Whether you’re occasionally planting and taking care of a couple of gorgeous flower beds or gardening with the whole family, you undoubtedly need a convenient tool storage shed. Not only is a shed great for protecting and organising all your gardening essentials neatly, but tool sheds can also look cute and serve as a focal point for the outdoor space.

But we know that choosing the perfect garden tool shed can be a very daunting task since you’ll get hit by the huge range of options the market nowadays offers. This is why we put together a couple of tips to help you choose the right garden tool shed for you.

What Kind of Material to Choose?

Once you hit the market to get a garden tool shed, you’ll realize that there’re a plethora of different materials to choose from – from the wooden traditional sheds to the more contemporary plastic and metal ones. And even though a specific garden tool storage shed may seem like the most aesthetic option for your backyard, the truth is that not all of them are made equal. Each of the materials has its own advantages and drawbacks, so make sure you choose with quality and durability on your mind.

Metal Sheds

Metal tool storage sheds are one of the most commonly chosen options, and there’s more than one reason for it. First of all, these sheds are usually made of metals such as steel or galvanized aluminium that will keep you assured that the construction won’t rot, get eaten by insects or rust and corrode over time. Except for this, metal garden sheds won’t require any maintenance efforts and costs, so the only thing you’ll need to do is to assemble it and you’re free to start using it.

But even though they won’t require any maintenance, have in mind that metal constructions can be a little bit tricky to assemble. Some metals can also cause condensation if there isn’t a ventilator in the shed.

Plastic Sheds

Plastic tool sheds are the most affordable option on the market, which makes them a great choice for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money buying and maintaining their garden shed. Plastic sheds are usually made of vinyl which makes them very lightweight and you also won’t have any problems with rotting, moisture or mould building up.

But on account of this, plastic sheds aren’t considered as the most secure option either for the curious thieves or extreme weather conditions such as winds and thunderstorms. Also, plastic sheds are very hard to organize and customize, since you can imagine how hard it is to drill a hole and secure shelving into a plastic surface.

Wooden Sheds

Sheds made of wood are popular for classic exteriors since they look gorgeous and offer a traditional touch. Such sheds are usually made of woods such as pine, timber, spruce etc… which are great insulators that will keep the inside warm on cold winter days and cool when the summer sun is blasting. Wooden sheds are also very versatile since they can be easily personalized, altered and even assembled at home.

But what many people don’t like is that wooden sheds need to be treated properly and maintained regularly to prevent the wood from rotting, which will take much of your valuable time and increase your costs. Wooden constructions are also less secure than the other types which makes them an easy target for thieves.

What Is a Good Size for a Shed?

First of all, it’s very important to choose one that will be spacious enough to accommodate all your gardening tools. If you’re using just a couple of small tools such as a pair of scissors, gloves and one or two shovels, then you obviously don’t need a large shed, even though it may come in handy in the future. On the other hand, if you’re storing tools such as brush cutters, wheelbarrows, different forks, rakes, shovels and spades, then consider getting one where you can comfortably accommodate each of these tools.

But getting a shed that is spacious enough is not the only factor to consider, since your garden’s size will also play a huge role in it. So once you choose the perfect spot to set your new shed, make sure it’s is in scale with your garden and the entire property. Have in mind that a shed that’s too large may overwhelm your entire outdoor space, while a very small one may not have any aesthetic impact and as we mentioned before, it may not accommodate all your essential tools.

Finally, don’t forget about the community regulations of your local municipality and your homeowner’s association (HOA). Most of these associations will require to register the placement of the shed, getting building permission as well as setting footprint limits. So make sure you take these conditions and restrictions into consideration and plan ahead before purchasing.

Other Useful Shed Features

Flooring

The shed’s flooring is one of the features that people often overlook, not knowing that the flooring will support the entire construction and take a fair amount of abuse from all the tools, gear and equipment inside through all the years of using the tool store shed. This is why it’s always recommended to choose sturdy and durable flooring such as raised timber or concrete tiles.

Roofing

The roofing style is also very important since different styles offer different advantages. For instance, gable roofs are the most common style for sheds that is popular for their tall triangular shape. These roofs are relatively easy to assemble and look gorgeous at the same time.

Flat style roofs are most commonly seen in commercial and industrial buildings, but this doesn’t mean that it isn’t applicable on small garden sheds. But even though their name suggests that they’re flat, these roofs have a slight pitch that is intentionally designed to help drainage and water run-off. Not only are they the most affordable roof style, but they also give every garden a contemporary touch.

Finally, the skillion style roofs are the classic shed roofs style that is also very easy to build and one of the most affordable options. But have in mind that the pitch of these roofs can end up being very low which makes them not that suitable for windy areas.

Accessories

Some garden tool sheds will also include accessories such as windows, skylight sheets, anchors, different storage options, alarm systems, lighting and even chicken feeders. As much as these features can come in handy for some gardeners, make sure you choose only the ones you need since they will significantly increase the cost of your new shed.

Once you choose the perfect tool shed for your garden, you’ll see how gardening becomes the activity that you’ll enjoy every day.