The ultimate guide to buying a shed
Here are the most commonly asked questions we get asked about buying a shed or workshop! The first is the difference between a wooden shed and a timber workshop. The answer is easy, it’s just size! Typically, the smaller non-insulated buildings are sheds and larger ones are workshops.
All of our buildings have a substantial wooden framework. We make buildings that last, with walls strong enough to support shelves and tool racks!
See how we delivered a high-quality insulated storage shed for our customer
The most commonly asked questions about sheds:
What are sheds made of?
Sheds are made using a variety of materials. However, if you buy a shed from Shields, you can expect the finest quality. We use pressure-treated tanalised redwood timber cladding and fix it to timber framing (this includes a breathable damp-proof membrane to keep out damp).
What is tanalised timber?
Tanalised timber is pressurised and treated with a chemical mixture, this makes wood strong and durable because treatment is applied under pressure. This also ensures that chemicals are absorbed into the wood for maximum durability.
This treatment protects against fungal decay and insect attacks. It offers a natural colour and excellent weathering properties. Rest assured, this timber will stand the test of time and weather!
What is the best cladding for a shed?
Here at Shields Buildings, we pride ourselves on only using the best quality for your wooden garden buildings. We use redwood timber which comes from the cooler climate of Scandinavia. This climate results in slower-growing dense timber which will have a longer life.
What are the exterior finish options?
You can have your shed with a natural finish to produce a building that will blend beautifully in your garden, or you can choose to have it painted or stained. We treat our buildings with two coats of clear waterproofer for added protection. We also paint external walls before construction to make sure the edges of the boards get coated.
Check out our luxury bespoke timber workshop for a client
Questions about building sheds:
What base do I need for my shed?
The base will depend on the material of your shed and what the ground is like. We always construct a base for sheds and workshops with timber floors. We use timber bearers on concrete blocks. This shed base is suitable for most relatively level sites.
How high can you build?
If you are building your shed within 2m of your boundary, planning rules say the maximum height for a building is 2.5m. The pent (or sloping) roof designs are a lower pitch which helps to comply with this ruling.
If it is further than 2m from your boundary, it can go up to 4m. This allows us to use the apex (dual pitch) roof option on these buildings.
No.1 Guide to Planning Permission for Garden Buildings
Who makes the best garden sheds?
Before you buy a shed, make sure you’re buying the best. We might be a little biased, but we like to think that we always deliver quality timber garden buildings.
At Shields Buildings, we’ve been designing, manufacturing, and installing timber garden buildings since 1991. When you choose us, you lean on over 30 years of experience and happy customers. You can see this by reading our Google Reviews!
Where do you make your buildings?
We manufacture all of our buildings in our workshop in North Tawton, Devon and offer delivery and installation throughout the southwest.
Download a brochure today
What makes Shields Buildings special?
At Shields Buildings we take pride in what we do. We want happy customers pleased with the quality and craftsmanship of their timber garden building. As a business, we are constantly evolving and bringing in new systems, processes and designs to stay up to date with technology.
We use the best quality materials for maximum durability that require minimal maintenance to keep your building in tip-top shape.
If you have any questions about buying a shed that we haven’t covered, please get in touch.
