Garden Sheds

A pent shed has a single roof that slopes in one direction, while an apex shed has a pitched roof with two sides that meet at a central ridge. The lower back edge of a pent roof shed lets it sit neatly against a fence or wall, which suits smaller gardens and terraced yards. Apex sheds give more headroom through the middle, so they work well for tall items, high shelving and standing up to work. A reverse pent shed slopes the opposite way to a standard pent. Both styles stay watertight when built and roofed properly, so the choice mostly comes down to space and height.

The right garden shed size depends on what needs to go inside, but most people find that one size larger than first planned is the better choice. A 6x4 shed suits garden tools and a small mower. An 8x6 shed holds tools, a mower and a couple of bikes. A 10x8 shed gives room for bikes, garden furniture and shelving, with space to move around. Laying the bulky items out on the ground and measuring them is a simple way to check. Leaving a gap of around 30 to 60cm around the shed also makes treating and maintaining the timber much easier.

Dip treated sheds have preservative applied to the surface of the timber, while pressure treated sheds have preservative forced deep into the wood under pressure. Dip treated timber is cheaper but needs re-treating every year or two to stay protected, so it suits sheltered spots and light storage. Pressure treated, or tanalised, timber resists rot and insects for far longer and needs much less upkeep. It usually has a green tint when new, which fades to a silvery brown over time. Liverpool Sheds offers a 10 year guarantee against rot on its pressure treated sheds.

A well built wooden shed usually lasts 10 to 20 years, and often longer with good care. Lifespan depends mainly on the timber treatment, the base and regular maintenance. Pressure treated sheds tend to last much longer than dip treated ones because the preservative goes deep into the timber rather than sitting on the surface. A level base that keeps the floor off wet ground, a roof kept in good repair and a gap around the shed for airflow all help. Dip treated sheds need re-treating every year or two, and roof felt should be checked after winter storms for tears or lifting edges.

Most garden sheds in the UK do not need planning permission because they fall under permitted development. The shed should be in the back garden, single storey, with eaves no higher than 2.5m. The maximum overall height is 2.5m within 2m of a boundary, or otherwise 4m for an apex roof and 3m for other roof types. There is no set floor size limit, but all outbuildings together must cover no more than half the garden, and a shed cannot be used for sleeping. Listed buildings, conservation areas and flats have extra rules, so check with the local council, such as Liverpool City Council, Sefton, Knowsley or Wirral.

A paving slab shed base is built by laying slabs on a compacted, level sub-base. Mark out an area roughly the size of the shed, dig out around 100 to 150mm of soil, then add and compact a layer of MOT Type 1 hardcore. Spread a sharp sand and cement mix on top and bed each slab down firmly, checking the level across the whole area with a long spirit level. Leave small, even gaps between the slabs. Concrete bases and plastic grid bases are common alternatives, and timber bearers under the shed floor help keep it clear of standing water and damp.

Installing a garden shed usually takes a few hours for a small or medium size and up to a full day for larger sheds, once a level base is ready. The work includes laying the floor, putting up the walls, adding the roof and felt, and hanging the door. Bigger buildings, awkward access through a house or alley, or removing an old shed first can add time. Liverpool Sheds builds every shed to order and delivers and installs free across Merseyside, with installation usually within 7 to 14 days of ordering. An old shed removal service is also available on the same visit.

Tongue and groove means each cladding board has a raised tongue on one edge that slots into a channel, or groove, on the edge of the next board. The boards lock together tightly, which keeps out rain and draughts and makes the walls stiffer and stronger than overlap cladding. Tongue and groove sheds are generally seen as the better quality option and tend to last longer as a result. Board thickness matters too, and 12mm tongue and groove cladding is a solid choice for most garden sheds. An 8x6 tongue and groove shed is one of the most popular sizes for general garden storage.

To paint or treat a shed, wait for a dry spell, brush off dirt and cobwebs, and let the timber dry out fully. Apply a timber preservative or a water based shed paint with a wide brush, working along the grain and getting into the joints and board edges. Two coats usually give the best coverage and colour. Dip treated sheds should be treated soon after installation and then every year or two. Pressure treated sheds can be left to weather naturally, but many owners paint them once the timber has had a few months to dry out. A sprayer saves time on larger sheds.

Felting a shed roof involves rolling out lengths of shed felt horizontally, starting at the bottom edge and working up, overlapping each strip by around 75 to 100mm. Each strip is fixed along its top edge with galvanised clout nails, and the overlap is sealed with felt adhesive so the nails are hidden. On an apex shed, a final strip runs over the ridge and folds down both sides. The felt is then turned over the roof edges and nailed underneath. A warm, dry day makes the felt easier to handle. Standard felt lasts several years, while an EPDM rubber roof lasts much longer.