Bike shed storage

There are many types and sizes of both secure and practical bike storage sheds currently available on the market which include storage sheds made from either metal or timber. Bike sheds tend to be a lot slimmer than a normal garden shed and are therefore perfect if you only have a small garden. These small bike sheds can also be placed in an alleyway at the side of your house if you have no garden at all.

For a slightly different way to store your bicycles, there is a popular product range called Tidy Tents. As the name suggests these are practical tents which can be used to store your bikes or garden equipment. They are ideal for smaller gardens or for temporary storage for example whilst caravanning as they can be easily folded away into a small carry bag. Each of these tents can store up to two adult bikes.

New use for a garden shed

Most people tend to place their garden shed at the bottom of their garden and use it to store items such as gardening tools or unused kids toys. The people of Alderney however have found a new, unusual use for one of the garden sheds on the island...a radio station studio for Quay FM. The radio station currently only broadcasts from the shed for two months a year.

Unfortunately Quay FM has been unable to become a permanent fixture on the island as everyone is unsure as to who should give them the licence for it.

Garden shed is flattened by huge boulder

A lady from Somerset was left shaken after a five tonne boulder came away from a rock face and plummeted 60ft landing right on top of her garden shed.

Although the impact of the boulder hitting the shed to the ground caused the lady's house to shake, there was no structural damage to the house. The shed actually saved the house from being struck. If the shed had not been there then the boulder would have landed in the kitchen!

Securing your garden shed

Whether you are purchasing a new garden shed or you already have a shed containing expensive gardening equipment, you must make sure that it is secure. Recently there have been a number of burglaries in Kent involving possessions being taken from people's garden sheds and garages.

There are many security measures that can be taken in order to secure your shed including: purchasing a shed security kit, use a strong padlock and not leaving the keys for your shed in an obvious place or on view.

You may also consider outside lighting as this is a deterrent for burglars.

Tips for building your garden shed

1. Shed Base

It is essential to create a dry and level foundation for your new garden shed before you start constructing it. If you build your shed on an unlevel base, the screw holes connecting the wall panels will not line up. There are a number of different types of suitable shed bases, these include:

· Paving slab base
· Concrete base
· Treated timber base
· Plastic shed base

For whichever base you choose it is recommend that you have a 5cm (2’’) lip around the edge of your garden building.


2. Constructing the Side Panels

First of all position a side panel and fix it to the gable panel, this should be done with the panels sitting on the floor. This creates one corner of your shed. The other two panels should then be fixed to the previous panels one at a time until your shed has all four sides attached.


3. Adding the Roof

Place both of the roof panels onto the top of the shed. You will find that if your base is not level then the roof panels will not fit together properly. The next step is to secure all the side panels and roof panels together. Make sure your side panels are all straight. To attach the roof, first put the roof truss in place and fix up to the ridge, then fix the ends up the underside of the top rails of the side panels. You will need to do this one end at a time.


4. Felting the Roof

Please see my previous blog post for information about felting the roof of your garden shed.

Huge increase in the popularity of garden sheds

As less people are moving house nowadays due to the current economic uncertainties, it is becoming more apparent that people are spending more time and money on home and garden improvements.

The main market areas that have seen a vast increase in customer interest, leading to sales are bathroom equipment & fittings and garden design.

A recent study by Thomson Local has shown that over the last year the number of people searching for a garden shed has increased by over 200%.

Felting the roof of your apex shed

1. The first thing to do when felting your garden shed roof is to cut the felt to the right size. For a shed with an apex roof you will need to cut out three pieces of felt. Two of the felt pieces should be slightly longer then the actual roof panels (about 50mm longer) and the other felt piece should be used to cover the gap along the very top of the shed (the apex part) and extend at least 75mm over each roof panel.

2. Each piece of felt must be nailed sepearately. Lay one of the pieces of felt over a roof panel and nail down using felt nails. It should be nailed at the top of the panel with a 50mm overhang at the eave. Neatly fix the gable ends and eave ends with closely spaced felt nails. Once one roof panel is completely repeat the same on the other side.

3. The third piece of felt can then be placed over the gap at the very top of the shed and nailed down using closely spaced felt nails again.

