Adding a shed to your garden can massively increase the functionality and even aesthetics of your outdoor space. It’s a convenient place to store all of those garden items that need protection from the elements or even items that can stay outside, but you would rather be locked away.
However, the process of adding a shed to your garden isn’t as simple as buying and placing it. This will actually lead to issues down the line, such as premature deterioration. So let’s take a look at what you need to do before your new shed arrives so you can position it properly and give it a solid base to stand on.
Choose the Right Spot
The right spot isn’t always where you think it is. People often default to the back corner, so it’s “out of the way”. But you need to make sure that “that corner” isn’t too damp or awkward to reach for everyday use when you need access to it.
The right place will depend on what you’re storing in it. If it’s gardening tools you need frequent access to, or if it’s got bikes in it that you use daily. If it’s for hobby materials, you will need good light and a bit of breathing room around it.
Then make sure there’s no overhanging trees, fence panels in the way or anything else that will impact light flow if you have windows in the shed.
Check the Ground
First, you need to clear the space the shed is going in; that’s a given. But you also need to make sure of its level too.
Uneven ground is one of the biggest causes of shed problems. It leads to sticking doors, doors that flex, or even twisted panels. You might not think it will have much of an impact, but it really will.
It doesn’t need to be perfectly landscaped, but it does need some type of levelling and a stable surface. Even if it’s not going on grass.
Sort The Base
If you have ordered your new shed, you’ll know if it’s coming with a base or not, or you might have ordered one. But you need to make sure the base is stable before you do anything else.
Garden sheds should never go on soft ground, grass or bare soil. Why? Moisture will rise, and timber will rot faster, and it won’t be as safe to use.
Common options for a solid garden shed base are usually paving slabs, timber frame bases or a concrete base. The right choice depends on your garden, the placement of the ground underneath and what you’re storing in it.
Make Sure You Can Get In and Out
This again is really important. Make sure you have enough room to open the door or doors fully before it’s in position. And this means that it’s getting installed too if it’s not arriving flat-packed. So side paths, gates, alleyways, etc.
Then make sure you can fully open doors on the shed and easily move in and out of it, and get the items being stored in there in and out. While it might make sense to put it somewhere out of the way, if you can’t physically use it, it’ll be wasted.
Feature image by Photo by Centre for Ageing Better on pexels.com.
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