I remember the exact moment I knew we had a problem. It was a Tuesday morning, and I was trying to get the lawnmower out from behind the family sedan, which was parked precariously close to my workbench. To get to the mower, I had to move two bikes, a stack of patio cushions, and a generator. It was an infuriating game of real-life Tetris that I was losing badly. Our two-car garage had become a one-car storage unit, a chaotic graveyard for everything that didn’t have a dedicated home. This wasn’t just an inconvenience; it was a constant source of stress, wasting time and making it impossible to find the tools we actually needed. We desperately needed a dedicated, secure, and massive space to reclaim our garage and organize our lives.
What to Consider Before Buying a Large Metal Storage Shed
A Storage Shed is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your primary living and working spaces. It’s a functional extension of your home, a fortress for your valuable equipment, a workshop for your hobbies, or even a garage for a project car. The primary benefit is decluttering your home and garage, protecting expensive assets like vehicles, ride-on mowers, and generators from the elements, and creating a secure, organized hub for tools and outdoor gear. Investing in a substantial shed like this isn’t just about storage; it’s about investing in peace of mind and operational efficiency for your property.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a homeowner with a significant amount of property, a serious hobbyist (like a woodworker or mechanic), or someone with large equipment that needs robust, all-weather protection. If you need to store a car, a small boat, an ATV, or run a workshop, a shed of this magnitude is a game-changer. However, it might not be suitable for those with small yards, those who only need to store a few garden tools, or individuals uncomfortable with a major, multi-day DIY construction project. For simpler needs, smaller resin sheds or even deck boxes are far more practical alternatives.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: First, measure your intended site meticulously. You need a large, level foundation area, plus several feet of clearance on all sides for assembly. The Aoxun 12x20x9.3 FT Extra Large Metal Storage Shed Double-Door offers a massive footprint; ensure your property can accommodate it without violating local building codes or setback requirements. The 9.3-foot peak height is a major advantage for vertical storage and headroom.
- Capacity/Performance: Think in cubic feet. At 1700 CUFT, this shed can swallow a shocking amount of gear. Consider its primary purpose: will it house a vehicle? If so, measure your car’s dimensions, allowing for door-opening clearance. Key performance metrics include snow load (11 inches for this model is excellent for snowy climates) and wind resistance, which are dictated by the frame’s strength and proper anchoring.
- Materials & Durability: Metal sheds, particularly those made of galvanized steel like this Aoxun model, offer superior strength and fire resistance compared to wood or resin. The UV-resistant powder coating is non-negotiable for preventing rust and fading over years of exposure. While resin sheds are rust-proof and low-maintenance, they can become brittle in extreme cold and lack the structural rigidity for heavy loads or vehicle storage.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The dual-door system—a large roll-up door for vehicles and a hinged side door for people—is a critical ease-of-use feature. Once built, maintenance is minimal, typically just requiring occasional washing and checking that bolts remain tight. The assembly, however, is the polar opposite of “easy,” and you must be prepared for a significant time and labor commitment.
Deciding on the right shed is a major decision, but getting it right means adding a truly valuable asset to your property.
While the Aoxun 12x20x9.3 FT Extra Large Metal Storage Shed Double-Door is an excellent choice for massive storage needs, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, especially if your needs are more modest, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
First Impressions: An Industrial-Grade Kit for the Determined DIYer
The delivery of the Aoxun 12x20x9.3 FT Extra Large Metal Storage Shed Double-Door is an event in itself. It arrives in several large, extremely heavy boxes. Aoxun’s claim of “advanced protective packaging” is no joke; our shipment arrived with reinforced corners and foam padding, and every panel was pristine, without a single dent or scratch. Unboxing, however, is daunting. You’re greeted by hundreds of steel panels, frame pieces, and a veritable sea of screws, bolts, and plastic caps. The initial feeling is one of being overwhelmed, mixed with excitement about the sheer scale of the project. The brown powder-coated steel panels feel substantial and well-finished. It’s immediately clear this is not a flimsy, weekend-pop-up shed; it’s a semi-permanent structure that means business.
Key Benefits
- Massive 1700 CUFT capacity and high 9.3 ft ceiling provide cavernous storage space.
