Shed Glossary

Shed Terminology

You’re in the planning stages of your new shed and coming across a few new terms that have you scratching your head. Scratch no more! Here’s a glossary of all the shed terminology you could need.

Designed to make your shed building journey even more seamless, these will help you describe or understand the shiny steel structure going up in your backyard or worksite. If you reckon we’ve missed anything out, get in touch and we’ll add it in!

  • The highest point of a gable-style shed roof, where the two roof slopes meet. It’s what gives the shed its classic triangle shape. The apex helps shed rainwater and improves ventilation when combined with ridge vents or gable vents. It’s also where roof structure comes together—so it plays a big role in shed stability.

  • These steel brackets connect the rafters at the apex of the roof. Without them, the two sides of the roof wouldn’t meet safely or securely. They’re a key part of a shed’s structural frame and help maintain roof shape and strength, particularly during windy conditions or under heavy loads.

  • An extension of your shed roof, usually attached to the front or side, providing extra covered space. Awnings are great for protecting vehicles, creating shaded work areas or keeping equipment out of the weather. Whether it's sun or rain, an awning gives you more flexibility with how you use your shed.

  • Barge cappings are metal flashings installed at the gable ends of a shed to seal the gap between roof and wall cladding. They help keep rain and wind out, while also adding a finished, professional look to your shed.

  • A bay refers to the space between two frame columns or supports inside your shed. Sheds can be single-bay, double-bay, or multi-bay, depending on how they’re designed. This spacing is important for layout and functionality, helping with storing machinery, vehicles, or using the shed for different purposes.

  • A horizontal steel component that spans across the shed, helping carry the roof’s load and transferring weight to the columns. Beams are crucial for structural integrity, especially in wider sheds. They ensure everything above is well-supported.

  • A detailed inventory list of all the parts, components, and materials needed to build your shed. This includes everything from roof sheets and beams to tek screws and flashing. Stockman Sheds provides a clear BOM with every custom shed, making it easier to organise your build.

  • A proudly Australian steel manufacturer that produces high-quality products built to handle tough Aussie conditions. All Stockman Sheds are built using BlueScope Steel for strength, longevity, and peace of mind. Their Colorbond® range is an industry leader in shed construction.

  • The outer shell of your shed, usually made from Colorbond® steel sheeting. It covers the walls and roof, offering weather protection and contributing to your shed’s look. With a wide range of colours and profiles, cladding is both practical and visually appealing.

  • Steel purlins shaped like the letter “C,” used throughout the shed frame. You'll find Cee sections used in wall girts, roof purlins, and other load-bearing components. They're strong, lightweight, and versatile, which is key to a shed that stands the test of time.

  • According to the Building Code of Australia, a Class 10a building is a non-habitable structure like a garage, carport, or shed. If you're applying for council approvals, this classification matters. It ensures your shed meets safety and compliance requirements.

  • Small but vital metal connectors that join different sections of the frame. Cleats can be used at rafters, purlins, girts, and more. They work with bolts, tek screws, or other fasteners to hold your shed together and ensure solid construction.

  • A pre-painted steel product made by Bluescope Steel, known for its resilience and range of colour options. Colorbond® cladding is built to endure sun, salt, and storms. It gives your shed a polished appearance and long-lasting protection without constant maintenance.

  • The vertical steel members that support the weight of your shed. Think of them as the legs that hold the whole thing up. Columns transfer the weight from the roof down into the concrete slab or footings, and their spacing defines your bays.

  • Steel straps or threaded rods placed diagonally across walls or ceilings to stop the shed from swaying or buckling under wind pressure. Crucial for structural stability in open areas or cyclone-prone regions.

  • A corrugated steel cladding profile used on walls and roofs. Known for its classic ripple look, it’s one of the most recognised shed styles in Australia. Custom Orb is tough and timeless.

  • Roof and wall sheeting can act as a structural brace, stiffening the shed frame. This is known as diaphragm bracing, and it helps reduce the need for additional steel braces in smaller sheds.

  • Vertical pipes that carry rainwater from your gutters down to the ground or into a tank. They keep water away from the slab and help prevent erosion or flooding around your shed.

  • The part of the roof that extends beyond the walls, providing shade and rain protection. Eaves also help with air flow and reduce heat transfer into the shed.

  • The wall at either end of a gable roof shed. Often where your roller doors, PA doors or windows go. End walls help define the overall structure and appearance.

  • When your shed design changes in height, bay spacing, or span, the engineer may specify a stronger or thicker steel section in one part. This is called an engineering step. It ensures safety and structural soundness.

  • Also known as an eave batten. Supports the fascia and awning at the edge of the roof. Helps give the shed a clean finish and supports any overhanging elements.

  • Thin pieces of metal used to cover and seal joints where water might get in, like where the roof meets a wall or around openings. Flashings are vital to weatherproof your shed.

  • A diagonal brace that connects the bottom flange of a rafter to a purlin. It adds extra support and helps keep your roof shape stable under load.

  • The triangular end of a shed beneath a pitched roof. Gables add storage height and airflow, and they give your shed that classic Aussie shed silhouette.

  • A large beam that carries the load of smaller beams or rafters. Common in big sheds or open-bay designs, girders help span large areas without internal posts.

  • Horizontal steel members attached to the wall columns, providing support for wall sheeting. Like purlins, but for your walls.

  • Mounted along the eaves, gutters collect rainwater and direct it toward downpipes. Proper guttering prevents water damage and lets you harvest rainwater if desired.

