When it comes to buying a garden shed, there are many things to consider. What size do you need? What style is right for you? Where should you put it?
This blog post will help make the process a little less daunting by outlining key factors to consider when making your purchase. GarageSmart® offers a wide range of garage remodelling solutions to help you get the most out of your space.
So whether you’re in the market for your first garden shed or just looking to upgrade, read on for some helpful tips!
Advice on Purchasing a Garden Shed
The variety of styles, sizes, and uses available for today’s sheds might make it hard to zero in on the perfect one for your home’s needs.
Your requirements for a garden shed will evolve to meet your changing needs. For example, a work shed may seem like a good idea, but by the time you’ve acquired all the necessary equipment for your pastime, you may realise you need a much larger space.
Maybe you’ll buy a garden shed to turn it into a playhouse for your kids, but instead, fast-forward five years.
Trying to figure out what kind of shed to purchase when your demands are always changing can be difficult. After all, no one knows what the future holds.
Luckily, you may acquire a shed that will meet your needs now and in the future without resorting to tarot card readings. The following advice is sure to simplify your search for an outdoor storage shed.
Think About the Style of the Rest of Your House When Shopping for Sheds
It may seem obvious, but you’d be shocked at how few homeowners think about whether the outdoor shed they’re considering would match the style of their home.
For instance, you may choose the cheapest option, an apex-roof outdoor shed with plastic walls & steel sidings, without considering how much it will stand out in contrast to your country-style garden and home.
For the time being, it’s more important to prioritise form over function when shopping for a shed. If you want to raise your home’s market price, this is a crucial step. The converse is true if you purchase a garden shed that doesn’t match the style of your house.
Think About Both the Cost and the Quality
You shouldn’t bankrupt yourself by spending a fortune on a stylish garden shed just because you need one. While a bespoke shed is ideal, building one may be somewhat pricey, depending on the materials and labour you use. Prefabricated sheds are the next best option.
Prefabricated sheds have gone a long way since their humble beginnings, and now you can get one in any size, colour, or shape to suit your needs and your budget.
You can construct a shed from the start, but this is not recommended if you lack previous experience with building structures. It makes more sense to engage a specialist to complete this task. Inquire about installation services from the company selling your outdoor shed.
Shed Material
Wood, metal, and plastic are available options while shopping for a shed. To assist you in selecting the optimal material for your shed, we have compiled a list of options and included brief descriptions of their advantages and disadvantages.
- Sheds made of wood, with their classic look that allows them to fit into the garden, have long been a fixture in Irish backyards. Wooden sheds are the best option for keeping moisture-sensitive products like seeds because they don’t condense like plastic or metal sheds. A wooden varnish or preservation will have to be applied to the wood annually.
- Metal sheds can withstand harsh conditions and won’t expand or contract in extreme temperatures. After being built, these structures will require almost no upkeep. A metal shed’s pristine appearance may be maintained with little more than an occasional hosing down.
- Sheds made of plastic have only been available for a short time, but they have quickly become the shed of choice for many homeowners due to their low cost and low maintenance requirements. Plastic shelters can’t be painted to change their colour, and they don’t have the same rustic appeal as timber sheds. To preserve plastic in pristine shape, relatively little care is required.
It’s Important to Get the Right Accessories
Garden sheds are no longer only useful outbuildings for stowing away seasonal items. Homeowners investing in aesthetic touches are seldom out of the ordinary.
Some people set up flower boxes around their shed to boost their aesthetic value. Some opt for unique doors instead of the standard hinged or sliding variety, while others instal skylights or windows to let in more light. Looking for a reliable and affordable garage storage solution? Look no further than GarageSmart®!
Accessories may be frivolous (or costly at worst), but they’re crucial when renovating a shed into a living space. Including accessories in your newly acquired garden shed can give it that certain something extra and make it stand out from the crowd.
Try to Avoid Overcomplicating Things
However, one of the most common reasons people purchase a shed is the desire to finally have their homes organised.
It would be counterproductive to spend more time and energy decorating your shed than you would cleaning and maintaining your actual home. Instead, maintain a minimal, functional, and well-organised setup.
You shouldn’t invest in a fancy garden shed if you don’t know what you’re doing concerning upkeep and maintenance. Avoid purchasing a wooden shed if you want a low-maintenance structure, as this requires regular upkeep to retain its rustic look and repel pests. You should select a simple roofing design for your sheds if you don’t already have a drainage and sewage system to handle all snow or water that will accumulate on its roof (i.e. skillion roof).
