10 Best Sheds and Buying Guide

Editor Pick Sheds

Sheds Buying Guide

Sheds are an integral part of any outdoor space. They are not only multifunctional but also an ideal investment. You can use sheds for decades without replacing them. And they also help to increase the appeal and value of your home. However, choosing the right shed for your needs can be overwhelming. This is because there are numerous models to choose from. This guide will help you select a suitable shed for your needs to make this buying process easier.

Why You Should Invest in Sheds?

You will enjoy numerous benefits when you invest in sheds. Here are some of them.

You Can House it all

One of the most significant benefits of a shed is its storage capacity. And this is especially useful during summer. Having a shed means you have enough storage to declutter your outdoor space. There are so many tools and equipment you can store in your shed. They include surfboards, pool floats, rollerblades, lawn tools, etc. After you have decluttered your outdoor area, you’d be pleasantly surprised at the free space you would have.

They are also more helpful for storage than a basement or garage. This is because sheds are usually within arm’s reach. The accessibility of sheds ensures you can walk in anytime, pick up what you need, and head back out. This is not the case with other storage areas like garages, attics, crawl spaces, etc.

They Help to Significantly Increase Your Home’s Value

Before buying a home, numerous potential homeowners will always look out for specialty items or valuable amenities, such as a shed. Currently, the competition in real estate is intense. So, adding anything that would increase your home’s value is wise. And a shed is a premium selling point that would motivate potential homeowners to buy your home instead of another down the block. If you carefully pick a secure, sturdy, durable, and visually appealing shed, you will have succeeded in significantly increasing your home’s value.

They Are Versatile

The function of a shed is not limited to storage alone. Your shed can evolve with your needs. It can function as storage this year, a workshop for your business next year, and so on. So, do not limit your shed to storing your tools and equipment alone. Having a shed in your home means you have a handy structure and a blank canvas for anything you want to do. So, don’t make the mistake of limiting your shed.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing Sheds 

Choosing sheds is more than the appearance. There are some vital factors you must consider before buying your shed. These factors will help you to know how to choose the right one for your needs. Here are some of them.

Determine the Size You Need 

Like every outdoor piece of furniture, the size of your shed is the first factor to consider. Before you decide on the size you need, look for an ideal location in your outdoor area for your shed. It’s best to check if your chosen location will affect the seating areas in your outdoor space or views from your home.

This is because you don’t want to choose a shed that will overwhelm your patio but will still provide enough storage space for its intended purpose. You must also leave one or two feet of space around the shed because of maintenance. This space will also allow for the easy opening of windows and doors.

You must know the exact measurements of the space you have for your shed. It’s not advisable to guess. Take a measuring tape and mark the area with bamboo and string canes.  

Lastly, it would help to consider what you want to use your shed for. What are you going to store? Will the shed function as a working area? Will you add seating or a workbench? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you to determine the ideal size for your outdoor space. The typical sizes for sheds are 6’×4′, 7’×5′, 8’×6′, 10’×6′, 10’×8′, and 12’×8′. For a comfortable workshop, the 10’×6′ size is the standard size.

Choose a Material That Suits Your Needs Perfectly

The next thing to consider after the size is the material of your shed. The material you choose for your shed will determine how long it will last. Sheds are available in three materials; wood, metal, and plastic. Let’s check them out.

• Wooden Sheds: the traditional aesthetics of wooden sheds help them easily complement every outdoor area. They are also the most accessible material to customize with hooks, shelves, and installation. The only drawback with wooden sheds is that they need adequate maintenance. It would be best if you treated a wooden shed dip-treated with wood preservatives once a year. On the other hand, you can leave a pressure-treated wooden shed for over a decade without any treatment, and it won’t rot.
• Metal Sheds: they are widely known for their durability and sturdiness. So, they always come with extended warranties and guarantees. Another reason many people prefer to go for metal sheds is their security, making them an ideal option for storing valuable equipment and tools. They are also available in various designs and colors. So, it doesn’t matter the style of your outdoor space; there is a metal shed that will seamlessly suit it. However, they are more complex to set up than metal and plastic sheds.
• Plastic Sheds: some considerably high-end and high-quality plastic sheds are available on the market today. They are sturdy, durable, long-lasting, and require low maintenance. They are also available in various styles and colors. One of the unique features of plastic sheds is that some are designed to look like other materials; numerous plastic sheds come with solid metal frames. And plastic sheds are UV-protected, which helps to maintain their appealing look.

Roof Design: Apex, Pent, Or Reverse Apex

Regarding the design of your shed’s roof, your personal preferences should be the determining factor. Here are the three most common roof designs for sheds.

• Apex Roofs: a regular apex roof comes with a high peak that runs across gable ends. Doing this makes the roof provide enhanced headroom through the middle. The doors will be located at one end of the roof.
• Pent Roofs: They have no slope and peak from back to front. This makes it easier to locate the shed alongside a fence or under trees. The sleek lines of pent roofs make them incredibly popular in contemporary gardens and outdoor spaces. Also, pent roofs which slope away from adjoining fences or walls are known as lean-to roofs.
• Reverse Apex Roofs: they come with the high peaks of apex roofs. However, they do not have gable ends. The doors are sited on one of the longer sides. This makes them better suited for particular interior layouts such as workshop sheds.

Prioritize the Base of Your Shed

It’s essential to build a shed on a robust and level surface. An interior base will cause the structure to shift, leading to issues with windows, doors, and cracks. If you want to use an existing base, ensure it is reliable and level before you install the shed.

You must also adequately prepare your grass if you want to install a new base on it. You must ensure your grass is leveled with approximately a 65mm gradient through the width. You must also remove all tree roots, rocks, and other obstacles. It would help if you also used a damp-proof membrane with your base. Here are some standard bases for sheds to get you started on the suitable base for your shed.

• Concrete Bases: you can pour concrete bases into frames. They can also comprise numerous concrete slabs. You will enjoy the benefits of using a damp-proof membrane with both options. It’s best to ensure no space between the slabs if you use concrete bases with slabs. Both options for concrete bases should adequately sit on a sharp and hardcore sand dressing. This will ensure there is adequate drainage.
• Wood Bases: they are frames with pressure-treated timber joists, which help to protect the shed from having any contact with the ground. The wood base is one of the most preferred bases for sheds. However, you must ensure it is leveled when installing it.
• Plastic Bases: they are easy to set up. They can also be recycled, making them ideal for all sheds. They also come with membranes. And although plastic bases are light, they are also durable and robust. And it is advisable to fill them with pea gravel before using them with bigger sheds.

Final Thoughts 

The benefits you would enjoy from having a shed are numerous. Sheds are multifunctional and versatile. However, choosing the proper shed for your outdoor space can be challenging. There are crucial factors you must consider before starting your buying process. These factors include the right size for your shed, the material that would suit your needs, the roof design, and the suitable base. If you follow this guide, you will have no problem choosing a suitable shed for your outdoor space.