A storage shed is the perfect solution for anyone wanting a little organization for their outdoor tools and equipment. It’s somewhere you can lock away your items and know that they’ll be protected from thieves and from the elements. Gardening alone brings with it a number of different tools, and having somewhere that’s easily accessible and near to where you’re working is a huge benefit.
Things to consider when buying a new storage shed
Once you’ve made the decision to buy a new storage shed, the next thing you need to do is choose the one that’s going to best suit your needs. To help you in your mission we’ve put together a list of some of the things to take into consideration when buying a new shed:
Use
This is probably one of the first things you should consider as it will save you a lot of wasted time and money later on. Think about what it is you want to keep in your storage shed. Is it literally just to store some pots and a few gardening tools, or are looking for somewhere to put a lawnmower and compost bin also?
What you need to store in the shed will help to determine the next two points, which are what size shed you need and how much space you’re going to need to install it.
Size
Once you know what you’re going to be storing in your shed, you can get a rough idea as to what size to go for. Always make sure you leave a little spare room a) for margin or error when measuring or estimating what you want to keep in there, and b) for anything extra you may purchase in the near future that will also need storing in the shed.
Location
Determining the location of your new shed may be tougher than you first thought. With any storage shed that’s of a decent size, there are various factors to take into consideration when deciding on where it’s going to go. The first thing you need to make sure of is that the soil conditions where you’re considering are adequate. Avoid any areas in which puddles form when raining.
Another thing to bear in mind is how much exposure to sun your shed will endure in your chosen spot. Being hit with direct sunlight all day will take its toll on just about anything, and your poor shed is no different. Too much sun on your shed may cause the interior and everything inside it to become very hot. It may also cause the paint on the exterior walls and roof to crack and peel. Avoid this, by looking for a place in your garden that’s partially shaded in which to put your shed.
It’s important you also consider accessibility when deciding on the location for your shed. The chances are you’re going to have some heavy equipment in your shed, and the last thing you want to do is struggle to get anything out of it. So, when deciding on the location you need to ensure you have plenty of space in which to easily put things in and take things out of your storage shed.
Lastly, avoid any areas where there are particularly large trees. Roots can cause major issues if they grow up underneath your shed, as can falling trees and branches.
Design
Once you’ve worked how much space you have available for your storage shed, you can start to think about the style of shed you’d like. Ideally, you should try and opt for a shed that complements your home. For example, if you have a country-style house, you may want to consider more of a rustic-looking shed. If your house is more formal-looking, a storage shed with similar formal features such as arched windows or wooden fascias may be more suitable.
You should also think about the inside of the storage shed too, as in whether you want any shelving or not. Shelves are great if you have lots of small things to store in there. But, if you’re looking to put a few big garden tools such as the lawnmower and strimmer in there, you may find yourself fighting for headspace.
Concealed or showpiece shed?
Another thing to consider when it comes to storage sheds is whether you want it to be concealed or something decorative to all to envy? The new trend to hit the shed market in terms of concealment is in the form of green roofs. These eco-roofs are typically made from low-maintenance plants and are great at keeping sheds cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Both turf and sedums are popular choices as they have shallow rooting needs and are readily available.
Not only do these roofs increase biodiversity but they’re also great at keeping your shed on the down low. You can also help conceal your shed by painting the outer walls green and/or by covering them with an outer layer of trellis.
Or, are you at the opposite end of the scale, looking for something with with a little more decoration. Showpiece sheds with all the bells and whistles are becoming a very popular option among homeowners today. There are shed featuring decorative timber work, sleek glazing, painted finishes, sharp steel detailing and so much more. Some sheds even double up as a summerhouse for that extra level of sophistication.
Quality materials/Weather resistant
Because storage sheds are exposed to the elements 24/7, it’s important you look for one that’s of high quality and not going to crumble at the touch of a slight wind. Most typical storage sheds are made from softwood timber, but you can also find both metal and plastic sheds for sale too. Wood is extremely durable, and as long as it’s been treated, it’s likely to last a long time. The downside is that wood sheds are liable to rotting and are not fireproof in any way.
Metal sheds, on the other hand, are strong, weather resistant and great at providing protection against fires. But, they’re are often expensive and hard to assemble. Plastic sheds aren’t a bad option. They won’t rot, are usually pretty easy assemble and are virtually maintenance-free. And because they’re lightweight, they’re quite easy to move if need be. The downside to plastic sheds is they’re not as strong and don’t bode well in extreme temperatures.
