A shed is an essential for any garden enthusiast, keeping your tools dry and organised no matter the season. Some of you will need a large shed, ideal for storing lawn mowers and other machinery, or perhaps to use as an outdoor workspace. For others, something small and simple may be all you need. As well as the size, there are a few other factors to take into account when looking to buy a new shed. Here are some things to keep an eye out for.
Wooden sheds give an attractive, rustic look that many associate with traditional sheds. Warm and inviting, they are made from softwoods and can be painted or stained to suit your garden. You’ll most likely find sheds made from spruce and fir trees, although expensive cedar sheds can be found. These are less impervious to rot and can cost double that of pine sheds. Due to the versatility of wooden sheds and their attractive look, they are the most popular type of sheds for the garden.
Rot and weather-resistant, metal sheds are sturdy and practical, as well as offering greater security for your belongings inside. The doors are harder to force open, and a lack of windows can help put off opportunistic thieves. Unlike wood, a metal shed won’t need protection from pests and rot either. One of their disadvantages is their tendency to be an eyesore in the garden, and they are not easily customised. Metal sheds can also be difficult to work in, often due to a buildup of condensation.
An apex shed is the most common type of shed, with a V-shaped roof and a central door entrance. The roof slopes down from the centre, giving you two slopes for water to run off, helping to prevent rot. This also gives the shed height all the way to the back, making it a good option for storing tall tools. On apex sheds, the windows are often located on the side panels or to one side of the door.
A pent shed has a flat roof that slopes downwards from front to the back, with an off centre door and usually a larger floor area. Most of the height is near the door, making them a good option for storing items on shelving inside. Pent sheds are popular options as they fit snugly into corners and along fences, without looking too obtrusive.
The size you choose entirely depends on the space you have in your garden, and what you intend to use the shed for. You can get away with a much smaller shed if you are just after extra storage space. A workshop shed will require adequate headroom and space to move around comfortably inside. When measuring for your shed, you’ll need to make sure you take into account the overhang of the roof, which sticks out further than the floor of the shed. It’s always a good idea to ensure the roof overhangs the sides by 4-5cm, and the front and back by at least 8cm to prevent rainwater from leaking inside and causing rot.
Make sure to take a look through our various garden Sheds & Garden Structures to make the most of the space in your garden.
