Frequently Asked Questions

Cedar Sheds are for storage and garden tools, Classic Studios suit hobby, craft and art rooms, and Designer Studios are built for home offices and year-round living space. All three use 18 mm Western Red Cedar cladding and a COLORBOND steel roof. The step-up is in framing, wall height, windows and warranty.

Customers use Stilla studios as home offices, art studios, hobby rooms, home gyms, teenage retreats, workshops and small business spaces such as a hair salon or dog grooming studio. A studio is supplied as a non-habitable outbuilding, so it is not designed or approved as a bedroom or self-contained dwelling.

A Designer Studio is the best fit for a home office. It has the tallest walls (2.16 m), heavier 70 x 35 mm framing, aluminium and glass doors and windows, and a 20-year warranty. Add the internal lining and laminate flooring kit for a finished room, and talk to a licensed electrician about power and air conditioning.

No. Stilla sheds and studios are designed and supplied as non-habitable outbuildings (Class 10a under the National Construction Code), not certified dwellings. A granny flat or sleeping space needs different approvals and construction standards. What you can use a structure for varies by state and council, so check with your council before you order.

Yes, many Stilla customers do, from hair and beauty salons to dog grooming and creative studios. Your council may have home business rules covering client visits, parking, signage and plumbing, so check those before you order.

It can. Real estate agents often recommend cedar studios and sheds to sellers because the added appeal and function typically outweigh the cost. A studio that adds a usable home office or creative space tends to add more value than storage alone.

Stilla designs and manufactures every shed and studio at its factory in Narangba, Brisbane, Queensland. The business is Australian-made and owned, and more than 40,000 Australians have chosen a Stilla.

Stilla's range runs from compact garden sheds such as the Acacia 8x3 up to large studios such as the Bowral 20x10 (6.05 x 3.19 m). The number in each model name is the approximate size in feet, so a 12x8 is about 3.64 x 2.52 m. Exact external dimensions are listed on every product page.

Yes, within Stilla's design system. Depending on the range, you can add extra windows or additional doors, change the roof colour, add an annex or annex deck, and order a subfloor. All of our studios can be painted externally.

All garden studios come with a COLORBOND roof in Monument or Surfmist, or you can upgrade to any other COLORBOND colour (additional cost).

Yes. Designer Studios come in four colourways: four ready-painted options combining cedar with Monument or Surfmist, and two raw cedar options. Painted Designer Studios currently take about 4-6 weeks to dispatch, compared with about 1-2 weeks for unpainted products. Cedar Sheds and Classic Studios are supplied in natural cedar, ready for you to stain or paint.

Yes. A standard Stilla Designer garden studio has exposed internal framing. The optional Board and Batten Internal Lining Kit covers the walls and ceiling, and the laminate flooring kit finishes the floor. You can fit both yourself, use your own tradie or have Stilla install them. Wall insulation, electrical work and painting are not included.

The Annex Awning is above you, and the Annex Deck is below you. The Annex Awning is a 1450 mm deep covered awning that extends the studio roof for shade and shelter. The Annex Deck is a 1450 mm deep treated pine deck that runs the length of the studio. Order either on its own or combine them for a covered deck.

Yes. Extra windows are available on Classic and Designer Studios to bring in more light and airflow. A skylight is available on Cedar Sheds.

Double glazing is available on the Designer Studio range if you request it before ordering. This will increase order dispatch timeline, please speak with one of our team for more information.

It depends on your state, the size and height of the building and where it sits on your block. Small non-habitable outbuildings are often exempt, but each state sets its own limits and local overlays can override them. If you are over the limit, you usually need a building permit for a Class 10a structure. Stilla can supply drawings and specs for your application.

As a general guide, these are the floor area limits for exempt non-habitable structures. Height, setback and other conditions also apply, and heritage, bushfire, flood and cyclone overlays can change them.

This is general information only. Always confirm the rules for your property with your council or a private certifier before you order.

Most studios will need one in QLD, WA, VIC and SA, where the exempt height limit is 2.4 m. For example, the Hamilton 12x8 Designer Studio covers about 9.4 m², under the 10 m² limit, but its roof peaks at 2.735 m. Smaller sheds are more likely to be exempt. Check the external dimensions and overall height on the product page against your state's limits.

Class 10a is the National Construction Code classification for non-habitable buildings such as sheds, garages and studios used for work or hobbies. Stilla sheds and studios are designed and supplied as Class 10a outbuildings. If you need a building permit, this is the class you apply under.

Yes. Stilla can provide structure drawings and specifications to support a council or certifier application. Contact the team on 1800 784 552 or sales@stilla.com.au before you lodge.

No. Stilla studios are supplied as non-habitable outbuildings, not certified dwellings. Using a studio for sleeping or living needs a different building class, approvals and construction standards. Rules on use vary between states and councils, so check with yours before you order.

Setbacks vary by state and council. As a guide, NSW exempt structures need 900 mm from each boundary, WA needs 1 to 1.5 m and VIC limits height to 2.4 m within 1 m of a boundary. Larger studios that need a permit are assessed on their own setbacks, so confirm with your council or certifier.

