Tuff Shed is making a case to San Antonio homeowners: replace monthly storage unit fees with a backyard structure they can access any time. The pitch comes amid a new podcast episode of The Building Texas Show, titled 'No Storage Unit. Still 24/7 Access: Tuff Shed,' hosted by Justin McKenzie and recorded live at the San Antonio Home and Garden Show. The episode, published August 30, 2026, features Tuff Shed sales design consultant Richard Castellanos, who details how the employee-owned American manufacturer helps residents reclaim garages and cancel storage rentals with custom builds that often go up in a single day.
The conversation zeroes in on practical buying considerations unique to the San Antonio market. Castellanos highlights San Antonio's 300-square-foot threshold, which allows construction without a permit, and points out differences in municipalities like Castle Hills and Alamo Heights. He also explains Tuff Shed's stick-built framing using 2x4s at 16 inches on center, with upgrades to 2x6 or 2x8 for designs like the two-story barn. Beyond residential uses—studios, workspaces, garage overflow—Tuff Shed serves commercial clients, including school districts, government entities, and San Antonio Air Force bases. The company's Woodmaster's division offers portable structures, such as popular chicken coops and greenhouses.
Castellanos frames Tuff Shed's employee-ownership model as 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 tells McKenzie. On the current demand driver, he is blunt: "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 traces Tuff Shed's growth, from founder and CEO Tom Saurey, who started the company 45 years ago, to its current 74 factories nationwide. Locally, Castellanos points to two South Side locations outside Loop 410: a display yard at 410 and Bandera, where he is based, and a new location off I-35 in New Braunfels. Turnaround time from design to build slot runs a week to 10 days, with assembly typically completed on site in one day. Customers can also self-design at tuffshed.com before contacting a consultant.
The significance of this announcement lies in the growing trend of homeowners seeking cost-effective, accessible alternatives to off-site storage. With rising rental costs and the desire for immediate access to belongings, Tuff Shed's offering addresses a practical need. The employee-ownership model also underscores a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, which could influence purchasing decisions. As San Antonio continues to grow, the availability of customizable, permit-friendly structures may impact how residents utilize their property, potentially reducing reliance on commercial storage facilities.
The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, profiles operators, tradespeople, and entrepreneurs shaping Texas construction. Episode 1 of the San Antonio Home and Garden Series is available now on podcast platforms.
