If you have ever stood in your garden, tea cooling in your hand, and looked at a wobbly old shed thinking “it has to go”, you already know the difficult bit is not the roof shape. The real decision starts with the material. Timber has the romance and feel of a proper British garden. Metal brings strength and security when you need to protect bikes and tools. Plastic gets on with the job quietly, with very little maintenance, and no paint days. Then there is the brand question. Shire, Rowlinson or Mercia. Which one actually fits your space, your budget and your patience level.
This guide moves past roof types and cladding names. It explains, in plain English, how timber, metal and plastic behave in real Norfolk weather, how to avoid condensation in metal, how to keep timber from rotting, and why plastic needs anchoring properly. It also compares Shire, Rowlinson and Mercia in the way you will actually shop, with direct links to the right collections on our site, so you can shortlist without hopping all over the internet. You will also find links to UK authorities for planning, safety and seasonal prep, because good information beats guesswork.
How to use this guide
If you like a quick answer, start with the table in the next section to pick a likely material, then jump to the brand section and the links to compare models in your size. If you want the long answer, read on for how each material behaves in real weather, where people go wrong, and how to design out the problems before they start.
Quick comparison, timber vs metal vs plastic
|
Material |
Maintenance |
Security |
Insulation feel |
Assembly time |
Typical lifespan |
Best for |
|
Timber |
Needs coating every one to two years, mind end grain, keep base dry |
Good, can be improved with locks and anchors |
Best of the three in bare form |
Moderate, basic tools |
Long when treated and sited well |
Workspaces, traditional gardens, easy customising |
|
Metal |
Very low paint care, plan airflow to avoid condensation |
Strong, harder to breach quietly |
Cool in winter, warm in summer unless ventilated |
Moderate, follow sequence carefully |
Often outlasts timber when ventilated and anchored correctly |
Bikes, tools, security-minded storage |
|
Plastic |
Almost none, wipe clean, no rot |
Moderate, lighter panels need proper anchoring |
Stable, not as cosy as timber |
Usually quickest |
Good, panels can fade over many summers |
Family storage, simple low-fuss sheds |
Start browsing here if you already know your lane:
Woodlands tongue and groove timber sheds
Why the material matters more than the roof
Roof shapes are mostly about headroom, looks and how water runs off. The material decides how the shed behaves. Timber breathes, swells a little, and needs regular care, but it is warm to the touch and easy to adapt with shelves, tool racks and lining. Metal shrugs off most impacts, keeps its shape nicely, and is far tougher to get into quietly, but it hates trapped moisture. Plastic is indifferent to rot and never needs painting, but you must anchor it so Norfolk winds do not bully it out of position. Match material to contents and you will be happy. Mismatch and you will be outside in January muttering into a brush.
Timber sheds in Norfolk gardens
Timber feels right in a British garden. The grain, the colour, the way a coat of paint lifts the whole corner, it is why people default to wood. It has practical benefits too. In bare form it insulates better than sheet metal or plastic, which means your secateurs do not feel like ice in winter and your potting compost does not bake to dust in summer. It is easy to add shelves, hooks and even a small workbench. If you plan to insulate and line later, timber makes that straightforward.
Care is the honest trade off. A pressure treated frame and cladding helps a great deal, but it is not a forever shield. Plan a light clean in spring, a close inspection in autumn, and a fresh coat every one to two years, with extra attention on end grain, joints and cut edges. Keep leaves and soil off the base line and let air flow around the perimeter. The Wood Protection Association has clear UK guidance on treatment choices and service classes. The Royal Horticultural Society has sensible seasonal jobs list if you like a checklist.
Most problems begin at the base. An uneven, damp or soft base causes frames to twist and lower boards to wick moisture. Use a level, draining platform. Slabs on compacted hardcore with a membrane is fine, a poured slab for bigger buildings is better, and modular grids like EcoBase Fastfit are a quick option that drains well.
If you want the timber look with tidy boards, browse our Woodlands tongue and groove collection, or plan a proper workspace with Shire Workshops, and dream bigger with Shire Log Cabins.
Metal sheds, security without the condensation headache
Metal is the rational pick when security matters. It is harder to breach quietly than timber or plastic, it holds its shape well, and there is no paint routine to babysit. That blunt honesty is why bike owners and tool hoarders go this way. The flip side is condensation, which happens when warm damp air meets cold interior metal and the moisture drops out onto your stuff. You avoid drama by planning airflow and a dry base from the start.