No, not if you order the Stilla subfloor. The subfloor is a 140 x 35 mm timber frame on 100 x 100 mm H4 posts set into the ground, so it creates a level base without concrete. If you prefer a slab, Stilla provides design-specific slab plans for your concreter. The building itself does not include a floor, so you need one or the other.

Yes, within limits. The standard subfloor posts are 750 mm long, set at least 400 mm into the ground, which handles up to 200 mm of fall across the site. For steeper sites Stilla can supply 1 m or 1.5 m posts. Send the team photos and measurements of your site if you are unsure.

A subfloor suits sloping sites, tight access and backyards where pouring concrete is impractical, and it lifts the building for airflow underneath. A slab suits flat sites where you want a permanent base and a lower entry. The subfloor creates a step-up of at least 150 mm, while a slab can bring it down to about 50 mm.

Yes, if it is level and the right size for your model. You also need a moisture barrier or waterproofing layer between the slab and the building's foundation. Check the slab dimensions against the product's footprint before ordering.

Sometimes, but it needs a case-by-case check. The deck must be strong enough to carry the full weight of the building, its contents and everyday use, and the walls must be securely fixed to it. Talk to the Stilla team before you order.

No, as the surface is not completely flat. As the pavers have a sand foundation, the shed ultimately may move and be off-kilter.

Yes. The subfloor spreads the load evenly and supports furniture and everyday use, whether the building is a home office, gym or storage shed. For heavy items such as gym equipment or a kiln, ask the team about extra posts under specific areas.

Our freight company delivers by pallet jack or Hiab to wherever the pallet can be placed safely, so the truck needs reasonable access to your property to deliver as close to the front of your yard as we can. Add the minimum clearance needed around the building for installation and maintenance, and any limits for narrow side access or steep driveways.

Yes. Delivery is free Australia-wide, excluding islands and very remote areas. Every order ships flat-packed from Stilla's factory in Brisbane via a freight company. Check your postcode with the team if you are rural or remote.

Most products dispatch in about 1-2 weeks, and painted Designer Studios in about 4-6 weeks. Add transit time from Brisbane to estimate your delivery date.

Within 48 hours of ordering, you get a call and email confirming your Scheduled Dispatch Date. [Owner: ops team to update these timeframes when they change]

It arrives flat-packed on a pallet. The freight company will call or text prior to your delivery day once it reaches your local depot, and delivers between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday. The driver places the pallet as close as they safely can using a pallet jack or Hiab. A 12x8 Designer Studio pack is about 2.16 x 1.2 x 1.35 m and weighs around 530 kg.

Yes. Every Stilla is designed for DIY assembly, with pre-assembled wall panels that screw together and a step-by-step instruction manual for each model. You need basic tools and at least one other person to lift panels and the roof. The instruction manual is on each product page if you want to read it before you buy.

This can vary depending on the product you choose, whether you opt for professional installation or you are doing it yourself. Speak to one of our friendly team who can give you a better idea of timing.

Yes. Professional installation by a Stilla installer can be added when you order. Once payment is received, the team books a tentative installation date, confirms it with you and you will then be contacted by the installer. Delivery is then scheduled to arrive before the installation date. If we don’t have an installer that is available in your area, you will be fully refunded for the installation cost.

The best way to find out if installation is available in your area us to contact our team who will be able to find out for you.

Use one concrete anchor at each panel join, fixed through the base plate into the slab. Allow an extra 300 mm around the slab for the roof overhang. The slab size for each model is listed in its product specifications.

When you receive your pallet, if you observe that it has been damaged in transit, please contact our head office straight away. Please take photographs of the damage. We advise you to accept the delivery, but do not sign the freight documentation. We can then arrange a replacement. Replacement parts are usually dispatched within one business day and no more than two.

Western Red Cedar is naturally durable, termite resistant and stable outdoors, and it ages well. Stilla uses 18 mm thick Canadian Western Red Cedar VJ cladding over LOSP treated pine framing on every shed and studio. It looks warmer than steel and suits Australian backyards and gardens.

Yes, Classic and Designer Studios come with roof insulation as standard, and wall sarking (sisalation) sits behind the cedar. Wall insulation is not supplied, so if you want it, install it before the internal lining goes on.

Cedar is a natural insulator and Stilla studios have roof insulation, so they stay more comfortable than a steel shed. For a home office used year-round, most people add wall insulation, the internal lining kit and a split system air conditioner. Opening windows on two walls also helps with cross-ventilation.

Stilla roofs are sealed with custom flashing to keep water out, but cedar itself is water resistant rather than waterproof. After heavy rain, uncoated cedar can darken or show light surface dampness, especially on doors, windows and end grain. This is normal and dries out again. Coating the cedar, including both sides of doors and windows, reduces it.