- Heavy-duty galvanized steel construction with an 11-inch snow load rating for true all-weather durability.
- Smart dual-access design with a large vehicle door and a separate side entry door.
- Exceptional value compared to the cost of a pre-built wooden shed of a similar size.
Limitations
- Assembly instructions are notoriously poor, confusing, and lack critical detail.
- The build process is extremely time-consuming and requires a minimum of 2-3 people.
Performance Deep Dive: Building and Living With the Aoxun Behemoth
A review of the Aoxun 12x20x9.3 FT Extra Large Metal Storage Shed Double-Door is really a story in two parts: the build and the result. One is a test of patience and perseverance, while the other is the highly satisfying reward. We spent weeks with this shed, from laying the foundation to loading it with gear, to truly understand its character.
The Assembly Gauntlet: A Brutal but Rewarding Build
Let’s be direct and echo the sentiment we’ve seen from other users: the assembly instructions are abysmal. The diagrams are small, often unclear about panel orientation, and lack the step-by-step clarity you’d expect for a project of this complexity. As one user aptly put it, “There is no left right up down in out instructions on any pieces.” We found ourselves frequently assembling a section only to realize a panel was facing the wrong way, forcing us to backtrack. The recommended 10 hours with 3 people feels optimistic; we’d suggest budgeting a full weekend or several evenings, and that’s after you’ve prepared your foundation.
Our advice is to throw out the timeline, put on some music, and embrace the process. Lay out and identify all your parts *before* you begin. Keep screws for each step in separate magnetic trays. And most importantly, do not fully tighten any bolts until an entire section (like a full wall) is pieced together. This gives you the wiggle room needed to align the numerous holes, which can sometimes be slightly off. Having a team is non-negotiable, especially when erecting the wall frames and lifting the roof trusses. Despite these significant challenges, a profound sense of accomplishment comes with seeing the frame take shape. Every correctly placed panel feels like a victory, and you develop an intimate understanding of the structure’s integrity. It’s a difficult journey, but one that ultimately delivers a feature that really sets it apart in terms of final sturdiness.
Fortress of a Shed: All-Weather Durability and Construction
Once the final bolt is tightened, the pain of the assembly process begins to fade, replaced by awe at the shed’s sheer solidity. This is where the Aoxun 12x20x9.3 FT Extra Large Metal Storage Shed Double-Door truly shines. The frame is constructed from heavy-gauge alloy steel, and the wall panels are thick, galvanized steel. When properly anchored to a concrete slab, this structure feels immovable. The steeply pitched roof is a brilliant design choice, not just for shedding rain and snow effectively, but also for creating that massive interior vertical space.
The 11-inch snow load rating is a key feature for anyone living in a climate with serious winter weather. We found this sentiment confirmed by a user in northern Maine who expressed zero concern about the coming snow. The powder coating is evenly applied, providing a robust barrier against moisture and UV rays, which is critical for preventing the rust that can plague cheaper metal sheds. The inclusion of plastic caps for all the sharp screw ends is a thoughtful touch, preventing nasty cuts and scrapes once you start moving around inside. This isn’t just a shed; it’s a long-term, low-maintenance shelter engineered to withstand the elements for years to come.
Cavernous Capacity and Smart Design
Stepping inside the completed shed is a genuine “wow” moment. The 1700 cubic feet of storage space feels immense. The 12×20 foot footprint is large enough to comfortably park a mid-size SUV or pickup truck with room to spare on the sides for shelves or a workbench. The 9.3-foot peak height is the secret weapon here. As another user noted, you can easily add overhead storage for long items like lumber, pipes, or ladders, effectively using space that is wasted in most other sheds. We were able to store a ride-on mower, a snowblower, four bicycles, a generator, and all our gardening equipment, and we still had a massive open area to work in.
