Shed Buyer's Guide

We offer a huge choice of hundreds of sheds and storage buildings, some of which are available in many sizes with a choice of features. Overall there are thousands of variations. With so much choice, it can be a challenge to find the best building for your needs. Our Search Options are designed to help.

FIND YOUR SHED FAST

Whenever you browse our Garden Sheds category, the Search Options panel can always be found at the top of the page. Even if you click on a shed to view the details, you can recall the Search Options panel at any time if you click on the Sheds button at the top of the page.

PICTURE: The Search Options panel at the top of the page.

• Click on our Search Options to narrow your search.
• Scroll down to see information about each Search Option, including Popular Sizes, Design, Walls, Glazing, Roof and More Options.
• Try more than one search to be sure you find the best shed for your needs.
• For most searches you only need to select one or two filters.
• Scroll down to see additional information about Installation Options and Base Options.
• To see the correct local prices and availability we need to know your area. Click here to enter the FIRST HALF of your POSTCODE.

PICTURE: A traditionally made building with large prefabricated panels.

When you search for a shed there are a number of other words which could describe the ideal building for your needs. Somebody else looking for the same building could search for a summerhouse or a log cabin. It may help if you search more than one of our categories.

For information about other topics click here to see our Shed FAQs.

POPULAR SIZES and POPULAR WIDTHS

• We offer a huge range of sizes.
• You can use our Search Options to select a Popular Size or a Popular Width.
• If you want a specific size, search for the next smallest and the next largest size - your ideal shed may be only an inch outside your search parameters.
• Remember to search for sizes and widths both ways. For example, search for 6'x8' and 8'x6'.

PICTURE: An 8'x6' (2.4m x 1.8m) wooden shed.

The most popular size for a shed is 8'x6' (2.4x1.8m). Another popular size is 7'x7' (2.1x2.1m). The most popular small sizes are 4'x6' (1.2x1.8m) and 5'x7 (1.5x2.1m). Larger 8'x10' (2.4x3m) sheds provide enough room for workshop use. Measuring an existing shed is often a useful way to gauge the size you need. Most people buy the biggest size that fits comfortably within the available space in the garden.

APEX OR PENT ROOF

You can use our Search Options to browse a wide range of designs. Most of our sheds include an apex roof or a pent roof, which are supplied with many different door and window layouts. The shed is often at the end of the garden or in a corner, or both. Often the space available dictates the design and especially the door position. If the shed is in a prominent place within the garden a more attractive appearance may be important. Some of our sheds are bespoke and individually made to order, with the door positioned wherever you specify. Although some of the best value sheds are made with little or no choice of door and window layout, many others are made to order and you can choose from multiple possible door positions with a choice of single or double doors in different widths.

Apex Roof Sheds

PICTURE: An apex roof shed with the door in the end wall.

The apex roof design features two sloping sides which meet in the middle. The roof slopes down from the highest point (the ridge) to the lowest point (the eaves). The apex roof design combines a strong angular design with a steep roof pitch to discharge rainwater quickly and easily. The apex design also provides generous headroom inside. The most popular apex shed design features the door in the narrower gable wall and the windows in one of the longer sides.

PICTURE: An apex roof shed with double doors in the side wall.

Our huge choice of apex roof sheds is available in a wide range of sizes, from a small sentry box shed or bike shed to a workshop larger than a double garage. Most of our sheds are modular with incremental size increases.

View All Apex Roof Sheds

Pent Roof Sheds

PICTURE: A pent roof shed with the door in the end wall.

The compact modern design of a pent roof shed is lower and less obtrusive than other designs. The monopitch roof is on one plane, which normally slopes down from the front to the rear. The roof is normally hidden from most angles so decorative roofing options are not needed. Our pent roof sheds feature many other door and window layouts.

View Pent Roof Sheds with an End Door

PICTURE: A pent roof shed with the door and window in the front wall.

The most popular pent shed design features the door and window in the longer and taller front wall. Although our pent roof sheds are available in as many lengths as our apex roof sheds, there are limits to the span of a pent roof shed for various practical reasons. Less widths are available with pent roof sheds and the widest spans are normally only available with an apex roof.

View Pent Roof Sheds with a Front Door

Workshops

PICTURE: An apex roof workshop with double doors in the end wall.

Many of our apex and pent roof sheds are suitable for workshop use. Larger sheds with generous headroom are ideal as a comfortable and spacious workshop. Most apex sheds have ample headroom, at least in the middle part. Our best quality sheds feature a taller eaves height, which ensures that you can work in comfort throughout, whether it has a pent or apex roof. A workshop often includes double doors for easier access and at least one opening window for ventilation.

PICTURE: An apex roof workshop with the door in the side wall.

Our higher specification workshops include insulation and internal lining to ensure comfortable use all year round. With some workshops the insulation and internal lining is included in the price but with others it is an option at extra cost. The most luxurious workshops are essentially a fully insulated and lined garden office with high quality double glazed doors and windows to provide a comfortable haven all year round. Insulation and internal lining can be added to most uninsulated sheds as a DIY project but it is fiddly, time consuming work and all too often it is difficult to finish neatly. It is especially difficult to insulate metal sheds or plastic sheds so this is not recommended.

View Workshops

Reverse Apex Sheds

PICTURE: A shed with a reverse apex roof, Georgian glazing and a part glazed joinery door.

The ridge of a reverse apex shed is rotated by 90 degrees and runs in the shortest direction, unlike most apex sheds. With a reverse apex shed the angled gable wall is wider than the side walls. With other apex sheds the gable wall is normally narrower than the long side walls. Reverse apex sheds are closer to the design of apex roof summerhouses, with a short ridge and doors and windows in the wide front gable wall. Often the doors of reverse apex sheds are partially or fully glazed to provide a more decorative appearance. Reverse apex sheds are often specified if the shed will be seen from the house. The reverse apex design is also known as a transverse apex. Some reverse apex roof cabins have a distinctive cabin style with a front roof overhang.