Termite damage is unlikely. Cedar is naturally termite resistant and the framing is LOSP treated pine. If termite damage does occur, it is covered under Stilla's structural warranty: 10 years for Cedar Sheds and Classic Studios, 20 years for Designer Studios. [CONFIRM termite cover in warranty terms]

Stilla studios are engineered for Australian conditions, with a COLORBOND roof, sealed flashing and, on Designer Studios, built-in gutters. A subfloor lifts the building off the ground for airflow and drainage. One customer's Sycamore studio came through 20 cm of stormwater two months after installation without damage.

[CONFIRM] State the wind rating each range is engineered to, whether models suit cyclone regions C and D, and whether any configuration meets a BAL rating. Local overlays can trigger extra engineering or approval, so check with your council first.

Yes. Every Stilla is lockable. Designer Studios have aluminium and glass double doors with a deadbolt and lockable aluminium awning windows. Classic Studios and Cedar Sheds have cedar doors with a locking handle. [CONFIRM lock hardware by range]

Yes. Power, lights and data can be added by a licensed electrician once the studio structure is up. Stilla does not supply or install electrical work. Plan your power points before the internal lining goes on, because cabling is much easier to run through open framing.

Yes. A split system air conditioner is the most common choice for a home office or studio, installed by a licensed electrician and air conditioning installer. Have the wall and electrical work done before lining. Pair it with roof insulation, wall insulation and the lining kit for the best results. [CONFIRM any fixing guidance for wall-mounted units]

Plumbing can be added by a licensed plumber, but it is not supplied by Stilla. Adding a toilet, shower or kitchen can change what approvals your studio needs and may affect its non-habitable classification. Check with your council or certifier before you plan any plumbing.

After the main structure is built and before the internal lining is fitted. If Stilla is installing both the studio and the lining, the installers build the structure first, your trades complete their work, then the installers return to finish the lining.

Stilla sheds and studios are supplied without a floor as standard. The optional subfloor includes 19 mm yellow-tongue flooring on a treated pine frame. You can then add Stilla's laminate flooring kit to the Designer Studio range for a finished timber look, or lay your own floor covering.

The cost of a backyard studio depends mainly on its size, design and finish. A compact cedar shed or classic studio sits at the more affordable end, while larger designer studios with more glazing and premium features cost more. Delivery is free to most of Australia. Subfloor, installation and upgrades are priced separately, so factor these into your overall budget. Browse the range to compare sizes and styles, or request a quote for your project.

The price includes the flat-packed building (pre-assembled cedar wall panels, framing, COLORBOND roof, doors, windows and fixings), the instruction manual and free delivery. Roof insulation is included on Classic and Designer Studios. A floor is not included: you need the Stilla subfloor or a concrete slab. Installation, painting and add-ons are priced separately.

Yes. On orders over $4,000 you can pay a 20% deposit to secure your place in the production schedule, with the balance due before dispatch. Within 48 hours you get a call and email confirming your Scheduled Dispatch Date and when the balance is due.

Your deposit is refundable only if your order has not yet been packed. Packing generally happens 2 to 3 days before your Scheduled Dispatch Date. See the refund policy for full terms.

Yes, through Handypay. You can choose 12 months interest-free, or a personal loan over 1 to 7 years. Plans run from $2,000 to $75,000 with no monthly account fees or early repayment fees, and a quote does not affect your credit score. Credit criteria, fees and terms apply. [CONFIRM: order guide says terms up to 12 months, product pages say 1 to 7 years]

Order online at stilla.com.au, by phone on 1800 784 552, by email or at a Stilla display centre. For phone orders, Stilla emails an invoice you can pay by credit card with no extra fees or by bank transfer. You can split payment across a few transactions by calling the team.

Yes. You can ask to move your Scheduled Dispatch Date to suit your timing. Contact the team as early as possible. If your balance payment is late, dispatch and installation may need to be rescheduled.

Stilla has display centres in four states, plus a South Australian display by appointment. Models on display vary, so check before you visit.

[Owner: update when displays or hours change]

Designer Studios come with a 20-year warranty. Cedar Sheds and Classic Studios come with a 10-year warranty. Register your warranty on the Stilla website once your building is up. ADD THE WARRANTY DOCUMENTS

It is not essential, but it is recommended. Uncoated cedar weathers to a silver-grey without losing strength. Coating it slows moisture absorption, reduces surface dampness after rain and keeps the timber looking fresh. Coat both sides of cedar doors and windows, not just the outside.

To stain, Stilla recommends Intergrain Ultra Deck in Light Oak, which darkens the cedar slightly. To paint, apply one coat of an oil-based, tannin-blocking primer such as Dulux Prepcoat 1Step, then two coats of exterior acrylic such as Cabot's Timbercolour. Skipping the primer can let cedar tannins bleed through as yellow or brown stains.

Keep gutters and the roof clear, keep garden beds and sprinklers away from the cladding, and check the coating each year. Recoat worn areas as needed: painted cedar is easier to maintain than oils, which need reapplying more often. If you leave the cedar natural, it needs no coating at all.

No.