Best Garden Shed Reviews – Plastic, Metal and Wooden Models Compared

Here in the UK, the presence of garden sheds is as normal as the air we breathe. These garden sheds provide shelter and protection for our various garden tools and equipment. They come in various designs and shapes, with adequate features and capabilities that suite your daily gardening needs.

If you are out to buy a garden storage shed for the first time, the choices can be confusing. We all have different needs and garden sheds are also designed to suit different situations.

For you to pick the best garden shed, you need to know the amount of storage space that you want, type of shed, shed roof type, among other factors. As a matter of fact, your budget can determine the kind of shed that will be delivered at your doorstep. How many times have you been in a situation that you said “Aaaargh, if I had enough cash I could’ve gone for that?’’ Not once. Right?

We searched for the best garden sheds UK and here we provide detailed reviews of the sheds. Our garden shed reviews explore the features and specifications of the products from where you can choose your ideal shed or simply learn one-two for future references.

Below is the winner of our 'Best Pick' which is the Keter Plastic Storage Shed which is low maintenance, easy to build, fairly secure and available in many sizes. We think this would be the best shed for for most people assuming your happy with a plastic shed.

However, we also reviewed a metal shed by a new company called 'Out Box Garden Storage' that was a lot better than we actually expected it to be and much better quality than most other metal sheds we have seen and perfect if your looking for a super secure garden shed that is made to last. Read in to see our finding and see all our top recommendations.

Keter Factor Outdoor Plastic Garden Storage Shed - 6 x 6 feet

Below are what we found to be the best garden sheds which are included in our review:

• Keter Factor Outdoor Plastic Garden Storage Shed, 6 x 6

• Duramax Woodside 10 x 8 Vinyl Storage shed

• Palram SkyLight Shed

• Keter Factor Outdoor Plastic Garden Storage Shed, 4 x 6

• Waltons 8 x 6 Overlap Apex Wooden Garden Shed

• Forest Garden 8x6 Apex Overlap Garden Shed

• Forest Garden 10x8 Apex Overlap Garden Workshop Shed

• Outbox Garden Storage Shed

• Charles Bentley 8Ft X 10Ft Metal Shed

• Outsunny 4 x 6 ft Pent Roofed Metal Garden Shed

• Yardmaster International 1013GEYZ 10 x 13ft Deluxe Metal Shed

Our Best Metal Shed

Keter is a leading manufacturer of quality plastic products for outdoor uses and we have reviewed there products before and all ways found them to be excellent. Their garden Sheds offer a range of storage solutions for your garden and the sheds come in a variety of sizes and styles. The Keter Factor 6 x 6ft Outdoor Plastic Garden Storage Shed, is one such sufficient Shed perfect for storing garden tools such as lawnmowers, BBQ's as well as camping equipment, bikes, and more. Yet, there’s a lot that makes this shed stand out than just ‘’storage’’.

Let’s start with building the shed. The Keter Factor 6 x 6 comes with assembly instructions that are straightforward and easy to follow. Depending on your DIY skills, this would take you about 6 to 7 hours to build. Have a set of pliers, screwdriver, and probably an cordless screwdriver to fix every bit into place. This shed stands at 6 feet 10 inches tall so a set of ladders would come in handy. Make sure you have an extra hand on the ground – probably someone who doesn’t get upset when you yell at them (only kidding). Once assembled, the shed measures 1.78 x 1.76 x 2.08m (W x D x H) which is plenty of room for the average person.

How about the construction quality? The shed feels sturdy and hardwearing when set up. You can tell that the design has been well thought of, with an integrated floor that prevents water from penetrating underneath the box. There’s a window and skylight that let in natural light, however, without making use of a glass panel that could easily be cracked by thieves or kids with a ball so bare this in mind. In addition, there are air vents for air circulation and preventing moisture build-up as well as condensation.

The shed is made from durable plastic that is weather-resistant as well. In fact, plastic sheds are by far more resilient than wood and metal sheds. The Keter Factor Shed is no exception – it can withstand harsh conditions, doesn’t wobble and it will not fade. However, due to its light weight, we recommend anchoring it in place in the extreme British weather specially if you don;t have much stored inside it.

