Shed Buying Guide
Buying a Shed
Whether you’re looking for a stylish garden feature or a practical solution for outdoor storage, our shed buying guide will help you find the perfect shed to suit your needs. With a variety of sizes, designs, and materials, we’ve got the right shed for you.
Things to consider
What style of Shed are you after?
What budget do you have in mind?
What type of roof would you like?
A robust, high-end shed with reinforced doors and locks, designed to protect valuable tools and equipment. Built with heavy-duty materials, it's perfect for those prioritizing security in their outdoor storage.
High Budget
Summerhouse
A luxurious garden feature designed for comfort and style. These sheds use premium materials, feature large windows, and offer spacious interiors. They're perfect for relaxation or as an outdoor retreat, making them a high-end option for garden enhancement.
Featuring a traditional pitched roof, apex sheds provide excellent headroom and water runoff.
Ideal for those looking for a classic design with extra interior space.
A versatile shed combining storage and workspace, ideal for gardening enthusiasts. It features large windows for natural light, creating the perfect environment for growing plants and working with gardening tools.
Mid-Range Budget
A fun and functional shed designed for entertaining guests. While not as costly as high-end sheds, it offers ample space and customisable features like bar areas and seating, making it a perfect choice for those wanting to create an outdoor social space on a medium budget.
Known for its modern, sloped roof, the pent shed is perfect for smaller gardens or for positioning against walls.
It offers a sleek design and effective rainwater drainage.
Corner Shed
A compact and space-efficient option that fits neatly into the corner of a garden. Great for smaller outdoor spaces, this shed maximises storage while using minimal garden space
A cost-effective solution for securely storing bicycles and outdoor gear. Built for functionality and ease of access, these sheds offer basic protection without the higher price tag of more feature-rich options.
Types of Shed
Pent Shed
- Modern Look: Pent sheds have a sleek, single-sloped roof that gives them a contemporary appearance. The sloping roof is perfect for positioning against walls or fences, making the most of limited space.
- Efficient Water Drainage: The sloped design allows rainwater to run off easily, reducing the risk of water damage and making it an excellent option for wetter climates.
- Space-Efficient: With a lower profile than apex sheds, pent sheds are ideal for smaller gardens or for those who want a shed that doesn’t dominate the landscape while still offering ample storage.
Apex Shed
- Classic Design: Apex sheds feature a traditional pitched roof that provides extra headroom inside. The double-sloped roof design also allows for efficient water runoff, preventing rain from pooling on the roof.
- Spacious Interior: The pitched roof design adds extra vertical space, making apex sheds ideal for storing larger items or for those who need extra room to move around.
- Versatile Appearance: Apex sheds blend well with a variety of garden styles, making them a popular choice for both modern and traditional outdoor spaces.
Potting Shed
- Ideal Workspace: Designed for gardeners, potting sheds offer a combination of storage and workspace. They often feature large windows or skylights that provide plenty of natural light, perfect for growing plants and starting seeds.
- Ventilation & Space: Potting sheds are built with ventilation and workbenches in mind, creating a practical environment for gardening activities and providing ample storage space for tools, pots, and soil.
- Flexible Layout: These sheds are versatile, allowing you to use them both as storage and a cozy greenhouse-like space. Their compact yet functional design makes them a favorite for garden enthusiasts.
Security Shed
- Maximum Protection: Designed with reinforced doors, locks, and durable construction, these sheds are ideal for securing valuable items such as tools, machinery, or outdoor equipment. They are built to withstand attempts at forced entry.
- Heavy-Duty Construction: Constructed from thick, pressure-treated timber or metal, these sheds offer superior durability and long-lasting protection against the elements, rot, and potential damage.
- Added Features: Many security sheds include additional features like padlock-ready hasps, concealed hinges, and security bars for windows, making them a reliable choice for homeowners who prioritise safety.
Pub Shed
- Entertainment Hub: Pub sheds are designed for creating a fun and functional space in your garden, perfect for entertaining guests. They typically include bar counters, seating areas, and storage for drinks.
- Affordable Customisation: Pub Sheds offer excellent value with customisable features that let you design your ideal social space without breaking the bank.
- Versatile Design: These sheds can be adapted for multiple purposes, doubling as a social hub, hobby space, or even extra storage during off-seasons, making them a flexible addition to your outdoor area.
Corner Shed
- Space-Saving Design: Corner sheds are specifically designed to fit snugly into the corner of a garden, making the most of awkward or limited outdoor spaces. They are an excellent solution for small gardens or for those who want to preserve central space.
- Functional Storage: Despite their compact footprint, corner sheds provide ample room for storing garden tools, bicycles, or outdoor furniture, allowing you to keep your garden tidy.
- Compact & Stylish: These sheds combine practicality with aesthetic appeal, providing a neat and unobtrusive solution that blends well into your garden's natural layout.
Summerhouse
- Luxury & Comfort: Summerhouses are designed as stylish outdoor retreats, often featuring large windows, double doors, and premium materials like cedar wood. These high-end structures can be used as relaxing garden rooms, studios, or hobby spaces.
- Customisable Options: Many summerhouses are available with a range of customisable features, such as additional windows, insulated walls, and decorative elements, making them a perfect upscale addition to any garden.
- High-Quality Materials: Built with longevity in mind, summerhouses often use high-quality, treated wood that not only enhances durability but also provides a beautiful, natural finish.
Bike Shed
- Simple & Functional: Bike sheds provide secure storage for bicycles and outdoor gear without unnecessary frills. They are built for functionality and ease of use, making them a budget-friendly option.
- Compact Storage: These sheds are designed to take up minimal space while still offering enough room to protect bikes from the weather, theft, and general wear and tear.
- Affordable Durability: Despite being a low-range budget option, bike sheds are made from durable materials, ensuring that they offer reliable protection for your bikes and equipment at an affordable price.
Dip Treated vs. Pressure Treated: Why are Ruby Sheds superior?
Dip-treated wood is more affordable upfront but provides only surface-level protection, meaning it requires regular maintenance, such as annual re-treatment, to prevent rot and decay. It is a good option for those seeking a lower-cost solution but comes with the trade-off of more frequent upkeep.
In contrast, our pressure-treated wood is treated with preservatives under high pressure, making it much more resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. Although it has a higher initial cost, it offers superior longevity and requires less ongoing maintenance, making it a more durable and low-maintenance option in the long run.
If you'd like more information on this, please go to our Pressure Treatment page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install the shed myself?
Absolutely. Our sheds are designed for DIY installation with comprehensive instructions, but we also offer professional installation services if needed.
Do your sheds come with a warranty?
Do I need planning permission?
In most cases, sheds do not require planning permission, but we recommend checking with your local authority to confirm if you're unsure based on your location and the size of the shed.
Do you offer bespoke shed designs?
Yes, we offer bespoke shed services, allowing you to customize the size, materials, and features to meet your exact specifications.
What base do I need for my shed?
A solid, level base such as concrete, paving slabs, or a timber base is recommended to ensure stability and prevent moisture from rising into the shed.
Can I paint or stain my shed?
Yes, our timber sheds can be painted or stained to suit your style. We recommend using weatherproof, water based paint or wood stain to protect the shed from the elements.
