Garden sheds make the perfect spot for storing furniture, garden tools, your bike and even for rearing a few animals in.
Some people also convert these sheds for a summertime retreat when temperatures are soaring high.
Whatever your reasons are for having one, the shed needs to be kept in the best condition possible. Whether looking to buy a new one to replace the rotting one in the corner of your garden or because you want a new addition to the house, it’s advisable to choose your garden shed carefully.
For starters, the garden shed should be durable enough to last several years, value for your money and have a purposeful design.
Top Tips to Select The Right Garden Shed
A shed is for looks and practicality
1. Considerations
Garden Shed Planning Permission – Although you might not require planning permission for your garden shed, you still need to check with the local council or government to see if there’s a need to. Much of this information can be found in the UK government planning portal. Check to familiarise yourself with other regulations you might not know of.
Base – Your garden shed needs a secure and solid foundation. This is especially the case if you’re putting something heavy like a car on it – you can see more at quick-gardens.co.uk.
Neighbours – Inform your neighbours of your intention to build a garden shed, especially if it will be close to the boundary. This should be done in case you have to access their garden as the construction continues. This also eliminates the possibility of complaints afterwards.
2. Location
Choose the location for your garden shed very carefully. The shed needs to have at least 3 feet of space around it to allow for easy maintenance and access. There shouldn’t be obstacles blocking entry to the shed.
Plan around your weather conditions
It would also be advisable to have the garden shed protected from elements such as harsh weather. Have the shed installed near a taller building, structure, hedge or fence for improved durability. This should provide the shed extra protection during storms and the harsh winter weather.
3. Preferred Shed
The type of shed – The best garden shed should be based on how you plan to use it, among other preferences. It would, therefore, be advisable to go for an easy to maintain, clean and durable garden shed designed to suit your specific needs.
Metal sheds – These are highly secure, relatively easy to assemble and come in a wide range of themes (colours). If positioned and installed correctly, a metal shed can last many years requiring very little maintenance. Metal garden sheds are very affordable and come with an option for sliding doors – if dealing with limited space.
Wooden sheds – Wooden sheds, unlike metal ones, require minimal maintenance, are much warmer, cheap to build and most of all, visually appealing. The wood can be treated or painted to match the main house or your preferred colour as well.
Type of wall construction – Wooden garden sheds come in either overlap or tongue and groove wall constructions. Overlays give a more rustic look and provide a simpler and cost-effective build. It is however a more traditional wall cladding method commonly preferred for smaller wooden buildings.
Overlapping builds don’t however provide adequate water run-off as compared to tongue and groove builds.
Tongue and groove construction – These employ superior construction, which involves interlocking individual wood pieces. This thus provides better protection from the weather, a smooth finish, hence a rigid structure. This construction method is however more expensive as compared to overlapping.
Roof Type – You get to choose between pent, apex and flat roof styles for your garden shed. Each of these styles has its benefits. Apex roofs, for example, give more space hence more storage area while the pent design allows adequate rainwater drainage.
Root type will affect the shed’s cost and usability
Apex is commonly preferred if looking to store larger items overhead. The pent design is recommended if it is near your neighbour’s fence or house. Flat roofs provide a nice finish though are not recommended because f lat roofs tend to collect rain water and snow, which might affect the shed’s overall durability.
Size – Choose an appropriately sized garden shed for your specific needs. Whether looking for a large, professional garden shed for storing heavy machinery, a family-sized shed for more accessibility and better features, or just a simple shed for storing your furniture and garden sheds.
Sheds.co.uk have a good range of options available to suit most people’s needs. Alternatively, somewhere like B&Q or Home Base also stock ones.
