Garden shed buying guide

Want a versatile shed that requires little to no maintenance? Go for a plastic shed. These garden sheds can be cleaned easily using a garden hose and can be a smart choice for areas that experience a lot of rainfall. They come in a range of designs making them suitable for a wide range of purposes.

Are you just looking for a basic garden shed to store equipment? On a tight budget and not that bothered about how the shed looks? Metal garden sheds are some of the cheapest on the market and can be repainted after several years of use. However, the insulating properties of metal are limited meaning these sheds can generally only be used for storage.

Don't mind the maintenance that comes with wood? Are you after a chalet-style structure and a shed that can serve as a functional living space? A wooden shed is definitely the best option for you. Choose between a wood stain or painted finish. Wood is a naturally insulating material and the best option if you are looking to build a playhouse for your kids, an artist's studio or even a summerhouse for guests.

Once you have picked a material, there are few other key characteristics to think about.

• A shed floor will keep moisture levels down and boost comfort.

• Windows or glazed doors are a must for DIYers and/or anyone looking for natural light.

• The amount of floor space and the height of the shed beneath the eaves must match your needs.

• The doorway needs to be wide enough for all your equipment to pass through.

• Anchoring your shed to the ground is highly recommended. Decking supports or concrete blocks work well. A concrete slab foundation works even better.

Another factor you have to consider is planning permission. You generally won't need it but do be aware of any local restrictions. When it comes to deciding where to install your shed, you need to think carefully about how you want to use it.

Whether or not you need a floor comes down to a few different factors:

• the role of the shed and/or type of equipment you want to store;

• the type of shed base you have and/or the use of a concrete slab;

• the level of comfort you're after.

You must install a shed floor if:

• you are storing valuable equipment or anything that cannot get wet and you don't plan to pour a concrete base;

• the garden shed will act as an living annexe, summerhouse or workshop.

Wood flooring is generally the most common option. However, you can install a PVC or polypropylene floor in a PVC or resin shed. This type of floor can be purchased separately and saves you from having to pour a concrete foundation. That said, pouring a concrete base will provide you with an extra layer of insulation and protection, especially from rising damp. Whether you go for wood or another material, fitting flooring provides a better finish and increases comfort. Fitting an underlay between the flooring and the shed base will improve insulation even further. A waterproof membrane will provide protection against rising damp.

The next thing to consider is the types of windows and doors you need for your garden shed. Your decision will be based on where your shed will be installed and what exactly you want to store in the shed.

Choosing shed windows

If you plan to use the shed solely for storage, you won't need windows as wall space is more important in this case. On the other hand, you should opt for shed windows if:

• you need a light source in the shed and you aren't able to install outdoor lighting;

• the garden shed will be used as a living space and/or a workshop.

Shed windows can be:

• fixed and used only for natural light;

• openable which is recommended if you are using the shed as a workshop in order to get rid of dust and obligatory if the space will be used as a living space;

• single or double. They can also vary in terms of overall size and the size of the opening;

• hinged if you have the clearance or sliding if you need to maximise space.

Garden sheds used to store tools and furniture often have fixed windows made of acrylic rather than glass.

If you're looking to create a guest bedroom, look for a shed measuring over 20 m2 with thick panelling and double glazing for year-round comfort!

Choosing a shed door

• If you have bulky equipment to store, go for a double door. A ride-on lawnmower won't fit through a single door.

• If you're looking to save space or if your shed is set up on a slight slope and you want to avoid having to level out the land, choose a sliding door.

• A hinged door requires enough clearance to open and will slam shut in the wind.

• Shed doors may incorporate glazing and can feature different types of handles the quality of will vary depending on the quality of the shed itself.

Remember to install a lock on the shed – not all sheds come with a locking system.

Wooden garden sheds

Wood is the most popular material for garden sheds as it offers a natural and warm look that most people like. If you plan to use the shed for a number of months or even the whole year round as a guest room, playroom or office, solid timber is the best option. Solid wood is naturally insulating and the only option if you plan to make the shed a liveable space. Generally speaking, thick walls provide greater stability and durability.

Wood sheds come in a wide range of designs from pent roofs to flat roofs or even a curved roof for something a little different. The major downside of wood is that it requires maintenance, the frequency of which varies between species. Most sheds are made of pine, spruce or Douglas fir. While staining and paint will provide some wear protection, it's best to choose heat-treated timber which is insect-resistant and rot-proof. Thermo-treated wood is saturated with water and heated to very high temperatures to make it rot-proof and extremely hardwearing. Some wooden sheds come ready-painted.

Metal garden sheds

Metal is a good option for sheds used primarily for storage. These structures tend to look a bit like industrial hangars and are not the most attractive sheds. Nonetheless, a metal shed can be a wise investment. These sheds are often very easy to install and maintain, and are inexpensive. But once again, it all depends on what you want to do with the shed. Metal can be galvanised or lacquered for a better finish. While metal sheds are low maintenance, corrosion will set in after a few years or even sooner if you live by the sea. When this happens, a rust inhibitor or metal paint should be applied.

