Buying Guide
Garden Sheds
If you’re looking for a handy spot to keep your garden and household items neatly stored away, a garden shed is the perfect solution.
Read the Ultimate Guide to Buying a Shed to help you purchase the very best shed for your needs. This guide leads you through your options so you can be happy with your purchase for years to come.
The great British garden shed is a brilliantly versatile garden building that serves a multitude of purposes. It provides additional storage space; protects your gardening equipment and tools; gives you a place for potting plants and growing seeds; or offers a special little space just for you.
Sheds come in a wide range of sizes and materials, which can make the buying process seem a little tricky. That's why we've created this in-depth guide to explain the different types of sheds and help you work out which one best serves your needs.
Our comprehensive guide includes detailed information and advice on every aspect of your new shed including:
- Purpose
- Size
- Materials
- Location
- Maintenance
- Budget
Purpose
Taking the time to plan what you will use your shed for is the first place to start. Will it be used for storage? Perhaps you're looking to create a hobby room? Or maybe you're looking for a place to work in? To get you thinking, we'll begin by outlining some general purposes and pointing you in the direction of the perfect garden building for that use.
Storage
If you’re looking for a handy spot to keep your garden and household items neatly stored away, a garden shed is the perfect solution. With a wide choice of sizes, styles, and materials from great-value sheds to premium workshops there’s something to suit every space and budget. And if it’s just smaller items you need to tuck out of sight, our garden storage options, like bike stores and mower stores, are a brilliant alternative.
Working/Hobbies
A large wooden garden shed or workshop is a simple, cost-effective way to create space for your DIY projects, hobbies, or a quiet work area away from the bustle of home life. Available in sizes from 10ft x 12ft right up to a roomy 20ft x 10ft, and with upgrade options to suit your style, it’s easy to find the perfect fit for your garden.
Relaxation Space
If you're looking for a garden building in which you can spend lots of time during the summer, whether that's hosting guests, practising a hobby or settling down with a good book, a summerhouse would fit your requirements perfectly. However, if you're looking for a garden building to use all year round for entertaining, as a home office, personal gym or even guest accommodation a log cabin or insulated garden room would be ideal for you.
Size
Taking the time to plan what you will use your shed for is the first place to start. Will it be used for storage? Perhaps you're looking to create a hobby room? Or maybe you're looking for a place to work in? To get you thinking, we'll begin by outlining some general purposes and pointing you in the direction of the perfect garden building for that use.
Small Storage
For smaller items like tools, bikes, or a lawn mower, a 5x4 to 6x4 shed is ideal.
Small Sheds
If you need a bit more room for equipment or storage, go for a 6x4 to 8x6.
Medium Sheds
A medium shed (8x6 to 12x10) suits those with larger gardens, offering space for lawn mowers, furniture, and more.
Large Sheds
For hobbyists or heavy-duty storage, a large workshop (12x10 to 20x10) provides ample room to work and organise.
Handmade in the UK
All Mercia Timber Sheds are handmade in the UK in our Nottinghamshire factory, ensuring expert craftmanship and top quality every time.
Overlap Cladding
Overlap cladding features 7mm thick boards that overlap each other to allow rainwater to run off easily, making it the most affordable and straightforward option with a classic look.
Overlap Wooden Sheds
Overlap Wooden Sheds
Shiplap Cladding
Shiplap cladding, however, uses airtight 12mm interlocking tongue and groove boards for a smoother, more robust finish that provides superior weather protection.
Shiplap Wooden Sheds
Shiplap Wooden Sheds
Interlocking Log Boards
Rather than cladding that attaches to an internal framing, log boards lock into each other with a tongue and groove joint to protect against water ingress and draughts.
Log Cabins
Log Cabins
Location
When choosing where to place your shed, it’s important to pick a flat, well-drained spot with easy access and enough surrounding space for maintenance or future upgrades. There are a few considerations which must be thought about before you make a decision:
The space around your shed; you must leave at least 60cm around your shed for annual maintenance
Check you have enough space to open the doors and windows
Choose a location with firm ground so you can install a strong and level base for your shed to sit upon
Avoid placing under trees as falling debris could damage your building
Base Options
Many of our sheds and workshops are available to purchase with a timber base which can be installed directly on an unlevel lawn, saving you the hassle of installing a concrete slab base.
Maintenance
Looking after your shed helps keep it weatherproof and in great condition for years to come.
Regularly clear debris, check for damp, and ensure good ventilation to prevent mold. Wooden sheds need a bit more care, but choosing pressure-treated or ready-painted options reduces upkeep. When re-treating, pick a dry day, wear gloves and eye protection, and prepare the wood by sanding, cleaning, and filling any gaps with flexible caulk. Apply two generous coats of treatment, paying attention to edges, cracks, and nail holes for full coverage—keeping your shed protected, sturdy, and looking its best all year round.
Dip Treatment
Our buildings are dip treated during manufacture as standard. This is the process in which we apply a water-based colorant for protection whilst in storage and transit. This is not a preservative; therefore, the building will require a preservative and waterproofing top coat application as soon after construction as possible. This is required to validate your 10-year anti-rot guarantee.
Pressure Treatment
Mercia's TimberArmour pressure treatment is a high-pressure chemical process designed to preserve exposed timber by providing optimal protection against insect attack, fungal attack, and decay. This process provides your building with a 15-year anti-rot guarantee and can be added to your Mercia shed before you place your order.
