What is a shouse?

The word “shouse” comes from two words, shop and house. A shouse is essentially a personal workshop and/or storage space that’s connected to a house. It’s often situated on a piece of land used for fishing, hunting, or a different recreational activity.

Image courtesy of Blunier Builders, Inc.

While a traditional house usually features a small garage, a shouse includes a large garage or workshop that’s tailored to your unique needs. You can live in a shouse full-time or use it as a weekend or vacation property.

Shouses were introduced in the Middle Ages and made their debut in the Midwest about 20 years ago. With a shouse, workers like blacksmiths, for example, could easily offer their services to locals.

The concept of a shouse is still new and fairly unknown in the U.S. Since more and more people have the desire to intertwine their everyday lives with their hobbies and/or careers, however, shouses have slowly but surely increased in popularity.

Benefits of Shouses

If you invest in a shouse, you’ll find that it:

• Eliminates the Need to Commute: If you’re tired of walking or driving back and forth between your house and workshop, a shouse is the perfect solution. You can work or play without the hassle of going outside and facing the elements.
• Creates More Time for Projects: Since a shouse consists of a workshop in your house, you’ll have more time to work on your projects and enjoy your hobbies.
• Saves Money: While a number of factors will determine the cost of your shouse, it’ll likely be less expensive than a traditional house. A shouse can also save you on tax dollars because you’ll consolidate two structures and have fewer square feet of taxable property.
• Offers the Ideal Storage Space: If you have large toys and tools, a shouse can offer the ideal storage solution. You’ll have plenty of room for everything you use on a regular and occasional basis.

Common Features of Shouses

No two shouses are created equal. Your shouse can be a single or multi-wing structure built to meet your particular lifestyle and preferences. In most cases, however, shouses contain the following features:

Thicker wall cavities for more insulation

• Dedicated workspace and storage areas
• Open floor plans
• Non load bearing walls
• Large ceilings
• Luxury kitchens
• In-floor heating

Regardless of what type of shouse you choose, you’re sure to enjoy a unique combination of comfort and utility. A place where you can get your work done, enjoy your hobbies, and unwind after a long day.

How Much Will a Shouse Cost?

In most cases, a shouse is more affordable than a traditional house. The following will be considered when the cost of your shouse is determined.

• Physical Location: The location of your property will be important as it can affect the cost of utilities, landscaping, taxes, and more. A shouse in rural Iowa, for example will likely be less expensive than a shouse in the Pacific Northwest.
• Size: The main purpose of your shouse will help determine its size. Of course, a shouse with more square footage that you can use for your job will run you more than a smaller space.
• Features: As with a traditional house, the features you choose can increase or decrease the price of your house. A high-end kitchen and extra storage space will be pricier no-frills kitchen and less storage room.
• Required Fees: Unlike other costs, building codes, restrictions, and homeowners associations will be out of your control yet play a vital role in your shouse’s cost.

Who is a Shouse For?

Since a shouse is a very specific type of property, it’s not right for everyone. However, if you lead a lifestyle in which you run a home-based business or participate in a serious hobby that requires constant access to your toys and tools, it may be just what the doctor ordered. A house with a workshop can accommodate your needs and make life easier and more enjoyable.

Closely related to a shouse is a barndominium. Learn about barndomiums here.

Contact McElroy Metal

If you’re a mechanic, woodcrafter, or any other type of craftsman, a shouse may be just what you need. McElroy Metal, and our national network of contractors and distributors, are ready to help you bring the perfect shouse to life. Since our inception in 1963, we’ve earned a reputation as a top-notch metal roofing and siding manufacturer. Contact us today for more information!