What Makes Small Garden Sheds the Most Practical Solution for Your Yard?

If you enjoy spending time in the garden then you know that planting, cultivating and pruning all require the right gardening tools. But what to do with all of your equipment once you've finished up in the yard? It is true that you can store your garden tools in the garage, but they could clutter the space. If you've tried to fit a lawnmower and a car in the same garage then you know how frustrating it can be, especially when you have to pull the car out to access the mower. So, instead of using your garage to store your tools, why not use a small garden shed? Sheds are hand for anyone that needs to store garden tools and other equipment out of the way.

When it comes to buying a shed, you might be lost for choice with the number of small garden storage sheds available. You will have to make decisions about size, material, style and added feature. These decisions should be based on what you plan to use your shed for, so it's important that you first decide on the purpose of your shed and then go from there. Considering a few more things will help you make the best choice for the long run.

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Price vs. Quality

The price of the shed shouldn't be the sole determining factor. By going directly for the cheapest price you'll be ignoring some important considerations. For example, small garden storage sheds with higher-quality materials and solid construction last longer and look better than the cheapest options. Paying a little more for an outbuilding is generally a smart move. If the budget is the main concern, then focus on simple, well-built sheds made with basic materials rather than those with fancy details or premium materials.

Design Considerations

Garden sheds are not only merely for storing things away. The look of a storage shed can be just as important as its usefulness and can affect the overall appearance of your property. Ideally, the shed you choose should complement the style of your home. For example, if your house's style is formal, you should look for a shed with formal features to match. If you have a country-style house, a shed in a rustic design will be a better option.

Materials

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There are three main materials options for storage sheds: metal, wood and plastic. Metal sheds often have a simple metal framework covered in a skin of factory-painted or vinyl-coated metal for both the walls and roof. Plastic sheds are generally vinyl or another type of plastic. Their colour is inherent to the material, so there is no paint or coating to worry about. Both metal and plastic sheds come in kits designed for DIY assembly. Wood sheds are likely to have stuff-framed walls, much like a house or garage, that are covered with plywood siding. Luxury wood sheds may have plywood sheathing over the studs with traditional lap siding over the plywood and standard roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles. 

When it comes to maintenance, wood sheds require most of the work such as repainting, repairing damaged or rotted parts, and refastening loose parts (just like a house). Plastic and metal sheds don't need to be painted and require very little maintenance. However, metal shed materials may corrode if the protective coat got scratched or damaged.

Foundation and Flooring

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Some sheds come with a floor while others do not. Wood sheds typically feature standard framed floors while with most metal and some plastic sheds flooring is sold separately from the shed structure. No matter what type of shed you choose, it's important to install it on a foundation that keeps the shed off of soil or wet ground. This could be concrete blocks, pressure-treated wood, or simply a bed of compacted gravel. A well-draining or elevated foundation will go a long way to help prevent rot or corrosion of shed materials.

Installation

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If you would like that most of the work be done for you, then choose a shed from your local home improvement store and ask it to be delivered and assembled by their professional installers. But if you are a DIY person and is looking to same some money, order a garden storage box that comes with assembly instructions. Keep in mind that building wood sheds requires carpentry skills and tools while metal and plastic sheds are designed for easy assembly.

Access

Make sure the doors of the unit are wide enough to accommodate your largest piece of equipment, such as a lawn tractor. And once the equipment is inside, there should be plenty of room to spare. The majority of garden sheds that are at least 2.50 to 3 metres come with double doors, which usually eliminates this concern.

Before buying your garden shed, call your city officials to get informed about zoning law restrictions for sheds. In most areas, sheds up to a certain size - typically 12 square meters - are allowed by zoning laws without prior approval, but restrictions on shed placement aren't uncommon.