Bar Storage Shed: Outdoor Bar Sheds for Australian Homes | Colorbond, Council Approvals, Wind Ratings

If you’re planning a bar storage shed for weekend entertaining or short-stay rental appeal, you need more than a pretty façade. You need site-specific engineering, Colorbond steel that can handle Aussie UV, correct wind classification, and council-ready drawings. This guide distils what the top shed builders use—and the compliance steps they don’t always tell you.

• Primary use-case: bar storage shed, outdoor bar shed, bars for garden sheds
• Built for: Australian homeowners, renovators, and property investors
• Materials: Colorbond or Zincalume, hot-dipped galvanised frames, insulated roof panels

What is a bar storage shed?

A bar storage shed is a custom or kit-form Colorbond steel shed configured as an outdoor bar for storing glassware, mixers, refrigeration, and kegs—with serving hatch, sink, power and lighting, ventilation, and weather sealing. Many owners start with a small garden shed; others specify a fully engineered, council-approved structure with insulated walls and plumbing. It’s a lifestyle upgrade that can also add rental and resale value.

What are the best shed materials for Perth’s climate?

Perth’s high UV index, sea breeze salt, and summer heat demand UV-stable steel, corrosion resistance, and smart thermal design. For most metro and coastal WA sites, Colorbond roof and wall sheeting on a galvanised frame, with sarking and roof insulation, hits the sweet spot. In inland WA, Zincalume is a strong value option if you want a raw metallic look and plan to add shade and insulation.

Colorbond vs Zincalume — Which is better for WA conditions?

For Queensland’s coast and WA’s Pilbara (Region C/D), choose cyclone-rated connections, heavier base rails, and high-tensile fasteners. See “Wind ratings” below.

Design options for bars for garden sheds

Start with a base shed specification, then add bar-ready inclusions.

• Layout: 3×2 m garden bar with a bi-fold servery window; or 6×4 m entertainer with a covered deck.
• Roof form: skillion roof sheds fit boundary setbacks; gable roof sheds suit freestanding entertaining zones.
• Insulation: foil sarking plus 50–75 mm roof blanket; wall batts where you plan to linger indoors.
• Flooring: sealed slab with falls to a grated drain; non-slip epoxy in wet zones.
• Joinery: stainless steel bar bench, underbench fridge, keg lines if installing a tap system.
• Openings: aluminium servery hatch, roller door for storage, insect screens for summer evenings.
• Services: GPOs on dedicated circuits (AS 3000), LED strip task lighting, external wall lights.
• Ventilation: ridge vent or whirlybirds; crossflow via louvres; exhaust fan for indoor smoking areas.
• Water: cold feed and waste to AS/NZS 3500; backflow protection; consider a rainwater tank for rinsing.
• Compliance: termite barrier where required; bushfire ember seals for BAL sites.

Pro tip: Did you know using insulated roof panels can reduce internal shed temperatures by up to 10°C in summer? They also speed install and add a clean, modern ceiling finish.

Engineering and compliance: wind ratings, bushfire, and the NCC

Premium outdoor bar sheds rely on site-specific engineering (not one-size-fits-all). Your engineer or shed supplier will design to NCC 2022 and relevant standards:

• AS/NZS 1170.2 Wind actions: Regions A–D, terrain category, shielding, topography.
• AS/NZS 4600 Cold-formed steel structures and AS 4100 Steel structures.
• AS 1562.1 Roofing—Design and installation; AS 1397 steel sheet and strip.
• AS 3959 Bushfire-prone areas (BAL-Low to BAL-FZ) for ember protection.
• AS 3000 Wiring Rules and AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing for services.

Wind-rated sheds for cyclonic areas (QLD and WA)

• Regions C/D (e.g., Townsville, Port Hedland): cyclone-rated sheds use upgraded portal frames, hold-down bolts, cyclonic eaves purlins, and high-capacity screw fixings.
• Tie-down details: increased edge fastener spacing; heavier-footing design; engineered door and window ratings.
• Certification: site-specific engineering certificate and detailed connection schedule.

Added 2024 WA wind-rating compliance notes: Most of Perth is Region A (non-cyclonic) but exposed coastal or ridge sites can attract higher pressures. Ask for a wind report that considers terrain category and shielding, not just postcode.

How to get council approval for your custom shed in WA

1. Confirm zoning and R-Codes setbacks with your local council.
2. Request site-specific engineering and drawings (plan, elevations, sections, footing/slab).
3. Prepare a site plan with contours, drainage, and distances to boundaries.
4. Lodge a Building Permit application (BA1 or BA2) with energy and bushfire notes if applicable.
5. Book mandatory inspections (footing/slab steel, frame, final) as required.

Looking for a pre-checked solution? Consider council-approved sheds WA packages from reputable suppliers—faster approvals and fewer redesigns.

Cost guide: what does an outdoor bar shed cost in 2025?

Final pricing depends on wind region, soil class, size, and fit-out. As a ballpark (materials + typical install, ex-GST):

• Compact garden bar (3×2 m, Colorbond, servery hatch, basic power): $6,500–$10,500
• Entertainer (6×4 m, insulated roof, plumbing, deck): $18,000–$32,000
• Premium cyclone-rated (Region C, 6×4 m, upgraded connections): $26,000–$42,000

Market note: The “2024 Australian Steel Market Outlook” indicates stabilising steel input costs after 2022–23 volatility, but labour and logistics remain elevated. Build early to lock in pricing.

DIY shed kits vs custom-built: which suits your project?

Real-world build examples

Perth courtyard bar shed (Region A)

• Size: 3.5×2.5 m skillion roof on boundary
• Spec: Colorbond Monument walls/roof, insulated roof panels, 1.8 m servery window