Keter has ensured that your items will be safe in the shed by having a fastening for a padlock on the front of the shed. The product requires low maintenance from time to time, which virtually involves cleaning with a sponge, a soft brush and a garden hose. In addition, Keter offers a 10 year warranty on this shed which is good. I suspect even after the 10 years are over, this product will still last you well into the future.

The Duramax Woodside 10 x 8 Vinyl Storage shed with its Foundation and three fixed window offers excellent storage space for any garden with a whole host of items that need a place to stay. It additionally offers plenty of headroom to move around as you organize your belongings. There are indeed decent sheds out there but not all of them give enough headroom and that alone gives enough reason to consider this shed.

What’s more? Its roof has an apex design that not only prevents rain finding its way inside the shed but it also looks fantastic. Duramix could have done with a flat roof but they opted to mould the plastic and make it look like a slate roof, resulting in what we think is a brilliant design. In addition, the roof is made from strong PVC vinyl clad plastic and is supported by a steel frame underneath it.

Garden sheds ought to be solid to stand up to the harsh outdoor conditions. The Duramax Woodside 10 x 8 is made from some decent PVC which on paper may not be the top choice for making a shed, however, it’s quite sturdy and surprising;y thick, and will not allow any rain inside. In addition, the plastic has been moulded into a shiplap style often seen on wooden sheds to give it a fantastic appearance.

The body of this shed is built around a galvanized steel frame and this further increases its stability. There are sheds made of plastic but don’t make use of a frame, therefore, prone to wobbling. By incorporating a sturdy frame on this shed, Duramax have ensured this shed will be firm on the ground for many years to come.

Inside the 10 x 8 Woodside shed is a floor that has been made to handle more weight than whatever you can throw to it. A set of large doors makes it easy to get your items into the shed without any problem. At 6ft. high by 5 ft. wide, this is a door that you’ll find very useful. This shed doesn’t have windows but there are some air vents that make up for the fact, and they do a good job of air circulation.

The shed doesn’t come with a lock and this may be a major safety concern. However, one of the doors has an internal locking mechanism of which you can simply add a padlock for and rest assured your valuables are secure. The privacy it offers due to the lack of windows also ensures that your nosey neighbor cannot see what you have inside the shed.

Another thing we love about this shed is its low maintenance. The PVC plastic used in construction will never rust, rot or decay. You won’t need to treat the shed once a year or do any form of maintenance, simply wipe down with a wet cloth or wash with a pressure washer on low.

Duramax stand fully behind this shed and this is evident by the 15-year warranty offered on this product. The Duramax Woodside 10 x 8 will surely last through the warranty period and even many more years after.

The Palram 6 x 3ft SkyLight Shed is a standard sized shed that will be enough for storing and organizing your outdoor essentials. It will also look majestic in any garden and bring benefits that make it a practical housing.

The most attractive feature of this shed is the build itself. It is made with polycarbonate panels and a reinforced aluminium frame. The polycarbonate exterior is UV-resistant which means that it will remain looking great for many years to come. This material is known for its flexibility and thinness but the shed will look sturdy and durable once assembled. Even the skylight of this shed is made with polycarbonate and it still allows a decent amount of natural light into the shed.

Ventilation panels on the front and back of the shed promote air circulation to help prevent damp. Looking at the interior 6 x 3ft dimensions, it’s obvious that the shed lacks in depth but makes up for that in width. This ensures that you can store your items effectively. If you need to add extra storage, there’s an option to buy a separate 3 x 1ft shelf to cater for your small items.

Having a good overview of your items in the shed is essential. The Palram Skylight shed’s door measures 127.5cm which not only ensures a great view but also allows easy access to your belongings. A lockable latch encourages smooth opening whilst the floor is anti-slip to ensure no accidents in there. For securing your items, the door comes with a pad-bolt where you can add a padlock to lock the shed, though you have to purchase the padlock separately.

