4 Car Garage Shed: Australian Guide to Custom Colorbond Garages
Whether you’re in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, or regional NSW, a well-specified 4 car garage shed adds secure parking, workshop space, and property value. Below, we compare materials, size your bays, decode wind/cyclone ratings, and show how to get a council-approved, custom Colorbond garage built right—first time.
Whether you’re considering a 4 car garage or perhaps you’d like to compare with a 3 car garage, there are numerous sizing and configuration choices to suit every Australian home.
What size is a 4 car garage shed in Australia?
For modern utes/SUVs and a practical workshop aisle, start here:
- Typical footprint (4 bays): 12.0 m wide x 7.0–8.0 m deep
- Bay width: 3.0 m clear opening per bay (2.7 m minimum)
- Internal depth: 6.0–7.5 m (7.0 m suits SUVs/ute trays)
- Wall height (eave): 2.7–3.6 m (3.0 m clears roof racks)
- Door heights: 2.4–3.0 m roller/sectional doors
Need extra storage? Add a 3.0 m skillion lean-to for tools or boat and caravan storage. Planning to upgrade later? Consider a 6 car garage footprint of 15.0 m x 8.0 m where site coverage and council rules allow.
What Are the Best Shed Materials for Perth’s Climate?
Hot summers, coastal air, and Fremantle Doctor breezes call for high-spec steel and coatings. Most premium sheds use BlueScope steel with Colorbond or Zincalume cladding on galvanised cold-formed frames.
Colorbond vs Zincalume — Which Is Better for WA Conditions?
| Feature | Colorbond steel | Zincalume steel |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Painted, pre-finished steel with baked-on coating | Aluminium-zinc alloy coated steel |
| Coastal resistance | Excellent (choose Colorbond Ultra near surf/salt) | Good, but less suited within ~200–400 m of surf |
| Heat performance | Thermatech solar reflectance in lighter colours | Reflective finish; can be hotter internally without insulation |
| Aesthetics | Wide Colorbond palette for premium façade outcomes | Classic metallic look, often used for farm sheds |
| Cost | Slightly higher upfront | Lower upfront |
| Best for Perth | Urban/coastal homes, custom garages, visible elevations | Regional/rural budgets away from surf |
Technical inclusions most Perth buyers choose:
- Colorbond Ultra or Metallic near the coast
- Anticon blanket or insulated roof panels
- Hot-dip galvanised brackets and hold-downs
- Vermin seals, sumped gutters, oversized downpipes
Further reading: Australian Steel Institute guidance, Energy.gov.au on roof insulation, CSIRO building science.
How do wind ratings and cyclonic design affect a 4 car shed?
Sheds must be engineered to AS/NZS 1170.2 (Wind Actions) and the NCC (BCA 2022). Your site’s wind region and terrain category drive frame sizing, purlin spacing, and hold-down details.
- Wind Regions: A (most of southern Australia), B (elevated winds), C (cyclonic coastal QLD/WA), D (severe cyclonic Pilbara)
- Terrain Category: TC2 suburban, TC1 open/coastal, affects local pressures
- Tie-downs: N- and C-rated cyclonic screws, threaded rod hold-downs, slab edge thickening
- Engineering: Site-specific RPEQ/WA PE calcs, uplift and racking checks
Added 2024 WA wind-rating compliance notes: For Perth coastal corridors and Geraldton, confirm Region B/C boundaries, eave heights, and door wind locks. In cyclone-prone QLD, specify cyclone-rated sheds with certified roller doors, wind locks, and upgraded portal frames.
Do you need council approval for a 4 car shed?
Most 4 stall garages require development/building approval due to size, height, and stormwater impacts. Expect to lodge site plans, engineering, and stormwater details.
How to Get Council Approval for Your Custom Shed in WA
- Check R-Codes/local planning policy: setbacks, max height, site coverage
- Order soil test (AS 2870) and feature survey
- Obtain certified engineering to AS/NZS 4600 and 1170 series
- Prepare site plan, elevations, drainage plan, and specs
- Lodge BA or DA as required; some LGA offer certified applications for faster turnaround
Additions for bushfire or coastal sites: BAL assessment (AS 3959), corrosion category mapping, overland flow routing. Aim for “council-approved sheds WA” before placing orders.
QLD and cyclonic areas
For QLD coastal towns, choose cyclone-rated sheds QLD with Region C/D engineering and wind-rated doors. A Form 15/16 from a RPEQ engineer is typically required.
VIC/NSW
Check overlays (bushfire, flood, heritage). Rural sheds NSW often proceed with Complying Development if setbacks and height are met.
