How to Choose the Right Garden Shed

If you have a lot of gardening equipment or tools, a garden shed would be a great investment for you. Garden sheds provide you with the means to organize your belongings and keep them safe from poor weather conditions. There are, however, so many different types of garden sheds to choose from, that choosing the perfect one may be difficult. Here are some things that you can consider that will help you to choose the perfect garden shed for your yard.

The first thing you will want to consider before you purchase your garden shed is what you will be using it for. Typically, garden sheds are used to store things such as power tools, gardening supplies, and other types of equipment. Many people, however, like to think outside the box, using garden sheds for things such as a child’s playhouse or a work area. If you are using your shed for something like this, you will want to purchase a shed that is more home-like, incorporating lights and windows. If, however, you will be using your shed purely for storage, a simple shed will do just fine.

Another thing you will need to consider is the size of your shed. Once again, if you are purchasing your shed for a playroom or work area, you will probably want to purchase something much larger. If using your shed purely for storage, the size you will need will depend on how much you intend to store. The more you intend to store, the larger you will need your shed to be. To determine how much space you will need within your shed, take measurements of any larger equipment (such as lawnmowers and snowblowers) and look for a shed that is big enough to store them.

Aside from size, you will also need to choose a material for your shed. Generally, garden sheds come in three different types of material – wood, metal, and vinyl. Each of these materials has both positive and negative characteristics. Wood sheds are more likely to blend in with the house and environment, but are usually the more expensive than other types. They are also susceptible to rain damage. Metal sheds are very durable and come in a variety of colors. Unlike wood sheds, however, they may not blend in well with their environment. Finally, vinyl sheds are great because they require little to no upkeep. With that said, they are also less durable than metal and wood sheds.

Other things that you may want to consider before purchasing your garden shed include the kind of flooring you want, the portability of your shed, and the extra pieces that you will require. Do you need more shelving units, a bench, or windows and skylights? If so, you may be able to purchase these with your shed or purchase them separately at a later time.

Finally, consider the brand of your shed. Be sure to research the brand before you purchase your shed. This way, you will know exactly what to expect in terms of quality and durability.

Garden Sheds Uses

My grandmother had a garden shed in her backyard.  It was a dark and spooky place that I used to happen upon every once in a while.  It wasn’t until I got older that I understood what the shed was really for.  It was where she kept all of the gardening tools that she used.  She had all kinds of hoes, shovels, pick axes, and other types of tools in there.

When I became an adult, I decided that I wanted one for my backyard.  This usually happens to people who accumulate too much gardening equipment to fit inside their garage.  It can also occur when people get tired of taking their gardening equipment out of the garage and bringing it all the way to the backyard.  If it is already in your backyard, then the shed will be much more accessible.

As my grandmother got older she focused a little less on gardening and more on her art.  She added onto her shed and made it into a painting studio.  This is just one example of the freedom that a shed like this can provide.  They are a house outside of your house.  You can do whatever you want with them.

Garden sheds come in all different sizes.  Some people install just a small one to fit a few essential tools.  Others install a storage unit large enough to hold a tractor.  In any case, it is something that is meant to fit your needs.

The next thing we should talk about is what kind of security system to install on your shed.  It seems that these days you always have to lock up whatever you own.  It is important to do this if you have expensive gardening equipment.  So, make sure you get a shed that can be locked up.

And lastly, let's think about choosing a color scheme for your shed.  Some people just buy a shed that looks nice.  They forget about how it will fit in with their backyard.  You need to make sure that the colors match the kind of plants that will be surrounding it.  Also, it shouldn’t clash too much with the house you live in.

If you buy an already assembled shed that is a certain color you can usually paint over it if you need to.  So, don’t let the original color weigh too heavily on your decision.

I hope that this array of information on garden sheds has helped you come to some sort of conclusion as to whether they are right for you.  There will be many choices you will need to make as you set up your shed.  Just remember that the process should be fun.

Which Shed Is Best?

Sheds have been an important part of our culture for many years. Whilst our homes provide shelter for us and our belongings, there are certain objects and pastimes that need to be confined to separate, external spaces.

There are many different uses for sheds, meaning they can be utilized for all different sorts of requirements. When not found in the garden, they are usually seen as a means of storage (bikes, boats, even animals). Whilst many of us purchase sheds with only storage purposes in mind, they can also be used to assist avid gardeners as well as provide DIY enthusiasts with somewhere to craft their next spice rack or shelving unit.

If you plan on purchasing a shed, then you will most likely have a firm idea of what requirements you need it to fulfill.

Workshops, storage and garden sheds are the three most popular types of sheds. Those wanting to avoid bringing tools and sawdust into the home would opt for a ‘workshop’ or ‘tool’ shed, objects that are not wanted inside the home for health or other reasons would be kept in a general storage shed, and people wanting to care for their garden will of course benefit from a garden or ‘potting’ shed to store their tools and such.

