Why Do You Need a Shed?

Before embarking on your garden shed journey, it's important to consider its intended purpose. Are you looking for a storage space for tools and equipment, a tranquil gardening retreat, or a versatile workspace for your creative projects? Understanding the primary function of your shed will help you fine-tune your choices in terms of size, layout, and interior features. Here are some popular uses to consider:

• Tool Haven: If your shed will primarily house garden tools and equipment, prioritise shelving, hooks, and wall-mounted organisers. Ensure easy access and visibility for all your gardening essentials. Consider whether you need windows in your shed as a windowless, security shed often provides a more secure option. 

• Tranquil Retreat: For those seeking a peaceful oasis, insulation and climate control become paramount. Consider comfortable seating, perhaps a small table, and a painted, soothing decor. Windows for natural light and a view of your garden can turn your shed into a serene escape.

• Creative Studio: Artists and craftsmen will want ample work surfaces, good lighting, and plenty of electrical outlets. Consider storage for supplies, adjustable shelving, and a layout that allows for maximum creativity and productivity. Ventilation is essential if you're working with paints or chemicals so look for a shed with opening rather than fixed windows. 

• Potting Shed: Gardeners who plan on potting plants and starting seeds will benefit from a potting shed layout that emphasises workspaces, storage for pots and soil, and perhaps a sink for easy cleanup. Natural light is crucial, as is proper ventilation to regulate temperature and humidity. Look for a shed with windows that open as this offers the best option as a potting shed. 

• Outdoor Office: For those transforming their shed into a workspace, prioritise insulation, electrical outlets, and comfortable seating. Consider the placement of windows for natural light, and ensure a strong and reliable internet connection if needed.

• Heavy Equipment Hub: For homeowners with larger tools like ride-on lawnmowers or other hefty machinery, you'll need a shed with wide, double doors and possibly even reinforced flooring, especially for extra heavy equipment. Ensure there's enough space to manoeuver these tools in and out comfortably.

• Wheelie Bin Store: Transform your shed into a stylish wheelie bin store by adding specially designed compartments for easy access and a neat, clutter-free garden space.

• Bike or Mobility Scooter Store: If you're considering using your shed to store bicycles or mobility scooters, ensure that there's ample space for easy manoeuvring and consider installing racks or hooks for secure and organised storage.

Remember, the key to a truly functional shed lies in understanding how you'll use it. Each purpose comes with its unique requirements, and by tailoring your shed to fit your needs, you're creating a space that will not only be practical but also a delightful addition to your garden landscape.

Positioning your Shed

Now that you've honed in on the purpose and design of your garden shed, it's time to consider where it will find its permanent home in your outdoor haven. The right placement can enhance both the functionality of the shed and the overall aesthetics of your garden. Here are some practical ideas to guide you:

• Accessibility is Key: Ensure your shed is easily accessible from your home and garden. This not only makes it convenient to retrieve tools or equipment but also simplifies maintenance and cleaning tasks. Consider creating a pathway to your shed using paving slabs or stepping stones to ensure it's accessible even when the ground is wet. 

• Maximise Natural Light: If possible, position your shed where it can benefit from ample natural light. This is especially important if you're using it as a workspace, studio, or potting shed. Placing it where it receives morning or afternoon sunlight can create an inviting and well-lit environment. Most sheds can have windows and doors installed either side to meet your requirements. 

• Consider the Base: A flat, well-drained area is ideal for your shed. Avoid low-lying spots where water may accumulate, as this can lead to dampness and potential damage. A concrete base, paving slabs or an easy to install plastic grid base are all ideal options as a shed base and ensure the wooden frame is kept away from the ground. 

• Harmony with Surroundings: Take a step back and consider how your shed fits into the overall landscape of your garden. It should complement the existing elements, such as trees, shrubs, and flower beds. Consider using landscaping techniques like planting around the base or using trellises to integrate the shed seamlessly into its surroundings. Painting your shed makes it an attractive feature within your garden.

• Privacy and Views: Think about what you'll see when you look out from the shed. Position it so you can enjoy pleasant views of your garden, and if possible, ensure a degree of privacy. Strategic placement can provide a sense of seclusion without compromising accessibility. If security is a concern, consider a windowless security shed. 

• Local Regulations and Permissions: Check with your local planning department regarding any planning regulations that might dictate where you can place your shed. This could include setback requirements from property lines or other structures, especially if you live in a conservation area

• Future Growth Considerations: Anticipate how your garden may evolve over time. Leave enough space around the shed for potential expansion or additions, and consider how the placement might impact future landscaping projects.

• Aftercare and Maintenance: Be mindful of allowing enough access to all parts of your shed to allow for aftercare, maintenance and wood treatment or painting from time to time. Consider adding guttering attached to a water butt to prevent rain from splashing back against the walls of the shed and causing damage. 

What is the Optimal Shed Size? 

When selecting a shed, it's imperative to choose one that comfortably accommodates your garden tools, mower, pots, and other accessories without dominating your outdoor space. Shed sizes are typically rounded to the nearest size expressed in feet and inches, but it's worth noting that exact fits can vary due to features like roof overhangs and side stores. Always verify the specifications for precision as the measurement offered may just be the footprint, or alternatively, it may include the measurements to the widest point. Additionally, be mindful of shed height, particularly if you're on the taller side; selecting a shed that doesn't require you to stoop can make a significant difference.