Fit passive vents high and low so air drifts through gently. Leave a small path for air at the ridge if the design allows. Use a dry, level base with a membrane so moisture does not rise from below. Add a rubber mat or boards inside so heavy items are not sitting on the coldest surface. Store wet kit to one side where it can drip and dry rather than steaming the whole interior. Avoid plastic dust sheets that trap moisture on metal. For good seasonal checks and storm prep, see the Met Office advice. If you are near the coast, salty air accelerates corrosion on unprotected steel, so keep airflow steady and wipe tools now and then. Read through the Government coastal background pages.
Start your shortlist in our Metal Sheds collection.
Plastic sheds, the low-maintenance route
Plastic is the fuss free option. It does not rot, it does not rust, it wipes clean, and assembly is usually the least stressful of the three. Families like them because doors are easy to handle and interiors stay tidy. The trade off is security compared with steel, and the need to anchor properly because plastic sheds are lighter. Use the supplied anchors into a solid base, check fixings at the start of windy season, and consider a floor mat to steady heavier kit. If you want a clean store that does not ask for bank holidays with a brush, plastic is your friend.
See our range of Plastic Sheds here.
If you later decide you want more space, consider stepping up to a workshop layout where door height, wall height and working room make projects simpler,
Workshops here.
Brand face-off, Shire vs Rowlinson vs Mercia
Shire
Traditional British designs that sit well in cottage gardens and established plots. If you want a proper workspace, compare sizes in Shire Workshops and Shire Log Cabins.
Rowlinson
A broad range covering timber and metal, steady build quality, and a very practical outlook. If you are dressing a corner of the garden, match a store with Rowlinson Gazebos and Canopies for a cohesive look. Or, compare Rowlinson sheds here.
Mercia
Straightforward designs that assemble cleanly, popular for family storage and first sheds. Browse our offerings of Mercia Sheds, Mercia Workshops or Mercia Log Cabins if you outgrow the first space.
Quick compare, then shop!
If you would like any assistance in choosing what might be right for you, contact us for help.
Norfolk case studies you can learn from
Norwich, small workshop that feels comfortable
A home gardener turned weekend maker installed a Shire heavy duty workshop on a properly laid slab with a membrane. Interior walls were battened and lined after insulating, and a tiny heater takes the edge off in winter. The owner treats the exterior every other summer and keeps leaves away from the base. Five winters in, doors swing true, no rot, and the space is used all year.
King’s Lynn, secure bike storage in a side return
Two bikes worth protecting, a narrow slot of space that catches wind. A Rowlinson metal shed went in with anchors and factory vents. They added a rubber floor mat and a small ridge path for air. Early morning condensation in week one, then it calmed down. Eight years later, no door sag, no repainting weekends, and the bikes still live there. Planting a narrow evergreen screen softened the look.
Great Yarmouth, low-fuss family store
Too many toys, folding chairs and summer kit. A Mercia shed was anchored to slabs with the supplied kit. It wipes clean, the doors are easy to use, and a couple of extra anchors went in after a blustery autumn. No maintenance Saturdays, just a tidy each spring.
Cost, lifespan and total value over ten years
Timber
Upfront cost is usually mid to high depending on cladding thickness and framing. Add coatings every one to two years plus a bit of time with a brush. With a proper base and care, you should see well beyond ten years. The value is comfort, looks and easy adaptation for work.
Metal
Upfront cost is similar to timber for like sized footprints, sometimes a little higher. Ongoing costs are low if you plan airflow from day one. The security value is real if you store items with resale value. With ventilation and anchoring, metal often outlasts timber in daily use.
Plastic
Often best value upfront, plus almost no ongoing costs beyond anchors and an occasional hinge or handle. Panels can fade after many summers, but modern plastics are far better than the thin sheds of a decade ago. If you want a tidy store that does not need paint, this is the calm option.
Five mistakes people always make when buying a shed
People buy too small. Almost everyone does. The mower, two bikes, a barbecue, a stack of pots, and there goes the aisle. One size up rarely spoils a garden and often saves money later. People skimp on the base. No shed forgives a poor base, it twists frames and traps damp. People forget airflow. This is twice as important in metal, but it matters in every shed if you store wet kit. People skip permission checks in conservation areas. The Planning Portal explains outbuildings clearly. People manhandle heavy things badly. The Health and Safety Executive has plain guidance on manual handling if you're not sure.
Size and access, getting the footprint right
Start by listing the big items that must live inside. Measure them, check door widths, and think about the turning circle of a bike. If two adult bikes plus tools are going in, 6 by 4 or 7 by 5 with double doors is a sensible minimum. Add a mower and a barbecue and 8 by 6 becomes realistic. Lay the footprint out with string on the lawn and walk it. If you want to see a compact spec, here is a 3 by 4 overlap apex shed as a baseline. Then scale up once you know what you own.
