Garden Sheds | How to Choose the Perfect Garden Shed and Outhouse

Sheds and Outhouses

There are some things that don’t belong in the house, so building or buying a sturdy outdoor shed or outhouse is an important step in providing storage space for these items. When purchasing a shed you should consider what you need to store inside, how large it will be and what material is within your budget. A well built, well organised shed will keep your tools and gardening equipment safe and protected.

DIY sheds versus ready-made sheds:

Ready-made sheds are relatively inexpensive so the cost of raw materials for a DIY shed won’t necessarily be cheaper than buying your shed ready made. Buying a shed is a lot quicker and easier than building one from scratch. While the savings of building the shed yourself are marginal, if you have some DIY skills then a shed can be a relatively easy build, it can allow you to build exactly what you want, the dimensions that you need and you will get the satisfaction of knowing that you completed the job yourself.

What size should I build my shed?

Shed size depends on your needs and the size you have available in your garden. A garden shed or outhouse should never impose on the rest of the garden but it should be large enough to fit everything you want inside, consider what you would like to store, for example lawnmowers or leaf-blowers, then make sure you accommodate enough space for these items. Choosing or building a shed with maximum height is a good idea, it will not only allow you easier access, but it makes better use of the space if you are considering putting shelving in. Wall shelves are the best way of maximising the storage capacity of your shed while making sure it is kept tidy and organised.

What different styles of shed are there?

The most popular type of shed is an apex, where either side of the roof slopes upwards towards the central ridge. Apex sheds look simple and attractive and are sturdier structurally than a pent roof. You may consider a pent roof though for a shed at the edge of the property, these have a higher roof at the front and a lower one at the back: rain simply runs off the back. A pent roof is good for a shed on the border of a property and it is also more suitable in a shed where you intend to install a workbench as there will be ample headroom at the front of the outhouse.

What material shed should I buy?

Whether or not you are building the shed yourself or buying the shed ready-made, you should consider the different material choices available and their relative benefits. A wooden, usually timber, shed is natural and attractive and the most popular choice for a shed. However timber can warp due to weather conditions so will need to be treated with wood preserver every year. Metal sheds require less maintenance but still can be subject to rust if put in a particularly damp area or space with bad drainage. Plastic sheds are perhaps the least attractive but require the least maintenance.

Where should I position my shed?

The best place to position your shed is close to the house, especially if it is going to be used as a workshop. Positioning it in the shade can prevent it from getting too hot in the summer and if built away from trees it is less likely to suffer from excessive leaves falling on the roofs in the autumn, which may cause sagging. Before you build or buy your shed you should also consider whether or not you want to run electricity into the shed, this will increase its use, particularly if being used as a workshop, but will require the hiring of a professional to install the electrics.

When you buy and build a shed you should make sure that it is big enough to fit everything you wish to store in it, incorporating a workbench and floor to ceiling wall storage is a great way of increasing its use, especially for any DIY enthusiast. Building your own shed or buying one ready-made are both affordable ways of keeping your garden neat and organised and making sure the lifespan of your tools is maximised by keeping them locked away and dry.