PICTURE: A cabin style reverse apex shed.

Apex Barn Style Sheds

The barn style apex roof design originates from North America, although it is based on the much older Dutch gable design. Barn style apex sheds provide a strong roof with extra storage space, which is ideal for a barn and any other storage building including a shed. A barn style shed combines a striking appearance with ample headroom.

PICTURE: A shed with a barn style apex roof and double doors in the end wall.

OTHER DESIGNS

Alongside the basic choice of a pent and apex roof, you can also use our Search Options to choose a wide range of other shed designs and storage buildings, ranging from a striking potting shed or corner shed to a compact bike shed or a bin store.

Potting Sheds

PICTURE: A potting shed with a pent roof and a sloping front wall.

A potting shed features a much larger glazing area than other sheds. As the name suggests, potting sheds are used to bring on seedlings before potting them on. The rear of the potting shed is often used for storage as in a conventional shed. The door is normally in the end wall with the windows in the longer wall. Some of our best potting sheds include a 2 part stable door and opening windows , providing controllable ventilation for healthy growing. The most popular potting shed design is the traditional fully glazed sloping front with built in slatted staging to support the plants. Increasingly, modern potting sheds feature a vertical front wall which looks more like a conventional shed, except for the large glazing area. The pent roof is the most popular roof design but some of our best and most striking potting sheds feature an apex roof.

View Potting Sheds

Corner Sheds

PICTURE: A corner shed with the roof sloping from front to rear.

The compact modern design with a shallow roof pitch provides an unobtrusive profile. There are two popular roof designs, which are both similar in appearance. A single sloping roof slopes down from the door to the rear in a similar way to a pent roof. A double sloping roof is more like an apex roof, with two roof sections each sloping down from the highest point, the ridge, which runs from the middle of the door to the rear corner. With five side walls, our corner sheds fit neatly in a corner.

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Bike Sheds

PICTURE: A metal bike store with integral bike rack.

We offer a choice of bike sheds with a pent or apex roof in wood or metal. Many small sheds with double doors can be used as a bike shed. The double doors make it easier to get the bikes in and out. Many bike sheds are too shallow in depth to accommodate the full length of a bicycle. Instead the bikes are stored sideways. In shallow bike stores the bikes are stored informally, without a bike storage rack, but they cannot be removed individually. If you want the bike at the back, you need to remove the other bikes first. We also offer specialist bike stores with bike racks and larger bike sheds with storage space for up to 4 bikes which can be removed separately without disturbing the other bikes.

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Small Sheds and Storage Buildings

PICTURE: A narrow shed with a pent roof and a door in each end wall.

We offer many small sheds in wood and metal with a wide choice of designs and door layouts. Tall reach in sentry-style sheds are suitable for storing longer items such as brooms, rakes and hoes. Narrow pent roof sheds with doors in the end wall are designed to fit in narrow unused spaces, such as the space between a house and the border fence. We also offer small storage chests and cushion boxes with a hinged roof or a removable lid in metal, plastic and wood. Some storage boxes and chests can also be used as a seat. Some small storage sheds feature doors in two side walls, for easier use in a small courtyard or a compact modern garden. Basic small storage shed designs have been further adapted to suit specialist storage requirements such as bike sheds, wheelie bin stores and log stores.

PICTURE: A small storage shed with double doors.

Log Stores

Log stores normally feature an open fronted design to allow efficient stacking and easy retrieval of firewood logs. The walls can be fully boarded with shiplap or overlap cladding to the sides to keep most of the weather off, or timber slatted with gaps between the slats to provide ventilation. Some log stores feature a timber slatted roof while others are finished with roofing felt. The best location for a log store is against a wall or fence, which affords additional weather protection. For this reason many log stores do not include cladding or slats at the rear. Log stores need a floor or base, to allow for drainage and to keep the lowest logs above the ground. A slatted or boarded floor is often included with wooden log stores. Some of our best quality sheds also include an integral log store along one side.

PICTURE: A log store with fully boarded walls and a timber slatted roof.

Wheelie Bin Stores

Bin stores are a popular storage building, which neatly enclose wheelie bins to fully or partially conceal them, which makes the front garden more attractive. Hinged doors and lids are needed for filling up the bins and wheeling them out. Our bin stores are designed to accommodate the standard 240 litre wheelie bins issued by councils around England, Scotland and Wales. These are normally very similar in design and size. Typically a 240 litre wheelie bin is around 1060mm high, 575mm wide and 730mm deep. Our bin stores will also accommodate smaller 140 litre and 180 litre wheelie bins, which are normally similar in height and around 75mm narrower. The 140 litre wheelie bin is only around 550mm deep and the 180 litre bin is around 740mm deep. However, our bin stores do not normally accommodate the larger 360 litre wheelie bins which are sometimes available, often on request. A 360 litre wheelie bin is normally within an inch of the standard height and width, but much deeper at around 875mm. If you want to check your wheelie bin, the storage capacity in litres is normally embossed on the lid.

PICTURE: A wooden triple bin store.

We offer single, double and triple bin stores in wood or metal, which are designed to store standard wheelie bins. Our best value DIY bin stores include fast delivery within a few days. We also offer bin stores which include professional installation in many areas. Most wheelie bins do not include a floor, so a solid base is recommended and the bin store should be securely fixed down into the base.

View Wheelie Bin Stores

PICTURE: A metal double bin store.

Pet Houses

PICTURE: A dog kennel with a covered run.

We offer a wide range of substantial wooden dog kennels with integral runs. Our covered dog runs include strong mesh screening and no floor for hygeinic reasons. Many of our best quality pet houses include free installation or installation as an option. We also offer a choice of smaller traditional wooden dog kennels. Our most popular pet house is a great value covered metal dog run which includes express delivery within a few days for DIY self assembly.

WALL OPTIONS

Use our Search Options to choose from a selection of Wall Options.

Cedar

PICTURE: A cedar potting shed with a pent roof and a 2 part stable door.

