Shiplap Workshop Shed 20x10

It’s a sad fact, but the truth is when it comes to garden sheds people rarely put thought into the type. Indeed, many people don’t even consider different types –  if they know there are any at all. Rather, a shed is most often just thought of as a wooden structure for keeping tools and a lawnmower, with the only noticeable difference being the size.

The actual truth could not be further from that viewpoint, though. A shed is not only distinguished by its size, but mainly by its construction material and usage type.

Garden Sheds – 4 Types

There are four main types: basic, three in one, tool and large. A basic shed is the average type and is extremely easy to construct. More often than not they are made of wood and used for storing gardening tools and equipment. A three in one shed provides the option of having a gazebo and potting shed along wide a standard shed, too. The shed section can be used for general storage. A tool shed is particularly useful for the keen gardener; they provide space for storage and make it easier to keep tidy thanks to hooks for hanging tools, which makes them ideal for those with smaller gardens. Metal sheds often are popular choices for tool sheds. Finally, large garden sheds give ample space for tools and equipment, but of course these are best suited to larger gardens.

Vinyl and Metal Sheds

Metal Shed - Dark Grey

Although wooden sheds are extremely popular, you shouldn’t neglect the option of vinyl or metal. The main benefit to vinyl and metal is their durability; unlike their wooden counterparts, they do not need to be treated against the elements or varnished to stay looking new and fresh. You may also find that metal or vinyl offer better protection against garden wildlife like mice and spiders, as they will not warp like wood, which provides ample-sized holes for insects and small animals to crawl through and make their nest. Vinyl sheds in particular also tend to be light, which makes it easier to erect as wooden sheds can be very heavy, especially the larger ones.

Financing your shed

Of course the larger, higher quality sheds are more expensive. The temptation is to buy the smallest or cheapest option; the problem with this is that they may not be up to the task – ultimately a false economy: you may find yourself having to  replace your shed soon after your initial purchase.

In these instances, it is a good idea to start a savings account or ISA to save up for the perfect shed. There are a number of easy access accounts available to consumers so you can put some of your income aside to save up for the shed you need easily and quickly, and then access it whenever you need it.

A summerhouse or log cabin is the perfect year-round garden building that can have multiple uses. This additional space can be used as a home gym, a place for band practice, a relaxation room, an entertainment room or even as a home office. With the right kind of building materials and proper installation, you can create an outdoor space that stays dry and secure all year round.

Getting Power to Your Garden Office

It is relatively easy to have electricity installed in your garden summerhouse. If you are a do-it-yourself type of person, you can easily accomplish this task on your own by reading a few good how-to books about installing electricity to outdoor buildings. However, it is understandable that many people do not wish to tinker around with electricity. When faced with issues like this, you should always enlist the help from a licensed professional electrician.

Advantages of a Garden Office

Having a garden office has numerous advantages to people who work from home. Being able to work anywhere else outside of the home for any number of hours can have a very positive impact on your business because it gives you a much-needed break from the everyday home life.

Provides a Distraction-Free Workspace

A log cabin office will help turn your home business into a more functional endeavor by providing you with a private space that is outside and away from your home. Since it is its own building, you can get relief from common distractions in the house. Rather than having customers walk through your house to visit your home office, it would seem a lot more professional to visitors if you had a separate building for your office.

The flexibility of having a summerhouse that can be used as a home office makes it easy to be able to pop into the office whenever you feel like it. Whether it be early mornings, late evenings or in the wee hours before dawn, a garden office can provide you with a place to go outside of the home where you don’t have to worry about any distractions. It is also great to have your own space so that you don’t interrupt anyone else’s activities in the home. For example, if someone in your home starts playing on their drums but is interrupted by you because would like them to stop making so much noise, having your own private place to retreat to can be an invaluable asset that benefits everyone in your home.

Add to the Aesthetic Value of Your Garden Office

• Add a stone pathway leading to your home office.
• Plant flowers and bushes around the exterior of the building.
• Add solar lights to your walkway.
• Put up a business name plate on your building.

A smoking shelter will help keep your punters happy whilst they smoke outdoors. If you are planning to purchase one for your pub garden there are a number of different options available including large parasols, awnings, steel shelters and wooden gazebos. The most cost effective solution is a wooden gazebo with open sides. This type of structure will also look the most attractive in your pub garden.

Rules on smoking shelters
A smoking shelter is considered enclosed if the structure has a ceiling or roof and has sides that are enclosed on a permanent or temporary basis. To conform with smoking shelter guidelines 50% of your shelter must be open sided (this does not include the windows and doors.) You must ensure that your smoking shelter is distanced away from non-smoking areas so that second hand smoke does not drift inside your pub. Your smoking shelter must not be constructed next to an existing wall or another structure as this may affect air flow to the smoking shelter. If the smoking shelter is erected within 1.5m of a wall outdoors, this wall may be considered as part of the smoking shelter and therefore be counted within the shelters wall structure. The outdoor wall could take your smoking shelter to over the 50% enclosed allowance and therefore violate the rules.

Wooden smoking shelters
A gazebo has a roof to provide shelter and has open sides which will allow you to conform to the government guidelines above. Many pub landlords are using wooden gazebos to provide protected smoking areas for their customers. If you would like to learn more about wooden gazebos read Jacks gazebo guide. Outdoor heaters and seating can be used inside of the timber gazebo structure for added comfort. Another method of keeping your punters happy outdoors is to install an outdoor TV in your gazebo especially if your pub regularly shows sports matches. The increase in revenue from returning sports fans will far outweigh the cost of the TV.