PVC or resin sheds

PVC and resin sheds combine the aesthetic benefits of wood with the easy installation of metal. However, it's important to choose a high-quality plastic that will stand up to UV rays and changes in outdoor temperatures. While a wide range of colours and designs is available, PVC and resin sheds cannot usually be repaired. Plastic sheds are generally chosen for their low maintenance requirements since you simply need to wash them down with water. They are also highly resistant to moisture which is especially important in rainier parts of the country.

The design of your garden shed roof should be carefully considered unless you want to put your roofing abilities to the test sooner than necessary! There are a few different roof types to choose from, the most common of which being:

• classic single slope shed roofs;

• gable roofs;

• flat roofs.

In terms of materials, roof coverings can vary from one shed to another largely depending on the material used to make the structure of the shed. Choose between:

• felt laid over weatherproof OSB panels;

• shingles, which look a bit like flattened roof tiles, fitted over OSB panels or even battens;

• rigid bitumen sheets, which are made to look like traditional roof tiles, fitted over lighter roof structures;

• metal roofing sheets which are mainly used for metal sheds. This type of roof covering can be noisy so it isn't the best option for living annexes.

Roof coverings and exposure

The best way to go about picking the right roof covering is to think carefully about the type of exposure it will have to deal with. If you are installing your shed in an area that is going to be exposed to the rain, avoid a metal roof. If the shed is going to have to stand up to the wind, it's best to glue down your roof shingles.

A fantastic environmentally friendly option is to install a green roof which will add a few extra square metres of greenery to your outdoor space. Gutters help with rainwater drainage and are especially important for larger sheds. Alternatively, you can install a water butt.

Garden sheds come in all sorts of styles. Most garden sheds are made of wood or metal with one or two doors and a gable roof. The majority of these types of sheds are used for storage. Alternatively, you can choose from a range of different styles including:

• rustic, log cabin-style sheds;

• traditional wood sheds;

• modern flat roof sheds;

• cottage-style sheds for a more bespoke look, and so on.

With a wide variety of options on offer, you are sure to find a garden shed to match your house. Bear in mind that style of your shed depends largely on the material it is made from and that most of the sheds you come across will be made of timber.

Garden shed fixings

It is essential to anchor your shed to the ground properly. If you are a setting up a small lean-to shed for storage, you'll have to anchor it to the house. Every year, more sheds than you might think are picked up by the wind due to faulty anchoring and this can cause serious damage. The best option is to secure anchor plates and brackets in concrete using lag bolts or anchor bolts.

It's possible to find all the fixings you need in the form of a shed anchor kit. These kits often contain things like heavy-duty straps, tensioners and quick links and may also be referred to as 'hurricane kits'.

Concrete footings

If you don't plan on pouring a whole concrete slab, you can still pour some deck footings where the corners of your shed will sit. Quick tip: take some 200mm PVC pipe, cut it to lengths of 50cm and fill these sections with concrete. This method will work for sheds measuring up to 16 m². Otherwise, you can build wooden forms and use them to pour concrete footings all around the shed. The size of the form depends on the surface area of the shed.

Concrete blocks

For a stronger foundation on sloping ground, you can use concrete blocks. Apply a bitumen paint to the blocks to prevent rising damp.

Garden shed storage solutions

Garden sheds can be easily organised with a few storage accessories such as:

• shelving units or racks;

• tool holders in the form of hooks or shelves.

A wooden shed will always be easier to organise than a plastic or metal shed since it's much more straightforward to install shelves or hooks in wood. Metal or PVC sheds will often require specially made storage equipment which may come at extra cost. The same goes for insulation – it'll always be easier to line wooden walls with insulation than add insulation to plastic panelling.

What do garden shed sizes mean?

Garden sheds are generally measured in imperial sizes with the most popular sizes being 6x4, 7x5 and 8x6. But smaller sheds (3x5, 4x3, 5x3 and 6x3) and larger sheds are commonly available.

• The shed size refers to the exterior of the shed – not the total amount of floor space –  so bear that in mind when making your choice.

• The total length and width of a shed will usually also include the overhang of the roof meaning you may end up with even less floor space than you thought.

• The floor area of the shed refers to the amount of usable floor space there is inside the shed.

Think about your needs and the type of equipment you need to store.

It's important to check to see whether you require planning permission before you set out to install a shed. Most of the time, you won't need permission to install a garden shed but there are exceptions to the rule. For example:

• If your shed height exceeds 2.5 metres at the eaves;

• If you want to build a multi-storey shed;

• If your shed will be used as a living annexe or guest bedroom.

Be sure to contact your local planning authority before installing a shed if you are in any doubt. There may be special local planning regulations in place.

If you are planning on purchasing a wood shed, it's important to think about the origins of the wood. Look out for PEFC, FSC or Nature plus ecolabels to ensure that the wood can be traced back to a sustainably managed forest.

Support environmentally friendly and sustainable practices by choosing wood with an FSC or PEFC label.