Does anyone know anything about garden sheds? We are moving house soon and won't have a garage because we intend to convert the double garage into a music studio. There is a shed at the new property but it is very small and dilapidated so we are going to need to buy a new large one to keep garden tools, lawn mower, bicycles etc.

There is a bewildering number of different types eg shiplap, overlap, rustic overlap, tongue and groove etc. Which should we go for? Also some sites say we need a concrete base and others say this isn't necessary.

Any help gratefully received.

I don't know much about sheds but....

You shouldn't need a concrete base unless the shed is large and heavy. Paving stones should be fine, but they must be level, and not on soft ground which will settle. The timbers should be kept clear of the ground using thick plastic or damp proof membrane to prevent rot of the timber joists.

The different names refer to the construction. Shiplap and rustic generally refer to rough cut timbers which overlap one another. These can be draughty, and need occasional oiling to preserve the wood. These are generally cheaper than tongue and groove construction, where the shed is built from timbers with a tongue on one side, and a groove on the other (like floorboards) which interlock. These are quite strong, look neater than the overlapping timbers, and are less draughty.

I hope that helps.

SB

I sell them for a living!

Shall we PM?