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Quick Tips to Match Your Quonset Hut With Your Home & Property

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S-Model garage

A popular option for out-buildings of all sorts, Quonset huts are seen as one of the most affordable yet durable building kit options available. Their unique arch design makes them easy to build and able to withstand hurricane-force winds up to 190 MPH but it also gives them a distinct look.

This was a key consideration for retired law enforcement officer, Vickie B. from Tijeras, New Mexico. She was looking to add an outbuilding, her “woman-cave,” to her wooded property and while she loved all the advantages of a Quonset she also wanted it to blend in with the look of her property.

Here are some tips from Vickie and SteelMaster on how to use the Quonset hut look to its fullest and have it match the look of your property.

1. Choose Complementary Endwall Materials

The material of your Quonset hut endwalls plays a crucial role in how well it integrates with your property, as they make up two of the six sides of your building. Opt for custom endwall options that use local materials, siding, or match the materials used in other buildings on your property. Here are some popular endwall types to consider:

  • Wooden Endwalls: These offer a classic and warm appearance. Options include natural wood finishes like cedar, pine, or redwood. Vickie chose a bright cedar-like finish for her endwalls, which complements her existing cabin. Wooden endwalls can be stained or painted to match or contrast with other structures on your property.
  • Metal Endwalls: For a sleek, modern look that matches the steel of the Quonset hut itself, consider using metal endwalls. These can be finished in various colors and textures to complement or contrast with your hut’s main structure. Metal endwalls are highly durable and offer excellent protection against the elements.
  • Siding Endwalls: Vinyl, fiber cement, or traditional wood siding can be used to cover the endwalls, providing a more traditional building appearance. This option allows you to match the siding to that of your home or other buildings on your property, creating a unified look.
  • Brick or Stone Endwalls: For a more permanent and upscale appearance, brick or stone can be used for the endwalls. These materials offer durability and a classic aesthetic that can make your Quonset hut blend seamlessly with existing brick or stone structures on your property.
  • Glass or Glazed Endwalls: Incorporating large glass panels or glazed endwalls can bring in natural light and create a modern, open feel. This option is ideal if you want to integrate more natural light into your Quonset hut, especially useful if the space is used as a workshop or studio.
  • For Vickie’s endwalls, she selected a wood finish that complements the existing cabin on her land—a beautiful bright cedar-like finish with both a garage door and a sliding door. If your home features natural wood, like Vickie’s log cabin, incorporating similar wooden elements or colors into your Quonset hut’s design can create a cohesive look.

Exterior and interior of Vickie's building

2. Match Doors & Windows

To ensure a seamless design, match the style of doors and windows on your Quonset hut with those of your existing structures:

  • In Style: Choose doors and windows with similar aesthetics.
  • In Size: Ensure that the size and proportions align with those of your other buildings.
  • In Placement: Maintain consistent spacing and placement.

For example, Vickie painted her garage door gray to match the color of her home’s door, creating a harmonious appearance.

3. Extend the Road or Walkway

Connect your new Quonset hut with the rest of your property by extending the driveway or creating a walkway leading to it. This not only ensures practical access but also enhances the visual continuity between your new structure and existing buildings. Vickie extended her gravel road to the new Quonset hut, providing smooth access and creating a cohesive flow between the structures.Consider these additional details for extending your road or walkway:

  • Material Consistency: Use materials that match or complement the existing surfaces on your property. Whether it’s gravel, concrete, or pavers, maintaining material consistency helps unify the look of your property.
  • Design Integration: Incorporate design elements such as edging, lighting, or landscaping to blend the new path seamlessly with your existing surroundings. For example, using similar garden borders or path lighting can tie the new extension to the rest of your property.
  • Functional Considerations: Ensure that the new road or walkway is practical for its intended use. Consider factors such as drainage, maintenance, and accessibility to ensure that it meets both aesthetic and functional needs.

4. Match Outdoor Decor

Create smooth transitions by incorporating similar outdoor décor and landscaping elements:

  • Use the same plants and decorations throughout your property to maintain visual continuity.
  • Vickie plans to add flower pots and wind chimes around her Quonset hut, enhancing its integration with her existing outdoor space.

By paying attention to these details, you can ensure that your Quonset hut blends seamlessly with your property, enhancing its overall aesthetic and functionality.

5. Paint It A Neutral Color

When constructing a Quonset hut next to another building or within a property, consider painting the outside to blend or accent the surrounding area. This was a key consideration for Vickie. Her log home is set against a breathtaking landscape of vibrant sunrises and sunsets, so she wanted her Quonset hut to blend seamlessly with the natural beauty and existing architecture.

Vickie chose a 30’ x 30’ S-Model SteelMaster Quonset Hut, initially silver in color. However, to better match her log home, she painted it a neutral shade of matte gray. This both defines it around it’s colorful wooded surroundings and makes the custom endwall stand out..

Vickie said, “I wanted to paint the building because of the area where I live is heavily wooded. I think it blends in beautifully now, and all my friends think it looks great too!”

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