This product arrives flat packed, so home assembly is no discussion. It comes with all panels, fittings and fixtures that you will need for building it up. You will require a basic set of tools for the job and have a friend on site. You will also have to spare a day to build your garden storage. It comes with a clear set of instructions with straightforward diagrams to follow. The assembled dimensions are 1.88 x 1.10 x 2.15m (W x D x H).

One thing you will never to worry about is maintenance. In fact, simply hose it down with water during weekends to keep it looking new all the time. The Palram Skylight shed enjoys a 10-year warranty, so You can put aside any doubts whatsoever.

Keter seems to have all kinds of sheds for garden storage and in the Keter Factor 4 x 6ft Outdoor Plastic Garden Storage Shed, they have a solution to small spaces.

The assembled external dimensions of this shed are 189 x 129.5 x 216.5cm (L x W x H) whilst the internal dimensions are 172 x 112 x 209cm (L x W x H). If you do the math right, you can tell that this shed is thick enough to stand up to winds. In addition, it’s made out of a durable, weather-resistant resin and finished with an attractive wood-like texture. The exterior is UV-resistant and neither sun, rain nor snow can harm the shed.

This shed has a large, heavy-duty floor panel that makes it easy to store and handle the weight of items on it. The door measures over 4ft in width, making it easy for standard-sized and large garden equipment to go through – mowers, bicycles, garden power tools such as strimmers, camping equipment, just to name a few. One feature we appreciate on the door is the lock mechanism that enables you to keep your items away from kids.

With built-in ventilation, the shed allows decent air circulation inside it with benefits of preventing condensation and moisture build-up. A secondary window additionally allows natural light into the shed which further reduces any chances of mould growth. Let’s not go into the effects mould will have on your items.

What we like about Keter sheds is the amount of headroom they offer. The ceiling of the Keter Factor Outdoor 4 x 6ft is high enough for a 6ft adult to walk around with no trouble. The apex roof design further increases the centre height by a few inches and allows rain water to flow down via the sides without collecting on top or finding way inside the shed.

Keter takes pride in manufacturing virtually maintenance free plastic products and the Factor Outdoor 4 x 6ft shed is no exception. It’s only reasonable to clean the shed with a wet cloth from time to time or simply wash it down using a hose, otherwise you don’t need to do anything else on this shed. Assembling the shed will take some hours and the good thing is that you have ready instructions to follow. It’s also worth mentioning that Keter offers a 10 year limited warranty for this particular shed.

Kicking off in this category is the Waltons 8 x 6 Overlap Apex Wooden Garden Shed. This medium-sized shed will keep your items safe, dry and offer enough space for your requirements. As much as we don’t know your size requirements, we are convinced that this shed would be ideal for most gardens.

It comes flat packed for you to do the construction work using the supplied fixings and following instructions to the latter. The assembly could be a little daunting if this is your first garden shed. Make sure you have a buddy on the ground to help in passing components and picking up fixings that drop accidentally whilst you struggle with a piece of timber and impact driver. The job will take roughly 6 hours. It could be less or more depending on your DIY skills.

The full dimensions once assembled are 1.79 x 2.37 x 1.94m (W x D x H), with an eaves height of 1.47m. It sounds a bit on the small side when you look at its depth, but it compensates the figure with a larger width, allowing you enough space for storing bulkier items.

This wooden garden shed has a single door as well as one window. Waltons have made the window out of 2.5mm Styrene plastic, ensuring that it can take impact of a football kicked against it by troublesome kids. The idea behind the plastic also means that there will be no shattered glass in the shed or on the garden in event the window breaks due to a tremendous force.

The roof is made from strong sheet board, 8mm thick precisely, and covered in a sand felt. Every shed owner fears going in to find their items socked in water. The sand felt covering on the roof will help ensure that your valuables stay dry throughout. The floor is also made of 10mm thick sheet board, which adds to the sturdiness of this shed.

Waltons also featured an 8mm thick overlap cladding on this shed to help prevent water ingress and increase the shed’s general strength. In any case, this is not the most solid garden structure but it will last the test of time and Waltons stand behind it with their remarkable 10-year warranty. However, you must treat your shed at regular intervals and using the right paint for it to stay in the warranty. In any case, that is something you will want to do to keep in top condition.

