Our Buyers Guide
Purchasing a shed is a significant investment for most homeowners. Whether you are buying a new shed for the first time or replacing an old one, it's essential to make the right choice and get the best value for your money.
At Norfolk Sheds, we are experts in everything related to sheds and are here to guide you through the process of selecting the best shed for your garden.
By following our advice, your new shed will soon be an attractive and functional addition to your garden.
Before you start, take some time to think about what you want to use your shed for.
Is it purely for storage? If so, how much do you need to store? Do you have a ride-on mower or just a range of garden tools?
Is it for DIY and workshop activities? Do you have heavy equipment you need to store? Do you need space and light to move around as you carry out your tasks?
If you want to combine growing plants with garden storage, consider our range of potting sheds. We have a wide variety of sheds to meet your different needs.
This guide will cover the topics below. Click a topic to go straight to the information you need.
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Picking the right Size
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Choice of Material
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Treatments to Consider
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Cladding Options
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The Roof and Floor
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Configuration of Doors and Windows
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Shed Bases and Optional Accessories
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Fantastic Shed Ranges to Consider
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Delivery of the Shed
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Shed Installation
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Our Customer Service Team
1. Picking the right Size Shed
How much space do you have?
Your garden only has a certain amount of room. You want a shed that won’t dominate the space but will still offer ample storage space for your garden equipment, lawn mower, and other garden accessories.
Remember to leave 1-2ft of space around the shed for maintenance. Also, consider the space available to open the door and any windows. The space above the shed is also a consideration. Do you need a pent roof to fit under low-hanging branches, or is there room for an apex roof and the extra headroom it provides?
If the available space is in a corner of your garden, you may want to consider a corner shed. This will maximise the room you have.
Be realistic about the size of the area available for your garden shed. Don't guess – use a measuring tape and mark the space with string and bamboo canes.
What do you need to store?
Are you an occasional gardener with just a collection of basic tools, or a gardening enthusiast with a range of equipment including a ride-on mower?
If you have specific storage needs, such as for wheelie bins, bikes, or even a mobility scooter, check out our purpose-built storage units.
Do you need space to work inside the shed? To add a workbench or seating? To store ladders? How tall are you?
These factors will influence your size decisions.
What is your budget?
Size is one of the factors that influence the cost of a shed. Have a budget in mind before you start looking. This will narrow down what size is affordable for you.
Think ahead – you don't want to buy a shed so small that you have to cram everything in, leaving no room for future purchases.
Our Top Tip: Check the precise measurements in the specification
Not all 6x4 sheds are exactly 6x4. The same goes for all other sizes. These are approximate measurements that act as a general starting point. Always check the specification guide on each product page for precise, detailed measurements.
Look out for overhanging roofs and other features that may make measurements more complicated. Where sheds have attached log stores or verandas, make sure you know if these are included in the measurements. Our friendly UK-based call centre will be happy to answer any queries you may have.
2. Choice of Material
There are three key materials used to make garden sheds: wood, plastic, and metal.
Why choose wood?
Wooden sheds are the traditional garden shed. A natural material, they blend in perfectly with your garden. They are often customisable, allowing you to place doors and windows where you wish. Shelves and hooks are easier to install, plus extra insulation is also easier to add if you find you are spending more time in your shed. Be aware that wood may need annual maintenance depending on the treatment used on the timber.
Why choose plastic?
Plastic sheds are the lowest maintenance sheds. New technology means the plastic used is UV-protected, so it will not fade or become brittle under different temperatures. Plastic sheds are also the easiest to assemble. Their parts interlock and result in a strong construction. Look out for plastic sheds with metal reinforcement for even greater strength. Be aware that plastic sheds may need anchoring to keep them sturdy during winds.
Why choose metal?
Metal sheds are renowned for their security. Solid and impenetrable by pests and thieves alike, a metal shed is ideal for storing expensive garden equipment or that ride-on lawn mower. Metal sheds often offer the longest guarantees – so keep an eye out for these. Be aware that metal sheds can take longer to assemble.
With advancements in design, you’ll see both plastic and metal sheds that mimic the appearance of wooden sheds. Metal and plastic sheds also come in a select range of colours. While you’ll need to get your paintbrush out for your wooden shed, the range of paint colours will be wider.
3. Treatments to Consider
There are two treatments available for wooden sheds: dip treated and pressure treated.
What is Dip Treatment?
Dip-treated sheds are the most common and they can be recognised by their orange/amber colour finish. Dip-treating is the quickest and cheapest method of applying preservative to the shed’s timber. The wood is dipped in the preservative, providing it with a surface covering. However, it is not as long-lasting as pressure treatment and so requires annual applications of preservative to maintain protection. The majority of dip-treated sheds will offer a 10-year guarantee if supported by annual re-treatment.
What is Pressure Treatment?
Pressure-treated sheds have the preservative forced deep into the heart of the grain of the wood under great pressure. They can be recognised by their lighter colour, which may appear slightly green or have greeny-blue patches. This is simply the preservative residue and will fade with time. In effect, the preservative becomes an integral part of the timber, giving it a long life and effective protection against rot. Anti-rot guarantees with pressure-treated sheds can be as much as 25 years, saving you both time and money as there’s no need to buy and apply treatment every couple of years.
Which treatment should I choose?
This is mainly a budget issue.
A dip-treated shed will cost less initially as the process is not as costly for the manufacturer. However, you will end up spending more money on tubs of treatment, brushes etc., and spend time reapplying each year. If you forget to re-treat, you are risking the integrity of your shed.