4. The final thing to do is to tidy up the felt at the corners. The fascia board can then be hammered onto the front and back gables, to do this four 40mm nails should be used for each strip.

Secure tool storage sheds

Most homeowners own a set of tools for the odd occasions where something needs to be fixed. No one wants these tools cluttering up valuable space within their home, this is why many people invest in a secure tool garden storage shed. There are hundreds of different types of storage shed available ranging from small wall stores to huge workshops.



For a more secure shed it is advisable to choose one which doesn't contain any windows. Metal sheds are also a good choice for extra security. If you are keeping high value items in your garden shed it may also be worth investing in a shed alarm which work in a similar way to house alarms.

Garden Office

Due to the rising cost of fuel over the last couple of years, and the increase in communications technology, for example wireless broadband, many people have been left with the idea of working from home.

Many people who already work from home tend to have a room in their house which they use as their office space. For others with smaller houses, giving up a room for an office is less practical. This is why for some people a garden office is the best solution. A garden office provides a seperate area away from your house within which you can work during the day or night. There are many types of garden office buildings available on the market ranging in styles from timber buildings (similar to large garden sheds) to beautiful stylish office buildings (see picture below).

Garden Sheds vs Log Cabins

Wooden log cabins come in a variety of different sizes, varying from a small garden storage unit or small garden office, to a big office with various rooms, a garage or even a permanent residency. Log cabins are perfect for creating more living space or a quiet area to work within your garden, and they look attractive so they won't affect the natural beauty of your garden.

Advantages of Log Cabins

• Natural - Solid wood
• Environmentally friendly
• Affordable
• Attractive
• Warm
• Comfortable

Most log cabins come as easy to assemble self build kits. Many companies selling these types of garden building offer home installation services, where a team of fitters will build the log cabin or shed for you.

The main difference between a garden shed and log cabin is the attractiveness of the exterior of the building. Log cabins tend to look more attractive and natural within your garden than a normal shed, they also tend to come in larger sizes.

Garden sheds for kids

Younger children love having their own playhouse as it makes the garden more magical. A playhouse or wendy house can give your child their own secret den within which to hide in the garden or a place for them to play with friends. Playhouses also inspire active make-believe adventures for children to enjoy outside. Children have many hours of fun in their playhouses.

There are loads of playhouses available on the market, including a choice of wooden or plastic playhouses, both having smooth corners to avoid injuries. There are many colours and styles of playhouses for both boys and girls and for different age ranges. Some wooden playhouses even come with swings, slides and steps.

A playhouse can also be used during the winter months as a storage unit to store kids toys, which can come in very useful if your house is already overflowing with toys.

Garden structures

Garden Structures made from either timber or iron are perfect for making a garden look more attractive. The most common types of garden structure include:


Pergolas

Pergola is the name usually given to a structure which is made up of a number of pillars that support cross beams. It is a very open structure which makes it perfect for placing on a lawn or patio without blocking out any light. Vines and other climbing plants can be planted next to a pergola with the intention to grow up the pillars, making the structure look more natural within your garden. Pergolas are a great garden feature perfect for stylish entertaining. They are the ideal solution for extending your living space.


Arches

Wooden or iron garden arches can create an attractive focal point within your garden. There are many different types to choose from including arches with curved or pointed tops. An arch can be used to both distinguish a pathway or seperate different areas of your garden. Vines and other climbing plants can be planted next to a garden arch so that they can grow up the posts in order to make it slightly less of a bold feature within the garden.


Arbours

Arbour is the name usually given to an arch type structure with a seat in the middle and trellis on the back. An arbour can create a relaxing and beautiful area in your garden. Arbours come in many different styles including curved or pointed tops, and can have a flat back or a corner right angled back. The trellis on the back of an arbour is perfect for climbing plants to grow up.

Garden storage

Garden storage sheds are used to keep items secure without having to clutter the home. They are usually used for the following purposes: tool storage, firewood storage, potting shed, bike store, garden office or for DIY equipment/materials and come in a range of materials including metal, wood and plastic.

As well as the fairly large standard apex or pent storage sheds available on the market, there are also a huge range of smaller garden storage products. These products are ideal for smaller gardens as they can be easily tucked away in a corner.

