How to Choose Your Garden Shed

When you look at the vast selection of garden sheds in the market today, please don’t think that it’s impossible to find the perfect one for you.

Like here at Simply Sheds, we’ve got all these products so we can give you exactly want – and not a shed that you’ll find later on as too small, too big or just something that’s not what you need.

And we’re always here to help you get the best buy for you. In fact, we’re giving you tips on the eight important elements that will help you get to the garden shed that you’re looking for.

• Size
• Height
• Material
• Door
• Roof
• Flooring
• Colour
• Accessories

Which size should I choose?

Just like when you’re looking for or building a house, you usually start by determining a size when shopping for a garden shed. To do this, you need to decide on three things:

What will I use it for?

Think well if you plan to use it purely for storage or if you want it to have a little more room for potting, a handyman’s job or other hobbies. You also have to think about who’s involved in all these – if it’s for a hobby you share with another member of the family, if it’s for your kids’ toy storage or if it’s just for your personal gadgets and memorabilia.

What will I put in it?

If it’s going to be just a storage shed, make a list of the things you’ll store in it. Will it be strictly for your gardening tools and equipment? Or will it be dedicated for your bike and sporting gear?

Always consider in your list additional items that you might want to store in the shed. Get a shed that’s a size bigger than what you initially thought about, if you can. You’ll usually need the extra space – for more backyard equipment or even a second bike, perhaps.  

Where will I put it in my property?

Believe it or not, some fail to factor this in. Decide on where you’ll place the shed and get the EXACT measurements of the area – width, depth and, if necessary, height. And see to it that you’ve done basics like these:

• Check your local council to make sure you comply with any requirements regarding the positioning of your shed – e. g., required space from the wall.
• Make sure it doesn’t block any window, air conditioning system, etc.
• See that it’s not going to act as a direct receptacle for falling leaves of overhanging trees or water from a downpipe.

Would the height matter?

At the very least, of course, whoever will use the shed should be able to fit inside the shed to get whatever’s stored in there – more so if you’ll be using it as a work area. Taller people naturally would need a shed with more height.

You can, by the way, check our Highlander Sheds for this. Among our bestsellers are the Highlander 4.48m X 2.26m X 2.3m and the Highlander 5.96m(W) X 3m(D) X 2.3m(H) in Zinc. Available in widths of 3.0m, 4.48m and 5.96m.

Also, by determining what you’ll put in the shed, you should also be able to know if you’ll need shelves and other accessories.

You should also keep in mind where you’ll put the shed. If it’s under eaves, you can’t get a structure that’s taller and bulkier than the usual. Again, you should see if it won’t block a window, an exhaust or other similar parts of your house.

How do I decide on the shed material?

Timber

Sheds made of wood are often preferred by those who’d like a really classic-looking backyard. The natural grain of the material just makes the whole garden more engaging. And for those created with quality timber materials, you can expect them to look good for years with the proper maintenance.

Aside from wood being more expensive than other standard shed materials, this type requires more frequent and more detailed maintenance – which, of course, means additional expense. A timber shed should also be placed in areas not easily infested by pests and other threats.

So when should you consider buying a timber shed?

• While it costs more than the other sheds, a timber shed does enhance outdoors more, making it still the choice for homeowners who can afford its maintenance requirements. Take a look at our Cedar Shed Gisborne Deluxe (in photo), for instance.
• You may also find a timber shed that’s reasonably priced and still looks great, just like this Cedar Shed Terrace Interlock that we offer.
• It’s also your best choice for a kids’ play house. Check out our Cedar Shed Playshop, which is just one of our cubby houses that are sturdy and chemical-free – definitely safe for kids.

Metal

Metal or steel sheds are the highly recommended in Australia today. They’re tough and easy to maintain. And with the latest designs, they don’t look too ‘industrial’, unlike before. They can now easily blend even with a meticulously styled outdoor area.

This is especially true with top-rated materials like Zincalume and Colorbond, Bluescope steel brands known for their durability and fine finish, among other features. Zincalume sheds give you a standard aluminium look, while Colorbond sheds come in colours done with a unique paint process that make them resistant to chipping, scratching and other usual paint problems.

