Buyer's Guide to Small Garden Sheds

Spring time is here and it is time to get started with those weekend yard projects. After all, everyone can use some extra room in the garage, and the best way is to consider installing a small garden shed. There are many varieties to choose from. I went through the evaluation process last year and found the following garden sheds to be my favorites.

My top pick is the Heartland DIY Horizon Sun Shed - this garden shed has beautiful accessories that can be added. It is an 8X10 shed that is easy to install with no need to saw. It is made of pre-treated engineered wood which makes it very durable. Some features that can be added include a cedar bench and a large glass window and ceiling fan with thermostat. So if you will be doing some work outside where you need a somewhat comfortable place to do carpentry or potting plants etc, this is a nice accent to the yard. All of the hardware is include so it is a quick weekend project.

My second choice is the Duraworx Apex Resin Shed - It is an 8.5X6 garden shed that is rust free do to the resin construction that is metal reinforced. It has fewer bells and whistles than Heartland but it also costs less. It has a cute skylight to bring in the outdoors. It appears to be a feature that many better sheds are offering. It comes with a 7 year warranty.

My last choice is the CedarShed Haida - It is a 12X8 garden shed which really is not very small, but if you have a big property then this could work. It is a nice do it yourself project made of all western red cedar. The unit comes with pre built panels that simply need to be screwed together. All hardware is included down to the drill bit. Windows and doors can be adjusted to fit your custom space requirements. It comes with a one year warranty and the manufacturer suggest that you inquire you're your township regarding a building permit. To keep this all wood shed looking nice Olympic Maximum protectant is recommended. This is the main reason why I did not select this model. I wanted something maintenance free.

So many options are available, it is best to know your space requirements and then do a bit of research. Many national retailers have display models for looking at before making your final selection. Also consider installation and delivery costs when calculating your budget.