Do you have your own garden and enjoy spending time in it? If the answer is yes, you probably know that gardening is a special type of hobby that requires dedication and effort to shape your environment into an attractive display. Every gardener knows that using special power tools and gear such as lawnmowers, spades, trowels, shears, gloves are essential to do all the cultivating, pruning, weeding, and planting that is required. Therefore, most of them dream of having a dedicated storage space where they can neatly and safely keep their gardening tools, like a garden shed.
What Are Garden Sheds Used For?
Garden sheds seem to be the ideal solution for those of you who cannot tolerate overcluttered places such as garages where lots of clutter can be created from bikes, household items, and kids’ toys that you no longer use. Deciding to get a shed will allow you to leave the garage for storing vehicles and free up space in your house in addition to keeping the various tools organized.
Garden sheds can be either placed on the patio or adjacent to your house. Most modern designs are typically available in a range of dimensions. You can find a medium-sized 4mx3m garden shed for storing tools as well as much bigger ones that can reach up to 6 meters in size which can be turned into an outdoor hobby room.
Once you find the perfect shed, it will beautify your outdoor space adding character and functionality at the same time. That said, we’ll offer some simple tips for buying a garden shed that suits your needs and provides enough storage for keeping your precious belongings.
Things to Consider Before Investing in a Garden Shed
Material
Garden sheds can be made of various materials ranging from classy wooden and metal tin-roofed sheds to low maintenance plastic structures. Considering which type you want for your home is usually dependent on many features such as your budget, space, and the time and energy you are willing to invest in their maintenance.
Metal Garden Sheds
Metal garden sheds are usually made from thin sheets of metal that offer protection from fire and termite attacks. They are ideal for long-term usage thanks to the durability and the strength of the materials used. However, one of their main drawbacks is that they are prone to rust and denting if they are constructed from steel that is not galvanized.
Wooden Garden Sheds
On the other hand, wood storage sheds feature the most sturdy and stylish design and are specially engineered to withstand different weather conditions and support multiple shelves and hangers. You can paint them in any colour you wish to match your home and blend well with your surrounding landscape.
As the wood is treated to be resistant to rot and termites you can rest assured that this structure will offer long-lasting garden storage all year round. And since wood is a natural insulator, wooden storage houses are most likely to be warmer in winter and cooler during the summer months. Besides, they are very low maintenance, and you may just need to repaint them regularly to refresh their colour from time to time.
Plastic Garden Sheds
These types of sheds are made of vinyl or resin and are the easiest to assemble, clean and are also highly resistant to rust, insects, mould, and rot. You can find many models which are very practical and can endure different weather conditions. Most designs feature windows and skylights to help illuminate the interior and steel-reinforced doors for extra security and long service life.
Dimensions
When it comes to dimensions the first thing you need to keep in mind is how much space you have in your garden. Sheds come in a variety of sizes including small, medium, and large ones to accommodate your specific needs.
While there are many large sheds offer that offer enough space to keep just about everything from your gardening tools, bikes, and large equipment, smaller models can work just as fine. For instance, you can opt for a 4mx3m garden shed that isn’t as bulky as other models and offers just enough space to keep your valuable tools.
DIY or Professionally Built
Unless you are an experienced handyman who can build your own cabin from scratch, you will need some extra hands and a proper kit for the installation. Each DIY shed kit comes with all the components required, including screws, joiners, and pop reverts. Sheds are usually delivered flat packed for cheaper shipping and easier handling. Installing a prefab shed is no joke, as it requires lots of work such as levelling the ground, preparing the foundation, and moving the shed into the right position. If you think you won’t be able to pull this off, don’t hesitate to get the help of professionals.
Roof Type
Choosing the right type of roof for your shed can ultimately define the outward appearance of your shed. There are so many roof types that aren’t just appealing but are also specially made to suit the specific structure, location, and weather conditions. Here are the most commonly used shed roofs in Australia.
Gable Roofs
Gable roofs are the most common ones. They feature a simple design that requires a central ridge beam for support as well as multiple gutters and downspouts. They usually peak to a certain point at the top and slope down on both sides. Gable roofs are the most spacious because the siling inside is most often flat and it’s relatively high.
Flat Roofs
Flat roofs have the plainest design of all. They are the perfect solution for townhouses and homes where indoor and outdoor storage space is limited. They are specially designed to fit into small areas. Even though they are the least attractive of all roof-type designs, they are very practical when space is considered and make the shed look like a big box.
Hip Roofs
This type of roofing system features a sturdy design and durability that is most suitable for regions with high winds and extreme weather conditions. The roofing system is comprised of four triangle-shaped panels that form a pyramid-like structure. The hip roof shed has a contemporary look that blends well with many types of architecture.
