Garden Shed Buying Guide | Go Argos

Garden Shed Buying Guide

Here's how to find the best shed for your garden

Shop all garden sheds

How big should my shed be?

Lots to store? Need somewhere to work? We'll match you to the best shed for your needs.

Storage

Think about your big items and add up the space they take up. If you have many bulky items such as a barbecue or garden furniture then a medium-sized shed of around eight feet by six feet would be ideal.

Workshop

You'll need enough room for a workbench and some shelves, with space left over for getting in and out.

A bit of both

You'll have to go big. If you don't have space, consider a separate garden storage solution to go with it.

The different types of garden shed

A quick guide to shed some light on the different types available.

Wooden sheds Shop all wooden sheds

Why they're great

  • Beautiful natural finish.
  • Stain and paint any shade you like.

Look out for

  • Vulnerable to rot and mould.
  • Wood needs re-treating annually.

Metal Sheds Shop all metal sheds

Why they're great

  • Full weather and water protection.
  • More secure with integral locking systems.

Look out for

  • Harder to decorate or customise.
  • Condensation (check for ventilation).

Plastic Sheds Shop all plastic sheds

Why they're great

  • Very low maintenance.
  • Easy to assemble and disassemble (take it with you when you move).

Look out for

  • Hard to customise.
  • Could warp in sunlight (check for protection).
  • Lightweight (needs a strong anchor).

Do I need a shed base?

You can't just place your shed onto the grass, earth or sand - it needs a base to secure it to the ground and stop it moving. You need a strong level base such as concrete, paving slabs or tarmac, which should be the same size or a few cms larger than your shed. Your shed should also be anchored to the base with bolts or screws.

Is the base the same as the floor?

Our wooden and plastic sheds come supplied with floors, but still need to be built on a strong, level base. Our metal sheds don't come with a floor because the base acts as the floor.

Shop all shed bases

Where to put my shed...

Think about doors and windows

Where are they placed? Is there room to open them? All our shed windows are reversible so you can choose which side to place them on.

Pick a flat, level spot

If it's on a slope, everything inside will fall to the back and tip it over.

Choose a dry spot

If an area is prone to flooding, your shed is likely to flood too.

Close to your driveway?

Better if you want to get a mower to your front garden, or bikes on the road.

Close to your plug socket?

If you want to use your shed as a workshop, don't position it too far from your home's electricity supply.

What about trees?

Trees are great for shade, but falling branches could cause damage.

Choosing shed doors

Single

They don't need much space to open, but it's harder to move stuff in and out. It's handy if they can fold back.

Shop all single door sheds

Double doors

It's easy to move things out when you have big doors, but you'll need room to open them up.

Shop all double door sheds

Sliding doors

They take up less space, but aren't available on wooden sheds.

Shop all sliding door sheds

Different shed roof types

Pent roofs

They slope in one direction. There's more headroom, but rain flows down to one spot.

Shop all pent roofs

Apex roofs

A triangle top that directs rain down both sides. There's more headroom in the middle, but less at the sides.

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The different types of wooden shed

Choosing a wooden shed? Here's a few things to look for.

Overlap

Using wooden panels that overlap each other, this standard cladding creates a stable structure. The cladding is designed so that rainwater will run-off the panels.

Shiplap

Typically featuring thicker panels than overlap sheds and providing greater weather-resistance. This type of cladding interlocks the panels to create a tight and rigid surface, while the additional lip between the panels acts as an extra barrier against rainwater.

Do I need to paint my wooden shed?

Sheds need protecting against weather damage. Use wood treatment for the natural look, or choose exterior paint for a splash of colour.

You'll need to treat your wooden sheds annually to maintain the protection and keep your warranty valid.

Shop exterior paint

The different treatments for wooden sheds

Treating wood is very important, as over time timber will become increasingly susceptible to rot.

Dip treated

Standard wood treatment - dip treated wood panels have been submerged into a treatment bath. However the treatment is only surface deep, which means it will thin and fade over time. You will need to treat your shed's wood annually.

Pressure treated

Deep-blasted wood treatment - pressure treated panels have been naturally dried to remove moisture before being treated. This means that the treatment penetrates deep into the wood grain, so it lasts longer and needs less frequent re-treating.

Why buy at Argos?

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