Garden Shed Buying Guide: Size, Material, Base and Budget
Written by Matt W on 7th Aug 2026.
A garden shed should be chosen in this order: use, usable internal space, material, base and total cost. A nominal 6x4 shed provides about 2.23m² before wall thickness. Current Garden Shed Stores listings start at £429 for wood and £488 for plastic. Every option still needs a firm, level and free-draining base.
Key takeaways
- A 6x4 footprint is 2.23m², while a 10x8 footprint is 7.43m².
- Allow at least 600mm of clear access in front of an outward-opening door.
- Our 6 August 2026 snapshot found wooden sheds from £429 and plastic sheds from £459.
- Nominal size is not the base size. Check the exact external footprint before preparing the ground.
- Wood suits custom storage, plastic cuts maintenance, and metal prioritises security.
- Budget for the base, access work and assembly as well as the listed shed price.
Browse the full shed and garden storage range →
Matt's note: Start with the biggest object and the narrowest access point. A mower may fit inside yet refuse to pass through the door. Nominal sizes also hide roof overhangs and wall thickness. I mark the external footprint on the ground, then mark the door swing. Ten minutes with string catches most expensive mistakes.
- Matt W, Garden Shed Stores
How do I choose the right garden shed?
Choose the shed by working through five decisions in order. Start with its job, then measure the items and available garden space.
- List everything that must fit, including the widest and tallest item.
- Choose a usable internal area, then check the external footprint and roof overhang.
- Select wood, plastic or metal according to upkeep, security and appearance.
- Match the base to the building, ground and anchoring instructions.
- Add the shed, base, assembly, access work and security to one budget.
Do not reverse that order because a discounted model looks tempting. A cheap shed becomes expensive when the mower fouls the doorway. The same applies when the roof clips a fence or the delivery panels cannot reach the garden.
| Your main need | Start with | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Hand tools and a mower | 6x4 or compact vertical storage | Door width, mower handle and shelf depth |
| Bikes plus garden tools | 8x6 or purpose-built bike storage | Wheelbase, handlebar width and ground anchors |
| Workshop and storage | 10x8 or larger | Internal headroom, workbench depth and power route |
| Narrow side return | Pent or lean-to layout | Roof fall, door swing and drainage gap |
What size garden shed do I need?
Choose size from the usable floor layout, not the familiar foot label. A nominal 6x4 covers 24 square feet, or 2.23m².
An 8x6 doubles that nominal area to 48 square feet, or 4.46m². A 10x8 gives 80 square feet, or 7.43m². Those figures are planning rectangles. Internal space will be smaller after wall thickness and framing.
Draw the footprint with string or chalk. Add a 600mm access strip outside the door and mark any outward swing. Inside, draw the mower, shelves and bench at their real dimensions. Our bike storage measurements show why this matters. Staggered handlebars can change a store's capacity without changing its footprint.
Check the delivery route as well. Measure gates at their narrowest fixed point. Allow for drainpipes, steps and tight turns that long panels cannot negotiate.
Use the full 6x4, 8x6 and 10x8 shed size guide for measured floor plans and shelf clearances.
Is wood, plastic or metal best for a shed?
No material wins every comparison. Wood is adaptable, plastic needs little routine care, and metal gives a firm security-led shell.
Wood accepts shelves and hooks easily, but treated timber still needs the maintenance stated by its manufacturer. Plastic panels resist rot and do not need painting. They must be anchored exactly as instructed. Metal avoids timber treatment and suits valuable tools, although cold panels make ventilation and a dry base important.
The current store ranges below were checked on 6 August 2026. They are catalogue snapshots, not general UK market averages.
Compare door widths, upkeep and warranties in the wooden, metal and plastic shed guide. If plastic is the likely choice, check the plastic shed pros, cons and failure points, then compare our best plastic sheds in the UK.
| Material | Current listings checked | Checked price span | Best fit | Main watchpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden | 312 | £429 to £3,334 | Workshops and adaptable storage | Treatment and roof-cover maintenance |
| Plastic | 50 | £459 to £4,538 | Low-maintenance household storage | Anchoring and shelf compatibility |
| Metal | 49 | £2,250 to £10,565 | Security-led storage | Condensation control and careful assembly |
What base should go under a garden shed?
Every shed needs a firm, level and free-draining base. Grass and loose topsoil do not meet those requirements.
Concrete suits heavy buildings and exposed sites. Paving slabs work when properly bedded and levelled. Plastic grid kits drain naturally and avoid concrete curing time. The right answer depends on the shed instructions and existing ground.