Garden Wall Store

The most popular and useful types of smaller garden storage products available include: storage chests or boxes, wall stores, bike stores and log stores. Also now due to the increase in the number of wheelie bins required for each household within the UK, wheelie bin stores have been introduced to hide these unattractive wheelie bins.

Pressure treated timber garden sheds

Pressure treated garden sheds are made from timber that has been placed in a vacuum chamber which has the air removed, then a preservative is injected into the chamber which penetrates deep into the structure of the timber. Although more expensive to purchase, pressure treated garden storage sheds cost much less to maintain in the long run as the timber is preserved for longer. It's not neccessary to treat a pressure treated shed each year as is required for a normal timber shed.

Most companies selling pressure treated products offer a 15 year guarantee against rot, this proves that companies are positive about these products lasting a long time and therefore gives good value for money.

Pressure treated storage sheds are available from a wide variety of companies including:

• B & Q
• Buy Sheds Direct
  
• Simply Summerhouses
• House Charm
  

Garden shed accessories

There are a large variety of accessories available on the market for garden sheds, workshops, log cabins and all other types of storage shed. These accessories range from security items to simple storage products such as racks and shelves. Using storage accessories within your shed helps maximise the use of space.

Common shed accessories include:

• Garden hose tidy
• Bike rack
• Tool rack
• Garden power tool hanger
• Shelving
• Safe
• Hooks
• Workbench

For more shed accessories visit:
http://www.home-garden-centre.co.uk/diy_buildings/accessories_storage or http://www.simply-summerhouses.co.uk/biohort_accessories.htm

Wooden garden shed construction types

Overlap Garden Sheds

Overlap is a traditional method of construction used to build small garden sheds or storage buildings and fencing. Each board overlaps onto the adjacent edge of the next board. Every board used to construct an overlap building/fence has square cut edges. Each overlap board is nailed to vertical bearers, each board needs very little preperation and therefore it is a fairly quick method of construction. This means that Overlap construction is cheaper than Tongue and Groove, however overlap sheds tend to distort over time due to temperature/humidity unlike Tongue and Groove.



Tongue and Groove Garden Sheds

Tongue and Groove (also known as shiplap) is a superior form of shed construction involving joining each piece of board by interlocking a joint made by a tongue (rib on one edge) that fits into a corresponding groove on the edge of another piece of board. This type of construction gives a tight flush joint between each board, therefore each garden building constructed using tongue and groove has a smoother finish and has no gaps between boards which means it is more rigid and weatherproof. Tongue and Groove sheds are slightly more expensive than Overlap, however they do not distort over time, therefore this extra cost is worth it in the long run.

Buying a garden shed...points to consider

Garden sheds are ideal for a number of different purposes including storing garden furniture, tools, clutter from your house and using as a workshop or office etc. You may think that choosing a garden shed is an easy task; however there are hundreds of different types and sizes of sheds available and therefore the following points should be considered before purchasing a garden shed.

Points that should be considered include:

• The material used to construct the shed - will it rot or rust and therefore have to be replaced in a few years. Does it come with a guarantee?
  
• Is it difficult to assemble, are lots of tools required?
  
• Are all the components included in the shed, such as the floor?
  
• Is the shed waterproof?
  
• Does the shed require yearly maintenance/treatments?
  
• What size shed will fit comfortably in your garden? Will you require planning permission?
  

Metal sheds

Metal garden sheds are popular for storing garden equipment as they are fairly easy to construct and don’t require yearly maintenance/treatments. They are ideal as a storage shed to place at the bottom of the garden. Metal sheds are made from metals such as steel, aluminium or corrugated iron, making them fairly cheap sheds.

There are many different sizes of metal sheds available on the market; however the smaller sheds tend to have wooden bases which could be a disadvantage. If you have decided to build a metal shed you will not necessarily need to build a foundation, however this will make the shed stronger especially if it is windy.

The main downside to metal sheds is that that although they are robust, they tend to rust which is not helped by the damp environment within the UK. There are a number of metals with alloys that are resilient to rust however garden sheds built using these metals are a lot more expensive.

