at least 10,000 tiny homes in the U.S. right now — and analysts suspect that the market will only continue to grow.
On the other hand, this trend has also led some folks to do the exact opposite of limiting their footprint — by putting a tiny home or an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in their yard as an affordable way to add a work space, a greenhouse, or even a guesthouse for a fraction of the cost. Case in point: Lowe’s is selling a $13,156 Scandinavian-inspired shed that you can use for everything from a detached work-from-home space to a covered backyard entertaining haven.
According to the product description on the Lowe’s website, the Canopia by Palram Copenhagen is a storage shed that features 9 feet by 11 feet of space and a sleek, polycarbonate design with lots of floor-to-ceiling windows (and the resulting natural light). It’s marketed as a backyard office kit, thanks to its triple wall insulation, the ability to install electrical plugs, and the WPC walls that can support hidden wiring for electricity, internet, and plumbing. It can also be used for an indoor-outdoor workout space, a hobby or storage shed, a plant parent’s indoor garden, or an extra guest space. As a plus, the double doors come with a built-in lock, which gives you some extra peace of mind if you want to store anything of value inside.
The modern design and double doors ensure that this tiny shed looks like an expensive custom build instead of something that you can order online. The building is made out of aluminum and WPC with acrylic glass panels, while the sturdy 10-centimeter multilayered polycarbonate ceiling comes with 8 centimeters of air insulation — which is a type of thermal insulation — and a hidden internal gutter to get rid of rainwater.
Weather and climate capabilities are also built into the design, as the waterproof build features a wind-, snow-, and hail-resistant frame. According to the product description, it’s been tested to withstand winds of up to 75 miles per hour while it can hold up to 37 pounds of snow, so this might be worth keeping in mind if you live in a particularly windy or cold-weather area. You might still want to hire a local inspector to check out your shed and ensure it can withstand the weather in your area.
The Canopia shed has a lot of customizable options that come with the kit — you can choose where to install the sunroof panel on the roof and the shade and two windows along the sides. The walls are also sturdy enough to hang shelves, which gives you a little extra storage space.
The building has also been outfitted for comfort for those living in hot climates. The walls can hold an air conditioning unit and the white roof panels and side walls have zero light transmission. With the front wall’s 95% light transmission and the sunroof panel’s 90% light transmission, you can control how much light (and extra heat) is getting inside.
Of course, adding wiring, an AC unit, electricity, and more will cost you far more than the initial price point, but these upgrades, including the cost of the shed, would still be far less expensive than the cost of an average home.
Happy customers praised the triple-wall insulation, which they said “keeps it comfortable, even on chilly days,” as well as the weather-proof design. “It has weathered storms without major issues. It’s not immune, but it’s reliable. During heavy rains, it stays dry inside,” one person wrote, while others lauded the “solid foundation” and its durability in extreme weather. “It’s held up well against wind and snow. It’s reliable. It has endured several seasons without any major issues,” one customer claimed on the Lowe’s website.
However, keep in mind that assembling this shed yourself might be a bit of a project depending on how handy you are. One person who bought the shed from Bed Bath & Beyond (on sale for $13,118) said that it took her and her two friends four full days to put it together. “The instructions are pretty good, but at some points are quite confusing,” she wrote. However, she clarified she was still a big fan of her purchase, adding “I’d buy and build this studio shed again. It’s beautiful. Great value for the money.” If you’re interested in the home, there are a number of retailers selling it beyond Lowe’s and Bed Bath & Beyond — including on the manufacturer’s website, where you can also get more details on the build.
Buy: Canopia by Palram 9-ft x 11-ft Copenhagen Polycarbonate Storage Shed, $13,156