See our most popular Colorbond products, the Premier 3m X 3m and the Regent 3m X 2.92m Metallic Aries. Zincalume favourites, on the other hand, are the Premier 3.74m X 1.52m and the Spacesaver 2.26m X 0.78m. Both Colorbond and Zincalume Garden Sheds come in widths of 0.78m, 1.52m, 2.26m, 3.0m, 3.74m, 4.48m and 5.96m.

On top of these, they’re all easy to assemble, especially those using the SNAPTiTE assembly system. All the parts have punched holes and are labelled according to indications in the instruction manual. So even if you have just the weekend to build the shed, you can do so.

These steel sheds are also made for Australian weather. Most are even engineered to withstand cyclonic conditions. Accessories are also available to make them even more efficient and more adaptable to your type of climate, wherever you are in the country.

Plastic

Plastic sheds are a bit more expensive than metal sheds, but many are choosing this type because it is quite easy to transport and maintain. They definitely don’t rust or dent. They also don’t need any flooring. It is also a good choice when you need to store corrosive materials.

However, a plastic shed’s appearance can easily deteriorate if not maintained well. Its lovely colours can fade fast. It would be best to place it where it won’t be directly hit by sunlight and heat.

What types of doors are available? How do I know which is best for my shed?

If you already know the function of your shed, it will be easy for you to know which type of door will be most suitable.

Hinged doors are the most common these days. Most people choose sheds with this type of door, because they find them easier to install and even repair. If you’ll be putting in a big piece of equipment, like a lawnmower, get a wide shed with double doors like our top-selling Shed 3m X 2.26m.

To save more space, sheds with sliding doors are ideal. Check out our Ezislider Garden Sheds to see what we mean. Their compact size and sliding door make it easy to fit in any small space.

How do the roof styles differ?

Sheds often come with gable, flat or skillion roof. Choosing the roof design usually depends on both your style preference and your space requirement.

Many choose the classic gable roof, because it easily gives a homey appeal and also more room overhead. It also increases ventilation inside the shed. Its pitch also prevents pooling of water during the rainy season.

Most shed owners find it convenient to place flat- or skillion-roofed sheds in their property. They’re also a bit easier to assemble and maintain. In terms of design, they are preferred these days by those who favour a minimalist look.

Is concrete the best type of flooring for any shed?

For high-wind areas, yes, you’re advised to lay down concrete flooring to build your shed on. Make sure you get the right accessories to anchor your shed firmly on the concrete floor. If you’re planning to use this floor type, we’ve got Concrete Anchor Sets, which you can order together with your shed.

But if you’re in a place with a moderate climate, you can opt for wood. This is also recommended if you’re to transfer to another location after some time. You can take a look at our Timber Flooring Kit, which is made from 100% Australian renewable plantation-grown timber materials. It’s ready for installation, even pre-treated against insect and fungal attack.

What about the colour?

When we talk of colours for home and garden, we commonly pick one that will fit in the overall design. But, of course, you can also pick a colour just because you like it. Another factor to think of is the weather – lighter colours to lessen the impact of heat if you’re living where the temperature is constantly at the higher end of the scale.

Colorbond Garden Sheds are available in both light and dark shades.  Because of its excellent painting process, you won’t have to worry about the colour fading, chipping or being scratched easily.

Zincalume Garden Sheds give you a neutral aluminium look that home designers would recommend you place against a background of wood or solid-coloured wall. The contrast lessens the ‘cold’ appearance of plain steel.

The look of natural wood blends with almost any scheme. For the Timber Sheds that we offer, all you’ll need to choose is the roof colour. In which case, it would probably depend on your garden design, your personal colour preference or your location’s climate.

Lastly, would I need accessories?

Generally, you’ll need shelves, pegs and other such accessories to organise your shed. All these you can get from the hardware or home depot in your neighbourhood. But there are other accessories that can make your shed more functional and durable.

Perspex windows and skylight roof sheets can help you have more natural light and ventilation coming into your shed. You can also put blanket insulation to help condition the temperature in your shed – keeping it warmer during the colder months and cooler in the hottest days. In addition, there are optional components particularly made to make your shed tougher against cyclonic conditions. If you need this, you can look at our Cyclone Kits.

And as mentioned above, we do have Timber Flooring Kits and Anchor Sets for concrete flooring. 

For more tips and guides about our sheds and services, please see our FAQs page.