Building Your Dreams
Emerlin has the expertise to deliver a custom space that's an extension of your home—so you can dream and grow for years to come. We’ve been doing it since 1979.
Building Your Dreams
Emerlin has the expertise to deliver a custom space that's an extension of your home—so you can dream and grow for years to come. We’ve been doing it since 1979.
When you partner with a local, licensed Class A contractor you can trust, who only hires full-time employees, and who guides you in person from design to permit to build and beyond, you can create a spectacular space that’s an extension of your home and the envy of your neighborhood.
Become the envy of your neighborhood
When you partner with a local, licensed Class A contractor you can trust, who only hires full-time employees, and who guides you in person from design to permit to build and beyond, you can create a spectacular space that’s an extension of your home and the envy of your neighborhood.
One neighbor, one dream at a time.
Our founder handcrafted the first shed for one of his neighbors in Virginia Beach more than 40 years ago. We’ve never lost that close connection with our customers.
While working as a computer operator, Mennonite pastor and woodworker Merlin Miller started building small storage sheds in his father Ivan’s chicken coop in Virginia Beach. Demand grew, and Merlin soon quit his full-time job, expanding operations to a nearby warehouse and founding Colonial Barns & Sheds in 1979.
Over the years, as Merlin transitioned again to focusing mostly on ministry and mission work, family members helped to manage the business, which came to specialize in on-site custom shed building—an innovative approach in a market where traditional delivery models faced challenges with limited yard space and fences.
In 2019, Merlin’s grandson Travis Kuykendall joined the business and has since taken over leadership along with Kevin Kuhn. In that time, Emerlin has experienced significant growth. We have rebuilt our team, added locations in Yorktown and Chesapeake with more to come, and expanded our vision beyond sheds to include all backyard structures—maintaining the founding values of quality craftsmanship while evolving to meet customer needs.
As one of the most respected Class A Contractors in Virginia and North Carolina, Emerlin Custom Storage Sheds & Outdoor Buildings continues to specialize in high-quality custom structures. Our meticulous attention to detail in every product remains the cornerstone of our reputation and growth—a legacy of faith, community, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking innovation that began in a chicken coop more than four decades ago.
Quality unchanged—and unmatched
Be the envy of your neighborhood today and 40+ years from now.
Willie and Carolyn purchased one of our first sheds in 1979. They’ve performed basic routine maintenance and their shed is still in phenomenal shape today!
It’s survived literally dozens of hurricanes throughout its over four decades of life with only a few shingles blown off. We still build them like we used to – the right way!
Our mission is deeply rooted in our name
The name Emerlin, a nod to our founder Merlin and his wife Linda, symbolizes a history of integrity, family roots, and a commitment to local service. Our journey started with a commitment to Christian values, focusing on serving an underserved need for on-site storage solutions. Merlin balanced his roles as a pastor and missionary with his business, embedding these core values into the very foundation of our operations.
The name Emerlin also serves as a guide to the future of our business: opportunities to expand into new markets and introduce new offerings under a fresh brand that exudes feelings of strength, durability, and commitment.
The design of our logo, from the foundation of powerful rooted letters to the roofline above the ‘M’, encapsulates this ethos.
A family-owned business that puts your family first
Meet your dedicated design-to-permit-to-build partners.
Travis
CEO
Creative visionary specializing in innovative outdoor living space designs that inspire and delight.
Kevin
Operations Supervisor
Tim
Production Supervisor
Sal
Warehouse Manager
Amy
Front Office
Brian
Sales Manager
Clay
Carpentry Team Lead
Jesse
Carpentry Team Lead
Ruby
Design Consultant
Blake
Design Consultant
Dan
Design Consultant
Merlin
Founder
We’re hiring!
View open positions
Explore exciting career opportunities and become part of our dedicated team at Emerlin.
Why choose Emerlin?
We pride ourselves on our deep local knowledge and commitment to quality. Our customer-centric approach ensures your vision is realized with meticulous attention to detail.
Local Expertise
We understand the unique needs of Virginia Beach and surrounding areas.
Personalized Service
Your satisfaction is our priority, guiding you every step of the way.
Recognized excellence in outdoor living solutions
Emerlin is proud to showcase our awards and certifications, reflecting our commitment to quality and innovation.