Many of our best sheds feature cedar. We use Western Red Cedar, a naturally resilient timber which lasts longer than pine and other softwoods, even if never treated from new. It has deservedly earned an unrivalled reputation for its attractive appearance and extraordinary durability. It is the ideal choice for people who are too busy to maintain their wooden shed. This oily timber has a strong but pleasant aroma which repells insects. Cedar contains hardly any knots. If untreated it will fade to a silvery grey colour. Western Red Cedar is a sustainable resource from the well managed forests of North America. Some cedar sheds feature cedar cladding only and others include external cedar only, due to the high cost of cedar. The internal timber including the framing, the floor and the roof may not be cedar.

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Concrete

PICTURE: A concrete shed with a reverse apex roof.

Many of our best timber sheds and log cabins are solid, well made and likely to last a long time with very little maintenance. However, nothing can match the solidity and durability of a concrete sectional building. If you choose PVCu windows and gables your concrete shed or workshop will be almost completely maintenance free. Sectional concrete sheds and workshops are especially popular as a more secure home for valuable items such as expensive tools or motorbikes. We offer a choice of attractive brick finishes or a colourful spar finish with an apex or pent roof and a wide choice of door and window layouts to suit all needs.

Our concrete sheds are fitted free with installation included in the price.

View Concrete Sheds

Interlocking Logs

PICTURE: A log cabin shed with interlocking logs.

Log cabins are popular as a heavy duty workshop or storage shed. On the outside log cabins look and feel solid. With no internal framework, the clean lines inside look smarter than the inside of a traditional shed. In addition, the wall logs are thicker than the shiplap cladding used in traditional sheds. Log cabins are also better value than traditional sheds, with no prefabricated wall panels. Most of our log cabins feature interlocking logs which are precisely machined and notched out to ensure a strong and weatherproof corner joint. The first log is laid at the bottom and the rest slot into each other, working upwards one log at a time. Little or no fixings are required which makes installation of the walls easier easier and also allows for timber movement. The roof and floor boards are normally supplied loose, which takes a bit longer to install. Overall, installing a log cabin is not too complex and most people find it very satisfying.

A few of our interlocking log sheds are available from stock for immediate delivery, with next day delivery included in the price.

View Log Cabin Sheds with Interlocking Logs

Metal

PICTURE: An apex roof metal shed.

Our ever popular metal sheds provide such great value, with so much shed for your money. All framing and cladding is galvanized steel, with a zinc coating to protect it from corrosion. The cladding is subsequently coated with epoxy resin, partly to protect the zinc coating itself and partly to add colour. The factory finish is described as primer although a top coat is not normally needed. The combination of a zinc coating with epoxy resin provides durable protection even if the surface is scratched. In common with all other steel buildings, including even the largest sports stadia, retail superstores and warehouses, steel cladding sheets are surprisingly thin. The strength of steel buildings is provided by the frame, although the corrugations of the cladding sheets do provide a degree of extra strength. These metal sheds feature strong galvanized steel framing members and the completed frame is rigid. Metal sheds are supplied as a flat-pack kit and not in large pre-fabricated panels. People are often surprised at how compact the packaging is on delivery. A metal shed is low maintenance with no regular maintenance required as with a timber shed, just an occasional wash with soapy water.

Many of our metal sheds are available from stock for immediate delivery, with next day delivery included in the price. A selection of our metal sheds are also available with installation as an option.

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Plastic

PICTURE: An apex roof plastic shed.

Although the external appearance is primarily plastic, most of our plastic sheds are a modern hybrid combining plastic cladding panels with strong metal framing. The clever design and choice of materials results in a useful storage shed which is durable and virtually maintenance free. The plastic cladding panels are also low temperature resistant and provide good insulation during the winter months. The unique design ensures that the cladding panels are held in place continuously along every edge including the top and bottom edges. The waterproof materials are easy to clean with a wipe down surface. A plastic shed is low maintenance with no regular maintenance required as with a timber shed.

Some of our plastic sheds are available from stock for immediate delivery, with next day delivery included in the price.

Pressure Treated Timber

PICTURE: Pressure treated shiplap cladding.

Pressure treatment is a lifetime preservative treatment which will extend the lifespan of your shed. The preservative is forced deep into the timber under pressure in a vacuum and penetrates below the surface. All other treatments apply a coat of stain to the surface of the timber only. With pressure impregnated timber, the chemicals are permanently bonded to the cell structure of the wood at a molecular level. Pressure treated wood is almost colourless except for a slight green tint caused by the copper content in the preservative. No further preservative treatment is ever needed. However, if you want a coloured finish you can paint over pressure treated or tanalised wood with normal wood preservative in any colour. Some pressure treated sheds feature pressure treated cladding only and others include pressure treated external timber only. The internal timber including the framing, the floor and the roof may not be pressure treated.

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Shiplap

PICTURE: Shiplap cladding.

The traditional and ever popular shiplap profile is used in most of our wooden sheds. This smooth planed and fully interlocking tongued and grooved boarding is used in most of our sheds. The tongue at the top of each board slots inside the groove at the bottom of the next board up, providing a strong joint between the boards. The shiplap profile is waterproof as suggested by the name. The shiplap design ensures that rainwater drains quickly and the timber dries quickly, which ensures a longer life for your shed.

Some of our shiplap sheds are available from stock for immediate delivery within a few days.

Loglap

PICTURE: Loglap cladding.

Some of our sheds feature cladding with a loglap profile as an option. Loglap is similar to shiplap except the outside is slightly rounded to provide a log effect. It is smooth planed and fully interlocking tongued and grooved boarding which ensures that rainwater drains fast and the timber dries quicker, thus ensuring a longer life for your shed. Loglap is often slightly thicker than shiplap in the middle but the tongues and grooves at each end are almost identical. The performance and strength of shiplap and loglap is similar. The biggest reason to choose loglap is if you like the distinctive appearance.

Overlap

PICTURE: Overlap cladding.

