How to Protect Your Garden Shed This Winter

So far this winter we have seen some nasty weather conditions hitting the UK, high winds, rain and sleet or hail is only the precursor to the sharp coldness of the snow and ice that is soon to follow. In this article we would like to look at how to protect your garden shed this winter and what you can do by making a little effort to produce some real benefits.

In general a British garden shed or garden workshop is used for one of 3 reasons

1. Extra storage space
2. Extra Living space
3. Extra working space

Space in the home is often at a premium and we as shed owners have looked at ways to effectively extend that space, outdoors.

We acknowledge that in some sheds people will store, household items and in others storage will be used for tools, barbecues and lawn care equipment or garden furniture through these winter months. The Garden shed can offer a safe and secure storage solution.

A Garden Shed / Garden workshop is often utilised for work or hobbies, storing expensive, specialist equipment, tools and materials may need special care and attention, such as reducing damp, insulation and cleanliness.

Sheds and workshops come in varying sizes

Sheds come in many different sizes and many different materials, including metal, wood and composite.

Metal sheds are sturdy, require minimal maintenance, yet they are tough to insulate, difficult to extend and are susceptible to rust, corrosion warped damage.

Composite and plastic sheds are easily assembled and sturdy enough to prevent damp and corrosion. They can be insulated easily. Yet many people resist purchasing composite sheds for work or storage due to the aesthetics with people commenting that they look out of place in the garden and having difficulty in extending, composite sheds are often seen as play areas with limited use thereafter.

Wooden Sheds and garden workshops are seen as the traditional solution and often require the most care and maintenance to prevent weather damage. Wooden sheds can be treated to prevent external wet weather damage and can easily be insulated and secured, with a little effort and thought.

Protecting your garden shed this winter

The earlier you consider winter protection the better the potential outcome.

1. Painting and Treating the shed: Give your shed a spruce up both outside and inside, use wood oil, or preservative to protect the wood.
2. Windows and openings: You should make sure that your doors, windows and openings all fit well, to ensure water cannot easily find a way in. Also ensure that all doors and openings are securely fitted and if appropriate fit draught exclusions to help with insulation.
3. Insulation: if you are insulating your shed or garden workshop you should ensure that there is no food left inside the shed and all insulation is well sealed. Rodents and mice are always on the lookout for warm places to stay in the winter months and giving them easy access to insulation and food can be a recipe for disaster.
4. Roof: Checking that the roof felt is securely fastened can prevent water damage and a thorough inspection of the roof, truss and fitting may prevent the roof flying off in high winds and potentially causing further damage.
5. Security and accessibility: apply a liberal covering of WD 40 or a suitable oil based spray to your door lock or padlock to ensure the moving parts are well lubricated.

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Need advice on your Garden shed please feel free to contact us at:

Sheds Direct
The Airfield, Breighton, Selby YO8 6DJ.

Website: http://sheds-direct-prod.yourtemporary.net/
Email: sales@shedsdirect.net

And call for free garden shed advice on 01405 765400.