Workshops, garages and offices

Workshops and Offices

There are many different sizes of garden sheds currently on the market made from a variety of materials including timber, plastic and metal, ranging in sizes from 4' x 6' to 16' x 8'. Many of the larger sized sheds are suitable for using as a workshop or an office in order to keep work away from the general living space within your home. They can also be used as a studio or to store work equipment. The best type of shed for this purpose is a timber/wooden shed as it is much sturdier, warmer in the winter, it can be custom made to various sizes and painted a particular colour inorder to have the least dramatic impact on your garden.

Garages

There are also a range of wooden garages which are the equivalent to a huge shed. They are solid and sturdy, and can be used to store loads of clutter, mowers, motor bikes, a car etc. These wooden garages look handsome compared with the normal brick garage, they take less time to construct and you can choose what colour you would like it to be by treating it with a specific colour.

Is planning permission required for a garden shed?

Generally speaking in England and Wales planning permission is not required to put up a shed in your garden as long as you follow these rules:

• Your shed must not cover more than half of the area of your garden.

• If the shed is built out of a combustible material for example wood, then it should be at least 2 metres away from your house.

• No point should be less than one metre away from any boundary.

• It is only used for domestic purposes, it should not contain any sleeping accommodation and the floor area does not exceed 15 square metres.

• It can be no more than 3m in height for a flat roof, or 4m for a ridged roof.

• No part projects beyond any wall of the house that faces any highway.

• The shed is for use only by those who occupy the house.

For more information about planning permission please click on the following link - http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115315233173.html

Benefits of different shed materials

Metal Sheds

Metal sheds are usually built from a metal such as galvanised steel, aluminium or corrugated iron. The benefits of building a shed from metal are that it will be strong, long lasting, and fire, rot and termite resistant. However a metal shed will be prone to rusting, will dent easily and will need to be attached to a heavy base to stop it blowing away when windy, as thin metal is a lot lighter than alternative materials such as wood.

Wooden Sheds

Wooden sheds tend to be more popular than the other shed materials mentioned here as they look more natural within a garden and wood is a reusable resource. They do however have many disadvantages when compared with other materials, for example they are prone to warping, splitting and becoming rotten. They are also prone to mould, therefore they require yearly maintenance to protect them from such things. There are many treatments and preservatives on the market that can be used to treat a shed to prevent it from having some of the problems mentioned. However there is no real solution to the wood splitting and warping. On the other hand though wood is easy to work with and can be adapted easily, say for instance if you want to put a new window into the side of the shed, then this can be done fairly easily, unlike with a metal shed. Wood stains can also be used to make a wooden shed the exact colour you want it, although you will have to stain it yearly to maintain the colour.



Plastic Sheds

Plastics sheds are usually made out of either PVC or polyethylene. More expensive plastic sheds tend to be UV resistant. The benefits of this type of shed are that they are strong, fairly light, and are resistant to denting, rot and chipping unlike wooden sheds. Plastic sheds also don’t require yearly maintenance as they don’t need to be treated.



Vinyl-sided Sheds

Vinyl-sided sheds are built with oriented strand board on the walls covered with standard vinyl siding placed on a wooden frame. They are fairly expensive when compared with the three other common types of shed, however they are stronger than metal or plastic sheds and they don’t need to be painted. Vinyl sided sheds often mimic the style of finish of a wooden shed and they will not rot or flake. There are health concerns associated with this type of shed material though.

How to build a garden shed

Building a shed is quite complex, although it will save you money if you construct the shed yourself, it is likely to take up quite a bit of time - at least one weekend if not two. The following links are a few of the best 'how to build a garden shed' step by step guides found on the internet:

• www.howtobuildashed.explained.org.uk
• www.woodforgood.com
• www.diydoctor.org.uk

• www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Shed

• www.simply-summerhouses.co.uk/building_a_shed.htm
  

Top 3 timber shed treatments

1. Cuprinol Shed and Fence Preserver

• For use on all types of timber shed
• Protects wood against weather rot and decay
• For use with a Cuprinol Sprayer

http://www.cuprinol.co.uk/products/shed_and_fence_preserv_overview.html

2. Ronseal Shed and Fence Preserver

• Suitable for larger areas of rough sawn timber
• Two to Three coat application
• Drys in 2 -3 hours
• Prevents decay

http://www.ronseal.co.uk/products/product.jsp?id=46


3. Cuprinol Ducksback Rollable Formula for sheds

• Best for rough sawn wood
• Wax enriched formua for waterproofing
• For use with a Cuprinol Rapid Roller

http://www.cuprinol.co.uk/products/5_year_ducksback_rolla_overview.html

For information about applying a shed treatment click on the following link which will take you back to a previous blog post - Give your timber shed a treat

Types of garden shed

Apex Shed

Apex sheds are the more popular type of shed available, and come in a wide range of sizes offering both single and double door entrances. They are perfect for both storing gardening equipment and using as a workshop as they have the necessary headroom. This is due to the rooves on apex sheds sloping on two sides with a high ridge in the middle running the entire length of the shed.

