Four signs of a cheap garden shed
If you’re planning to use your shed for bikes, this probably isn’t a question you’ll be asking yourself. After all, even modest bikes cost £500 a piece, so saving a few pounds on a cheap shed may not even be on your mind.
Premium sheds are what bikes need, to keep them safe - and to keep them dry. So how do shed manufacturers economise to produce a cheap shed, and why should you care?
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Overlap sheds are a cheaper and weaker construction. They are ill-suited to repel a crowbar attack. They are also susceptible to unwanted draughts.
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Internally, the frame must be corner braced; cheap sheds do without this, so there’s little to stop the shed swaying after a few years, compromising its structural integrity.
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Shed cladding is typically between 7mm and 12mm in thickness. For bike sheds we advise you go for 12mm for panel strength, shed rigidity and overall longevity.
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A sagging roof is a sign of poor quality, giving thieves a green light to test the shed’s structure. Only a high quality polyester-backed felt will water proof the structure beneath while a dedicated roof truss will maintain the shed’s shape and stability. Both parts cost more, but they’re definitely worth it.
In short, getting a quality wooden bike shed is all about high quality component parts while designing stability into the shed with extra support beams and braces. It’s easy to build a cheap shed. For general garden use, this may be fine for a few years before time and the weather starts to have its effect. For cyclists protecting multiple bikes, going cheap is just for the birds.