How to decide what garden shed to buy

Planning a garden shed? There are 5 essential ‘ S' to planning a garden shed: Site, Size, Style, Stuff and Surroundings. In addition to the 5S, which will take care of most part of the plan, there are other aesthetic and technical details, which need to be taken care of.

•  Site: While choosing a site for the storage shed, your prime concern should be aesthetics and accessibility, however, one also needs to check the availability of water, electricity, natural light, ventilation and the surrounding foliage.

•  Rudimentary to the plan is to be aware about zoning requirement of your local municipality.

•  Grade of site is equally important. Ideally it should be placed on ground with pitch towards rear, to avoid water clogging. A shed at the top/bottom of a hill is not a good idea nor on steep slope.

•  Size: To a certain extent the size of the storage shed depends on what purpose you intend using it for. Is it solely for storage of lawn equipment & hoses or do you intend to use it as a potting shed or art studio? In fact, you could also be thinking of it as a place for relaxation.

Start with the purpose and then line up your equipment –wheelbarrow, mower, shovels etc. Anticipate the potting area , want a bench too - think of the placement and size. With the big equipment taken care of, you are mostly done.

The hoses, snips, trowels, and pruners find a place on hanging hooks, shelves and containers. Perlite, vermiculite, sand, and potting soil can be kept in buckets near the worktable. Now with the storage plan laid, place stakes around the area and get a virtual picture.

•  Style: Go for a style that reflects your taste. Most of the shed types are differentiated on the different rooflines like gable, hip, lean to and saltbox. In addition to these one can find a blend of traditional and contemporary roofing styles. One can also decide on the type of sheathing, trusses and rafters. If particular, also pay attention to the flooring, shed shingles and shed sides. A partition inside is worth considering for different activities the shed is being used for.

•  Stuff: While wood storage sheds have a natural look about them, they are prone to damage by water, fire and termites. Steel storage may be a better option for protection but it can catch rust, especially if not galvanized. Plastic sheds which primarily come as Rubbermaid storage sheds or vinyl (PVC) storage sheds are by far the most expensive but free from the problems of wood and metal storage sheds.

•  Surroundings: Shrubs, flowers or vines can be used on the trellises of the shed. One may also place things like pergolas, cupolas, lights or design a pavement.

You may also accessorize the place using a rocking chair or an old bench. With these tips you can make your garden shed your very own sanctum.

Remember, your decision on choosing a shed will also be determined by your budget. Sheds vary greatly on cost due to factors considered above. Also, you will need to take into account the cost of putting it together, for which most people will need expert help.

If you are still not sure what type of shed you would like to go for, you may want to consult free storage shed plans that are available on some sites.