Sheds Direct Potting Shed

When entering the shed market, it can often be confusing as to which shed solution is the best for your needs. There are numerous types, including Apex, Pent, Potting Sheds, Workshops, etc. The differing styles suit a range of needs; this article will help you to decide which shed to purchase for your garden!

An Apex shed has a sloping roof that peaks at the center. Due to the extra support of the roof structure, they are often more sturdy than other shed types with flat roofs; this makes them excellent for long term installations and gardens which may suffer for harsh weather conditions. They roof space also creates additional internal area; excellent for tall tools, or suspending items in the roof space.

A Pent shed features a flat roof which gently slopes rearwards to allow any precipitation to naturally run off. Suited to being slotted in a garden corner, or aligned with a wall or fence, they offer a very practical shed solution without being intrusive of garden space. With the taller area at one side of the shed, they are useful for using workbenches and other activities which require internal standing room. They are available in a range of styles, with doors and windows available on all sides.

Potting Sheds are perfect for keen gardeners; often used for germinating seedlings and cultivating young plants/vegetables, they are an excellent alternative to a greenhouse. The glazed section of the shed allows in natural light, which heats the internal space, making it the perfect environment for young plants. Although primarily used for horticultural reasons, there is no reason they can’t also be used as a storage solution like a normal Apex of Pent shed.

Garden Workshops are the ultimate solution for those looking for additional indoor workspace. An excellent building for creating an external workshop or hobby space, they are sturdy, robust and totally weather proof. They feature heavy duty framing, and often have covered roofs and double doors.

For more information on any of the above sheds, please contact us with your requirements, and we’d be happy to make a personal recommendation. We manufacture all the sheds we supply, ensuring unparalleled quality control and customer service.

dutch barns – the history and the uses

The dutch barn is a relatively new phenomenon in the UK – and what we would historically call a dutch barn is not the same as it is in the United States.

Unsurprisingly, the dutch barn takes its name from the Dutch settlers who brought the design over to the New Netherlands (a colonial province on the East coast of America) during the 18th and 19th centuries.

A dutch barn in the US is a building of historical interest as only (it is estimated) 600 or so of these buildings remain. The design of the dutch barn was to give the structure a much larger appearance over similar barns, owing their imposing presence to an almost cathedral like structure, with a steep gabled roof supported by columns.

What became known as a dutch barn in the UK originated in the 19th century, but do share some similarities with their trans-Atlantic namesakes.

They were primarily used for the storage of hay (though straw is more common in farmyard examples these days) and promoted excellent ventilation with the lack of walls, but good shelter due to the presence of a roof.

Our dutch barns (whilst not necessarily intended for the storage of hay in your garden!) take many of the great features of this style of building. We use a distinctive curved roof which gives the structure a far-more pleasing aesthetic than other types of garden shed and have extremely spacious interiors.

Our barns can be used for anything you could think of, whether that be storage (the luxury of vasts amounts of room inside mean you won’t be restricted in what you can store) or as a recreational or workspace; their attractive design means our dutch barns will make a prominent statement in your garden.

organising your potting shed

Not only are potting sheds an absolutely perfect place for gardeners to germinate and develop seedlings, they also double up as an excellent storage space too. Additionally, many people find their potting shed a nice place to relax or work on smaller gardening duties. For this reason it is important to consider what your potting shed is going to be used for and how it can be prepared for optimum usability.

If you’re looking for a potting shed and wish to explore the options available to you, please see our selection of quality potting sheds.

So how should you organise your brand new potting shed? We hope this article will give you ideas and tips to get you started!

The Use of Lighting

Our solar potting sheds feature a sloping window to let light enter meaning that your seedlings will get all the light they need if placed in an exposed area. However, if you are using a potting shed with poor lighting or only have sheltered garden space, fluorescent lighting can be used to illuminate the space. Lighting will also enable you to use the space even during cloudy weather or into the evening. Less harsh lighting such as lamps can give the space a warm, atmospheric ambiance perfect for relaxing in.

Using Your Potting Shed for Storage

Having extra space for equipment in the garden is always useful and potting sheds can fulfill this role wonderfully. Additionally, when you are working in the potting shed, having the equipment you need to hand saves you time and effort. For this reason it’s important to consider how you are optimizing the space for storage. The two essential features you should have are shelves and wall pegs. Shelving provides a space for everything from pots to gardening books while pegboards are the best solution to storing equipment such as trowels, rakes and spades.