Photo: Andrew Farquhar / Flickr

Every garden, no matter how small, needs a shed. A bigger shed can take the place of a garage, storing both DIY tools and garden equipment, while a smaller shed can keep things like compost and fertiliser out of sight and protected from the elements. Sheds can be quite pricey, so be sure it ticks all the right boxes. The most important things to consider are size, durability and design.

Size

When choosing a garden shed, size should be your first consideration. If you just want to store a few garden tools and a bicycle or two in the shed, a small 6x4ft shed is perfect. If you’re planning on using your shed for potting plants and as a workshop, 8x6ft may be big enough. You may want to go larger, though, depending on the amount of space you have in your garden and what you can afford.

Wood, metal or plastic?

Sheds are traditionally made of wood, with a felt roof, and this is still the most popular style of garden shed. Wooden sheds are very durable but need to be raised from the ground, unlike metal sheds, to prevent damp. Wooden sheds start at around £150 for the smallest, most basic design but the price can go all the way up to £4,000 for a high-end design.

Metal sheds aren’t as good looking as wooden ones, but they are long lasting and need very little maintenance other than the occasional lick of paint. Metal sheds are also, on the whole, more secure than wooden sheds. So if you have expensive equipment to store, a metal shed is a good option. Prices range from under £130 for small, simple designs while a very large metal shed can cost up to £1,000.

Plastic sheds won’t rot or rust and don’t need painting, making them the most low maintenance option. They’re often designed to look like wood so they won’t look out of place in a cottage garden. Plastic sheds do need a solid, level base, though, and are more expensive than metal and wood sheds, with prices starting at £200 and going up to over £2,500 for a very large shed.

Roof styles

Sheds come with either apex or pent roofs. Apex roofs have sloping sections like most houses’ roofs, and are generally thought to look better than pent roofs, which are flat and slope in one direction. Pent style sheds have more head room and are the perfect choice if the garden shed is to be placed against a wall or fence.

Compare shed prices online to be sure you get the best deal.

Tags: garden