How to choose the right garden workshop

Whether you’re in the market for a new garden workshop, or you’re thinking of updating an old, straggly looking unit, knowing how to choose the right garden workshop for you normally isn’t as simple as it sounds. With varying designs, sizes, materials and sizes to choose from, it can present a conundrum for all parties involved. In this guide we’ll help you make a more informed decision
 
Think about how you’re going to actually use your new garden workshop
This may seem fairly obvious on the surface, but in all honesty, many don’t actually give enough thought into how they’re going to use the workshop. What you intend on doing in your workshop will fundamentally determine things like materials and size. Here are a few commonplace ways that a garden workshop is used:

• DIY Workshop – small to medium sized workshop allowing you to finish or start those DIY projects that you’ve always wanted to start or indeed finish. For this, an pent garden workshop will do the job perfectly. Workshops can range drastically in size though, so make sure you think about the sizing – a compact building makes a perfect garden workshop for a small garden
• Large Workshops – these are great if you’re going to need room and great storage space – particularly great for if you need to manoeuvre around and/or you have large tools or machinery to store. In this vain, reverse apex works really well to store long or bulky items. Double doors should also be considered for quick and easy accessibility
• The Heavy-Duty Garden Workshop – these are serious workshops if you’re going to be using it all-year round. These are normally made from strong timber that can last the elements and keep you insulated whilst you’re working on whatever project is afoot. 

 
Finding the right style to suit you
There are a few different styles of garden workshop to choose from, but the most popular (and recommended) are:

• Modern style – Pent workshops, modern glazing with a nice corner unit (these are becoming increasingly popular). Look really nice visually (not that others don’t, these just carry the contemporary look) and can add an element of class to a garden.
• Traditional style – Apex workshops and reverse Apex are the most popular types of traditional style garden workshops. These types of outbuildings can really compliment a home with a traditional setting.

 
What material is best? Wooden or Metal?
This is certainly an age-old question when it comes to making a decision on a new workshop. The most popular of course being do I choose metal or wood?

• Wooden – wood is the most traditional material used on garden workshops – and also the most popular. A nice wood like timber can really look incredible and it’s also important to note that windows and shelves can easily be added to a wooden garden workshop
• Metal – certainly the most secure option of the two but not as attractive as the former. However, metal workshops are extremely weather resistant which is a big plus which means very little maintenance is required.

 
Access to your garden workshop
Next you should think about accessibility of the workshop itself – including things such as:

• Doors – what doors will you have on your new garden workshop? If you’re moving sizeable objects in and out then maybe you need double doors? Worth noting as well that you can get double braced workshop doors to add strength which is always a plus
• Windows – you may want to let in natural light into your workshop which means installing a window, this can make for a really nice environment. However, if you’re seeking maximum security, it’s always advised that you go windowless for that added protection
• Security / locks – Big one here, what security will you add to your new garden workshop? Do you need a simple padlock or a robust locking system? What you store in your workshop should determine the answer to this. The more valuable the items inside your workshop the more heavy-handed you should be when it comes to your locks.

 
Flooring

• Heavy duty usage – recommended 19mm T&G floors for maximum protections against wear and tear
• Standard usage – Something like Durelis solid sheet floors are brilliant for standardised usage and will stand the test of time well. 

If you’re on a budget when it comes to your flooring you could always consider OSB flooring that is suitable for lightweight use – but not recommended for heavy duty use or regular use.
 
Final word
Hopefully this gives you more of an insight into how to choose the right garden workshop for you. These are just a brief guideline, but they’ll get you well on your way to that dream outbuilding. Happy building.
 
 

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