Your Simple Guide to Buying and Installing Garden Sheds + Maintenance Tips

The benefits of outdoor sheds are unbeatable. These pieces can be the perfect addition to your garden as they provide you with a safe space to store all your garden tools, bikes and any other piece that you have lying around your yard. Aside from storage, you can use these units for various different purposes and depending on that, you should choose the most suitable one for your needs. When shopping, don’t forget to consider the available space. You don’t want to end up with a shed that will take half of your garden area or one that will be too small for your needs and space.

Types of Outdoor Storage Sheds

These units vary in construction, size, design and style so you can find them from small metal garden shads to large wooden buildings. The most common materials used for building backyard sheds are metal, plastic and wood.

• Steel Sheds

Steel garden sheds are the most durable and the strongest models you can find on the market. Typically made from galvanised steel, these units are the perfect option if you are looking for safe and secure storage space for your belongings. They look rather simple but they are resistant to fire and rot, which are just some of the reasons why they are the most popular choice among homeowners today. Also, they are very lightweight, which means moving your shed from one point to another will be easy and hassle-free.

• Plastic Sheds

These are less expensive than steel garden sheds and are a good choice for people who are looking for a low maintenance unit. They are strong enough but lightweight so they can be easily moved around your outdoor space. Depending on the manufacturer, some sheds are made from a UV-resistant plastic which means their colour will not fade in the sun.

• Wooden Sheds

These can be found in both, modern and traditional style. However, they need more maintaining compared to the above-mentioned options as, without the proper treatment, wood can become vulnerable to mildew, rot and rust. On the plus side, you can paint them in whatever colour you like, giving them an entirely different look and feel every time. Nevertheless, before you undertake such a project, you should become familiar with the different types of paints and choose the one that’s most appropriate for this purpose.

Where to Install Outdoor Sheds?

Make sure you pick an accessible spot, especially if you are planning to use the unit for storing larger and heavier items. Also, consider the closeness to any nearby fences, exposure to elements. proximity to the house, ground reliability, accessibility and the direction of the sun.

The Different Uses of Sheds

Storing gardening tools and equipment is the primary usage of these units but you can use them for other purposes as well.

• Bike storage – If you don’t have a convenient place to store your family bikes then a garden shed can be the perfect solution. Since these units come in different sizes, you can choose the one that best suits the number of bikes you have.
• Home gym – If lack of space is one of the reasons why you keep on prolonging creating your home gym, you can give up that excuse. Thanks to the great array of garden sheds, you can create your private gym in the comfort of your home. All you need to do is install the right size of this unit, place your home gym workout equipment inside it and voila – you have created yourself a safe zone where you can enter beast mode whenever you like!
• Home office – The amazing scenery of your garden along with the right choice of a shed can make up the perfect space for you to work in peace and quiet. Regardless of the type of job you do, you can use this unit to create your home office if you don’t have enough space for it in the house.
• Workshop – If you are crazy about DIY projects then you definitely need a shed that can be converted into your own little workshop. DIY projects can be really messy and performing them in a shed is a great way to keep the mess away from your home while keeping all your items and work materials organized and at hand.
• Home spa – Yes, you read it right. With a few houseplants, relaxing music, the perfect lighting and a small home spa, you can convert your garden shed into an oasis where you can enjoy and unwind anytime you want.

Maintenance Tips

Inspect your shed on a regular basis. If there is anything wrong with it it’s better to fix the problem on time and prevent further damage. Cleaning it is also important as that way you can keep your unit in a good form for longer and notice any issues that may be present. Make a thorough cleaning of the shed at least once a year. If you are using your shed for other purposes than storage (gym, office, workshop) make sure you insulate the walls so that the inside of the unit stays warm or cold – depending on the season. You can also consider insulating the floor. The easiest and most effective method is laying down a roll of carpet over a water-resistant membrane.