Some of our sheds feature cladding with a loglap profile. Loglap is similar to shiplap except the outside is slightly rounded to provide a log effect. It is smooth planed and fully interlocking tongued and grooved boarding which ensures that rainwater drains quickly and the timber dries quickly, thus ensuring a longer life for your building.

Some of our overlap sheds are available from stock for immediate delivery within a few days.

Painted Finish

PICTURE: A painted shed.

Some of our sheds include a painted finish with a choice of one or two opaque paint colours. With some sheds the doors, windows and fascias can be painted in a different colour to the external cladding. This high quality microporous paint system is available in a choice of colours. Microporous woodstains are impervious to water but not to water vapour, which allows the wood to breathe.

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GLAZING OPTIONS

Use our Search Options to choose from a selection of Glazing Options.

Georgian Glazing

PICTURE: A pent roof shed with Georgian glazing.

Georgian glazing is a traditional design with small squares of glass. It is very practical. Some sheds feature Georgian style glazing with individual panes of glass. Other Georgian sheds feature criss cross beads fitted over one large pane of glass. The smaller panes of glass are much harder to break and less dangerous when broken. A considerable force is required to shatter the glass. Toughened safety glass is not normally necessary with such small panes of glass.

Leaded Glazing

PICTURE: A cabin style reverse apex troof shed with diamond leaded glazing.

Traditional style leaded glazing is normally offered with clear untinted glass. Leaded glass can be supplied either square leaded, with a rectangular pattern, or diamond leaded, with a diamond pattern. Traditional leaded glass was intricate with lots of tiny pieces of glass. Modern leaded glass looks similar to the traditional styles but it is applied to a single pane of glass. Leaded glazing adds a traditional style to any shed but if your property features leaded glazing a shed with similar glazing is a neat way to reflect the original style.

Glass or Styrene

We recommend toughened glass with your shed if you can afford it, if not standard glass is better than styrene. Although fragile, glass is more rigid and durable than the styrene glazing supplied with many of the cheapest sheds. Styrene glazing is normally less than 2mm thick and prone to blowing out in the wind, especially at an exposed location. Styrene also scratches easily and becomes cloudy over time whereas the clarity of glass does not deteriorate over many years. Even if you only clean the glass occasionally, each time it cleans up like new.

Security Windows

PICTURE: An apex roof security shed.

Security sheds include additional design features to improve the security. The most striking feature is the small security windows which are too small to break in through and too high to see much of the inside of the shed. Various other security features are included with different security sheds including security locks and bolts, security screws which make it difficult to remove the doors from outside. The smaller panes of glass in the windows are much harder to break and less dangerous when broken. A considerable force is required to shatter the individual panes of glass. Toughened safety glass is not normally necessary with such small panes of glass and if required it is more expensive in small panes.

Windowless Sheds

PICTURE: A windowless shed with an apex roof.

Many of our sheds are available as windowless, with no windows, as a standard option, normally at the same price. This is a cheap and effective way to improve the security of a shed, without the extra cost of the specialist windows required in a security shed. The windows allow a thief to see inside your shed and to reach some of the valuables from outside, without breaking in. On the other hand, having no windows can be make it harder to find things, especially in a larger building. With a small shed enough daylight is normally admitted through the door when it is open. A windowless shed is also a lower maintenance choice. There is often no saving if you choose the windowless option as the price with and without windows is often the same. Often windowless sheds are specified in a tight location with fences, walls and other buildings immediately adjacent. If so, people often assume that no light will be admitted through the windows and choose the windowless option as a result. However, it is surprising how much light is admitted through a window in a narrow space.

Toughened Glass

PICTURE: Broken toughened glass.

Toughened safety glass is around six times stronger than normal glass so it is less likely to break. When it does break, toughened glass breaks harmlessly into very small pieces. This makes toughened glass the best option for all the family including children, pets and the elderly. This is more of a concern if the panes of glass in your shed are large, for example in a potting shed, and less of a concern if your shed features smaller panes of glass, for example in a shed glazed with individual single pane Georgian style windows.

View Toughened Glass Sheds

ROOF OPTIONS

Use our Search Options to choose a high performance decorative Roof Option.

Roofing Felt

PICTURE: Roofing felt

Many wooden sheds include roofing felt as standard. Roofing felt is a practical option for a shed roof and it has been a popular choice for many years. Bitumen based with a durable and attractive mineral surface, roofing felt is generally easier to fit than other roof coverings but over time it may require more maintenance, especially at an exposed location. More decorative roof options are available with some of our sheds, including the options listed below.

Cedar Shingle Roof

PICTURE: Cedar shingles.

Attractive and durable, cedar shingles are an ideal roof for high specification sheds. These genuine cedar roof shingles are traditionally made from Western Red Cedar and fitted on top of a felted solid pine inner roof. Each individual cedar tile is a known as a shingle. Cedar shingles have long been a popular roofing material for domestic and public buildings in large parts of North America where cedar shingles have a reputation for warmth and longevity. Cedar has an unrivalled reputation for durability and cedar shingles often last for many decades.

Felt Tiles

PICTURE: Felt tiles.

Mineral coated bitumen felt tiles are an attractive and durable roofing material which is more hardwearing than standard roofing felt. Traditionally felt tiles are only used in the UK for sheds and garden buildings. Felt tiles are used much more in Scandinavia and North America where they are used widely in general housebuilding. Mineral felt tiles are often described as felt shingles because they resemble traditional cedar shingles. The felt tiles are much thicker and stronger than standard roofing felt. However, felt tiles take longer to fit, especially if the shed roof is hexagonal, octagonal or hipped.

Timber Slatted Roof

PICTURE: A timber slatted roof.

This attractive and durable boarded roof is fitted on top of a solid wooden inner roof with a layer of roofing felt. The planed smooth finish ensures that rainwater drains away faster and the timber dries quickly, which ensures a longer life for your shed. A timber slatted roof is often described as a boarded roof. Occasional treatment is recommended to ensure maximum durability although even without treatment a slatted roof will last longer than many roofing options. Although primarily a striking visual design feature a timber slatted roof is also a practical way to protect the fragile roofing felt from damage.