Use the structural footprint, not the nominal label or roof size. The Fastfit 6x4 kit measures 2000mm by 1500mm. It includes a permeable membrane and carries loads up to 300 tonnes per square metre.
The detailed shed base guide calculates slabs, concrete volume and grid sizing. Use it before ordering ground materials.
Base warning: Firm does not automatically mean level. Check both directions and both diagonals with a long spirit level. A twisted base racks the shed frame and moves the door openings out of square.
How much should I budget for a garden shed?
Budget for the complete installation rather than the shed alone. The building price is only the first line.
On 6 August 2026, this store's wooden shed listings ran from £429 to £3,334. Plastic sheds ran from £459 to £4,538. Metal sheds ran from £2,250 to £10,565. Size, construction and included parts explain much of that spread.
A compact wooden example is the Power 6x4 Overlap Pent at £463. The Palram 6x5 Rubicon is £634. The Hormann Juno 5.5x4 metal shed is £2,250. These are live prices and update automatically.
Add the correct base, fixings and any paid assembly. Include removal of an old shed and garden-access work when needed. Electrical work requires a separate qualified quote.
The 2026 shed cost guide prices a measured 6x4 example and lists every hidden budget line.
Valuable contents also change the budget. Use the shed security guide for locks, anchors and insurance checks.
| Budget line | Question to answer | Commonly missed item |
|---|---|---|
| Shed | Which size and specification fit the job? | Floor, frame or roof covering may vary by model |
| Base | What does the manufacturer permit? | Excavation, aggregate and waste removal |
| Assembly | DIY or paid fitting? | Second person, access time and specialist fixings |
| Security | What will be stored? | Ground anchor, lock and insurance requirements |
| Ownership | What care is required each year? | Timber treatment, felt repairs and ventilation |
Where should a shed go in the garden?
Place the shed where water drains away and every side remains reachable. A narrow maintenance gap becomes useless once plants fill it.
Check the roof fall before choosing apex or pent. Keep doors away from steps and tight corners. Avoid low branches that rub roofing felt or drop debris into gutters. Mark the tallest roof point so it does not surprise you after delivery.
Planning rules vary by nation, property and proposed use. Check the official Planning Portal outbuilding guidance before ordering. Contact your local planning authority when permitted-development rights may be restricted.
Our UK shed planning guide compares England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What should I check before ordering a shed?
Complete one final measurement pass using the exact product page. Do not rely on the category label alone.
- External wall dimensions and the full roof overhang.
- Internal width, depth and lowest usable eaves height.
- Door opening width, height and swing direction.
- Base dimensions, fixing points and anchor requirements.
- Delivery panel sizes, gate width and turning space.
- Floor inclusion, shelf fixing rules and ventilation openings.
If storage needs are smaller, a full shed may waste space. The wheelie-bin storage size guide shows how purpose-built units use narrow areas. The same principle applies to bikes and vertical tool stores.
Why we stock this range: We keep all three materials together because the right answer changes with the job. A single-material range cannot make that comparison honestly. Check the usable space, base and access first. The material choice is much easier after that.
- Matt W, Garden Shed Stores
Three starting points for your shed search
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for a garden shed?
The best material depends on maintenance, security, appearance and intended use. Wood is adaptable, plastic needs little routine care, and metal suits security-led storage.
What is a good size for a garden shed?
An 8x6 shed provides 4.46m² of nominal floor area. It can separate shelves from larger equipment, but check real internal dimensions before ordering.
Does every garden shed need a base?
Yes, every shed needs a firm, level and free-draining base. The manufacturer may permit concrete, slabs or a grid system.
Can I put a shed directly on grass?
No, grass and topsoil move, retain moisture and rarely stay level. Prepare a suitable base before the shed is assembled.
How much does a garden shed cost?
Current store prices start at £429 for wood and £488 for plastic. Add the base, assembly, fixings and access work to your budget.
Do I need planning permission for a garden shed?
Many domestic sheds fall under permitted development, but the rules have limits. Property type, position, height and use can change the answer.
Should a shed base be bigger than the shed?
Make the base slightly larger than the shed's structural footprint. Follow the product instructions and exclude unsupported roof overhangs from the measurement.
Compare the main shed ranges
Continue the seven-part shed guide
- Wooden vs Metal vs Plastic Sheds: Which Is Best in the UK?
- What Size Shed Do I Need? 6x4, 8x6 and 10x8 Layouts
- Do You Need Planning Permission for a Shed? UK Rules by Nation
- How Much Does a Garden Shed Cost in 2026?
- How to Secure a Garden Shed: Locks, Anchors and Insurance
- Shed Base Guide: What to Put Under a Garden Shed