What Material Should I Choose?

Sheds are commonly available in wood, metal, or plastic. Within the realm of wood, there are further distinctions between dip treated and pressure treated:

Wooden Sheds:This traditional option provides the utmost flexibility. You can paint it in a colour of your choice and easily customise it with shelves and hooks. However, it's important to note that wooden sheds typically require more maintenance compared to sheds made from other materials. The wood necessitates annual treatment to keep it in optimal condition and ensure its longevity. Wooden sheds are typically delivered as flat-pack panels, requiring DIY installation on-site.

Presssure Treated Shed

Dip Treated Shed

Plastic Shed

Metal Shed

What Roof Design Options Should I Consider?

Sheds typically come with either an apex roof or a pent roof design. Some sheds are also known as a reverse apex. Here's an overview of these designs:

Apex Shed: This roof type features a peak roof running from the centre of the door along the middle backbone of the shed to the centre of the back wall. This design provides good roof height throughout the centre of the shed, allowing for the installation of shelves and benches along the opposing sides.

Pent Shed: This roof type is taller at the front and slopes away to the back, offering a practical option when placing the shed against a fence. The highest part of the shed is typically at the front, where the door is positioned. However, with certain shed models, it's possible to have the door situated on the sides of the shed.

Reverse Apex: This type of shed is identical to a traditional apex, except the door and window are positioned on one of the long sides of the shed instead of at the pointed gable end.

What are the Different Wall Cladding Options?

In the realm of wooden sheds, the choice of wall cladding significantly influences the overall cost. Various options present themselves, each carrying its own degree of premium quality. Here's a breakdown:

Overlap Cladding: This type of cladding comprises individual boards nailed to the frame of the shed with an overlap to protect it against rain. While overlap cladding is generally the most economical option, it doesn't offer the draft-resistant qualities found in a shiplap or tongue and groove clad shed.

Shiplap Cladding: This type of cladding involves interlocking boards that fit tightly together for a weather-resistant finish. The boards are generally thicker than those used for overlap cladding and have a slightly hollow-rounded profile between the boards, offering better resistance to rainwater. Shiplap cladding is a more premium product than overlap cladding and it generally costs more.

Tongue & Groove Cladding: Similar to shiplap cladding, this option features interlocking boards that form a robust structure. The key distinction lies in the profile: shiplap boasts a hollow-curved profile between the boards, while tongue and groove cladding offers a flat surface and close fitting boards, often with greater thickness compared to shiplap. This alternative is valued for its sturdy construction and durability.

What are the Roof and Floor Options?

The material used for the roof and floor significantly impacts the overall quality of a shed. Budget models often feature an OSB or solid board roof and floor. On the other hand, premium models boast a tongue and groove roof and floor, known for their strength and durability. It's worth noting that many plastic and metal sheds do not include a floor. In such cases, you'll need to install a concrete or paving slab base and securely attach the shed to it.

What Door Option Should I Choose?

When it comes to doors, there are advantages and considerations for both single and double door sheds. Single doors offer more internal storage space. However, if you need to maneouvre larger equipment like a ride-on lawnmower, double doors may provide a more practical solution.

Note that premium build sheds also include double bracing on the door. Where most sheds will have horizontal bracing on the back of the door to support and secure the door panel, with a double braced door, this has a Z shaped brace that offers additional support. 

What Window Options Exist?

Selecting the appropriate window option depends on the shed's intended use:

Windowless Sheds: These sheds, often referred to as 'security sheds,' either lack windows entirely or have very small slit windows to prevent prying eyes from seeing inside. Given the absence of natural light, it's recommended to install lighting fixtures for convenience.

Fixed Windows: These windows allow natural light to enter the shed but do not open. They are typically constructed from materials like styrene or polycarbonate, which are UV-stable and safer alternatives to glass. It's important to note that most sheds do not come with real glass, although exceptions exist for structures like summerhouses and log cabins.

Opening Windows: These windows are an excellent choice for specific shed purposes, such as a potting shed, workshop, or if you plan to use your shed as an art studio or craft room. They provide ventilation and are particularly beneficial if you'll be spending extended periods inside.

What is the Best Shed Base? 

Ensuring your shed is installed on a firm, level surface is crucial to prevent warping and twisting. It is also especially vital for wooden sheds to keep the timber away from ground moisture as this helps preserve its integrity. There are several base options to consider, each with distinct advantages:

Shire Overlap Double Door Shed

Forest Overlap Pressure Treated Shed

Rowlinson Oxford Apex Roof Shed & Lean To

Rowlinson Woodvale Metal Shed

Rowlinson Heritage Apex Shed

Mercia Potting Style Shed

Saffron Vinyl Lean To Shed

Rowlinson Security Anthracite Shed

Mercia Dutch Barn Shed

Rolinson Skylight Light Grey Shed

Rowlinson Potting Store

Storemore Telluria Eleganto Steel Shed

Protek Shed & Fence Stain

Protek Tough Coat

Protek Wood Preserver

Protek Wood Stain & Protector

Protek Royal Exterior Wood Finish - Natural Shades

Protek Royal Exterior Wood Finish - Off Whites

Protek Royal Exterior Wood Finish - Vibrant Colours

Protek Royal Exterior Wood Finish - Soft Colours