What's the process for customizing the size of a trashcan enclosure?

Hello there! I’m your future trashcan enclosure. I know you want me to fit perfectly around your bins, not too tight, not too loose. Let me walk you through the process of customizing my size—step by step, like I’m standing right there with you.

First, you need to measure your trashcans. Stand them side by side, exactly where you plan to place me. Grab a tape measure. Write down the width (from left to right), depth (front to back), and height (from the ground to the lid’s highest point). Add at least 2 inches to each measurement. Why? Because I need breathing room for your hands to slide bins in and out, and for the lids to open without scraping my sides. If you have a lid that flips up, please measure with the lid open—I don’t want to squeeze it.

Next, decide if you want me to sit on the ground or be built into a deck or patio. If I’m freestanding, my footprint is simple: just the base dimensions I calculated. If you plan to frame me into a structure, like between two posts or under a counter, we need to account for that space. Measure the opening where I’ll live—width, depth, and height—and compare it with your bin measurements. If the opening is smaller, we’ll need to adjust. Remember, I need a minimum of 1 inch on each side for air circulation, or mold will call me home.

Now, choose my material: wood, metal, or plastic. This affects my thickness. For example, if we use ¾-inch plywood, my outer dimensions will be 1.5 inches larger than my inner cavity (because of the walls). So if your bins need a 30-inch wide interior, my outer shell will be 31.5 inches wide. Plan for that. For metal, it’s usually thinner—¼ inch—so my outer size is closer to the interior.

Finally, consider accessibility. Do you want a hinged lid? A door on the front? Side access? Each opening adds hardware that takes up space. For a hinged lid, I need an extra 2 inches at the back for the hinge and clearance when the lid opens. For a front door, I require at least 3 inches of clearance in front so the door swings freely. I’m a bit like a dancer—I need room to move.

Once you have all these numbers, sketch me out. My perfect size is: interior width 32 inches, interior depth 24 inches, interior height 36 inches (for two standard 32-gallon bins). But if your bins are different, just follow the formula: bin dimensions plus 2 inches for clearance, plus material thickness, plus hardware clearance. That’s my tailor-made size.

Let’s make me real. We’ll build me from your measurements, cutting the wood or metal panels to fit. I’ll assemble snugly, with screws and corner braces. I promise to hide those trashcans beautifully and make your neighbors jealous. Just bring me your bin sizes, and I’ll do the rest. Ready to start?