Design options and inclusions for a premium 4 car garage
Door and access options
- Roller doors with wind-locks, chain or motorised
- Sectional doors for architectural frontage
- 3.0 m clearance for roof-rack SUVs; 3.3 m for light vans
- PA doors, window units, security mesh, keying alike
Roof profiles and drainage
- Gable roof (22.5° looks residential), skillion for modern lines
- Colorbond gutters, leaf guards, overflows; stormwater to soakwell or legal point of discharge
Comfort and longevity
- Anticon blanket/insulated panels, rotary vents, ridge vents
- Polycarbonate skylights, LED high-bays, 15A GPOs for welders
- Epoxy floor coating, termite barrier, vermin-proofing
Pricing: What does a 4 car garage shed cost in 2025?
Costs vary by wind region, height, and finishes. Indicative ranges (AUD, incl. GST):
- DIY shed kits (engineered, Colorbond): $15,000–$28,000
- Supply and install (regional A/B): $28,000–$48,000
- Slab and footings (100–120 mm slab, thickened edges): $8,000–$15,000
- Cyclone upgrades (Region C/D): +$4,000–$10,000
Steel input costs remain elevated per the “2024 Australian Steel Market Outlook” and the HIA Outdoor Structures Report. Lead times: 4–10 weeks for kits; longer for install during peak season.
Case studies: custom Colorbond garages in Perth and QLD
Perth (coastal suburb) — custom Colorbond garages Perth
- Size: 12.0 x 7.5 x 3.3 m, gable 22.5°
- Spec: Colorbond Ultra Surfmist, Anticon 60, motorised wind-lock doors
- Engineering: Region B, TC2, slab edge thickening with M12 hold-downs
- Outcome: Workshop bay + 3 parking bays; internal temp drop ~8–10°C with insulation
Regional QLD (coastal) — cyclone-rated sheds
- Size: 12.0 x 8.0 x 3.6 m, skillion 5°
- Spec: Zincalume walls, Colorbond roof, cyclone-rated doors with wind locks
- Engineering: Region C, upgraded C-section portal frames, strap bracing
- Outcome: Council sign-off with RPEQ Form 15/16; insurance-friendly compliance
DIY kit vs custom-built — which suits you?
| Aspect | DIY shed kits | Custom-built (turnkey) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower upfront | Higher, but predictable |
| Time/skills | Suited to experienced owner-builders | Professionals handle approvals and build |
| Engineering | Standard kit plans; site-specific on request | Site-specific engineering included |
| Risk | On you for QA, OH&S, and build sequencing | Builder covers QA, safety, and warranties |
Flat roof vs gable roof for a 4 car garage
| Roof | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Skillion (flat) | Modern look, easier solar, cheaper | Lower volume; manage eave height for door clearance |
| Gable | Classic look, better airflow, extra headroom | More steel; slightly higher cost |
Future-proofing: 4 car garage vs 6 car garage
If your block and zoning allow, extending to 6 bays (15.0 x 8.0 m) can future-proof for farm machinery storage, a garage workshop, or a mixed carport-shed combo. In Melbourne infill sites, consider custom carports Melbourne to meet street setback controls while keeping a lock-up garage behind.
5-Step Buying Guide for Custom Sheds in Australia
- Define use-case: parking, workshop, boat storage, or affordable carports for Australian homes
- Size and height: map vehicles and tool zones; confirm garage size for 4 cars
- Wind/corrosion: check region (A–D), BAL, and coastal distance
- Materials: choose Colorbond vs Zincalume; add insulation and ventilation
- Approvals: aim for fast, council-approved documentation before ordering
FAQs
What wall height should I choose?
3.0 m eaves suits most 4x4s and roof racks. Go 3.3–3.6 m for vans or hoists.
Do I need a concrete slab?
Yes for a 4 car garage. Engineer will specify thickness (typically 100–120 mm) and slab edge thickening. Some rural sheds use piers plus slab on fill—engineer to AS 2870 applies.
Can I add a lean-to or carport later?
Yes. Many frames are designed to accept future lean-tos. Check portal frame spacing and gutter falls now to simplify later works.
What warranties should I expect?
Up to 20+ years on BlueScope steel coatings (location dependent). Builders should offer workmanship warranties and pass on component warranties.
Lead times?
Allow 4–10 weeks for kit manufacture and delivery; 1–3 weeks for install subject to weather and trades.
Definitions
Local standards, climate, and references
- Design to AS/NZS 1170.2 (wind), AS/NZS 4600 (cold-formed steel), AS 1562.1 (roofing), NCC 2022 BCA
- Check BOM climate data for wind/cyclone and rainfall: Bureau of Meteorology
- Industry and approvals guidance: Housing Industry Association, Master Builders Australia
Why this guide beats the typical “4 car garage” page
- Site-specific engineering notes for WA and QLD, including wind locks and hold-downs
- Material selection tailored to Perth heat and coastal corrosion
- Actionable council pathway and buying checklist, not just product specs
- Realistic 2025 pricing ranges and lead-time expectations
Ready to plan your build?
From steel sheds Perth to rural sheds NSW, we design and supply custom Colorbond garages Perth and across Australia—engineered, council-ready, and installable. Explore a car garage for sale package or a fully custom solution sized to your lot and wind region.