Midwest Accessory Structures

Your dream backyard building needs a coat. But one coat isn't going to do everything. Let's clear up the confusing construction insulation jargon: https://midwestaccessorystructures.com/blog/14

Here's an analogy that helps:

💨 Windy outside? You need a windbreaker — that's your air barrier.

🌧️ Raining? You need a raincoat — that's your v***r control.

🥶 Cold? You need a puffy winter jacket — that's your batt insulation.

🎩 Going to a wedding? You need a dress coat — that's your finished ceiling and interior.

When you search online for how to insulate a backyard building, you'll find a LOT of conflicting information (Reddit only adds to the confusion). And much of it isn't necessarily wrong. It's just meant for a different building, in a different climate, using a different construction method.

Minnesota isn't Florida. A traditional attic isn't a hot roof. Air sealing isn't v***r control. And spray foam isn't the answer to everything.

I've been digging into this because I want to help homeowners stop getting this stuff wrong. I'm putting together a series explaining how we're approaching year-round backyard buildings here in Minnesota—including our use of an unvented hot roof and flash-and-batt insulation.

Because if you're thinking of DIYing insulating a shed, you shouldn't have to figure out building science by piecing together conflicting advice from the internet.

Build the right coat for the climate.

More Space for Your Life.

Sometimes the best space for your home doesn't fit inside your house.

There's value in having separate spaces—something we've gradually moved away from in modern remodeling and new home construction.

When remodeling a floor plan, many people assume that knocking down walls is the best way to make a home feel bigger. And while it certainly creates a more open space, it can also remove the boundaries that give each room a clear purpose.

A phone call is no longer private. The workout equipment lives in the storage room. The desk finds its way into the living room, where household distractions are everywhere, like your beloved family members.

Focus becomes harder to find.

Before long, every room is trying to do too many jobs, and the house starts to feel cluttered. More space doesn't always require a bigger house.

Sometimes the answer is separation.

This is not your typical shed. It's a backyard office and someone's dream in the making.

The buildings we're creating at Midwest Accessory Structures aren't meant for things; they're meant for people. What if the same basic idea could become something completely different? This one is becoming an office and music space, but it represents a blank canvas more than anything. A hobby room, quiet retreat, she shed, golf simulator—it's a space you didn't know you needed until you had it.

That's the idea we're passionate about.

We're taking the concept of a backyard building and approaching it more like a room of the home—a finished, comfortable space designed around how you actually want to use it.

The building is the blank canvas. What happens inside is what really matters.

A four-season porch isn't always the best way to create more space.

That might sound strange coming from someone in construction.

After years of remodeling homes, I understand why homeowners love four-season porches. They create a bright, comfortable place to gather with family, enjoy a cup of coffee, or watch a summer thunderstorm roll through. For many people, they're exactly the right investment. But be sure you are starting with the right question:

What are you actually trying to accomplish?

If your goal is another family room, a four-season porch makes a lot of sense, but if you're looking for a quiet place to work from home, practice music, run a business, paint, write, or simply think without interruption, attaching another room to the house might not solve the problem you're trying to solve.

Sometimes what you really need isn't more space in your house, it's a room with a door.

A detached prefab studio creates separation. You leave the distractions behind, walk outside, and step into a space designed for one purpose. When you're done, you close the door and come home.

Maybe the better question is, "What kind of space would improve the way we live?"

More Space for Your Life.

midwestaccessorystructures.com

PS - thanks, Kenny, for the real-life conversation that inspired this post 😀

What’s the difference between an ADU and a backyard studio?

They look almost identical from the outside with the same siding, roof, and windows, but there are some distinct differences.

A backyard office or hobby space is designed to be used for part of your day. An ADU is designed for all of it.

While a backyard studio or office is intended to provide separation from household distractions to focus, an ADU is a complete living space with a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area. Similar building, but the difference is the purpose.

Need space for an aging parent or other family member? You would want to build an ADU. Need a place to work from home? A backyard office is your ticket!

Both create more space, but they create it in different ways. Let us help you make the right decision about how to get More Space For Your Life.

I just had a conversation with a GC and a painter who both mentioned this:

Even a great remodeling experience is still disruptive.
Dumpsters. Dust. Noise. Workers in your home every day.

That's not a criticism of remodeling.

It's just reality.

Sometimes creating space outside the home is worth considering before tearing into the one you already love.

The Hidden Costs Of Moving

Home prices are outrageous lately. When people outgrow their home, they often assume moving is the answer, but that’s not always the BEST answer for them.

Moving comes with realtor fees, closing costs, moving expenses, repairs, and higher mortgage payments.

Before you start house hunting, ask yourself:

Do I need a bigger house...
Or do I just need more usable space?