The Forest Garden 8x6 Apex Overlap Garden Shed is pressure treated and is a classic storage shed that is built to last. It will help keep your garden clutter free as well as provide a safe place for you to store your garden items. The 8 x 6 Overlap Garden shed is also very eye-catching. With its fine cladding, vertical clad doors and two fixed windows, this shed will really look impressive in any garden.

This shed is made out of straight cut boards that are overlapped to allow for seamless movement of the timber in order for it to adjust to the varying weather conditions. Its polycarbonate windows are fixed with security screws and they will not become yellow or brittle over time. Its floor features a pressure treated timber board that allows storage of heavy items like lawnmowers and compost bags.

One impressive feature of this shed is its double Z framed door. Supported by double Z framing and, it can be hung either side of the opening in order to suit the shape of any garden. It also has hidden hinges that make it quite solid. A hasp and staple latch can be used on this door for security reasons. In addition, the front of the door features vertical cladding that looks very impressive.

Unfortunately, retailers don’t have customisation options for this shed. So if you want to change the appearance of the shed then consider using some coloured wood treatment. This is the best way to protect the smooth cladding and give the shed a brighter or darker look as you would wish. As a matter of fact, the parts come pre-treated but this is usually for short-term protection. To protect the wood against rot, you should give it a coating of wood treatment shortly after building the shed.

Speaking of assembly, the Forest Garden 8 x 6 comes with all fittings, fixtures and felt required to construct it along with easy-to-follow instructions. The shed comes with a 10-year guarantee that covers against rot and decay. It sounds quite a good deal but keep in mind that the warranty applies to those who look after their shed.

This is the bigger brother of the Forest Garden 8 x 6ft we have just reviewed. It maintains some of the design features such as double Z door framing and build material, with obvious alterations in size, number of doors and windows, and price. Let’s take a closer look at the Forest Garden 10x8 Apex Overlap Garden Workshop Shed.

It comes flat packed for home assembly, with all fittings, fixtures and instructions included. The instructions are a bit light on detail but you are certain to complete the job in a matter of hours. Unlike the Forest Garden 8 x 6 shed, you will not have to treat this one as it has been pressure-treated by Forest to eliminate the need for annual treatment.

The Forest Garden shed is marketed as a workshop because of vast amount of storage space. It makes for a structure that is not only good for storage but also offers a generous workspace as it easily accommodates shelves and workbenches inside. It even offers enough headroom since it stands just over 7 feet high along the ridge. That means you can work comfortably in there for long hours and close the workshop by the end of day with your items stored safe for another day’s job.

It has an apex roof that is made with strong sheet boarding – 8mm thick – and covered with weatherproof felt. During wet seasons, the felt ensures your items will always be safe and dry. Its timber boarded floor is 16mm in thickness and it’s made to handle a lot of weight of items. This floor will also feel sturdy when you are walking around the shed.

On the front of the workshop are 2 impressive doors that measure 5ft 3 in. high and 3 ft. 6in. wide. They offer enough room to get even the most awkward large items in and out of the workshop. These doors are supported by strong hinges and feature double Z framing that provide strength for several years. There are four fixed windows along one side of this workshop, which allow natural light into the workshop. They are crafted with 1.5mm thick styrene to enhance their solidness.

This workshop is covered by a 15-year anti-rot guarantee which means you can enjoy many years of maintenance free service.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK, the Outbox Garden Storage Shed offers a decent space to lock away your items with confidence and is probably one of the most, if not the most secure shed we have reviewed. We actually reviewed the 6 x 3ft version but they do have a range of sizes available.

It’s delivered in about 3-6 weeks from the day you place an order, giving you time to prepare a concrete level base which is is best placed on but it does have a steel floor unlike some models we have seen. The panels that make up the shed are all pre-cut and pre-drilled parts that you will only need to put together with the help of supplied step by step instructions. There’s also a fixing pack that promotes secure fixing of the shed to the concrete ground. This shed precisely measures 6 x 3ft with assembled dimensions of 150 x 200 x 90cm (H x W x D).