EPDM Rubber

Some pent roof sheds are available with an EPDM roof. A tough EPDM rubber membrane is made in one piece to the size of your roof with no joins. It is easily fitted at normal temperatures with no heat required. EPDM rubber is completely inert, UV stable and not affected by extreme temperatures. It never perishes and it will not rot, split, crack or degrade. EPDM rubber lasts for years with little or no maintenance. It has been widely used in flat roofing for over 40 years from Alaska to the Middle East. It is increasingly popular in the UK where it is widely used for re-roofing flat roof garages and extensions. Even in extreme weather conditions EPDM rubber remains flexible and it will stretch to absorb any movement as a timber roof expands and contracts with the seasons.

PICTURE: A one-piece EPDM rubber roof.

Under 2.5m Ridge Height

The option to reduce the height is available with some of our larger sheds. The reduced height helps to ensure that in most cases your shed should not need planning permission. All sheds are subject to the same planning laws. Under current planning regulations garden buildings which are within 2 metres of a boundary and over 2.5m high (8'2") normally require planning permission. Some sheds with apex or hipped roof designs may be over 2.5m high. Sheds with a pent roof are normally less than 2.5m high. You can often find the height listed within our product descriptions. For more information about planning please see our FAQs.

MORE OPTIONS

The More Options menu allows you to narrow your search even more. Be careful when using narrow and specific searches. It is normally a good idea to search with and without the search option set, just to be sure that you do not miss any suitable sheds. Useful search filters such as Best quality and Budget price allow you to focus on a limited selection to suit your general requirements. You can also search for buildings which include a Fitting service or search for specific design features such as Internal partitions or Eaves over 6ft high.

Express Delivery

PICTURE: This metal shed includes next day delivery

Many of our metal sheds include free next day delivery. We also offer a wide range of wooden sheds which are in stock and delivered within 2-3 days. You can order online and choose delivery on the next available weekday as you order, or you can pick another day that suits you or you can delay the delivery until you are ready and then pick your day. You can request a delivery day weeks in advance or you can wait to choose a day later.

Express delivery is included throughout mainland England, Wales, southern Scotland and central Scotland. Delivery to northern Scotland or offshore addresses may take a few days longer.

You can find accurate delivery information for any of our sheds in the online product description under the Delivery heading. The current delivery lead time and other details are listed. Although many of our best selling sheds include fast delivery, many others are not delivered for at least a few weeks and some of our best sheds may be a couple of months or more during our busiest periods. If you are not in a hurry you have the widest choice, but if you need your shed fast we have a wealth of expertise in delivering these heavy and bulky products.

View Sheds with Express Delivery

T&G Floor and Roof

PICTURE: Interlocking tongued and grooved floor boards

T&G is a widely used abbreviation for interlocking tongued and grooved boarding, which is the strongest way to join timber boards for any internal or external use. Tongued and grooved boarding is ideal for use in a shed floor or roof. A tongue along one edge of the boards fits inside a groove in the other side of the boards, ensuring a strong continuously supported join between each board. The shiplap wall cladding in many of our wooden sheds also features a similar interlocking tongued and grooved design.

Other quality features in the More Options menu include Thicker cladding and Thicker framing, which also helps to ensure that you find a stronger shed.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

We offer a wide range of accessories with a huge choice so that you can customize your shed with everything you need to finish it off and kit it out from one supplier at a competitive price. We often deliver several accessories together which keeps our prices competitive. However, some accessories are delivered separately for a variety of reasons. For example, preservatives are delivered separately in specialist packaging designed to reduce messy spillages. We often offer package deals with a bundle of several accessories at a reduced price. With many of our sheds there is a choice of package deals with some free offers and some low cost offers. Our package deals are a genuine opportunity to save money with a bundle of accessories at reduced prices to tempt you to buy our shed in preference to a shed from another supplier.

DIY Preservatives

PICTURE: A painted shed with two contrasting colours.

Our quality microporous preservatives are impervious to water but not to water vapour. This allows the wood to breathe. We offer a selection of woodstains and natural wood oils in a wide choice of colours. These preservatives are safe for use with children and pets. Our wood preservatives and wood oils are only available when you purchase one of our sheds or if you ever purchased one of our sheds in the past. We are always happy to supply our past customers at any time, even years after your purchase.

Solar Lighting

Our ingenious and affordable solar powered lighting is easy to install with no mains wiring and it costs nothing to run. During the day the externally mounted solar panel converts daylight into electricity and recharges the batteries. The solar panel is weatherproof and suitable for outside use. It is normally positioned on the roof of the shed or high on the walls. For best results the panel should be in direct sunlight for hours every day.

PICTURE: A solar powered inside light.

Internal wall lights solve the problem of seeing inside your shed at night. Using the simple pull cord the light can be turned on and off as required. The solar panel absorbs light all day to provide hours of light whenever required.

PICTURE: A solar powered security light.

Security lights with passive infra red movement detectors switch on when movement is detected. As you approach the security light it switches on, illuminating the approach to your shed at night whenever required. It may also deter burglars.

Shelving and Workbenches

PICTURE: A freestanding 3 tier workbench or shelving unit.

This boltless steel 3 tier workbench features a rigid and smooth MDF worktop and lower shelves. The legs and framing are powder coated steel. The lower shelf heights can be varied to suit your needs. No bolts or fixings are required for assembly. This freestandfing shelf unit can be fitted inside almost any shed. A boltless 2 tier workbench is also available and a 5 tier shelving unit.

PICTURE: An integral timber shelf or worktop.

Many of our best sheds include the option of an integral or built in workbench or shelf. With some sheds the bench is made to fit one side of the shed. With other sheds the shelf is a standard size which can be fitted to any wall to suit your needs.

Security Features

PICTURE: Security screws.

