In the first installment of the San Antonio Home and Garden Series on The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Richard Castellanos of Tuff Shed to explore a growing trend among South Texas homeowners: replacing monthly storage unit fees with permanent, on-site backyard structures. Recorded live at the San Antonio Home and Garden Show and published August 30, 2026, the episode casts a practical eye on how Tuff Shed, an employee-owned American manufacturer, helps residents reclaim their garages and add functional space.
Castellanos, a sales design consultant based at Tuff Shed's display yard near Loop 410 and Bandera Road, emphasizes the importance of understanding local building regulations. He notes that San Antonio allows structures up to 300 square feet without a permit, but neighboring municipalities like Castle Hills and Alamo Heights have their own rules. “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.
The conversation covers the construction details that matter to buyers: stick-built framing with 2x4s at 16 inches on center, with options for heavier 2x6 or 2x8 framing on designs like the two-story barn. Beyond residential uses such as studios, workspaces, and garage overflow, Tuff Shed also serves commercial clients, including school districts, government entities, and San Antonio Air Force bases. The Woodmaster's division offers truly portable structures, from chicken coops to greenhouses.
On the demand driving this shift, Castellanos is direct: “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.” This sentiment resonates with many homeowners tired of paying recurring fees for off-site storage.
Tuff Shed's national presence traces back to founder and CEO Tom Saurey, who launched the company 45 years ago and has expanded to 74 factories across the United States. Locally, customers can visit two South Side locations outside Loop 410, including the display yard at 410 and Bandera where Castellanos is based, and a newer site off I-35 in New Braunfels. Turnaround time currently runs a week to 10 days from design to build slot, with on-site assembly typically completed in a single day. For those who prefer to plan ahead, customers can self-design at toughshed.com before contacting a consultant.
The episode is part of The Building Texas Show, which profiles the operators, tradespeople, and entrepreneurs shaping how Texas gets built. Hosted by Justin McKenzie, the podcast delivers practical conversations for homeowners, builders, and small-business leaders. The San Antonio Home and Garden Series episode is available now wherever podcasts are heard, offering listeners a closer look at how a simple backyard addition can provide 24/7 access to valuables while eliminating a recurring expense.