You can choose from a range of colour options including forest green, sky blue, storm grey, chestnut brown, jasmine white and willow green so there is plenty of choice, this is something else that is unque as most sheds come in one or two colours at the most. You can be sure to find one that will match your garden furniture.

This shed is made from tough steel and it’s finished in hardwearing, scratch/knock-resistant polyester powder coating. It simply means it’s sturdy and withstands anything the outdoor environment will throw at it. The finish itself is easy to clean and its durability ensures a low maintenance storage solution.

The shed features double doors that makes getting in and out with large items a breeze. In the case of single door sheds, you will often find yourself squeezing an awkwardly shaped item past the door but this shed will pose no such challenges. Bikes, lawnmowers, and large garden equipment will pass through the vast opening with ease. Even the larger models they sell have double doors for easy access.

Security is a major issue when leaving your valuable items outside. This is where this this really excels, Outbox made this shed with that in mind and they have installed a 5 point locking system on the doors, resulting to top level security of which it would be very hard to compromise. In fact, the locks are pick and drill resistant.?

The metal base will provide extra strength and stability whilst a built-in ventilation system will help reduce condensation within the shed.

Outbox covers this magnificent shed with a 10-year Anti-perforation warranty, excluding the lock that’s covered for 12 months. But there’s a caveat on this warranty and it’s simple; just take good care of the shed. For instance, make sure to clean the shed with soapy water twice a year and ensure you brush snow off the roof (you can’t avoid this in the UK weather). 

The Charles Bentley 8ft x 10Ft Metal Shed is a relatively larger shed in comparison to most other modern sheds, that will be sure to satisfy your garden sheds’ storage desires and ample space for your bench work DYIs. Its assembled dimensions are W 261 x L 301 x H 198cm (8ft x 10ft), Door height - 157cm and weighs 92kg so despite its size it is fairly light weight.

You can rest easy knowing your outdoor garden tools, furniture and other valuables are well stored away and safe as The Charles Bentley 8 x 10 Metal Shed is build using tough galvanised steel that will help keep burglars out. Not to mention, it is rodent free, rust, fire and weather-proof as it resists corrosion. It also has 4 vents that give it plenty of ventilation to avoid condensation that might otherwise ruin your stored wares.

The Shed comes with easy, self-explanatory instructions for its assembly. This is a two man job that will take approximately 3 – 5 hours to complete. When carefully done and with proper maintenance, it’s quite sturdy and will last you many years to come.

This shed comes with a floor framework that has tabs on, to easily and firmly slide into and secure the main shed framework. It has two sliding doors, made of the same material as the frame, that open as wide as 4ft for easy entry especially with your larger tools.

It has an Apex roof that helps in draining rain water and snow off your shed, not to mention offers a timeless beautiful look for your garden.

The Outsunny 4 x 6 ft Pent Roofed Metal Garden Shed has a steel construction that is quite smaller in size with its dimensions being 195L x 122D x 180H cm.

It comes with overlapping sliding doors, moving away from the conventional door designs that take up unnecessary space. The doors come with lockable handles that use a padlock to secure the shed, all you need is the correct size of padlock to fit in them. In addition, they have a special feature in anti-tamper bolts that deter unauthorized access or theft.

The shed has two air vents in the roof area to avoid condensation, making it great in storing all sorts of wares that might get ruined as a result. It also comes with free sturdy foundation base with anchor fixings to give it that strong reinforcement.

This shed is easy to construct as it comes with a fully detailed assembly manual. It takes two people and approximately 2 to 3 hours to put it up. It offers long service life as the painted surface is rust resistant and absolutely water/rain proof.

The Yardmaster International 1013GEYZ 10 x 13ft Deluxe Metal Shed is a large building with dimensions of W 303cm by Depth 396cm, Eaves Height of 163cm and Ridge Height measures 202cm. The door size is 125cm x 159cm giving you plenty of pace to get larger items such as a BBQ in and out. Its gables come with extra height to give plenty of headroom to the taller folks. It also has internal, well braced panels that strengthens the shed, provide resistance to wind forces and other external elements.