Security screws are an effective way to make shed doors more secure. Some of the normal screws are removed from hinges or handles and replaced with non-reversible security screws. Most normal screws are designed to be equally easy to screw in or out. By contrast, security screws can only be screwed in. This ensures that a door cannot be easily removed without using a crowbar or a claw hammer, which requires considerable force and makes a noise. This simple precaution will deter most petty criminals and opportunist thieves, especially with so many unprotected targets elsewhere. We also offer other security features including locks, bolts and padlocks.

Storage Ideas

PICTURE: Tool hooks.

These racks are suitable for fixing straight onto the cladding or the framing of the shed (or alternatively onto a timber batten spanning the shed framing) or onto the side of a workbench or similar. Pre-drilled holes ensure quick and easy fixing into any timber using just a few screws (not supplied).

PICTURE: Storage tubs.

These tough and durable tubs were originally designed for mixing mortar, so they are ideal multi purpose storage boxes in a shed. In addition, the tough construction makes these heavy duty tubs popular for many commercial uses. The empty tubs are stackable. In addition, these tubs can be stacked on a shed floor in a criss-cross pattern for efficient storage and easy access or used individually on shelves for optimized storage.

We have always been interested in helping our customers at every stage of their garden building project. As a result, since we were established in 1981 we have developed a unique expertise. We offer expert advice and we can answer any query, however technical. We can also actively assist at every stage from making a planning application to advice about ongoing care and maintenance after completion. We can even help you with base preparation. Many of our sheds and storage buildings include installation, either free or as a low cost option. Many other buildings are designed for DIY assembly. If you prefer to install the shed yourself we provide useful tips for DIY customers. We also provide a comprehensive range of low cost DIY base kits.

INSTALLATION OPTIONS

• We offer several installation options with many of our wooden sheds.
• Some of our best value sheds are designed for DIY assembly and professional installation may not be available.
• Installation is not available with some of our cheaper wooden sheds.
• Installation is not available with our metal or plastic sheds.
• Our concrete sheds include free installation.
• Please note that if installation is available with your chosen shed it should be very obvious when you view the product on our website. It is a great selling point, so if you cannot see installation being offered it is probably not available.
• The fitting service does not include base preparation. A flat and level base is required, which can be made using concrete, paving slabs, pressure treated timber or plastic. In many areas we offer a base laying service as an option. We also offer heavy duty plastic base kits as a DIY option in all areas.

DIY Assembly Only

Most of our sheds are designed for simple DIY assembly with basic hand tools. DIY assembly is not normally difficult with pre-fabricated panels and cut to size components. Many of our cheapest sheds are only available flat-packed for DIY assembly, with no installation option available. Our cheaper sheds feature compact packaging to ensure efficient storage and delivery, helping to reduce the price. The panels may be smaller with more panels overall, the doors and windows may not be factory-fitted but supplied loose, the hinges and handles are often supplied loose for you to fit on site and there are normally more fixings. Overall these cheaper sheds may take a little longer to assemble, but the price is significantly cheaper. The cheap prices are welcomed by many customers, but there is a price to pay in terms of time. If you are a keen DIY enthusiast these great value DIY sheds are an excellent option, providing a cheaper price and better value for money.

Optional Installation After Delivery

We can offer an installation service with some of our cheapest sheds. The building is delivered first and the installer follows separately, normally a few days later. It is not possible to install the building at the same time as the delivery because the delivery team are focussed on fast efficient deliveries. A separate contractor follows on later to install your shed. This type of installation is not cheap, partly because the installer needs to travel to the site and partly because these great value summerhouses are not designed for professional fitters and take a little longer to assemble. We recommend that you look at the overall price including installation and have another look at our range. You may find that other sheds you initially disregarded as too expensive may be cheaper overall if they are fitted free or if the fitting charge is much lower.

Optional Same Day Installation

Many of our best sheds include same day installation as a low cost option. If you order installation your shed will be delivered and installed on the same day by prior appointment with you. These sheds are designed to be professionally installed so more care is taken in the factory to speed up installation and minimize problems on site. The result is better quality sheds which are easy to fit and longer lasting. Same day installation is convenient for you and cost effective because it saves travelling costs for the installation team. Others send sub-contract fitters separately, often from far away and often a week or two after the delivery. Waiting for the fitter can be very frustrating. Sub-contract fitting is also much more expensive because of the travelling costs.

Free Same Day Installation

Some of our best sheds include free installation. Because every building is fitted free they are better made than other sheds using better quality components. Over time regular feedback from fitters ensures that design faults and weaknesses have been rectified. Everything possible is done to simplify the installation and minimize problems on site. The doors are factory fitted complete with locks and handles. Often the glass and glazing beads are factory fitted. The result is better quality sheds which are fitted quickly with fewer complications. Our free in house installation service is not just convenient, it is also your assurance of a better quality shed.

Underfloor Bearers

PICTURE: A set of bearers below a timber floor.

Some of our best wooden sheds include optional bearers, a traditional base option which is increasingly difficult to find nowadays. Although not essential, if you can afford the extra cost we recommend bearers at most sites even if you have a concrete or paving base, because they will protect your investment in the long run. Bearers are substantial pressure treated beams under the floor, which will prolong the life of your building. The bearers are the only part of the building which is in contact with the ground and they are pressure treated for longer life. The bearers also raise the floor above the ground. This allows air to circulate under the floor to reduce dampness and also reduces saturation of the lower cladding boards. A drawback with bearers is that they increase the step up into your shed.

PICTURE: A fitter laying roofing felt on a timber roof.

In addition to our unique network of installers, we also maintain a national network of baselayers who can build a base for many of our sheds and storage buildings. This option is only offered with buildings which include free or optional installation. Although our network of baselayers covers many areas we are unable to offer blanket nationwide coverage. This is one of the reasons we developed our unique postcode based website, so that once you have set your delivery postcode you only see services and products available in your area.

BASE OPTIONS

PICTURE: A hexagonal concrete base.