A pressure-treated shed will cost a little more at first, but you can just put it up and leave it, knowing it will resist the weather without more treatments for another decade and a half.
4. Cladding Options
What is the difference between Overlap, Shiplap, and Tongue & Groove construction?
The cladding is how the timber boards are constructed to form the walls of the shed. There are three main types of shed cladding: Overlap, Shiplap, and Tongue & Groove. Overlap is the most economical of the three.
Overlap Cladding
- Sawn timber boards are nailed to the frame of the shed and overlapped
- Allows the timber to shrink and expand easily, a natural occurrence through the year
- Also allows the rain to run off the shed
- Does not form a closed seal, so more prone to moisture and draughts. This is not an issue if the shed is to be used for garden storage. However, if you intend to spend a lot of time in your wooden shed, for example for a hobby or leisure activity, you should consider a tongue & groove or shiplap shed
Shiplap Cladding
- Boards interlock tightly for a weather-resistant, robust construction
- Lack of gaps provides better protection from rain and wind
- Thicker boards mean they are less susceptible to movement under different weather conditions
- Has a scalloped profile which enhances rain run-off, moving water away from joins
Tongue and Groove Cladding
- Boasts all the same excellent benefits of shiplap cladding
- Rather than scalloped, the boards are flat
- The sleek finish is often considered more modern
- Handcrafted Forest Premium Sheds feature a modular design, ensuring an easier assembly, greater flexibility and even stronger build than other tongue and groove sheds
Also, check the thickness of the cladding. Many sheds start at 7mm thick, while tongue & groove and more premium sheds can be 12-16mm thick. The thickness will contribute to the solidity and the insulation.
5. The Roof and Floor
OSB or Timber?
If you have chosen a wooden shed, you will also need to consider the material used to make the roof and, if available, the floor. OSB (oriented strand board) is the most common material for both shed roofs and floors. It is strong and durable, perfectly suitable for general storage and daily use. It will not withstand heavy items and regular footfall.
Timber floors are more traditional, having the appearance of floorboards. They are ideal for heavy-duty storage and regular use, such as a shed used as a home office or hobby room. Timber floors also have a more pleasing appearance, a consideration if you intend to spend a lot of time in your shed.
Shed Roofing
As well as the material of the roof, the style is another consideration.
- Apex Roof
This traditional shed roof has an apex or peak running along the middle of the shed, forming a triangle. It gives extra height in the middle of the shed, ideal if you are tall or need to store large items. The triangular shape aids water run-off and reduces the risk of leaks.
- Pent Roof
A pent roof slopes from front to back. The front height of the shed is greater, but this gradually decreases as the roof slopes backwards. It gives the shed a modern, stylish look and is ideal for positioning the shed under trees or against fences. The slope of the roof helps water run-off and reduces the risk of leaks.
Shed Roof Coverings
All of our wooden sheds include a roofing covering. This is an essential part of the shed structure, protecting it from the elements. Many of our dip-treated sheds are supplied with sand felt, a basic covering that offers initial protection. Mineral felt is a thicker, more durable material, used as a standard roof covering on our pressure-treated and tongue & groove sheds. It provides greater durability and longevity.
6. Configuration of Doors and Windows
The arrangement and number of doors and windows influence how the shed functions.
Windows or Windowless?
A windowless shed offers greater security and often more wall space for storing your garden tools and equipment. Windowed sheds give the shed a lighter, airier feel. They make the shed a more pleasant space if you are spending time in it, rather than just using it as storage. If you are planning to grow plants, use the shed as a potting shed, or create a garden retreat, windows are a must.
Single or Double Door?
A single door is fine for a small shed used for basic storage. However, if you need to get in and out with large or wide objects, such as lawn mowers, furniture or bikes, a double door is a must. Double doors will allow you to use the space more effectively, avoiding having to move things around to get access to what you need.
Where to place the door?
Many sheds offer you the option to place the door on different sides of the structure. This is useful when maximising space in your garden or making sure the shed works with the flow of your garden.
Security
Locks and latches are another consideration. If you are storing expensive garden equipment, consider a shed with a lock and key or even a padlock. For hobby or garden retreat use, window latches will add security to windows.
7. Shed Bases and Optional Accessories
Do you need a base?
A shed base is an important part of building a shed, ensuring that it is level and stable. Bases come in a variety of types, from basic plastic grids filled with pea gravel to timber bearers or a concrete slab.
If you choose to build your own base, always use pressure-treated timber or it will rot. Make sure the base is flat and level, otherwise you risk your shed warping and doors and windows becoming misaligned.
Optional Accessories
Shelving and hooks are always useful for maximising the space inside your shed. Extra windows, ventilation, and skylights will make the shed a more comfortable place to spend time. Shelters and verandas add style and functionality to your shed.
8. Fantastic Shed Ranges to Consider
We offer an extensive range of sheds to suit every budget, size requirement, and personal taste. Browse through our collections to find the perfect shed for your needs.
9. Delivery of the Shed
Our sheds are delivered in flat pack form, ready for you to assemble. Delivery is available to most local postcodes mainland postcodes. Always contact out customer service team for more information on delivery options.
10. Shed Installation
Our sheds are designed for straightforward self-assembly. Full instructions are provided. If you prefer, we can arrange for a professional installation team to assemble your shed for you.
11. Our Customer Service Team
Our dedicated customer service team is here to help with any questions or concerns you may have. From choosing the right shed to aftercare advice, we are here to support you.
Contact Us Today
If you have any questions or need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team. We are here to help you make the best choice for your garden.