Gardens sheds these days are so much more than simply a place to store the garden tools. They can be workshops, bike stores, potting sheds and even an office space. So choosing the right shed for your needs is all important.
Before making the decision on what to buy, there are a number of considerations to take into account.
- How much space do you have and where will the shed be placed? The last thing you needs is something which takes up more than half your garden and is a blot on the landscape. Yet at the same time you need enough space for all your storage needs. You will also need to take into account the fact you will need room at one end for getting things in and out. A shed without functioning doors is just a bit useless.
- Consider if your shed will require electricity and security lighting or alarms. If so, have an electrician come round and give you a quote on getting the electricity from the house. It is a simple job, but one which a professional should do.
- Sheds come in wood, plastic and metal and vary in how long they will last and how much maintenance they need. A wooden shed will need regular painting or preserving treatment, while a metal shed may suffer from rust issues. Plastic will need little more than a scrub from time to time, but these sheds do tend to be less hardy in harsh weather and high winds.
- Choose a shed with a window if it will be used for potting or working. Being able to open a window is very useful when the weather is hot and having some natural light will help for those woodworking projects.
Putting your shed up
The most important thing when it comes to erecting your shed is ensuring that you have a sturdy and level base for it. A wooden shed in particular will rot if it touches damp ground, while movement in the earth will cause problems for all sheds.
The best sort of base is a concrete one to the exact measurements of the shed base and around 7-10cm thick. It should be standing proud of the soil to a depth of around 5cm.
- Dig out your base area, removing enough topsoil to get the area level and to a depth of around 5cm.
- Compact the soil and add hardcore if the soil is really soft, to build the depth up.
- Using thin wood strips create an edging box for the concrete. Now pour the concrete and allow to dry.
Paving slabs can also be used as an alternative to pouring concrete. It is even possible to use blocks on the corners for a smaller shed.
The shed can now be pieced together according to the manufacturers instructions. All sheds are different, but usually they will require two people to erect them. Generally they will start with the base and finish with the roof which will then be felted.
Most kits will come with all the screws and fixings required and even a basic DIYer can erect a shed with an electric screwdriver and a hammer. Plastic sheds are even easier to erect as they often fix together by way of slots which snap together.
Once complete it is always worthwhile painting the shed with a wood preservative, which should be completed regularly to maintain the look and life of your shed.