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Garden Sheds

Of all the garden storage options on the market, sheds are by far Britain's favourite. Traditional, charming and spacious, a garden shed is suitable for a range of needs and merges perfectly into any property style. In this buyer's guide, you'll find everything you will need to help you make the right choice when purchasing a garden shed.

If you can't find what you're looking for on this page, please do get in touch with the Sefton Meadows customer service team by calling on 0800 157 7265 or sending an email to [email protected].

What To Consider Before Buying?

There are a few things you should consider before splurging on a shed to ensure you get precisely what you want. A good quality shed is a long term investment that can last up to fifteen years, so you want to make sure that your final choice is the right one. Before going shed shopping, you should consider these questions:

  • What Will You Be Using Your Shed For? – Knowing what you'd like to use your shed for will help you choose one that is suitable for your needs.
  • How big Will Your Shed Have To Be? – Of course, before you order a shed, you'll need to know how much space you have! Measure your garden space, consider what you will be using your shed for, and decide on a size that will be best for your needs.
  • Where Will Your Shed Go? – If you have a large garden, you'll probably have quite a few choices for where to put your shed. However, if your space is only small, try and find an area with level ground that won't be affected by rain and offers easy access from all sides.
  • Who Will Build Your Shed? – Usually, there are two options for building a shed: self-assembly or an assembly service. Self-assembly can be difficult and will require a few helping pairs of hands. On the other hand, some companies offer installation with a purchase of a shed, but you can hire a local installer to do it too.
  • What's Your Budget? – It can be easy to over-spend with the range of sheds on offer but setting yourself a budget will stop you from overspending. Good quality sheds don't have to mean a high price automatically, so you're bound to find something within your budget.

Measure The Right Size

Choosing the right sized shed that won't dominate your garden but still fits your storage requirements is a top priority. Sheds come in many sizes, so you're guaranteed to find one that will fit your needs, but some of the most popular sizes are:

  • 8 ft x 6 ft
  • 6 ft x 4 ft
  • 7 ft x 5 ft
  • 10 ft x 6 ft
  • 10 ft x 8 ft
  • 12 ft x 8 ft

You could also consider a corner shed. They can fit snugly in your garden, won't dominate the space and offer plenty of storage room.

On top of the shed size, you should leave at least 1-2 feet of space around the shed for maintenance, plus the room necessary to open any doors or windows.

To help you decide what sized shed will suit your needs, first consider how you will be using it. For example, if you plan on storing a collection of professional gardening equipment, you may require a 10 ft x 8 ft shed to accommodate your assortment. Then, precisely measure the space where you'd like to put your shed. With this measurement and your requirements in mind, you will be able to find a shed suitably sized for you.

Remember that many shed measurements will be an approximation. Make sure that you check the specifications of every product page you view for detailed measurements and consider features that may complicate these figures, such as overhanging roofs or verandas.

Choose The Best Material

Sheds mainly come in three different materials, and each one is suited to different needs and budgets. So, again, consider what you will be using the shed for when choosing the material. Don't forget about the style of your garden either!

Wooden Sheds

The most popular choice when it comes to shed materials, wood is durable, traditional and charming. Since wood provides a rustic look, a wooden shed will blend well into any garden style, plus it often has customisable options. With a wooden shed, you can paint it any colour you like, place doors and windows where you wish, and shelves inside the shed tend to be customisable too. For responsibly sourced timber, keep an eye out for the Forest Stewardship Council logo.

Weather can severely affect wood, so make sure that the shed you choose has been pre-treated. There are two types of treated wood, and these are dip treated and pressure treated. Dip treated sheds are the most popular and cheapest, however, they require regular wood preservative applications to maintain their protection. The preservative is forced into the wood grain for pressure-treated sheds, meaning that it will survive all weathers without treatment for at least fifteen years.

Wooden sheds come with flooring options, and some offer flooring choices too. The two primary materials used for these purposes are OSB (oriented strand board) and timber. OSB is the most common choice since it is more affordable, thicker and more environmentally friendly. However, timber boarded floors and roofs are much more durable, resistant to bowing, easier to clean and provide better air quality.

Metal Sheds

Usually made from some form of steel, metal sheds are the most secure option. Impenetrable to anyone without a key, a metal shed is the best choice if you want to store expensive equipment or particularly important belongings. Although metal sheds take longer to assemble, they require very little maintenance and usually offer the longest guarantees. However, steel will bring a more industrial design to the garden, so consider whether this will fit in with the style of your property. Also, remember that steel does tend to rust, so if the shed isn't made of galvanised steel, ensure that you add a corrosion inhibitor to keep it in tip-top condition.

Not all metal sheds come with a floor installed, so make sure you check this while shopping. Some models will offer floor support kits, which allow you to add your own wooden floor. You have to provide the wood for this, though.

Plastic Sheds

The most cost-effective option, plastic sheds are simple to install and light enough to move once erected. Despite this, they are still strong enough for their use. The plastic used in most sheds is rot- and stain-resistant, and UV-resistant, meaning it will survive through different temperatures without fading. So if you're not storing anything too expensive or essential and just need a place to put a few things, a plastic shed should be fine for you. Plus, there are many on the market that look like wood or metal, so they will give the illusion of higher security and still fit your garden style. However, plastic sheds may need weighing down in strong winds and are not as secure as other options.

Just like metal sheds, plastic sheds may not come with a floor installed. If you'd like, you can use a floor support kit or purchase plastic shed base kits to do a similar job.

Decide On A Roof Design

There are three main roof styles for sheds, and these are apex, reverse apex and pent. If you'd like a more exciting design, have a look for a Dutch barn roof or a curved style.

Apex Roof

The most popular choice for sheds, an apex roof consists of two slopes that meet in the middle. This style provides increased headspace along the centre of the shed, with the doors on one gable end.

Reverse Apex Roof

A reverse apex roof is similar to an apex design; only the doors and windows are on the longer side rather than the gable end. This provides more wall space, making it more suitable for a workshop layout.

Pent Roof

A more modern choice, a pent roof deliberately slopes to allow rain to run off. Since it has a lower side, a pent roof is suitable for sliding under trees or up against walls.

FAQs

How To Waterproof A Shed?

The best way to waterproof your shed is to put it somewhere where it will not be exposed to water. Stopping water from leaking in once it has happened is difficult, so getting ahead of the issue is best. However, water-resistant cladding is available reasonably cheaply and should stop any future leakages. It would be best to fill in any cracks and gaps with caulking or expanding foam to prevent water from coming in there.

Do I Need Planning Permission For A Shed?

Sheds don't usually require planning permission. As long as they are one storey and with a maximum height of 4 metres, you should be fine.

How Can I Run Armoured Cable To A Shed?

If you require electricity in your shed, armoured cable is the best way of doing so. However, running armoured cable to a shed is fairly advanced work, so you should get a professional to carry out the work and avoid serious accidents.

Our Range

Here at Sefton Meadows, we offer a range of garden furniture and storage options. So whether you're after a good quality shed, bike storage or something bigger, we can guarantee you'll find what you're looking for with us. Check out our furniture and storage selections here.