You do not have to worry about securing your stored items as it comes with easy sliding double doors with lockable handles fitted neatly on the inside to give it a clean finish. However, you will need to hunt for a suitable padlock that fits well with the handles as it is not included in the package.

Yardmaster has gone ahead to improve on this structure by securing its walls in adding an in and out, galvanised steel painted wall cladding. We all want to see extra effort made on our investments. This brings us to the 12 year anti-rust guarantee as well as the stainless steel rust-free screws that come with it.

To have a stable structure, it is recommended to firmly anchor your shed to the ground, well it’s a good thing The Yardmaster International 1013GEYZ 10 x 13ft Deluxe Metal shed comes with anchor fixings to that effect. The only downside is it has not floor so ideally needs placing onto a concrete base and sealed around the edges.

To help in the construction of this structure, a well detailed DIY assembly manual is included as well as a UK helpline for customers with queries. This is a two or more man job and will take about 6-10hrs to put it up.

One of the downsides with this package is the exclusion of a vital accessory to this shed which is the base frame or floor that will require you to put in extra work and time. However, this can be ordered as a separate accessory that’s suits your requirements.

Our gardens offer a way to connect with nature in our busy urban lives. We tend to them with utmost love and care. In the spirit of looking after our gardens, we need a place to store all the landscaping equipment. Garden sheds in their different shapes and design are perfect for keeping your expensive equipment safe from the weather elements. Selecting a garden shed is very simple, here are some factors you need to keep an eye on.

Consider build material

Garden sheds from the past years have been mostly constructed of wood. Wooden sheds are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and not that expensive. The wood used is mostly pine, spruce, cedar or Douglas fir. The sheds constructed of cedar are popular due to the rot-resistance feature. The only downside is that it is a bit costlier compared to models constructed from the pine tree. If constructed well and treated to resist damage, the wooden sheds can last you up to 10 years.

Metal garden sheds are the next option. These sheds offer durability due to the strong metals used. They offer more protection, security and you need not worry about rot or pest infestation. Low quality metal construction will cost you in the end since rust and wear are prevalent. Higher density metals like that used by 'Out Box' will offer more service but will cost you more to purchase.

Plastic garden sheds are the last option. If you don’t need the vulnerability of wood structures or the heftiness of metal structures, select plastic structures. They are going in popularity simply because of their inexpensive lightweight and durable structure. The only downside is that they may not be attractive to the eye, especially after a few years.

Our Best Pick

Having compared all the plastic, wooden and metal garden sheds above, we concluded that the Keter Factor Outdoor Plastic Garden Storage Shed, is the best shed UK. From the quality of the build material to the assembly and the storage space available, this shed ticks in all boxes. In terms of space, we can say it’s just standard for any garden requirements.

It has a nice wood-like finish and will be centre of attraction whatever place you locate it in your garden. That doesn’t apply to burglars as it has a lockable door but being plastic is not 100% secure. 

Its air vents will promote air circulation whilst the window and skylight will do a great job to eliminate condensation and moisture build-up. The Keter Factor Outdoor shed simply combines everything you want in a storage shed. It’s fairly priced and backed with a generous 10-year warranty and is almost maintenance free.

Our Best Wooden Shed

If you have decided that the classic wooden sheds are the way to go, the Forest Garden 10 x 8ft Apex Overlap Garden Workshop Shed. It offers more than enough storage space and perhaps allowing extra space for work if you want. Put items you are not using on side and a workbench together with tools on the other side and you can work inside a safe place, out of the rain and wind.

The construction material for this shed comes pressure treated and you will never bother to do any kind of treatment. That is the selling point since most other wooden models require once a year wood treatment. It’s then guaranteed for 15 good years.

It has 4 windows and double doors with Z framing. The Forest Garden 10 x 8 workshop is the real deal if you want an fairly maintenance-free, spacious and durable garden shed.

Our Best Metal Shed