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.

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

The Keter Factor Outdoor Plastic Garden Storage Shed is a solid, strong and weather-resistant garden storage shed that would safely store your items in any outdoor condition. It’s designed to look like a wooden shed so it will look nice in a traditional or contemporary garden.

It has some great features, with its lockable door, air vents, window and skylight. Even the assembly is not stressful despite the fact that you have to set aside up to 7 hours for it. Don’t forget to anchor it in place. Whilst the Factor Outdoor Plastic Shed is a little expensive, you can rest assured of the quality.

All in all, this is an impressive storage shed that would be a great choice for anyone looking for a durable and spacious garden shed. After taking everything into consideration including price we decided after much debate that it should win the spot for 'Best Pick'

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 Duramax Woodside 10 x 8 Vinyl Storage shed with its Foundation and three windows is such a fantastic garden shed. The selling point is the space. If you take a closer look at the entire shed and its price, you will see it comes at a great price all things considered.

We like the PVC plastic used on this shed and the fact that the material is not susceptible to the effects outdoor elements. It’s only disappointing that you cannot customise the colours of this shed as it only seems to be available in one colour.

On the downside, this shed proves hard to construct so be ready to spend a considerable amount of time fixing screws to put the pieces together. The lack of a lock on the door also means that you have to visit your local hardware store for a padlock.

The Duramax Woodside 10 x 8 garden shed is one we highly recommend for anyone looking for a large shed to store all their outdoor items. This shed will look practical in any garden whilst providing great storage solution.

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.

It’s easy to find quality garden sheds with a few niggles but the Palram SkyLight Shed 6x3ft has the good, bad and ugly aspects.

On the good side, we like the general attributes that you will find in any decent shed such as good air circulation, access to natural light, anti-slip floor and low maintenance. The idea behind the polycarbonate material used here is also brilliant.

However, it’s so disappointing that the shed turns out to be a little weaker than we might like and we wonder how it can cope with the rough British weather in winter. Even if you anchor the floor, it still seems that the body will be vulnerable.

Having said that, we think the Palram Skylight Shed is ideal for areas with mild weather or sheltered position. This shed doesn’t bring serious completion among the best garden sheds UK due to its weakness. Everything else is great so you can buy with it with a major caution.

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.

The Keter Factor 4 x 6ft Outdoor Plastic Garden Storage Shed is a top quality and affordable garden shed and is really just a smaller version of our 'Best Pick'. As you would expect of Keter, it’s made out of the durable plastic that is UV-resistant and maintenance free.

The shed is also easy to build and requires no painting whatsoever. It is a compact Keter shed designed to take advantage of small spaces whilst providing safe storage conditions for your items. Its tall front door makes it easy to transport things in and out of the shed whilst the floor can handle whatever you throw on it.

Probably the major issue with this shed is the lack of shelving options. We also found complaints about some parts missing and others broken upon arrival of this package but then maybe yours won’t have any problem.

Overall, a great storage option for homeowners with limited space in the garden.

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 8x6ft Apex Overlap Garden Shed is not a popular garden shed but we found out that it’s one of the best garden sheds made by Forest Garden. We picked this one in particular because of its decent size – not too small nor too big – and the price is also just right.

It will be eye-catching in any garden because of its smooth cladding and furthermore you can customise its appearance to complement other items in your home. It has a very classic design combined with contemporary, strong and durable materials, resulting in a nice looking shed.

The only problem is that you will have to treat the shed after assembly and probably several days after. This will not help in keeping it in great condition but also a requirement for its warranty to stand. Therefore, our final word, pick this item if you are ready to invest some time in maintenance from time to time.

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.

The Forest Garden 10 x 8ft Apex Overlap Garden Workshop Shed is a very impressive structure in that it offers both storage space and a decent amount of workspace. The cladding and the floor are magnificent and the materials are long-lasting.

We feel this shed offers great value for investment because of the high quality design combined with storage space. You could get a 10 x 8ft garden storage for a cheaper price but it won’t last the test of time. This one, however, is guaranteed for 15 years and could be in good condition for even more years. Furthermore, you don’t need to treat it annually as is the case with other wooden sheds.

Those looking for a no-maintenance storage shed can find joy in the Forest Garden 10 x 8 workshop by just spending a little upfront.

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 8 x10 Metal Shed is a breath of fresh air to someone looking to have plenty, great storage space, durability and somewhere to store garden tools and furniture. This is so due to the use of galvanised steel that is amazingly strong and wear resistant and for the price offers excellent value for money.

Having said that, however, we all want a complete packaged product that does not need additional components and you will need to by a padlock.

Even so, this does not deter from the fact that the Charles Bentley is a great shed and you will surely get value for your investment. Overall a great affordable shed that is easy to build, the quality is not as good as the outbox shed but it also a lot cheaper are still more then adequate for storing items.

If you are looking to store simple and small quantity of your garden tools but on a budget, then look no further. The Outsunny 4 x 6 ft Pent Roofed Metal Garden shed is undoubtedly for you. It will give secure storage for your tools, take up relatively small space in your garden and give you good value for your money.

You might need to have some little knowledge around tools as the assembly manual is quite all over the place to exactly understand what it reads.

Other than that, the Outsunny 4 x 6 ft Pent Roofed Metal Garden shed is an outstanding product and we highly recommend it. This being said, its not very secure so is not suitable for keeping unwanted people out, its more to keep the rain out and your items dry. Storage at a cheap price.

This structure has an impressive improvement on the gables height that allows for extra headroom, it may seem like an insignificant feature but it plays a big part when accommodating tall people. It has a simple and detailed assembly manual and is easy to put up for two or more people the the instructions could certainly be improved as they are not that clear.

Its construction materials are adequate but again the steel seems a little thinner as we might like,  you will also need to consider getting a level concrete or wooden base to make it firm and durable before you build it. You will also need to constantly keep checking on the shed’s corners to avoid a distorted structure and difficulties in roof placement.

The Yardmaster International 10 x 13ft Deluxe Metal shed has ample space to securely store your tools and give your garden a refreshing and organised look.

In conclusion, this is a fairly good structure and at a great price for its size. We would recommend it for someone who who is looking for a larger shed on a budget. 

If you need a secure shed and have the budget then the outbox storage shed is the way to go.

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