As storage unit prices climb and homeowners seek convenient access to their belongings, Tuff Shed is making a case for investing in backyard structures instead. In the first installment of the San Antonio Home and Garden Series on The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sat down with Richard Castellanos of Tuff Shed at the San Antonio Home and Garden Show to discuss how the employee-owned manufacturer is helping South Texas residents reclaim their garages and cancel monthly rentals.
Castellanos highlighted the practical aspects of purchasing a Tuff Shed in San Antonio, noting the city's 300-square-foot threshold for building without a permit. He also pointed out that municipalities like Castle Hills and Alamo Heights have different regulations, which buyers often overlook. The sheds feature stick-built framing with 2x4s at 16 inches on center, with options for 2x6 or 2x8 upgrades on larger designs like the two-story barn.
Beyond residential use cases—such as studios, workspaces, and garage overflow—Tuff Shed serves commercial clients including school districts, government entities, and San Antonio Air Force bases. The company's Woodmaster division offers portable structures, including popular chicken coops and greenhouses.
Castellanos emphasized that Tuff Shed's employee-ownership model is central to the customer experience. "It's not just me as a sales design consultant trying to sell you a product. It's actually me trying to get you an experience that one, you're going to recommend to your friends and two, is going to keepsake your valuables, your memorables that you're storing in your shed," he told McKenzie. On the driving factor behind current demand, he said, "A majority of our business is residential, obviously, but they want to get out of their storage unit that they're paying for, get something on their property that they can access 24/7."
The episode also traced Tuff Shed's growth from founder and CEO Tom Saurey, who launched the company 45 years ago, to its current network of 74 factories across the United States. In San Antonio, customers can visit two South Side locations outside Loop 410, including a display yard at 410 and Bandera, and a newer site off I-35 in New Braunfels. Turnaround time currently runs from a week to 10 days between design and build slot, with on-site assembly typically completed in a single day. Customers can also self-design at tuffshed.com before consulting a representative.
This shift toward backyard storage reflects broader trends in home organization and property utilization. For San Antonio residents, the ability to access belongings 24/7 without recurring fees offers both financial and practical benefits. As Castellanos notes, the decision often comes down to long-term value versus ongoing expenses.