Pent Shed

Pent sheds are usually slightly cheaper than their apex shed alternative, however they tend not to have the necessary head room required and they are only sold in select sizes. A pent shed has a single slope roof and is ideal for storage or for children to use as a play house.

Three of the top online suppliers of sheds within the UK include:

• Shed shop - www.shedshop.co.uk
• Buy Sheds Direct - www.buyshedsdirect.co.uk
• Garden Centre Direct - www.gardencentredirect.co.uk

Choosing the location of your shed

Before building or introducing a new shed into your garden you should seriously consider the following factors:

Do you need to get planning permission to put a shed in your garden? Will it obstruct your neighbours views?

You need to make sure that you have considered planning permission if you are going to construct any type of building within your back garden. There may be times when planning permission isn't necessary (if you are only building a small shed), however it is always best to check with your local council planning office. If planning permission is required then you will need to submit a site plan of your garden with the proposed location of the new shed. Make sure the shed doesn't obstruct your neighbours views/light otherwise they might object to the plans.


Where will the shed be placed within your garden? Which direction will it be facing?

When considering the location of a garden shed, you need to think about the direction of your garden and whether you want sunlight shining through the windows of the shed. Also to think about is the amount of access available to the shed in particular locations, the view of the shed from your house and whether you will be able to link the shed up to ultilities if necessary. If you decide later on that you have built the shed in the wrong place then it can be very timely to move it.

What size shed will fit comfortably in your garden?

Make sure you measure your garden before deciding on the size of shed you will be purchasing. You need to make sure you are willing to give up the amount of space required by your new shed.

Shed bases

A good solid base is essential when considering constructing a shed in your garden, without this you are likely to face many problems such as the shed not hanging right, which will cause poorly fitting doors and windows making it unstable and the base is likely to become rotten very quickly from the earth which it is placed on.

From experience the best types of shed base are:

• Concrete Base – This base will be the most stable of the three and will last the longest. It needs to be completely flat. How to build a concreate base.
  
  
• Treated Timber – If the base of a shed is pressure treated then there is no need for a separate shed base as this treatment prevents the base from going rotten. However the patch of garden that the shed is going to be placed on needs to be flat.
  
  
• Paving Slabs – This is similar to a concrete base as it is fairly stable; however the slabs can be easily moved if the shed ever needs to be placed in a different location within the garden. Laying a paving slab base.
  
  
• Plastic Base - A plastic base is quick and simple to build and saves on the hassle of having to lay slabs or a concrete base. They come with weed control fabric and are a perfect stable and level base for any garden shed. Example of a plastic base.
  
  
• Timber Base – Timber bases are quick and easy to construct and require minimal DIY skills. These bases are made from pressure treated timber therefore preventing the timber from rotting.
  

Garden shed solar lighting

Lighting up your shed doesn’t have to cost a fortune now that there are a number of solar powered lighting kits on the market. These solar powered lights save the hassle of having to connect your shed to the mains supply. Solar lighting kits are fairly cheap and include a remote solar panel which is used to recharge the battery during daylight hours. The average running time of these lights are: summer: 6-8 hours and winter: 2-4 hours. Therefore solar powered shed lighting is the perfect solution even for lighting up a frequently used shed.

Solar shed lights are sold on the following websites:

• Sunshine Solar
• Buy Sheds Direct
• Amazon
• Solar Kits Direct
  

Garden shed security

Following the break in of an aquatic centre owners garden shed in Hampshire, from which a theif stole a 2ft rare female shark, the security of garden sheds containing valuable items needs to be increased.

