See our recommendations marked by a ⭐
Did you know? Our range of premium Garden Sheds come with our star recommendations!
Top: Roof and Eaves
Shed Roof Styles
The roof style of a garden shed affects its function and appearance. There are two primary options:
- Pent roofs: These have a single slope, providing a contemporary, minimalist aesthetic. Their design makes them ideal for placing against fences or walls, and the consistent height throughout the interior is perfect for maximising shelving and storage space.
- Apex roofs: These are the classic, triangular-shaped roofs. They offer more vertical space in the centre, which is great for workshops, craft rooms, or possibly even adding loft storage.
- Dutch barn roofs: These are also known as gambrel roofs and have a distinct profile that looks similar to a barn. This roof style is perfect for maximising internal headroom, creating a huge amount of usable space. The high, vaulted ceiling makes the shed ideal for workshops or the storage of tall items.
We want you to find the shed style that is right for you and your garden. That why we offer all of the above options as well as sheds with special shapes and purposes such as bike sheds, alleyway shed, potting sheds, and corner sheds.
Roof Protection
Protecting your shed’s roof is crucial for longevity. Two common materials are:
⭐Felt: A cost-effective and durable option, roof felt is a tough, waterproof material made from an advanced polymer formula. It’s more tear and water-resistant than standard felt and is an excellent budget-friendly choice.- Shingles: Made from high-grade, glass fibre-based bitumen, shingles offer superior protection and a more aesthetically pleasing finish. They are a higher-cost option but provide excellent durability and a premium look.
Superfelt is included for free as standard on all Dunster House sheds. This helps improve the longevity of your shed while also keeping your costs down.
Height Considerations
Be mindful of planning permission and building regulations, and contact your council for more information. For most sheds, the maximum eaves height should not exceed 2.5 metres. The overall height should be no more than four metres for a dual-pitched (apex) roof or three metres for any other roof type (pent).
Middle: Walls and Windows
Wall Cladding
The style of wall cladding impacts a shed’s durability and price.
- Overlap: This is the most basic and affordable cladding. It involves overlapping horizontal slats of wood, which provides a simple yet effective barrier. It’s the least protective of the three options, but it is a good choice for those on a tight budget.
- Shiplap: This cladding has specially designed boards that lock together, creating a tighter seal than overlap cladding. Shiplap is a more elegant and protective choice, offering better defence against the elements.
- ⭐Tongue and Groove: This is the most durable and secure cladding style, tongue and groove boards interlock completely, forming a strong, watertight, and well-sealed structure. This is the best option for long-term protection and stability. This is the option we would recommend.
The type of treatment applied to a wooden is one of the most important factors in determining your shed’s lifespan.
No Treatment: Untreated timber is the cheapest option upfront, but it is highly susceptible to rot, decay, and insect infestation. It will require you to apply a wood preservative immediately and reapply it annually to ensure the shed’s longevity. However, this also gives you the freedom to treat your building as you see fit.- Dip Treatment: This process involves dipping the timber panels into a preservative. While it provides a basic level of protection against rot and fungal decay, it doesn’t penetrate deep into the wood fibres. A dip-treated shed will require regular re-treatment every one to two years to maintain its protection.
- ⭐Pressure Treatment: This is the most effective and durable method. Timber is placed in a vacuum-sealed chamber where a high-pressure treatment forces a wood preservative deep into the core of the timber. This provides a long-lasting defence against rot, decay, and insects. While pressure-treated sheds are more expensive initially, they require minimal maintenance and come with a significantly longer anti-rot guarantee, making them a wise long-term investment. This is the option we would recommend for sheds.
Windows
Whether or not to include windows depends on how you plan to use your shed.
- No Windows: A windowless shed is ideal for pure storage. It minimises light exposure, which can prevent condensation and protect stored items from sun damage. It also adds a layer of security.
- With Windows: If you intend to use your shed as a workspace, studio, or “she shed,” natural light from windows is invaluable. They make the space more inviting and functional for activities requiring good visibility.
Picking the perfect window configuration is made easy with customise section where you can select both the configuration and extras you want.
When you’ve decided if you want a window or not, it is then time to consider what material you want your window to be made out of. The material you choose for your shed windows affects their durability, safety, and appearance. Here are the most common options:
- ⭐Toughened Glass: This is the most durable and safest option. It’s incredibly strong and highly resistant to impact. In the rare event that it does break, it shatters into small, blunt, and relatively harmless pieces, making it a very safe choice, particularly for family gardens. It also often has polished edges for safer handling during installation.
- Float Glass: This is a more traditional and less durable glass option. It is not as strong as toughened glass and will break into large, sharp, and dangerous shards. It is a more budget-friendly choice but lacks the safety features of toughened glass.
- Acrylic and Styrene: These are plastic alternatives to glass. They are generally flexible but are prone to scratching and can become cloudy over time, which affects visibility. While they are often a cheaper and lighter option, they are not as strong as toughened glass and can break easily.
Choosing the right window material is a balance of cost, durability, and safety, so consider your shed’s use and location carefully. We would recommend investing in toughened glass.
Find the above video on the strength of different shed window material options.
Bottom: Foundations and Bearers
Shed Foundation Options
A solid shed base is essential for a shed’s stability and lifespan.
- Decking: Decking provides an elevated, attractive base with good air circulation, preventing dampness. However, standard decking may require significant reinforcement to support a shed’s weight and needs regular maintenance.
- Patio Slabs: Paving slabs offer a durable, stable, and cost-effective foundation. They are DIY-friendly but require thorough ground preparation to prevent shifting and unevenness over time.
- Concrete Slab: A concrete slab is the most durable and permanent foundation option, providing an unshakeable, low-maintenance base. It is, however, the most expensive and labour-intensive choice.
- Rapid Grid: A rapid grid system uses plastic grids filled with porous material like pea shingle. It’s a quick, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to concrete, but it’s not suitable for all ground types.
Bearers and Moisture Control
Bearers, the wooden supports on the shed’s underside, are critically important for several reasons:
- Weight Distribution: They evenly distribute the shed’s weight across the foundation, preventing stress points that can cause sagging or cracking.
- Levelling and Structure: Bearers provide a level and stable base, helping to maintain the shed’s overall structure.
- Moisture Control: By elevating the shed floor, bearers allow for crucial air circulation underneath. This ventilation prevents moisture build-up, which can lead to rot and decay.
It’s vital to use pre-treated bearers, especially those that have undergone pressure treatment. This process forces treatment deep into the timber, making it highly resistant to rot, insects, and moisture.
Alternative Options
When deciding between a cabin, office, or summerhouse, consider your primary use:
- Cabins: A flexible and customisable option, often built from interlocking logs, which can be adapted for various uses from a workshop to an extra living space.
- Offices: Designed for year-round use, these garden buildings are insulated with uPVC windows and doors, making them a functional workspace regardless of the weather.
- Summerhouses: Typically featuring large windows and doors, these are perfect for enjoying natural light and garden views, serving as a idyllic retreat for relaxation and entertainment.
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