• We can introduce you to independent baselayers in many areas offering to build paving slab bases, concrete bases and pressure treated timber bases.
• Alternatively, we can offer a choice of DIY base options if you want to build the base yourself.
• To see prices for any base options you need to be viewing a specific product.
• To see accurate prices and availability in your local area you need to first enter the first half of your postcode at the top of any page.

Independent Baselayers

Since we were established in 1981 we have connected thousands of customers to our unique network of independent baselayers. Specialist teams have offered to lay bases for our buildings in many areas at low fixed rates in return for regular work. The prices are offered within a specific area and subject to conditions. You deal direct with the baselayer which keeps the prices low and you pay them separately on completion.

PICTURE: Click on the blue "i" symbols to see fitting and base laying prices (circled in yellow). See how many jobs each fitter or base layer has completed in brackets (circled in red).

We make no commission except for a small upfront referral fee. The baselayers pay us nothing and we pay them nothing. Although we do not manage or supervise the work directly we listen carefully to feedback and any team who provides a poor service is removed from our network. For decades this effective system has provided a low cost option for our customers with high levels of satisfaction.

A base completion date is specified when you order. This is normally four weeks after the order date unless an alternative date is agreed. The building is delivered shortly after this date. The completion date may be longer at busier times or due to holidays.

PICTURE: See where to set your delivery postcode (circled in red). See the pop-up window with each fitter or baselayer's prices (circled in yellow).

We regularly monitor the prices charged by our baselayers. In over 80% of cases the actual prices charged and the prices quoted above are exactly the same. However, there are circumstances in which additional charges may be required including, for example if site clearance is required, if the ground is not level or if access is restricted. We recommend the customer to confirm the price payable with the baselayer before work starts. We also recommend the baselayer to advise the customer at the earliest opportunity if the price is likely to exceed the prices quoted above.

Site Clearance and Preparation

A tape measure should be used to mark out the area of the base. The corners can be marked with canes or bricks. To ensure that the area is square the two diagonal measurements should be the same. The edges are easier to cut with a straight edge such as a wooden plank and a spade or turf cutter. All vegetation and roots should be removed otherwise as the organic material decomposes the base may settle unevenly. Large trees should only be removed by professionals. Small trees and shrubs can be removed by untrained people if care is exercised. To remove turf cut horizontally using a spade just below the roots at a depth of around two inches.

PICTURE: An area of lawn neatly excavated prior to base construction.

Excavation and Levelling

The soil can be levelled using a rake to even out minor peaks and troughs or a spade to dig away higher ground. Any large stones or roots should be removed. Before starting to lay the pavers a spirit level should be used to thoroughly check that the soil is level in all directions. The dimensions should also be checked with a tape measure. Extra time spent at this stage will be rewarded later. The base must be flat and level and large enough before proceeding to the next stage.

If possible allow space around a building to ensure comfortable access for installation and maintenance. If the base is sited near a wall or fence remember to allow for the roof overhang. Any overhanging trees or branches should be cut back.

Professional baselayers often charge extra for significant excavation, for the removal of existing obstructions such as existing buildings, garden walls, trees or compost heaps and for rubbish disposal if the spoil cannot be disposed of on site.

Paving Slab Bases

PICTURE: A paving slab base with smooth vibrated grey concrete slabs.

A well built paving slab base is a durable base for any garden building, as strong as a concrete base but normally cheaper. Slabs are also easier to handle than concrete and easier to remove if the garden is redesigned. Professional baselayers should include supplying and laying paving slabs on sand, mortar or concrete.

Concrete Bases

A concrete base is the most permanent and durable base for a garden building but a paving slab base is cheaper and more popular. A concrete base requires shuttering boards with a sturdy frame. Wet concrete is poured in and tamped smooth with a straight edge. A concrete base is often the best option for a building with no floor, such as a garage or a commercial workshop, or for a building which contains heavy machinery or equipment, such as a pump room or a hot tub enclosure. The concrete is normally finished a few inches above the ground. Inexpensive steel reinforcing can be placed within the concrete for extra strength at sites with poor ground conditions, for example where trees and shrubs have been removed.

PICTURE: Ripple finish concrete with smooth floated chamferred edges.

We recommend 100mm thick concrete with a thickened toe beam tapering to 300mm thick at the edges. An interval of up to seven days is advisable between the base and installation. However, if required in warmer weather it may be possible for installation to proceed with care after a shorter interval.

Pressure Treated Timber Platform Bases

PICTURE: A timber platform base.

A pressure treated timber platform base is suitable for any building with a timber floor, especially at a sloping site or a site with made up ground or a recently remoived tree. It is also an option for building without a floor but the platform needs boarding over, for example with decking. The substantial timber platform is an ecologically sound alternative to more traditional bases such as slabs or concrete. It can be easily built over sloping or unstable ground without expensive excavation or levelling. The base is made from pressure treated timber bearers and posts. Pressure treatment is a lifetime preservative treatment. The platform should be finished a few inches above the ground allowing for better airflow than other base options. The support posts are concreted into the ground to ensure the base remains flat and level. If you choose quick setting concrete to hold the posts in place you can start installing your new building if you are careful within about half an hour.

DIY BASE OPTIONS

Our durable eco-grid and eco-paving base kits are a practical and affordable alternative to slabs or concrete. Lightweight and easy to install within a few minutes, these 100% recycled polypropylene pavers simply click together with no fixings needed. The interlocking design helps to spread weight and ensures greater rigidity. Weed membranes are not needed below a timber floor. The self draining design prolongs the life of a timber floor. Unlike paving or concrete our plastic bases are fully relocatable. The base is normally at least 2" or 50mm larger than your building. Where space permits the base is normally laid full size but if required in a tight location our plastic pavers can be cut. Fast delivery within 3-5 days ensures that you can start work quickly.

Eco-Grid Bases

PICTURE: Eco-grids viewed from above (to the right) and below (to the left).

