Shed articles, sorted by the question you're asking
Pick a topic to narrow the list. If you're starting from nothing, work through them left to right: budget, base, materials, size, then storage.
Costs
What a shed really costs once you add the base, delivery, treatment and a decent lock, and where you can save without regretting it.
How much does a garden shed cost? A realistic budget
Shed, base, delivery, treatment and a lock: what to set aside before you shop.
Shed on a budget: where to save and where not to
Thinner cladding is a fair trade. A floor that sags under a mower isn't.
The extras nobody mentions: delivery, assembly, felt and fixings
The small lines on the invoice that can add a third to the price.
Bases and foundations
Most shed problems, like sticking doors, rot and racking, start with the base. Get this bit right and the rest is easy.
Step-by-step gravel shed foundation Read now
Dig, frame, fill and level a gravel base in a weekend, with a materials list, cost table and gravel calculator.
Concrete slab, gravel or plastic grid: which shed base?
How the three common bases compare on cost, effort and how long they last.
Building a timber frame base on a slope
When the garden falls away, a raised frame on posts is often easier than digging it level.
Materials
Timber, metal and plastic each suit a different garden and budget. Here's how to tell a well-made one from a flimsy one.
Shiplap, tongue and groove or overlap cladding?
Why the cheapest cladding is cheap, and when it's still the right choice.
Metal, plastic or timber: which shed lasts?
Condensation, rust, fading and rot: the weak spot of each material.
Roof felt, shingles or rubber (EPDM)?
Felt is cheap and quick. Rubber costs more but can outlast the shed.
Sizes
Measure what goes in, then the space around it. Most people wish they'd gone one size up.
6×4, 8×6 or 10×8: choosing a shed size
Lay out what you'll store on the lawn first. It's the quickest way to stop buying too small.
How much room to leave around a shed
Space for treating the walls, clearing the gutter and getting the door fully open.
Height limits and boundaries: what to check before you build
The questions to put to your local planning office before the shed arrives.
Storage ideas
A tidy 6×4 holds more than a cluttered 8×6. Walls, roof space and the back of the door all count.