Sheds · Summerhouses · Log cabins
The right shed for your garden, without the guesswork
Wooden, metal or plastic. 6×4 or 12×8. Pent or apex. We cut through the jargon, compare the best-value buildings from trusted UK retailers and tell you plainly what’s worth your money.
Not sure what size?
Use our shed size guide →Shop by type
What are you looking for?
Pick a building type to see our current picks, with prices pulled from the retailer every day.
Wooden sheds
Classic timber, from budget overlap to tongue and groove.
Metal sheds
Low maintenance, secure and rot-proof.
Plastic sheds
Lightweight, no painting, easy to put up.
Summerhouses
A sunny spot to sit, read and relax.
Log cabins
Thick-walled cabins for year-round use.
Garden offices
Work from home without working at home.
Shed bases
The bit everyone forgets. Get it level first.
Log & bike stores
Tidy storage for logs, bins and bikes.
Shop by size
Measure twice, buy once
Most people wish they’d gone one size up. Add at least 60cm around the shed for access and maintenance, and check the external footprint, not just the floor.
How to choose a shed sizeFresh picks
Popular sheds right now
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BillyOh 10×8 Apex Log Cabin Wooden Garden Shed, 28mm Log Thickness
£1,200.00 -
BillyOh Corner Summerhouse Log Cabin 7 x 7 Garden Storage Shed Wooden
£536.00 -
Keter Darwin Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed 6 x 8ft
£780.00 -
Keter Darwin Outdoor Apex Single Door Garden Storage Shed 6 x 4ft
£409.99 -
Aoxun 8x6ft Metal Garden Shed, Large Outdoor Tool Storage, Black
Original price was: £279.99.£206.99Current price is: £206.99. -
Pinelap Pressure Treated 12mm Thick Tanalised Pent Shed 8FT x 6FT
£689.00 -
Forest Garden 6×8 Apex Wooden Shed
£668.00 -
BillyOh Master 8×6 Wooden Garden Shed with Apex Roof
£517.00
Buying advice
Three decisions that make or break a shed
Get these right and almost any decent shed will serve you well. Get them wrong and even an expensive one will disappoint.
Read our full buying guide1. Get the size right
Measure the space, leave room to walk round it, and think about what you’ll store in five years, not just today.
2. Pick your material
Timber looks the part, metal shrugs off rot and pests, plastic is the least hassle. Each suits a different garden.
3. Don’t skip the base
A level, solid base is the difference between a shed that lasts 15 years and one whose doors stick by spring.
Wood vs metal vs plastic
Which material suits you?
A quick, honest comparison. Every garden’s different, so treat this as a starting point.
| Feature | Wooden Classic timber | Metal Galvanised steel | Plastic Weatherproof resin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 8×6 price | From about £450 Overlap is cheapest; shiplap and T&G cost more | From about £200 The most floor space for your money | From about £490 Branded resin like Keter costs more |
| Maintenance | Treat every 1-2 years Preserver or shed paint, plus a roof felt check | Very little Wipe down, keep vents and gutters clear | Hardly any Hose it down now and then |
| Typical lifespan | 10-15+ years 15-20+ if pressure treated and looked after | 15-20+ years Galvanised steel won’t rot or get woodworm | 10-15+ years UV-stabilised resin won’t rot or fade quickly |
| Assembly | Half a day, two people Pre-built panels screw together | A full day Lots of small screws, but light to handle | Easiest Panels slot and clip together |
| Security | Good with upgrades Fit a heavy-duty hasp and padbolt | Very good Tough to cut, often padlockable | Fair Fine for tools; add a lock for bikes |
| Condensation | Low Timber breathes naturally | Can be an issue Needs a good base and ventilation | Some Keep the vents open |
| Customising | Easy Screw shelves and hooks anywhere | Harder Use magnetic or bolt-on storage | Limited Use the maker’s shelf kits |
| Best for | Looks and workshops Potting sheds, hobbies, custom fit-outs | Secure storage on a budget Bikes, mowers and power tools | Zero upkeep Small gardens and busy people |
| Shop wooden sheds → | Shop metal sheds → | Shop plastic sheds → |
Prices are typical for an 8×6 in our current range and change daily with the retailer.
From the guides
Shed know-how, minus the waffle
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Summerhouse vs Log Cabin: What’s the Difference?
They look similar, but they’re built for different jobs. Here’s how to choose.
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How to Treat and Paint a Wooden Shed (and Make It Last)
A couple of hours a year is all it takes to double the life of a wooden shed. Here’s the…
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How to Secure a Shed: 10 Ways to Stop Thieves
Sheds are an easy target for thieves. A few cheap upgrades make yours a lot less tempting.
Questions
Things people ask us
Quick answers to the questions that come up most. Our guides go into more detail.
What size shed do I need?
Start with what you’ll store, then go one size up if your garden allows. As a rough guide, a 6×4 takes a mower and tools, an 8×6 suits most family gardens, and a 10×8 or bigger leaves room for a workbench. Leave around 60cm all round for access and treatment.
Do I need planning permission for a shed?
Usually not. In England most garden buildings fall under permitted development if they’re single storey, no more than 2.5m tall within 2m of a boundary, and cover no more than half the garden. Listed buildings, conservation areas and flats have extra rules, so check with your council if in doubt.
What’s the best base for a shed?
A concrete slab is the gold standard, paving slabs on compacted sub-base are a good DIY option, and plastic grid bases are quick and great for smaller sheds. Whatever you choose, it must be level and slightly bigger than the shed’s footprint.
Overlap, shiplap or tongue and groove?
Overlap is the budget choice and fine for basic storage. Shiplap and tongue and groove cladding are thicker, sit tighter together and keep the weather out far better, so they’re worth paying extra for if the shed’s going to hold anything valuable.
How long does it take to put up a shed?
Most 6×4 to 8×6 sheds take two people half a day to a day, once the base is ready. Bigger sheds, summerhouses and log cabins can take a weekend. Many retailers offer a fitting service if you’d rather not.
How long will a shed last?
A treated wooden shed on a good base typically lasts 10 to 15 years, often more if it’s pressure treated. Metal and quality plastic sheds can go 15 to 20 years. The base and regular treatment make the biggest difference.
Why do you link to other shops?
We don’t sell sheds ourselves. We research and compare buildings from trusted UK retailers and link you straight to them. If you buy, we may earn a small commission, which never affects the price you pay or which sheds we recommend.
Ready when you are
Find a shed you’ll still love in ten years
Browse our latest picks or start with a guide. Either way, you’ll know exactly what you’re buying.