Eco-grids are recommended if the sub-base is soil, sand or pea shingle but not on hard surfaces such as concrete, because the underside is not flat. Integral pegs on the underside help to level the base grids more easily in soil or sand or shingle. Our eco-grid plastic bases can support up to 200 tonnes per square metre. We offer exactly the same eco-grids as driveways and carparks. Gravel or shingle infill is not required below a timber floor. Whatever you store in your building, our eco-grids will support the weight easily. Each eco-grid is 472mm x 472mm and 40mm thick with an immensely strong 60x60mm hexagonal cell structure. Extensive preparation is not normally required - just level the soil and lay the pavers directly on soil or on a thin layer of sand or pea shingle. Any exposed edges around the base can be left unfilled or filled with gravel or shingle.

Eco-Paving Bases

Eco-paving is recommended if the sub-base is a hard surface such as concrete or paving slabs, because the pavers feature a flat and level underside. Our eco-paving is less brittle than concrete paving slabs. The pavers have a strong lattice structure underneath and the surface looks and feels similar to pressed concrete slabs, with a slightly textured finish. Each eco-paver is 385mm x 385mm and 40mm thick. The pavers are quickly and easily easily laid over an existing hard surface.

PICTURE: An eco-paving base, viewed from above, with two extra tiles upside down to show the underside.

We love wood so we specify timber which originates from sustainable forests. We research our supply chains, regularly assessing the risks and testing different species in accredited labs in the UK for verification purposes. We are also fully paid up and longstanding members of FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). We are regularly audited to confirm our compliance with FSC and PEFC accounting requirements, to check our supply chains in detail and to verify our claims regarding individual products.

Recent developments in the timber industry include extraordinary shortages and unprecedented price increases following the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Timber from Russia and Belarus is now banned from UK and European markets and FSC certification has been suspended. As UK and European reliance on cheap Russian timber has ended, supplies of more expensive timber from Scandinavia has increased.

Sustainability of our wooden sheds

Except for cedar, all wood used in our sheds is from Northern Europe, including boards, framing and pressure treated timber. Until recently much of this timber came from Russia and Belarus but now it comes from Scandinavia and the Baltic. Our cedar sheds and cedar roof shingles feature cedar from Canada and the USA. The forests of Northern Europe and North America are among the most well managed and sustainable forests in the world.

Chains of custody

It is not easy to prove a chain of custody all the way from the forest to the timber shed in your garden. It only needs one broken link to break the chain. The only way to be sure is to follow an unbroken trail of sales invoices and purchase invoices all along the chain. We are members of FSC and PEFC because they specialise in certifying chains of custody and they have global reach. Any shed we describe as FSC certified or PEFC certified has verified chain of custody certification from the forest to the finished shed.

Valid FSC claims

• If you want to buy an FSC or PEFC certified timber product you can only buy it from an FSC or PEFC member.
• Many of our wooden products do not include FSC or PEFC certification, but some do.
• We only make legitimate FSC and PEFC claims when we have full chain of custody certification.
• If you cannot see a prominent FSC or PEFC claim against one of our products, then it is not certified.
• An FSC certified product must be described as FSC 100% or FSC Mix Credit or FSC Mix 70% and this claim must be accompanied by a valid licence number and/or certificate code from a genuine FSC member. Any other claim is invalid.
• A PEFC certified product must be described as 100% PEFC Certified or 70% PEFC Certified and this claim must be accompanied by a valid licence number and/or certificate code from a genuine PEFC member. Any other claim is invalid.
• The FSC Mix claim can be a different percentage, but in our experience we have only ever known 70% to apply to our products.
• There are 3 other FSC claims and 1 other PEFC claim which are never relevant to our wooden products (FSC Recycled XX%, FSC Recycled Credit, FSC Controlled Wood and PEFC Recycled).

PICTURE: Our entry in the PEFC members database.

Invalid FSC or PEFC claims

• Retailers often make vague claims that products are "FSC certified" or "all timber is from a PEFC certified supplier" or "we only use FSC approved timber". However, these claims are dishonest because FSC and PEFC certify products and not suppliers. If the claim is invalid the timber is not certified.
• Any FSC or PEFC claim is invalid unless it is accompanied by a certificate code and/or a licence number from a genuine FSC or PEFC member.
• Many FSC and PEFC members regularly sell non-certified products - indeed, we are a good example of this. Buying from a member is no guarantee that the wood is certified.
• Many FSC and PEFC suppliers have two production lines, one for certified and one for uncertified wood. This practice is perfectly acceptable, as long as the certified wood is correctly accounted for.
• To remain members we must pay for regular audits to confirm that our FSC and PEFC claims are valid. Auditors compare our purchase invoices with our sales invoices to confirm that the quantities balance. All other members are also audited regularly to verify the supply chain from the forest to the consumer.

Verify our FSC and PEFC membership

• To verify our FSC membership visit the FSC Member Search and search for Summer Garden (full name "Summer Garden and Leisure Buildings Ltd"). Our FSC licence number is FSC-C109654 and our FSC chain of custody certificate code is INT-COC-003944.
• To verify our PEFC membership visit the PEFC Find Certified and search for Summer Garden (full name "Summer Garden and Leisure Buildings Ltd"). Our PEFC certificate number is INT-PEFC-COC-1119. Our PEFC licence number is PEFC/16-37-2190.
• If you suspect that an FSC claim on a website may be invalid, use the FSC Member Search to check if the supplier is a valid FSC member. If the claim is invalid you can report it to FSC.
• If you suspect that a PEFC claim on a website may be invalid, use PEFC Find Certified to check if the supplier is a valid PEFC member. If the claim is invalid, you can report it to PEFC at info@pefc.co.uk.

PICTURE: Our entry in the FSC members database.

About the FSC and PEFC: The FSC and the PEFC are non profit international organizations which promote responsible forest management throughout the world. Around 430 million acres of forest worldwide in over 90 countries has been certified. FSC or PEFC chain of custody certification verifies that certified material has been identified and separated from non-certified and non-controlled material at every step throughout the supply chain.

See more information About FSC and PEFC

Visit the FSC website

Visit the PEFC website