You won’t have to make as many adjustments to the shed’s layout if you don’t overdo the decorations, which is why minimalism is ideal for shed conversion.
Don’t Leave Home Without Paint or Dye
Pick garden sheds with paint colours that go well with the surroundings and your home. Steel sheds, commonly used for storage, have a wide range of available colour coatings.
Don’t stress if the brand and model of the outdoor shed you want don’t come in the colour you want. You can always start over with a fresh coat of paint and a new design scheme.
It’s not hard to change the colour of a wall made of wood or metal; there are plenty of colours to select from.
On the other side, plastic partitions present some unique challenges. Removing the “shine” from the surface requires scouring it with sandpaper and then cleaning it with rubbing alcohol. However, you shouldn’t expect to perform with more effort than you have planned.
Since steel and wood are more adaptable than the more affordable plastic shelters, they are the best products for outdoor sheds.
Think About the Weather and Environment in Your Area
Condensation is an issue that many consumers confront when shopping. This is consistent regardless of whether it is chilly or hot outside.
When the weather causes condensation, the shed’s construction traps the wetness and moisture within, creating an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, bugs, or moulds that are dangerous to the shed’s occupants. That implies the contents of your shed, which are likely to be made of metal, will inevitably rust.
This is why buying a shed that can be easily aired and has good insulation is important. Condensation forms when moisture is allowed to accumulate. Hence its removal is a top priority.
The roofs of steel sheds are typically waterproof since they have side coverings. When it rains or is cold outside, this comes in handy.
Can You Build a Shed Without a Building Permit?
Likely, you will not require a building permit to construct a small or medium-sized shed on your property. Still, you should always check with the relevant authorities before making any major changes to the inside or outside of your home.
The following are examples of circumstances in which you might need to apply for a planning permit:
- Outside of the home, the shed serves a variety of functions.
- You are fortunate to be a resident in a historically significant structure.
- The shed takes up more than half of the property’s full size.
- Sheds are typically placed in front of, or even on, the side of the home visible from the street.
- To put it another way, the shed is at least 4 metres tall.
- Between 2 m of a property line, the eaves are at least 2.5 metres high.
- Behind the house, the shed is within 3.5 metres of a property line connecting to the road.
- If your home is located in a national park, wilderness region, or another protected area,
- Birds of prey are housed in the structure.
Accessories and Fixtures for Sheds
GarageSmart® offers the most versatile and customisable storage system on the market. You can adjust our shelves, hooks, and baskets to fit your needs, making it easy to store anything and everything you need in your garage.
- Colour or stain your shed to spruce it up and make it look better. Choose a paint specifically formulated for sheds that ensure durability, protection, and weather resistance.
- Some sheds will have installed flooring, while others will come with a base sufficient for your needs. Or else, you can use any alternative flooring options, including rubber, wood, and plastic.
- Adding insulation to your shed will make it more comfortable year-round.
- The rainfall that falls on the shed can be diverted with a gutter system and collected in a water butt for later use.
- There are many storage choices, including shelves, hooks, and boxes.
- Add a loft shelf if you need more storage but are pressed for a room elsewhere.
- The ramp will facilitate the movement of large vehicles and other heavy equipment to and from the storage building.
- A tool rack is a handy way to store and organise your tools.
- You can select from rims locks, pad bolts, doorway bars, and hasp and staples to create a secure locking system for your shed.
- Bars on the shed’s door add an added layer of protection. They prevent the door from being forced inwards by running the length of the door.
- For added safety, instal an alarm system or security lights.
- Easy-to-use lighting options include those that run on solar energy or batteries. However, if you spend a lot of time in the shed or are planning to turn it into an office, you should hire a professional electrician to hook it up to the power grid.
In conclusion, when shopping for a garden shed, it’s important to consider several factors such as size, style, and location. The type of materials you choose—whether wood, metal, or plastic—can greatly influence the shed’s durability, maintenance requirements, and ability to protect your stored items. While custom-built sheds offer personalized options, prefabricated models have come a long way, offering a range of styles, sizes, and materials to suit your needs. It’s essential to balance your budget, maintenance preferences, and storage requirements before making a decision.
Additionally, the placement of your shed is another crucial factor to think about. While it is typically located in the front yard or facing the street, the space you have available and the function you intend for the shed will help guide your decision. Maintenance is an ongoing consideration, especially with wooden sheds, which require more upkeep compared to metal or plastic alternatives. However, with thoughtful design choices and the right care, your garden shed can serve its purpose effectively while enhancing the overall look and function of your outdoor space.
