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The best sheds can provide a stable, waterproof and secure home for your tools and gardening supplies and could even make for a cosy work office. The worst will be inaccessible, damp and flimsy.

Use our expert advice to help you decide on the most suitable type, the features you should look out for and how to build and maintain your garden shed.

Alternatively, head over to our guide on how to buy the best outdoor storage . 

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Sheds are typically categorised by the material they are made from. We run through the pros and cons of the three most popular shed types:

As a popular option in the UK, there are plenty of different shapes and sizes of wooden sheds to choose from. They are typically made from softwoods – usually pine (sometimes referred to as redwood or red deal) or spruce (white deal). A few are larch or Douglas fir and, in theory, these should be slightly more resistant to rot. Most rot-resistant of all are cedar sheds, but these are almost twice the price of pine ones.

To keep a wooden shed in good condition and free from rot you’ll need to give it a treatment every year which can be pricey, or you can pick a shed that’s been pressure treated.

And if you’re handy you could even build and personalise it yourself.

Made from either steel or galvanised aluminium, metal sheds can really differ in quality. Cheaper options made with thin panels can be extremely flimsy, while more quality metal sheds will be strong, less prone to rust and more secure.

Once they’ve been assembled they won’t really need any maintenance, bar the odd bit of grease in the door hinges.

However, when it’s warm the inside temperature of the shed will quickly rise making them a poor choice for home offices or working sheds.

Made from vinyl, plastic sheds are typically very light. This is perfect if you’re manoeuvring the shed around the garden or for lifting to assemble but not so helpful in stormy weather. Opting for a shed with anchors to the floor should help keep it sturdy.

Maintenance free, durable and easy to assemble – most will snap in place – plastic sheds are becoming more popular, however they can be tricky to customise and there are more limited sizes and shapes.

If a greenhouse is more suited to your needs, head over to our greenhouse buying guide . 

All sheds will need to be sat on a sturdy, level surface otherwise the building will shift and misalign. If you want to position your shed on grass it will need a shed base.

Shed bases typically come in metal or plastic. Or you’ll find sheds that have metal frames which can be filled with concrete or covered to create a floor and a base in one.

To get your hands on a quality, medium-sized shed you’ll need to spend upwards of £150/£200. But the average price will all depend on the material, the size and the extra features.

You’ll typically spend more for wooden sheds than you will for metal or plastic – a larger wooden shed can cost more than £500, while small plastic storage sheds can be found for less than £100.

Spend more and you should expect a stronger roof, better wood, thicker frames and sturdy doors. But if you’re just looking for somewhere to store the odd gardening tool, a cheap, plastic storage shed should be fine.

Both generalist retailers and dedicated garden shops offer a wide range of sheds. To make sure you're buying a shed that's well built and safe to use, only shop with trusted sellers online or in-store.

Ideally, you'd get to see the shed in-store before buying, but if this isn’t possible, find out as much information about it as possible before investing.

For more details on shopping online safely and arranging refunds for faulty equipment, see our online shopping advice .

Popular shops that sell sheds include:

Sheds come in a variety of sizes, but here are a few of the most popular sizes:

It’s important to remember that these are exterior measurements; therefore you will probably have slightly less usable floor space in the shed.

You will also be able to find much smaller and bigger sheds if the above sizes don’t suit your needs.

Think about what you’ll be using the shed for, the tools you need to fit in and how much space there is in your garden. You should also make sure you can access the door easily.

Single doors range from about 3ft wide to just 2ft 2in. The wider the opening, the wider the items you’ll be able to bring inside. If a shed you like has poor access, check whether higher eaves (allowing extra headroom) and/or a wider or double door are available as optional extras.

Most small to medium-sized domestic sheds will not need planning permission but whenever you’re doing any significant work to the interior or exterior of your property it’s always worth double checking.

Some factors that might mean you should seek planning permission include:

If you’re still unsure, here’s the Government’s planning permission advice for outbuildings and structures.

If you’re looking for a recommended electrician you can trust, visit Which? Trusted Traders to find someone near you who has been through our rigorous background checks. You can also use our Trusted Trader search tool below.

Most sheds will get delivered in pieces that will need to be installed. Before setting up your shed you should have prepared your shed base.

Here’s a basic step-by-step guide on how to build a wooden shed:

For metal and plastic sheds the process shouldn’t be much different but always check and follow the manual instructions.

If you’re not keen on DIY then check if the manufacturer offers an installation service.

Are you sprucing up your outdoor area? See our guides on outdoor furniture , fire pits  and hot tubs .

Regular shed maintenance will prevent bigger repair jobs and lengthen its lifespan.

Sheds can be very tempting to thieves especially if they look unsecure or you can see expensive items are stored inside.

Aside from ensuring you’ve taken relevant steps to deterring criminals, always make sure your home insurance covers your shed and its contents.

Sheds are generally covered under buildings and contents policies as 'outbuildings"' though definitions and cover levels can vary between insurers and policies.

Here are our top tips to keeping your shed safe and secure:

Want to know more about home insurance? Here's home insurance explained .  

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