Choosing the Right Shed Kit for Your Garden: A Comprehensive Guide

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By Ashley Hanson

Updated: Aug 06, 2024

8 min read

Garden Shed Wooden Hut
Photo: Pixabay

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    If you love gardening, a garden shed is a must-have to store your tools and equipment and enhance outdoor aesthetics. And the best way to build it is to buy a garden shed kit!

    However, with a range of options available nowadays, it can be quite challenging to choose the right one. But don’t worry because this guide will walk you through all considerations and make this much easier!

    Understand Your Needs

    Before investing in a garden shed kit, you must assess your purpose first. Different people need sheds for different causes. For instance, some use it to

    • Store gardening tools, lawn care equipment, composter, fertilizers, and other supplies and avoid clutter at home (After all, 1 in 2 Australians mention tension among family/household members due to clutter.)
    • Space to work on their DIY projects for their garden
    • Space for potting up plants

    Identify the specific purpose of your shed. If you can’t, it’s better to choose a kit for a versatile multipurpose shed.

    Assess the Right Size for Your Space

    Take a measuring tape and go to your garden. Measure the space available, including length, breadth, and height, to build the shed.

    Find the maximum possible dimensions of the shed your garden can accommodate, especially if you want to store tall equipment or install shelves.

    Leave out enough space around all four sides of the shed to access, inspect, clean up, and maintain everything.

    If you want a shed primarily for garden tools, you can choose small designs with enough space to hang and place standing tools. Consider larger options for lawn equipment storage.  

    Consider Your Budget

    Create a realistic budget for the garden shed. Consider the cost of buying the kit, tools, custom additions, and other materials.

    There are a range of shed kits for sale online with various companies. Compare all options based on your budget and check which one you can afford the best.

    While buyers feel tempted by the most affordable options, know that you’ll compromise with quality if you go cheap. On the other hand, high-quality sheds will need a higher upfront expense but will last you for years!

    Think About Materials

    Garden shed kits can come in a range of materials. Let’s check out your best options here:

    Wood Shed Kits

    Wood shed kits are the trendiest and most popular options right now. These are usually made of pine wood or cedar wood.

    Pros

    • They come in different styles, including barn, lean-to, and gable.
    • They are available at a wide range of prices.
    • You can customize them by painting or staining them and matching your house aesthetics.

    Cons

    • It’ll need regular maintenance to avoid weathering effects.

    Metal Shed Kits

    Metal shed kits are made of galvanized steel and are another great option among shed owners.

    Pros

    • They are durable and low maintenance.
    • These are available in different colors.
    • Metal shed kits are less expensive than wood ones.

    Cons

    • Without proper maintenance, they can get rusty.

    Plastic/Vinyl Shed Kits

    Plastic or vinyl shed kits are generally made of PVC, polyethylene, or polypropylene plastic.

    Pros

    • They are easy to clean and durable.
    • They come in different styles and colors (including those mimicking wood).
    • They are lightweight and easy to assemble.

    Cons

    • Structural strength is lower than wood and metal.

    Composite Material Shed Kits

    Composite material sheds are made of engineered wood, fiber cement, or other combination of materials.

    Pros

    • They are rot, pest, and weather-resistant.
    • They can mimic wood and offer higher durability for much less maintenance needs.
    • Since these are recycled materials, they are environmentally friendly.

    Cons

    • They might be more expensive than others.

    Consider Additional Tips

    While making the final call, you must follow these tips:

    • Ensure you buy the shed kit from a highly reputable seller with decades of experience in the industry.
    • Be aware of the warranty and return policies.
    • Ensure the shed kit follows the local building codes and regulations and other restrictions.
    • Choose the material based on the climate of your locality. If the weather is harsh, select materials that can withstand such weather.  
    • If you want to assemble the shed alone and you’re a beginner, go for lightweight and simpler options. If you’re experienced with construction projects, you can choose complex ones.

    Conclusion

    Selecting the right shed for your garden might appear daunting. However, with these tips in mind, you’ll find the perfect shed kit for your needs in no time. So, start hunting for the right kit now!

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