Storage shed reviews
Keter Oakland 7.5ft x 11ft Outdoor Duotech Storage Shed
If you’re looking for an innovative storage shed that’s both strong and sleek, then be sure to check out this Keter Oakland Outdoor Duotech Storage Shed.
One of the most prominent features of this shed is it’s smooth, grey Duotech walls. Duotech-made products are built using a combination of high-quality materials, smart technologies, and advanced engineering processes. Each and every piece of this shed that’s made using Duotech has a double wall construction and steel reinforcement for extra durability. And, it’s completely weather resistant.
Another added selling point for this shed is that it’s so easily customizable. Again, thanks to the amazing Duotech technology, you can paint it whatever color you want; cut out another window in no time at all; or modify it any other way you see fit. It’s super easy to clean (simply wipe over with a damp cloth as and when necessary), and it even comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Very spacious.
- Durable Duotech technology.
- Easy to customize.
- Lifetime guarantee.
Cons
- Quite pricey.
- Assembly is a little challenging.
Ainfox 4ft x 6ft Steel Toolsheds Storage
Not all storage sheds have to cost a small fortune, and sometimes those that cost less are just as effective. This steel storage shed on offer from Ainfox may be a little smaller than some of the others out there, but it still oozes quality. Made using forged galvanized steel, this shed is built to last.
It features two sliding doors for easy access and four air vents to ensure adequate airflow and lighting all year round. And, the roof is sloped to prevent a build-up of moisture. It may not look the prettiest out shed out there, but if it’s durability and effectiveness you’re looking for, it’s all here, and at a great price too!
Pros
- Made of toughened galvanized steel.
- Easily accessible.
- Bargain price.
Cons
- A little on the small side.
- Lacks sex appeal.
Arrow Shed WL108 Woodlake 10ft x 8ft Steel Storage Shed
Get the best of both worlds with this fabulous steel storage shed on offer from Arrow Shed. Finished in a beautiful wood grain look, but made from electro-galvanized steel, this shed is by far one of the best looking and well-made sheds we’ve seen for a while. The fact that’s it’s made from such high-quality steel and then treated with zinc means that not only is it super durable, but it also provides great protection against UV rays, rot, insects, and weather.
While there may not be anything too fancy going on with the design, it still has a great appearance that will work well pretty much anywhere. It’s equipped with sliding double doors to make the removal of bigger items hassle-free and is relatively easy to assemble if you have two people doing it.
Pros
- Elegant wood grain finish.
- Durable zinc-treated steel frame.
- Sliding double doors.
Cons
- Assembly is quite challenging.
Lifetime 6406 8ft x 5ft Outdoor Storage Shed
Here we have one of the higher end models of the shed world. The Lifetime 6406 Outdoor Storage Shed is built using double-wall polyethylene plastic, and a solid steel A-Frame in which to support it. This means it won’t rot or attract termites like wood, yet it gives you a similar level of stability.
The double doors have been reinforced with steel and are fitted with deadbolts on the inside. Also on the inside are built-in shelves to help keep your tools nice and neat. It even has shatter-proof windows that are fully lockable and no less than six skylights to help maintain an ambient temperature.
Pros
- Solid steel A-frame.
- Multiple skylights.
- Lockable shatter-proof windows.
Cons
- A little pricey.
- Not as nice looking as wood.
Suncast BMS6810D Everett Storage Shed 6ft x 8ft
While a lot of storage sheds out there take some effort to put together, the Suncast BMS6810D is quite possibly the worst. The instructions are poor, the parts aren’t particularly well made, and you need a whole range of serious tools just to be able to put it together. If you think you’re going to get away with just using the cheap plastic hexagonal tool that comes with it, think again!
The brown color doesn’t really do it much justice either. There are far better looking and much higher quality sheds out there for a fraction of the price, so why anyone would opt for this model is beyond me. With walls made from a durable resin, and with a metal-reinforced roof, I suppose the one thing this shed can offer is stability. But at a cost of several hundred dollars, is it really worth it?
Pros
- Strong roof.
- Durable walls.
Cons
- Not very aesthetically pleasing.
- A nightmare to assemble.
- Need a lot of additional hardware to assemble.
Having spent a good few hours reviewing the quality of these sheds, it’s clear that the overall winner is the Keter Oakland Outdoor Duotech Storage Shed. Being constructed using advanced and innovative processes and materials has certainly helped, as does the fact that it’s so easy to customize. At 7.5’ x 11’ it’s big enough to store the average person’s garden tools and equipment and still have room left over.
If you do decide on another option, just be sure to take the time to consider the above points to ensure you find the best storage shed to suit your needs. We hope you found this article useful and wish you and your shed a happy partnership!