For many homeowners, garden sheds are a sizeable investment. Whether you're replacing an old shed, or buying a new one foor the first time, you want to make sure you make the right choice and get the most value for your hard earned money. So before you start looking, take some time to think about what you want to use the shed for. If it's for storing garden tools, how much do you need to store? Do you only have a range of basic garden tools, or do you have other equipment like a ride-on mower as well? If you want to combine a garden storage with growing plants, then you'll want a garden tool storage shed that meets your specific requirements.

Decision #1 - Size

Your garden has only so much room, and you want a garden tool storage shed that won't dominate the space, but will still provide ample storage for your garden tools, equipment and other accessories. Remember to leave about 30-50cm of extra space around the shed for maintenance, and consider the space available to open the windows and door. The space above the shed should also be considered. Can you get away with an apex roof for extra headroom space, or will you need a pent roof to snuggle in below low hanging branches? If you have some corner space available, consider a corner shed to maximise the room you have. Keep in mind that size is one of the factors that impacts the cost of a shed, so make sure you have a set budget in mind before you start searching. This can help narrow down your choices.

Decision #2 - Material

There are three main materials used to make garden sheds - metal, wood and plastic. Metal sheds are the most secure ones by far. They're solid and completely resistant to thieves and pests. This makes them ideal for storing expensive garden tools and equipment. Metal sheds come with the longest warranty, so keep an eye for them. On the downside, they're usually more difficult to assemble. Wooden sheds, on the other hand, are considered the traditional garden shed. They blend in perfectly with your lively garden, and they're often customisable, so you have some freedom in choosing where you want the windows an door to be. Hooks and shelves are also easier to install, and you can add extra insulation if you feel like you're going to be spending a lot of time in the shed. On the downside, wooden sheds require more maintenance depending on how the wood is treated. Lastly, plastic sheds require the least maintenance, as the plastic used for manufacturing them is UV protected, so it won't brittle or fade when exposed to harsh weather. These sheds are the easiest to assemble, as their parts interlock, resulting in strong constructions. On the downside, you might need to anchor them to keep strong winds from carrying them off, and they aren't as secure as wood and metal sheds.

Decision #3 - Floor and Roof

If you've chosen a wooden shed, you'll also have to consider the material used to make the floor and roof. Oriented strand board (OSB) is the most common material used for manufacturing roofs and floors on affordable sheds. Tongue and groove or timber boarded roofs and floors vary in thickness, but are generally stronger, more durable than OSB and more resistant to sagging. Make sure you pay attention to the materials and thickness in the specification. As briefly aforementioned, you can choose between apex and pent roofs. Apex roofs feature a peak running from one gable end to the other, providing increased headroom space along the middle of the shed. Pent roofs are slopping, so when it rains the rain will fall off one side. These roofs are considered the modern option due to their sleek lines. The lower section of the height makes these roofs ideal for sheds located up against a fence or wall, or under trees.

As far as shed flooring options, not all sheds come with a floor. If the shed you're considering doesn't have a floor, the solid surface, such as slabs or concrete can act as one. Wooden sheds can feature either timber or OSB (oriented strand board) floors and roofs. If you've chosen a metal or plastic shed, you'll have to decide whether a floor is included with it. Some models come with floor support kits, which are basically frames allowing you to add your own floor. Make sure the floor in the shed is anti-slip.

You can install most sheds by yourself, and even if you can't - you can always ask for professional installation by your shed supplier. Most plastic and wooden sheds can easily be installed with a few basic tools, whereas metal sheds will require some more assembly that can be performed in a few hours on a Sunday afternoon if you have the tools and are handy.