A glossary of terms frequently encountered when looking to buy a shed. This section is to further help you describe the shed you want to design or understand what you are purchasing. Post a comment below if you have a question about a term that’s not listed or you wish to suggest an addition or edit to the glossary.
What is:
Accredited, ShedSafe
Accreditation program by the Australian Steel Institute. Must be earned, not bought, assuring sheds meet proper standards.
Apex
Highest point of the shed where the two roof slopes meet.
Apex Bracket / Cleat
Connects opposing rafters at the apex.
Apex Plate
Metal plate connecting rafters at the ridge.
Apex Tie
Horizontal brace at roof peak that stiffens rafters.
A.S.I.
Australian Steel Institute, representing manufacturers, roll formers, and suppliers.
Barge
Flashing sealing gaps between wall sheets and roof sheets at gable ends.
Barge Capping
Flashings covering gable ends, sealing wall and roof sheets.
Bay
Space between two columns, often containing roller doors.
BCA
Building Codes of Australia.
Bike Shed
Small shed designed for bicycle storage.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
List of parts and quantities needed to build a shed, garage, or carport.
BMT
Base Metal Thickness of sheeting, not including coatings.
Cee Section
C-shaped steel purlin used in frames, girts, and roof purlins.
Cladding
Wall and roof sheeting.
Class 10a Building
BCA code for non-habitable structures like sheds or garages.
Cleats
Brackets used to connect shed sections with bolts or screws.
Clearspan
Shed design with no internal columns, leaving open space.
Colorbond
BlueScope’s coated steel used for cladding and gutters.
Column
Vertical steel member supporting rafters and purlins.
Cross Bracing
Steel straps or rods used for stability in larger or wind-exposed sheds.
Custom-orb
Lysaght corrugated profile sheeting for roof or walls.
Diaphragm Bracing
Structural support provided by roof and wall sheeting.
Downpipes
Pipes to divert rainwater away from the shed.
Eave
Lower roof edge where gutters are located.
End Wall
Walls located at the gable ends.
Engineering
Certification documents proving shed’s structural integrity.
Engineering Step
Change in structural member sizes when shed dimensions change.
Fascia Batten
Batten at eaves, often used for attaching awnings.
Fascia Purlin
Purlin at eaves that supports both roof and wall sheets.
Fly Brace
Brace from rafter to purlin to restrain lateral movement.
Frame
Main shed structure supporting sheeting, doors, and windows.
Gable / Gable End
Triangular end wall between sloping roof edges.
Gambrel Roof
Barn-style roof with two slopes per side, allowing loft space.
Garage
Building for motor vehicle shelter or repairs.
Girt
Horizontal member supporting wall sheeting.
Girt Bracket
Bracket fixing wall girts to columns.
Gutters
Channels under eaves to collect and divert rainwater.
Haunch
Another name for knee bracket connection.
Height
Vertical measurement from floor to eave.
Importance Level
Consequences if the building fails; used in design codes.
Insulation
Foil, blanket, or bubble-wrap products for thermal comfort.
Knee Bracket
Joins columns to rafters, often reinforced.
Knee Plate
Bracket joining rafters to columns.
Larnec
Supplier of pre-hung PA doors for sheds.
Length
Measurement along sidewalls, often expressed in bays.
Multiclad
Lysaght multi-ribbed sheeting for walls.
Multi-span
Shed type with extra columns to extend coverage.
Open Fronted / Bays
Farm shed design with open sides.
PA Door
Personal access door.
Pole Building
Construction using posts/poles for vertical support.
Portal Frame
Frame unit of columns, rafters, apex, and knee brackets.
Potting Shed
Shed equipped for gardening tasks.
Purlin
Horizontal roof member supporting sheeting.
Rafter
Sloped beam from apex to eave, supporting roof loads.
Region
Wind-speed zones (A, B, C, D) used in design.
Ridge Cap
Flashing covering the ridge line to seal roof sheets.
Ridge Capping
Flashing covering and sealing the ridge.
Roof Pitch
Angle of the roof slope, commonly 10°–15°.
Roof Purlin
Horizontal steel member that supports roof sheeting.
Roof Wire
Wire installed to support foil-backed insulation.
Section, Zed
Z-shaped steel purlin/girt that can be lapped.
Shed
Outbuilding used for storage, work, or shelter.
Side Wall
Wall with gutters, usually consisting of bays.
Size of Shed
Measured as Span × Length × Eave Height.
Skillion
Single-pitch roof design.
Skillion Roof
Mono-pitch roof with single slope.
Slab
Concrete base or floor of the shed.
Span
Width of shed across gable end.
TCT
Total Coating Thickness (BMT + coatings).
Tek Screw
Self-drilling screw with hex head, often with washer.
Terrain
Surroundings of the shed site affecting wind exposure.
Topspan / Top Hat
Light steel sections for attaching sheeting.
Trimdek
Lysaght square-fluted sheeting for wall or roof.
Vermaseal / Vermin Seal
Blocks pests and isolates sheeting from slab.
Wall Girt
Horizontal steel member supporting wall sheeting.
Wind Speed
Factor considered in engineering shed design.