Bases that actually work, from slabs to EcoBase
A shed wants a level, stable, draining platform. Slabs on compacted hardcore with a damp proof membrane are perfectly fine for most small to mid sizes. A poured slab is ideal for heavier buildings. Modular grids like EcoBase Fastfit are quick to install, spread weight well and drain nicely. Avoid sitting any shed directly on soil. Keep soil, mulch and leaves away from the lower boards so timber does not stay wet.
Security upgrades that do not spoil the look
Start with the base and anchors. A building that is bolted down is loud and slow to move. Fit quality hasps and locks, use security screws or coach bolts with shear nuts where it makes sense, and bolt hinges through. Add a ground anchor inside for bikes and mark valuables. A discreet battery PIR light is useful without chasing cables. If security leads your decision, shortlist metal sheds first.
Maintenance through the year
Think little and often. In spring, wash the exterior, clear leaves from the base line, and touch in coatings on timber. In summer, keep climbers off walls because they trap moisture. In autumn, check roof coverings and fix loose edges before the first big blow. In winter, avoid parking soaked kit inside and open doors on mild days to purge damp air. We have a range of shed paints, protectors and preservers on offer too.
FAQs
What is the best shed material for coastal areas.
Coastal plots add salt to the usual wind and rain, so a little extra planning goes a long way. Galvanised metal can work very well if you keep airflow moving to avoid condensation and wipe down tools occasionally. Timber is a solid option if you commit to coatings, mind the base and keep soil off the lower boards. Plastic never rots and is very practical for general storage, although it is not as resistant as steel in a security sense. Site the shed so water runs away, leave a small path around the perimeter, and check fixings before windy season.
How do I stop condensation in a metal shed without electrics.
You do not need a dehumidifier to keep moisture in check. Fit passive vents high and low, use a dry, level base with a membrane, and add a rubber mat or boards to reduce cold bridging. Store wet kit to one side so it can drip and dry, and avoid plastic covers that trap moisture on metal. Open doors on mild days to purge the interior. Compare vented shed models here.
What base do I need and why does it matter.
A good base keeps frames true, doors aligned and floors dry. Slabs on compacted hardcore with a membrane are fine, a poured slab is ideal for heavier buildings, and modular grids like EcoBase Fastfit are quick to install and drain well. Avoid soil. See EcoBase options here.
How often should I treat a timber shed and with what.
A light clean in spring, a close inspection in autumn, and a fresh coat every one to two years is a sensible rhythm. Focus on end grain, joints and cut edges. Use products appropriate to use class and exposure. The Wood Protection Association explains the options clearly and we offer a selection of treatments.
Can I store petrol or fuel safely in a shed.
At home in the UK you can keep up to 30 litres if it is in suitable containers and stored safely. Keep containers sealed and upright on a tray, away from heaters or electrical sources, and ventilate the shed.
Do I need planning permission for a shed.
Many sheds are permitted development, but limits exist for height, coverage and position, and rules are different in conservation areas or near listed buildings. The Planning Portal explains outbuildings clearly.
How can I make any shed more secure without spoiling the look.
Anchor the base, fit quality hasps, locks and bolted hinges, add an internal ground anchor for bikes, and mark valuables. A discreet battery PIR light is an easy win. Metal sheds offer a higher baseline for security.
Which roof style is best, apex or pent.
Apex looks traditional and gives head height in the centre. Pent looks modern, tucks under boundaries, and lets you face the fall where water should go. Pick the structure first, then the roof style that suits your site.
What size shed do I need for bikes and tools.
Two adult bikes plus tools usually needs 6 by 4 or 7 by 5 with double doors. Add a mower and a barbecue and 8 by 6 is sensible. Check the turning circle for a bike so you do not wedge it in.
Can I insulate a shed and will it help condensation.
In timber, a simple build up with a breathable membrane, insulation between or over studs, then a lining makes a big difference, but keep a ventilation path at eaves and ridge. In metal or plastic, thin radiant liners can help the feel, but airflow still does the heavy lifting.
What regular care should I do through the year.
Clean in spring, keep plants off walls in summer, fix roof edges in autumn, and air the interior on mild winter days.
What should I prepare for delivery and installation.
Measure access routes, including gate widths and corners. Prepare the base in advance and confirm whether delivery is kerbside or to position. Keep fixings, anchors and accessory packs together. Plan rainwater run off and where long items will live before the building goes up.
Ready to start your new shed journey?
If you think you're ready to turn your research into a shed that fits your life, feel free to contact us today to get started.