New shed

[Philupnorth]

Hi everyone

I'm looking for advice on a new shed, I'm late 50's so I'm after a shed that will probably outlast me & as the location will be in a corner next to my garage & backing onto next doors garage I wont be able to get around the shed to paint it if made of wood so I'm looking for either plastic or metal. I've searched for a few days with Google & it seems that all plastic sheds in the UK are by a couple of manufacturer's with mixed reviews about build quality & do seem really flimsy with no security as they are not very robust

With metal most which came up on searches are again very flimsy with build quality concerns until I found a company called Asgard who by the looks of them make very secure strong sheds & I want the shed for a small work area as well as storing a lot of power tools. I have a very small back gardens so the shed I'm after is around 5x8 & they make one at 5x7 which will be fine, the only drawback I can see with them is they have no windows for security which isn't really a problem as I plan to put in LED lighting anyway

They cost a lot more than a cheap plastic or metal shed & at the moment are on offer at £750 for the 5x7 but you get what you pay for & it includes a galvanised steel floor & it could be the perfect match for what I'm after & I'm wondering if anyone has got one of these sheds or have any recommendations on other manufacturer's? If it were a plastic shed I would be looking for one with the same strength as portable toilet you see at events all over the place, ie thick strong plastic & much more secure than the average plastic shed

 

[Sean Regan]

There's an endless choice, depending on how much money you have to spend.

I built my own, but it was 43 years ago. I used re-claimed timber and three of next door's wooden windows when they had double glazing installed. The side ones open from the bottom. It backs on to our garage.
One side is very close to the party fence, but I can paint it with a roller if it's "ever necessary."
The roof is strong enough for me to stand on to prune next door's overhanging trees each year.
It's still as good as it ever was. It's up about a foot off the ground on brick piers, so no rot.

The things to consider, is how you want to use it. With mine I've all sorts hanging from the walls, as with plywood and 3" x 2" it's easy enough to bang in a nail or use a screw or hook.

Sheds get very warm in summer, so metal or plastic ones might be difficult to work in, without ventilation. You're also likely to get condensation inside.

"Each to their own"
In your position, even at my age, I'd build a wooden one again.
I've seen new wooden sheds and portable buildings at various places over the years and have never been impressed.

 

[Tetters]

I totally agree with @Sean Regan (this time) Wood is best. The others-plastic or metal are nothing but trouble. If you get inaccessible walls well treated before the shed goes in - well at least the bits you won't be able to reach afterwards, they'll be more than likely to see you out, as well as your grandchildren!
Those tar based paints are great!
By the way, welcome to the forums.

 

[linarus1994]

I'm considering using a shipping container https://www.vivacontainers.com/blog/what-are-shipping-containers-made-of in my garden for storage or workspace. How have others effectively utilized shipping containers in their gardens? What creative ways have you found to organize tools and equipment inside? Any tips on maintaining temperature control and ventilation? I'm eager to learn from your experiences!

 

[Sean Regan]

We use several shipping containers at our golf club, for "garaging" members buggies.
They are a cheap way of providing a lot of space. But they are pig ugly, so they are positioned out of sight behind the greenkeeper's sheds.

 

[Johnristford]

Hi everyone,

I'm in a similar situation and have done quite a bit of research on sheds recently. I'm in my late 50s as well, so I get the importance of finding something long-lasting and maintenance-free, especially if access around the shed for painting or upkeep is going to be tricky. Given your setup—backing onto garages—plastic or metal does seem like the way to go to avoid those maintenance issues you would face with a wooden shed.

Like you, I found that many of the plastic sheds on the market in the UK do seem flimsy with some mixed reviews, especially when it comes to security and durability. I also looked into metal sheds, and after a lot of searching, I came across Asgard. From what I've gathered, their sheds seem to offer excellent security and are built to last, which makes them stand out compared to many other metal options. The 5x7 size you're looking at sounds like a good fit, especially if you're planning to use it as both a work area and for storing power tools. The lack of windows for security reasons is actually a plus in my opinion, especially if you plan on installing LED lighting.

The price tag of £750 might seem a bit high compared to some of the cheaper plastic or metal sheds out there, but like you said, you get what you pay for. Asgard sheds seem to be built with durability and security in mind, and the galvanized steel floor is a solid feature that adds to the longevity and strength of the structure.

In my research, I also came across Summerhouse24. They offer some sturdy options, though they tend to focus more on wooden buildings and summer houses rather than metal or plastic sheds. But if you're ever considering something more like a garden office or summerhouse in the future, they might be worth a look.

I'd be curious to hear if anyone has experience with Asgard sheds or any other similar manufacturers. Security and longevity are my main concerns as well, so it would be great to get some first-hand feedback!

Cheers,
John Ristford

 

[Oliver Buckle]

An answer to the security question that struck me is having a separate storage container in the shed, You could have windows and a secure box, attached to the floor, that all the power tools could go in, that would also serve as a bench, or seat.