There are many security shed kits currently available on the market which include a secure lock and movement detector, monitoring movement inside your garden shed (much like a house alarm system). Wirefree battery detectors are commonly sold, with the Yale Shed Kit being the most popular.

The low cost of this kit makes it a cost effective way of protecting your belongings and giving you peace of mind. The security kits are available from garden centres around the UK and garden shed internet websites, an example is http://www.buyshedsdirect.co.uk/search-shed-security-alarm-kit-glg-802

Exporing the locations of wooden sheds

The typical wooden garden shed....

...usually used as a workshop or for storage. Typically placed at the bottom of the garden.

The less typical type of shed comes in a similar form to this....

...a waterside shed in Sweeden. I wonder if it's watertight!!

For more information about sheds click here.

Summerhouses and gazebos

There are currently a wide variety of summerhouses and gazebos available from a wide range of suppliers on the internet (for example www.buyshedsdirect.co.uk) which offer all the inspiration you need to add a practical outdoor space and create an attractive focal point within the garden. If space is at a premium it is best to choose a building that will sit snugly in the corner of your garden.


The natural timber designs of summerhouses and gazebos blend beautifully into any environment and are perfect for lazy days or summer entertaining or for chilling out at the end of the day with a cold glass of wine or beer. Most of these buildings are spacious enough to accommodate tables and other necessary furniture.

Exploring the uses of a garden shed....

Garden sheds and workshops are the perfect solution for garden storage to stow away summer garden furniture or kids' paddling pools, or simply to keep your garden equipment organised under lock and key. Many people look at these types of buildings as an extra room and the perfect place to use as a hobby room.



Also available on the market are arches, arbours, pergolas, summerhouses, planters and other timber products which all create an interesting and attractive garden perfect for relaxing in.

Give your timber shed a treat

This summer's rather soggy weather could have a disastrous effect on garden timber that hasn’t been properly looked after. Here are some top tips on keeping your wood looking good.

Exposure to moisture can cause the grain of badly maintained garden sheds and summerhouses to expand and split. Wet wood also encourages the growth of algae, fungus and mould that is both unsightly.

If your garden timber is looking tired and grey, then don't panic. When cared for correctly, outdoor timber can last for up to 25 years – and there is still time to treat even weather-damaged wood with a protective coating before even colder, damper winter conditions sets in. Follow these simple treatment tips for all your garden woodwork and it will be ready for anything the British weather can throw at it!

1. Preparing your timber

Try to pick a dry (but not over-hot) spell to carry out garden timber maintenance and allow time for the timber to dry out before you start. Test the condition of the timber before you apply a treatment.

2. Treatment tips

All things timber in your garden – whether fence panels, garden buildings, furniture, garden decking or structures – will benefit from treatment with a good timber care product every so often, to enhance the beauty of the wood and protect the surface. Most garden timber products are dipped in a dye during manufacture to make the wood grain look consistent, but this colour isn’t permanent and gradually fades when exposed to the elements. In time wood that is left untreated becomes that familiar silvery-grey colour with a rough, bark-like surface, as the grain gradually opens and lets in moisture. If you wait this long then it may be almost impossible to reverse!

Instead, when timber is around one year old, sand off any old, flaking stain or dirt from the dry surface and apply an annual coat of good quality wood preservative. This will enrich and revitalise the surface of the wood just like a skin moisturiser. They also contain anti-fungicides that will help prevent rot, mould and lichens. There is a wide choice of timber care products, some combining treatment with a coloured wood stain for extra impact.

Future outlook for garden sheds

The general economic view of gardening is that its procession into the future appears resilient. The variety of sheds now available for different purposes (including garden storage and workshops) has caused an increase in their popularity. A contributing factor causing this impact is the number of people now working from home has increased over the years and therefore many people require a seperate work space. The garden shed market is a good sector to be in as the UK's shed market is currently at around £91m.

The sale of both sheds and other garden products has moved towards internet sales over the past couple of years. This is due to the ease of purchasing via the internet and therefore the increase of people frequently buying items online.

Three of the top online suppliers of sheds within the UK include:

• Shed shop - http://www.shedshop.co.uk/
• Buy Sheds Direct - http://www.buyshedsdirect.co.uk/
• Garden Centre Direct - http://www.gardencentredirect.co.uk/