If you’re an avid garden aficionado who wants to keep a well-organised garden, then you’re probably on the lookout for a garden shed. But buying just any type of shed won’t cut it. You want to make sure you’re getting the most out of the unit for the money you’re about to invest in it. And in order to do that, you’ll need to consider a couple of important factors, such as size, materials, construction, roof, windows and doors. Making the right decisions in all of these regards will ensure you have a functional shed that suits your specific garden storage needs and fits your garden, no matter how large or small it is.
Size
In order to get the right garden shed size, you need to consider the precise measurements and where it’s being positioned. You have to think about the available physical space in your garden and account for existing trees, borders and plants. You can’t just guess, get the measuring tape and mark the available space with bamboo canes and a string. Many people don’t take into account the room for the shed’s door to open, and the space required to maneuver the equipment in and out. Luckily, there are garden shed sliding door glides that don’t require the extra space needed for opening and closing conventional doors. Additionally, consider whether you’re just storing gardening tools like mowers, rakes, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, forks and spades, or you need multi-purpose storage shed for some furniture, pet supplies, outdoor toys for your kids on top of the gardening equipment. Ladders, toolboxes, paint and other DIY equipment that’s bulky can also impact your final choice.
Materials
When it comes to the materials the shed can be made of, you can pick between plastic, wood and metal. Most people who own a wooden shed would argue that it’s the most durable type and the most attractive, as it provides a natural-looking aesthetic in your garden, unlike plastic and metal. However, wood is a natural product that’s subject to warping, which is to be expected as warping is the natural movement of wood when put under different weather conditions. Metal shed gardens are considered the safest, as they feature a number of locking systems that prevent the roof and doors from being pried open. Most metal sheds won’t have windows in order to keep your valuables out of sight from thieves. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about pests entering your metal shed. Usually, metal sheds are covered in powder-coated paint to ensure they’re waterproof and more durable to the elements. Plastic sheds are the most affordable type and they’re widely available throughout Australia. Furthermore, they require little to no maintenance, and they’re most suitable for people looking for a lightweight option that’s easy to set up. However, these sheds won’t last as long as wooden and metal sheds, especially when subjected to extreme weather.
Construction
Garden sheds can be constructed either with overlap cladding, shiplap cladding and tongue and groove cladding. Overlap cladding is the most economic option, and it should only be considered if the shed is used for garden storage exclusively. However, if you intend on spending a lot of time inside the shed for DIY and leisure activities, then consider one of the other two types of construction. Tongue and groove cladding provides a sleek finish with thick and smooth boards that interlock, creating a robust, weather-resistant construction. There aren’t any gaps in this construction, and the thick boards make it less susceptible to movement and rain. Shiplap cladding is a variety of the tongue and groove cladding construction, offering the same benefits while providing the traditional appearance of overlap cladding construction.
Roof, Windows and Doors
Shed roofs can be either pent or apex. Apex roofs are the traditional designs with 2 gable ends on the shorted sides of the garden shed. They provide the most headroom in the middle. Pent roofs are flat, sloping from the back to front or front to back. If they slope from the sides, they’re called a lean-to shed. These roofs provide the most headroom at one end and they’re great for sheds located under low branches or against walls.
If you’re using the shed for storing equipment only, you may not require windows. In fact, sheds with no windows are more secure, as there is no access point for thieves. However, if you’re working on a DIY project or a hobby inside the shed, allowing some natural light to come in can be beneficial. Further, if you need ventilation, then you’ll also want the windows to open so you can get some fresh air. You’ll have to consider the location of the windows – some people want them in direct sunlight, while others prefer them facing away.
And when it comes to doors, sheds are available with single and double doors. Single doors are fine if you aren’t storing large equipment in the shed. Plus, a single door takes far less wall space, thus maximising internal storage. Luckily, nowadays, there are garden shed sliding door glides that allow you to move bulkier equipment while providing the benefit of maximising the internal storage space at the same time.