There are many different styles of wooden gazebos available at Jacks Garden Store. Here you will find a reasonably priced timber structure that will blend easily into your pub garden. This is a large advantage over metal smoking shelters which look rather ugly and stand out. A wooden gazebo is also a far cheaper alternative than a metal shelter. Buy online now.

Good Luck

Gardener Jack!

Vinyl sheds and plastic sheds are fast becoming a popular alternative to the more traditional wooden shed or metal shed as they are far easier to assemble and offer superb secure outdoor storage. You will also find that these types of garden building are far cheaper.

If you are planning to buy a plastic shed or vinyl shed you may be wondering what the difference is. Essentially a vinyl shed is fire retardant meaning that it will not catch on fire and melt which is what would happen to a plastic shed if it caught on fire. A Vinyl shed also weathers better. During periods of extremely cold weather conditions a plastic shed can sometimes become brittle whilst a vinyl shed will remain strong.

To help you see what the main differences are between a plastic and vinyl shed we have listed the key features of each garden structure below.

Vinyl Sheds Key Features

• Fire retardant
• Weather resistant
• Easy to assemble
• Rot and rodent proof
• No maintenance required
• No cracking or warping
• Built around a metal frame which makes these garden sheds incredibly strong

Plastic Sheds Key Features

• Easy to assemble
• Maintenance free
• Easy to assemble
• Light weight
• Rot and rodent free
• Rust resistant
• Weather resistant unless exception cold conditions occur
• Prone to fading if positioned in direct sunlight over prolonged periods of time
• Not fireproof

Unlike wooden garden sheds the main benefit of choosing either a plastic or vinyl one is that no maintenance is required. A wooden shed will require regular treatment and staining each year, which can become quite tiresome over time. A vinyl or plastic shed is also far easier to disassemble and transport should you move house and wish to take it with you.

Visit Jacks Garden Store now and view our range of superb vinyl garden sheds at fantastic discounted prices. You can simply order online and receive free delivery to your home.

Good Luck

Gardener Jack!

A greenhouse is a wonderful addition to any garden, big or small. These fantastic garden structures help you to extend the growing period, allow you to propagate plants and allow you to control the growing temperature inside. Before you buy a green house here are a few key things you need to have thought about before you make your purchase.

Location
The site of your greenhouse must be in a sunny spot so that the structure can fully utilise natural sunlight. If you are planning to buy a greenhouse in the summer do remember that the sun will be much lower during the winter and could therefore be shaded by other structures. Look and around your garden and spend time thinking about the best possible site that will receive a good amount of natural sunlight throughout the year.

If the site of your greenhouse is rather exposed it could be susceptible to wind damage in the winter months. Therefore try to find a sheltered sunny position in your garden or failing that do ensure that you buy a robust greenhouse such as one made from toughened glass.

The site must also have good drainage especially if you are planning to put plants on the floor of your greenhouse.

Size
Most people already have a clear idea in their minds about what size greenhouse they require before they start to shop around. You may also be restricted on the size of greenhouse you can have due to the size of your garden.

If you do not know what size greenhouse you require the best thing to do is to firstly consider what you intend to use your greenhouse for, think about what you want to grow and what you will need to store inside this structure. Next mark out the plot of your greenhouse with string and pegs in your garden to check that it will fit and that your garden will not become too overcrowded.

Larger greenhouses are cheaper per square metre; the most popular sized greenhouse is the 8×6 greenhouse. Most gardeners recommend opting for a structure one size larger than you initially plan to buy as long as space is permitting. Over time you will increase the amount of plants kept inside this garden structure and will be thankful of the additional space.

Greenhouse glazing
Horticultural glass – This is the cheapest and most traditional form of greenhouse glazing. One disadvantage to this type of glazing is that it breaks into sharp shards which may be a concern if you have small children that like to play outdoors.

Polycarbonate glazing – Almost impossible to break but will reduce the amount of natural light that passes through.

Toughened safety glass – This is the most expensive type of glazing, it is far less likely to break than horticultural glass and when it does it breaks into far safer pieces.

Greenhouse frames
Wooden greenhouses – These will heat up and cool down slower than aluminium greenhouses. The wooden structures do look better than the aluminium alternatives however they will require maintenance and treatment every couple of years. Waltons greenhouses are strong and robust.

Aluminium greenhouses – Are the most common type now available and are maintenance free. Take a look at our great range of Eden  Halls greenhouses which are available in many different styles and sizes.

Shape
The most common is an apex greenhouse which has a door in the middle of one end and a v shaped roof which allows rain water to drain away easily. If you have a compact garden you may want to consider purchasing a lean-to greenhouse that is erected next to the wall of your house or garage. This type of greenhouse takes up much less room and the wall that they are attached to will act as a heat sink absorbing heat during hot times of the day and releasing heat when the temperature drops meaning that a lean-to greenhouse is far less susceptible to temperature extremes.

Ventilation
You must keep the air moving inside of a greenhouse on hot days. As a rule of thumb you should always have an opening glazing area that is one fifth of the floor area. When you purchase a greenhouse check that it comes with ventilation or whether you need to purchase this as an optional extra. Roof vents or side lourves can either be manually or automatically adjusted to open during hot weather.

For a wide range of greenhouses visit Jacks Garden Store now.

Good luck!

Gardener Jack