Understanding Lifetime Shed Wind and Snow Load Ratings on
8', 15', and 11' Sheds by Lifetime Products, Inc
Lifetime sheds basically come in 3 styles. There's a front-entry where the door is on
the narrow side such as an 8x10. Second,
is a side-entry where the door is on the longer side such as a 10x8. The third includes Lifetime's 11' sheds which
come in 11x11, 11x13.5, 11x16, and so forth.
Do you really need a snow load kit or a wind kit? Probably not.
If your shed is anchored to a concrete base (or a second
best option of a wooden base), then you are not likely to run into issues that
are caused by wind. I say that with some
hesitation though assuming the reader understands that hurricanes, tornados,
and monsoon winds, can destroy anything in its path.
My emphasis in this blog article is to the average person
who may be threatened by such winds, but when they are once every few decades -
who knows with the crazy earth weather happening lately though. If you live in hurricane zones you likely
realize hurricane winds can and might take this or any shed out. We do carry wooden sheds that have a much
higher wind rating, but lacks the ease of the owner assembling it themselves.
Most Lifetime sheds are made in Utah. They are tested in Utah. They can withstand harsh winds that Utah is
prone to in the early Spring and Fall without extreme weather kits. Lifetime's own blog here illustrates
that. On a day when gusts reach 100mph, there
were still Lifetime sheds standing. With that in mind, there are extreme
weather kits and snow load kits that work on most Lifetime sheds increasing the
wind rating and snow rating per the chart below. Please note the exceptions.
|
Lifetime Shed Wind and Snow Ratings
|
8x10 Sheds
|
10x8 Sheds
|
15x8 Sheds
|
11' Sheds
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wind Rating
|
Standard 65 MPH | Standard 65 MPH | Standard 65 MPH | Standard 65 MPH |
|
Wind Rating with
Extreme Weather Kit |
94 MPH Kit # 60011 for 8x10 (covers 3 roof trusses) Note: Kit 60011 is compatible with the following 8x10 sheds - 60056, 60371, 6405. Not compatible with 60001, 60005, 60178, 60117, 60333, 60332, 60243 |
X | Not Compatible with 15x8 Lifetime Sheds 60079, 6446 and Lifetime Rough Cut Sheds 60318, 60353 | X |
|
Snow Load Rating
| Standard 23 psf | Standard 23 psf | Standard 23 psf | Standard 16 psf |
|
Snow Load
Rating With Snow Kit | 30 psf Kit # 60045 (Covers 1 Truss) Compatible with 8x10, 8x12.5, and 8x15 sheds | 30 psf Kit # 60125 for 10x8 (Covers 4 trusses) | 30 psf Kit # 60144 for 15x8 (covers 5 trusses) | 30 psf Kit # 60272 for 11x11 (covers 4 trusses) Kit # 60237 for 11x21 (covers 8 trusses) Kit # 1034594 (covers 1 truss) |
|
Exceptions
| 8x10 sheds not compatible with the wind kit 60011 are 60001, 60005, 60178, 60117, 60333, 60332, 60243 | 8x10 sheds not compatible with the wind kit 60011 are 60001, 60005, 60178, 60117, 60333, 60332, 60243 | Lifetime 8' sheds larger than 15' have no published wind rating. | There is no published wind rating for Lifetime sheds larger than 12.5'. The tests simply have not been done. So, the 11x11 is 65mph, but larger such as 11x13.5 has no published wind rating. |
Tagged Products
1 Comments
Admin - Competitive Edge Products
Thank you for taking the time to read "Understanding Lifetime Shed Wind and Snow Load Ratings." An important consideration that many shed owners overlook is that proper load rating understanding directly impacts your insurance coverage and warranty claims—ensuring your shed meets regional weather standards can save you thousands in potential damage replacement costs. Based on your location or climate zone, what wind or snow load rating have you found most important for your storage needs?