There are, however, more factors to consider before making your purchase:

Size

The first thing to consider, regardless of its purpose, is size. Whilst some will insist that bigger is better, it really does depend on the size of your garden.  It might sound obvious, but placing an unnecessarily large shed in a small garden will only make the garden itself appear smaller.

Although they come in all shapes and sizes, there are two sets of dimensions that tend to be the most popular amongst smaller sheds; horizontal (3’ tall, 5’ wide, 4’ deep) and vertical (5’ tall, 3’ wide, 4’ deep). Larger sheds tend to vary in size, often featuring space for windows and electrical outlets.

So, before you make your purchase, try and visualize how much space the contents of your shed will consume before adding a little bit more; it’s better to have slightly too much room than too little. Your belongings will most likely take up more room that you initially think, and you’ll also have space for any other additional objects you choose to store in future. Again, keep in mind the size of your garden – if yours is particularly modest in its size, consider purchasing a corner shed. As the name suggests, these fit into a corner and are typically 3’ tall, 3’ wide and 2’ deep.

Construction

There are four popular types of material used in the construction of sheds: wood, metal, plastic and vinyl. Each material possesses advantages and disadvantages, so again it is best to take into account what would best suit your needs and your garden.

Perhaps the most appealing and natural looking material is wood. Not only is it strong and easy to modify, it is also a renewable resource. There are certain precautions that must be taken, however. Wood can be susceptible to rot, mold and mildew amongst other things - but luckily can be treated fairly easily with preservative. Varnish and colored preservative oil can also be used to keep the shed looking new and in good condition.

Whilst metal sheds are resistant to such threats as rot, termites and mold, they are also prone to rust and, due to their being relatively light, are at risk of being damaged during heavy weather conditions. Fortunately, they can be galvanized to reduce the effects of rust, and attached to a concrete foundation to prevent wind damage.

Plastic sheds tend to be cheap and also resistant to natural damage. Like the metal shed, however, they are light and hence prone to damage from heavy wind. In addition, they are perhaps the least natural looking and so may not fit aesthetically into everyone’s garden.

Although vinyl sheds are stronger than metal and plastic sheds and never need to be painted, they are often the most expensive and are certainly not eco-friendly to manufacture.

Location

So now you have your ideally-sized, ideally-constructed shed. Great! Now, where to put it?

Again, the location of your shed depends on what you intend to use it for and how big your garden is. Those with smaller gardens will be better off placing their shed at the edge - in the corner if possible. If the shed is being primarily used for storage, then location is not of particular importance. If your shed is wooden and/or flammable liquids such as gasoline are being stored then be sure to keep it well away from any sources of fire, such as barbeques.

Those wishing to use their shed as a working DIY environment may wish to consider locating it at the bottom of the garden, away from the house. This will prevent the noise of saws and drills from being heard in the house, as well as stop sawdust from being carried through the back door!

Hopefully this has shed (no pun intended) some light on what to consider before you buy your first shed. Happy hunting!

(A final reminder, always be sure to keep a lock on your shed – not just to avoid theft, but also to prevent children from getting access to potentially dangerous objects.)

A Garden Shed for a Messy Backyard

Garden Shed 8'x3' (GS83)

Do you have a messy backyard? Are there tools and other items lying around cluttering up the place? Could your problem be due to the fact that you don't have anywhere else to put them? If so, this problem can be solved with a garden shed. Just imagine how easy it would be keep your lawn looking neat and clean if you had a place to store all of your tools and other items. It would make finding what you need, when you need it much easier as well.

If you don't already have a shed that you can use, the first step is to choose the garden shed design that best suits your needs. There are many available that come in a variety of materials. For instance, you can choose a wooden storage building or a vinyl storage shed to name a few. You can build a storage shed from scratch by purchasing your own lumber or other materials and searching the Internet for blueprints for the design of your choice.

If you would rather have a head start, you can purchase storage shed kits that have everything you need to put together your building, including instructions. You can even invest in a Suncast storage building, if you prefer to simply set it in your backyard and start using it. These are durable and come in many different shapes and sizes suited for anything that you could possibly have cluttering up your backyard.

You can keep your lawn mowed and your hedges trimmed but if all your tools and equipment are scattered around in the yard, it'll still look messy. Garden storage sheds are the perfect answer to this problem. Once you have everything organized and put away, you may even be a little amazed at the difference it makes. An added bonus is the fact that everything will be so much more convenient. When you need something, you'll know exactly where to look for it.

Not only will a garden shed keep your backyard clean and neat looking, but it'll also protect your investments by keeping your tools and equipment out of the weather. Garden tools and lawn mowers can all be damaged by the elements especially, in the winter. So protect your equipment and clean up that messy backyard in the process by using a garden shed to store all of your items.