The garden shed is the ideal place to store outdoor furniture and accessories. It shelters and protects deck chairs, garden furniture, patio tables and chairs, lawnmowers, and gardening tools.
Attractive and practical, it provides additional storage space for your home.
What is a garden shed used for?
A garden shed is very useful because it provides additional storage space for your house or apartment.
Having it outside means you don't have to go back and forth to set up your little green space or terrace. Everything is right there!
Depending on its size, it can hold many outdoor items: garden furniture (deck chairs, tables, parasols, armchairs, chairs, etc.), accessories such as cushions and mattresses, pool equipment (products, floats, armbands, inflatable mattresses, ladders, etc.), leisure equipment (bikes, ping-pong table, tennis rackets, balls, kites, etc.), gardening tools (spade, rake, strimmer, lawnmower, etc.), outdoor lighting, flower pots, and planters.
You can also add more common DIY tools (drill, nail boxes, hammer, etc.), not to mention storage bins for storing various items (such as Christmas decorations, for example).
The largest outdoor sheds can accommodate a tractor.
Large garden sheds are sometimes used for different purposes: a playroom for children, a summer kitchen, a space for planting and growing, a place for plants to hibernate... All design ideas are welcome!
When should you buy your garden shed?
The best time to get a garden shed varies: it mainly depends on the storage space you have available (inside your home, in basements, outbuildings, etc.). If you are desperately short of space to store your outdoor furniture, accessories, and gardening tools, now is the time.
If you opt for an outdoor shelter that does not require assembly, remember to schedule delivery during a mild period so that construction is pleasant (avoid snow and cold weather).
You can also take advantage of promotional periods to reduce your budget.
How to choose the size and features of your garden shed?
Before you rush into buying an outdoor shed, take the time to list everything you will need to store in it. This will give you an idea of the volume required for your storage project.
It is also important to take into account the size of your outdoor space so that the proportion of space occupied is consistent with the size of your garden.
Various measures appear on garden sheds:
- The usable area refers to the interior volume that you will have available.
- The exterior surface indicates the external dimensions (of the walls and floor).
- The overall surface area gives the total surface area of the cottage (including the roof overhang) and specifies the total space it will occupy (on the ground and in height).
Garden sheds come in several sizes:
- An area less than 5m2
- An area of less than 10m2
- An area of more than 10m2
In addition to the size, you can choose the doors, windows, and flooring for your garden shed.
- Swing or sliding doors (depending on location and layout)
- Fixed, opening, casement (traditional), or tilt windows (such as a fenestron). The glazing is usually made of acrylic or glass (mandatory for double glazing).
- The floor enhances insulation and provides greater comfort.
Types of materials available for garden sheds
Wooden shelters bring a natural feel and blend in with the vegetation. In a garden, they always look good with their little chalet style!
Wood, whether spruce, pine, or fir, is a good insulator and is robust.
However, raw wood may not last as long because it is more susceptible to weather changes than other materials. Rain and sun damage it, and moisture can cause fungus or moss to grow.
To maintain its appearance and properties, raw wood requires regular maintenance (insecticide, fungicide, water repellent, wood stain).
Pressure-treated wood is already treated, which is an advantage when it comes to maintaining your garden shed! One coat of wood stain every 10 years is sufficient.
Painted wooden garden sheds are durable and very attractive. You can wash them, and if you want to repaint them, it is important to choose a microporous paint specially designed for wood.
High-temperature treated (THT) wood is rot-proof and durable. It is particularly suitable for harsh climatic conditions.
Metal shelters are easier to install and less expensive. They are generally used to store small tools. Although sturdy, they easily absorb heat, which can alter the appearance of certain objects or damage them.
Steel, on the other hand, is susceptible to rust. It is therefore important to treat it regularly.
Galvanized or lacquered steel does not rust and does not require any special maintenance. However, it is sensitive to salty air.
PVC garden sheds are both easy to maintain and easy to install. They are resistant to moisture and UV rays, which gives them a considerable advantage. In coastal areas, for example, they withstand salty air very well.
PVC garden sheds are often repurposed as extensions to the home (playrooms, DIY or painting workshops, relaxation rooms, decoration or gardening workshops, etc.).
No maintenance is required; simply spray with water (not high pressure) and wipe with a sponge to restore it to its original condition.
PVC has many qualities that make it ideal for your garden shed. As we saw above, it is a material that does not change over time. Rain, UV rays, snow—none of these natural elements alter its properties or appearance. The color lasts, it is completely waterproof, and the cold does not cause the varnish or other coatings to flake.
Discover the range of PVC garden sheds designed and developed to meet every need (utility or decorative), every style (range of colors), and every size (4.9 m², 7.5 m², 11 m²).
Foundations and installation of a garden shed
Foundations ensure the stability and durability of your garden shed. If they are well constructed, they will give it an optimal lifespan and protect it from moisture damage.
- Slab kites, cinder blocks, tiles, and interlocking pavers can support heavy weights and provide great stability.
- Concrete slabs are the ideal solution because they are durable. They provide perfect stability for a garden shed and weight is not an issue. Pouring a concrete screed requires more work and time (note that the size of the screed must be equal to or larger than the size of the garden shed).
- Concrete or PVC blocks are economical and easy to install. They do not require major work. They also support heavy loads very well.
What declarations and procedures are required to install a garden shed?
No formalities are required to install a garden shed measuring less than 5 m².
For an exterior surface area of less than 20 m², a simple declaration of works is sufficient.
You're sure to find the garden shed that's right for you at Grosfillex!
