Sheds for the garden
Buying the right shed
Perhaps the most important factor to consider when looking to buy a shed is it's size. If you are restricted by the available space in your garden, then your options will be limited. If you have the space, then you’ll be able to choose a shed of sufficient size for your needs.
When considering the size of shed you need, always allow a bit more space for future purchases and storage needs. Remember, after you have filled it with tools, machinery and general clutter, you will need to be able to actually get in the shed and move about without falling over the contents. A typical 6x4 shed is very quickly filled by the average gardener’s tools, mower, and other bits and pieces.
The garden shed serves an important role in storing all manner of tools and equipment safely and securely. Garden tools and equipment are often expensive items that need to be kept under lock and key, not just to prevent theft, but also out of the reach of young children.
Most basic garden sheds are of a simple apex roof design, i.e. there are two sloping sides to the roof. A slightly different design is the pent shed which has just the one roof which slopes off towards the rear of the shed. Pent sheds offer a little more internal space than apex sheds of the same size due to the design of the roof - you have more space at head height.
Types of garden shed.
Sheds are constructed mainly from softwood using the tongue and groove method of joining wooden boards together. Tongue and groove sheds are effective at keeping out the weather and are relatively strong.
Other construction methods include overlap which basically consists of timber boards that slightly overlap! These make for rustic looking sheds and are often cheaper than the tongue and groove type. All wooden sheds will require some maintenance to prevent the timber from eventually rotting. Look for a manufacturers guarantee of at least ten years. One of the best selections of sheds available on the Internet can be found at Shedstore.
Metal sheds
Metal sheds have become popular in recent years due to the fact they are easy to install, offer decent security and do not require the level of maintenance wooden sheds do. Metal sheds are available in a huge range of different sizes and colours. Most suppliers guarantee their metal sheds against rust from around 3 -12 years.
Always check to see if the supplied shed includes a floor as not all of them do. Good suppliers of metal sheds include Trimetals who stock a vast range of outbuildings. Also worth a visit is Screwfix Direct.
Plastic sheds
Plastic sheds are gaining in popularity due to the fact they offer good value for money and they require no maintenance. Being plastic they will not rot or rust however they do tend to suffer from condensation forming on the underside of the roof. Again, as with metal models, check to see if your chosen plastic shed comes with a floor included.
Log cabins
Log cabin style buildings typically have much thicker walls than conventional timber sheds. The method of construction is tongue and groove with the board ends finished to give the log cabin look. The log cabin style is a popular choice for a garden office.
Installation and the shed base
Some suppliers offer an installation service for their shed ranges, useful if you don’t want the hassle of installing the shed yourself. However, anyone with a basic knowledge of DIY will be capable of installing the shed themselves with the minimum of fuss. All models come with installation instructions. Some ranges of shed are available with a wooden ‘portabase’ which is essentially a frame upon which the shed is placed. This saves having to construct a concrete or paved base.