Thinking of buying a new shed ? Here is some sound advice on choosing one.

A simple guide to choosing a garden shed


When it comes time to buy a new shed for your home or allotment , the first thing you’ll want to decide on is the size of shed that you’re after. While it’s not good to end up with a structure that will totally dominate your garden and overpower other areas, you should try and go for the biggest shed you can reasonably accommodate. That way, not only will you have a large amount of storage space – you’ll also have plenty of room to get in there and look around when you decide to retrieve an item or two.


Once you’ve decided on the size, the next factor to think about is the material you’d like your shed to be built from. While traditional wooden  are still popular, there are also a growing number of other options on the market that may well suit your needs better. If you do go for a wooden shed then you’ll generally have a choice between overlap timber, which is rough to the touch and built up with each slat overlapping the next, or shiplap timber, which connects using an interlocking tongue and groove joint and gives a smoother finish.

Wooden sheds will need to be maintained and re-treated with external wood preserver every year, so take that into account before you make a final decision on your purchase. If you’d prefer something that won’t need maintenance, then a metal shed might be more suitable for your needs. Most often made from galvanised steel, metal sheds are rot and rodent proof as well as being non-combustible, which obviously can’t be said for wooden sheds. Many metal sheds are also available with a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee, which will give you peace of mind going forward.

Another maintenance-free option is a plastic shed – and while the thought of a plastic structure might not sound as aesthetically pleasing as a traditional wooden shed, there are some surprisingly nice looking plastic options out there. A further benefit of plastic sheds is that they tend to be easier than their metal and wooden counterparts to put together – most sheds come flat packed and require self assembly.

As long as you think about the overall look of your garden and buy your shed to fit with its surroundings then you won’t go far wrong. Also have a think about whether you’re prepared to maintain your shed in future years and how handy you are when it comes to DIY before rushing into a decision. It may be worth paying a little more than you were expecting to if it means you’ll be truly happy with your purchase rather than just going with the cheapest option available and living with something you’re not particularly fond of.