Whatever you need one for, sheds are a valuable addition to any home. Their storage capabilities and small size makes them easy to adapt to your specific needs. We gathered the key information on shed designs to help you decide on the best one for you.

Shed Designs & Types at a Glance

The most popular shed designs are garden sheds, tool sheds and bike sheds. While some garden sheds may look similar from the outside, their interiors are intended to properly store and organise specific items. Despite most sheds' specialised designs, there's always room for versatility and restructuring to make your shed suit your needs.

Shed Designs & Types in Depth

Which of these shed designs is right for you?

Garden Shed: Garden sheds are the most common shed type. They're larger in size in order to store lawn mowers and other larger tools meant for garden and lawn maintenance.

Tool Shed: These are designed specifically for organising tools and equipment. Most tool sheds are small with the intention that you can easily reach in and grab your tool of choice.

Bike Shed: These small sheds are used to store family bikes. Bicycles can be stored either horizontally or vertically and the sheds typically include bike racks or hooks.

Popular Shed Materials

Sheds are constructed from several different materials, each of which creates a unique look and feel, and responds differently to the climate in your region.

Wooden Sheds: Wood sheds are an ideal long-term, durable option. However, wood sheds will require regular maintenance for them to reach their full life expectancy. They can also be painted to match your home's exterior.

Plastic & Resin Sheds: These are budget-friendly options that hold up well in a variety of climates and typically require little maintenance. They are rot-resistant and don't attract insects. Plastic and resin are lighter than other materials, making them easy to move to different parts of your yard. They are also easy to clean, either by hand or via power washer.

Metal Sheds: Metal sheds provide extra strength and support while offering an industrial look. They generally withstand harsh weather such as wind and rain, as well as insects and other pests. Look for rust-resistant metal sheds for a long-lasting solution.

Tip: For a more detailed look into shed materials, check out our shed material buying guide.

Popular Shed Sizes

Use the following images to determine which size shed will serve best in your space.

Tip: When choosing a shed, make sure the doorway is large enough to fit your biggest piece of equipment – whether its a lawn mower or snow blower.

Useful Shed Features

Psst! Different shed designs have different features.

Lockable: Lockable sheds offer increased security to ensure expensive yard equipment and tools are kept safe. These sheds usually have double doors and the locking method varies.

Windows: Choose to let natural light in or keep it out with window or windowless sheds. Sheds with windows make it easy to see items from the outside, while the opposite is true with windowless ones.

Built-In Vents: Sheds with built-in vents help regulate air flow, heat and moisture levels inside the shed. The increased air circulation will also help reduce the chance of mould, mildew and rot.

Fire-Retardant: A necessary feature for storing firewood, fire-retardant sheds aren't flammable.

Flooring Included: Flooring-included sheds provide a sturdy base and a dry, even surface to support heavy items and protect them from direct contact with the ground. If your shed sits off the ground, consider adding a ramp to get heavy equipment in and out easily.

Pressure-Treated: The pressure-treated feature better protects wood sheds from the elements and extends their longevity.

Dip-Treated: A budget-friendly alternative to pressure-treated, dip-treatment protects your wood shed from the elements but does not extend the lifespan of the shed as effectively because the treatment only covers the surface and does not seep into the grain. Dip-treated sheds are often a dark-brown or gold colour.

Tip: Before installing a shed, check with city officials to make sure there are no zoning law requirements.

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