  • The angled brackets that join columns to rafters. A key connection point that bears heavy loads and keeps your frame solid.

  • Keeps the shed cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Great for workshops, animal shelters or anything you spend time in. Helps reduce condensation too.

  • Located at the joint where the column meets the rafter. These brackets take on a lot of stress and are engineered for strength.

  • A single slope extension to your main shed, often used to add a carport, storage bay or shaded area. Simple, effective, and cost-efficient.

  • A slatted vent that lets fresh air in and warm air out, without letting rain or pests in. Often installed in walls or gables.

  • Short for Personal Access Door. A smaller standard-sized door that allows people to enter the shed without using a large roller door. All our PA Doors come from legendary Australian supplier Larnec.

  • The angle of the roof. Steeper pitches are good for water runoff and internal clearance; shallower pitches can be more economical.

  • The primary frame structure of your shed, made up of columns, rafters, knee, and apex brackets. It carries most of the structural load.

  • Horizontal beams that run across the roof and support the cladding. Without them, your roof sheeting would sag or collapse.

  • A rebate edge is a slightly lower step around the perimeter of your concrete slab. The shed walls sit on this step, meaning they sit below the shed floor.

  • Australia is divided into wind regions, which affect how your shed must be engineered. Cyclone-prone areas need or those with stronger wind speeds stronger designs.

  • A sloped structural element in the roof that supports the purlins and cladding, transferring loads to the walls or beams. Rafters work with purlins to keep the roof strong and straight.

  • The capping that covers the ridge (top) of your gable roof. Keeps rain and debris out of the joint.

  • Large access points with a door that rolls up vertically into a coil. Great for wide access, whether it’s for vehicles, machinery or big storage items. Also, they let natural light in when open. We only use Steel-Line roller doors. 

  • Mesh or wire strung underneath the roof sheeting to hold foil-backed insulation in place. It prevents sagging and ensures the insulation maintains its shape and coverage. A simple but important piece of the insulation puzzle.

  • The longer sides of your shed running parallel to the ridge line. These walls often house your gutters and downpipes, and may include windows, PA doors, or lean-to connections. The layout of the side wall can impact how you use and access the shed.

  • A sleek, modern-looking roof with a single slope. Skillion roofs are great for maximizing wall height on one side and are ideal for areas with water run-off concerns. They offer a distinctive look that’s growing in popularity.

  • The concrete foundation your shed is built on. A well-poured slab ensures structural stability and a level base for installation. It can include a rebated edge for vermin proofing and must be engineered to suit the shed size and use, whether that’s light domestic or heavy rural machinery. Stockman slabs are all built with 32MPa concrete - that’s industrial engineering grade.

  • Refers to the distance between two structural supports such as columns or walls. The wider the span, the more open space you’ll have inside, but it also means the beams and roof components need to be stronger. Important to consider when designing sheds for large equipment or vehicles.

  • Short for self-drilling and self-tapping screws, tek screws are widely used in shed construction. They fasten steel to steel or steel to cladding without needing to pre-drill, speeding up the build. Strong, reliable, and built to handle the Aussie elements.

  • A classification that reflects the type of surrounding environment your shed is built in: open paddocks, suburban blocks, or heavily vegetated areas. It affects how the shed is engineered to withstand wind pressure. Terrain matters a lot when planning a shed build.

  • Lightweight steel sections shaped like a top hat, used to support wall and roof sheeting. Mostly found in smaller or domestic sheds, they help tie the structure together and provide extra cladding support. Topspan offers strength without excessive bulk.

  • A high-ribbed steel profile used for both walls and roofs. Trimdek offers excellent water run-off and modern styling, with strong ribs that improve load-bearing capacity. It’s ideal for sheds that need a contemporary look with performance to match.

  • A physical barrier installed at the base of the shed wall to prevent mice, snakes, and other pests from entering. Stockman’s Never Pest system pairs a steel vermin seal with a rebated slab edge for unmatched protection. Keeps your shed secure and your stored gear safe.

  • An extended covered area attached to the shed, perfect for sitting out in the breeze, working on projects, or storing firewood and tools. A verandah adds livability to rural sheds and a classic Aussie feel that’s both functional and charming.

  • Bracing elements like steel rods or straps that reinforce the shed’s frame against lateral wind forces. Especially critical in open or cyclone-prone areas, wind bracing helps prevent structural sway and collapse. It’s invisible protection that does a massive job.

  • Wind speed ratings are used in engineering to determine how strong your shed needs to be. Australia’s diverse climate means a shed in the tropics faces different conditions than one in the suburbs. Getting the wind speed rating right ensures your shed stands strong year after year.

  • Z-shaped steel structural members, used similarly to Cee sections in roof and wall framing. Zed sections allow for overlapping joins, making them useful in longer spans or where additional strength is needed. Their shape adds flexibility and resilience to the shed frame.

  • A corrosion-resistant steel product made by coating steel in a mix of zinc and aluminium. It offers long-lasting protection in tough environments and is often used as an alternative to Colorbond® for a metallic, raw steel finish. It’s the go-to option for rural sheds battling the elements.

Get a Custom Shed from Stockman

Stockman Sheds is based in Toowoomba and we supply and build quality custom sheds across Southeast Queensland.

Every shed we build is custom-designed after extensive consultation with you, the client. This means it fits your needs perfectly.

For a stress-free shed building process, where we take care of everything including council approvals, get in touch with our shed experts today! You can ring us on 0493 791 972, or click the button below.