The dual-door design is exceptionally practical. The main roll-up door is wide enough for any vehicle and operates smoothly. But the real convenience is the hinged side door. It allows you to quickly grab a shovel or a bike without having to open the entire front of the shed. This simple feature transforms the usability, making it feel less like a garage and more like an accessible workshop. The inclusion of locks for both doors provides a welcome layer of security for the thousands of dollars of equipment you’re likely to store inside. For anyone needing a vast, versatile, and secure space, the Aoxun’s capacity and layout are hard to beat.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our experience with the assembly process was heavily validated by other buyers. The most common point of frustration, by far, is the quality of the instructions. One user stated, “the instructions suck. Expect to disassemble parts on occasion as you go.” Another wished for simple stickers on the parts to indicate orientation, which would have “save[d] so much time.” This is a critical piece of feedback that potential buyers must take seriously; this is an expert-level DIY project.
However, once the build is complete, the sentiment shifts dramatically to positive. The same user who criticized the instructions praised the final product, saying, “the building is solid. I live in northern Maine and I’m not concerned about the snow with this.” This speaks volumes about its structural integrity. Another key takeaway is the value proposition: “as you work thru it keep in mind you are saving 5 grand over a prebuilt wooden shed the same size.” This is the core trade-off: you are exchanging your time and labor for a massive financial saving without compromising on the quality of the final structure.
How Does the Aoxun 12x20x9.3 FT Extra Large Metal Storage Shed Double-Door Compare to the Alternatives?
The Aoxun 12x20x9.3 FT Extra Large Metal Storage Shed Double-Door exists in a class of its own for large-scale DIY storage. The “alternatives” are not direct competitors but rather solutions for entirely different needs, which helps clarify who this Aoxun shed is truly for.
1. Keter Manor 4×6 Resin Outdoor Storage Shed
Comparing the Keter Manor to the Aoxun is like comparing a scooter to a freight train. The Keter is a compact, 4×6 foot resin shed designed for small backyards. It’s perfect for storing a push mower, some garden tools, and a bag of fertilizer. Its main advantages are its small footprint, rust-proof resin construction, and significantly easier assembly. However, it offers a tiny fraction of the storage space, has no hope of storing a vehicle, and lacks the structural strength to handle heavy snow loads. This is an excellent choice for basic, small-scale storage, whereas the Aoxun is for solving a major storage crisis.
2. Lifetime 130 Gallon Outdoor Storage Deck Box
The Lifetime Deck Box operates on an even smaller scale. With 130 gallons (about 17 cubic feet) of capacity, it’s not a shed at all, but a convenient place to store patio cushions, pool toys, or small gardening hand tools. It’s weather-resistant, lockable, and can double as extra seating on a deck or patio. It solves the problem of keeping small, frequently used outdoor items tidy and protected. Someone might own a deck box in addition to a large shed like the Aoxun, but one could never replace the other. If you just need to hide your clutter, the Lifetime box is perfect; if you need to house an engine, you need the Aoxun.
3. MAIZOA 2-3 Bike Storage Tent
The MAIZOA Bike Tent is a temporary, portable storage solution made of waterproof oxford fabric over a flexible frame. It’s designed specifically to shelter two or three adult bicycles from rain and sun, keeping them out of sight. Its key benefits are its low cost, portability, and incredibly simple setup. However, it offers minimal security and is not designed to withstand high winds or heavy snow. It’s an ideal solution for renters or those who need a quick, non-permanent shelter for their bikes. The Aoxun, in contrast, is a permanent, high-security structure designed to protect high-value assets for decades.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Aoxun 12×20 Shed Worth the Effort?
The Aoxun 12x20x9.3 FT Extra Large Metal Storage Shed Double-Door is not a product for the faint of heart. It demands a significant investment of time, patience, and physical labor to construct. The instructions are a genuine challenge that will test your problem-solving skills. However, if you are willing to undertake the build, the reward is simply phenomenal. You get a massive, incredibly durable, and highly functional storage building for a fraction of the cost of a professionally installed or pre-built wooden alternative.
We recommend this shed for the serious DIYer, the homeowner with a large property, or anyone in desperate need of vehicle-sized storage who values long-term durability over assembly convenience. It is an absolute beast of a shed that will solve virtually any storage problem you can throw at it. If you have the space, the help, and the determination, this shed represents one of the best value propositions in large-scale outdoor storage on the market today. Ready to take on the challenge and reclaim your space? You can check the latest price and see its full feature set online.