Garden Buildings Direct

Here at Garden Buildings Direct, we offer a vast scope of shed sizes, ranging from the BillyOh Master Tall Store (3 x 2 ft), to our wooden workshop selection, some of which are available as a 20 x 10 ft shed, such as the BillyOh Expert Tongue and Groove Apex Workshop.

One of our most popular shed sizes is 6 x 8, a size specification which includes sheds such as the BillyOh Master Tongue and Groove Apex Shed, as well as the BillyOh Keeper Overlap Apex Shed.

When it comes to determining the shed size which is ideal for you, it’s vital to consider how you plan to use the shed, how big your garden is, and which style of shed you wish to pursue. 

Popular sizes include: 8 x 6 or 6 x 8, 12 x 8, 10x6 sheds, a a shed 6x4, 7 x 6, 6 x3 or 4x6shed. You can find all of these across our extensive range of products.

The lifespan of a wooden shed can greatly vary, according to numerous factors:

• Type of wood used
• Type of cladding used
• Quality of construction
• How well weatherproofed it is
• Location within your garden

As wood is a natural product, wooden sheds can be prone to warping and rotting over time if they aren’t properly treated and maintained. If your shed is properly maintained and of a high quality, then it will be more than capable of lasting up to and beyond 15 years! 

If your log cabin has direct contact with the ground, it can absorb moisture, which in turn can lead to rotting and decay. When placed on a level, sturdy base, you can rest easy in the knowledge that your log cabin has proper water drainage and ventilation underneath, increasing its lifespan.

There are various base options to choose from when it comes to log cabin bases:

Concrete base

Concrete bases are great as they’re very durable and more than capable of supporting the weight of a timber building. You can ensure that the ground is completely flat and level with this type of base. It will cost more and require some expertise, however.

Paving slabs

This is a base which can be constructed without much prior building knowledge, whilst remaining relatively inexpensive. Paving slabs are also brilliant for delivering a timeless and rustic feel to your overall garden aesthetic. Simply dig out your proposed site and sink levelled paving slabs in builds sand along the edges.

Ecobase Fastfit

This is a quick and easy-to-assemble base which is environmentally friendly. This base is a great alternative to the above options, and is robust enough to provide long-lasting protection for your log cabin, whilst being extremely cost-effective and time-saving. This base type is offered as an additional extra with many of our log cabins.

The short answer is yes! A garden office absolutely will add value to your property. If you’re working remotely, a garden office can offer a dedicated workspace to ensure maximum focus and productivity. Because of this, garden offices are becoming increasingly popular for those who are starting up/own small businesses and don’t want to pay for rented office space. Garden offices have been said to add around 5% value to properties.

This means that properties which include a garden office naturally represent a far more appealing prospect to business owners than those who don’t. Garden offices also improve the overall aesthetic of an outdoor space, whilst adding additional floor space and extra room. In the future, potential buyers may even wish to convert this space for a different use of their choice.

The cost of a garden office is dependent on size, material, the thickness of log (in the case of a wooden office), as well as additional extras such as pressure-treatment, window glazing and the type of flooring. Generally, you can expect to pay in excess of several thousand pounds for a high quality garden office.

Here at Garden Buildings Direct, we offer a range of garden offices, all available at excellent prices - especially when considering the level of quality and craftsmanship which goes into designing these fantastic garden buildings. Take our BillyOh Mia log cabin, for example, starting at just £1,515.

Summer houses are available in numerous shapes and styles, each possessing its own unique set of benefits:

Contemporary Summer Houses

If you have an inclination for a bespoke summer house with a stylish and elegant design, then these ultra-modern takes on conventional garden buildings are your best bet. Interlocking tongue and groove boards provide a unique aesthetic appeal which is sure to give your garden an edge.

Traditional Summer Houses

Many people are drawn to these classic silhouettes as opposed to the contemporary models. For those people, a traditional summer house is absolutely perfect, thanks to Georgian windows and the popular apex roof.

Corner Summer Houses

Finding space to accommodate a garden building such as a summer house can be a tricky task. This is where corner summer houses come into their own. They’re designed specifically to fit into a corner, whilst offering side windows and double doors to ensure a panoramic view of your garden. And with popular models like 7x7 and 11x7, you're sure to find something to fit your space.

Small Summer Houses

This is a great option for those with limited space, but who still wish for an area separate from their house where they can relax and get away from the hectic nature of modern life. Small summer houses are not only convenient, but also highly budget friendly.

Log Cabin Summer Houses

If you have an appetite for a luxurious style of summer house, then this is the one for you. Log cabin summer houses will look brilliant in any garden, whilst providing plenty of structural rigidity and weather-resistance.

Summer House Sheds

These are the ultimate solution for those who want two different garden buildings but don’t want to compromise on space. A summer house shed or summerhouse with side store can operate as an area of relaxation as well as a convenient place to store your garden tools. This is a garden building which is more than capable of doing both simultaneously, thanks to additional side stores.

Converting your shed into a summer house will present you with a garden area which will be excellent for relaxing and unwinding in after a long day. There are several steps which can be taken to ensure the maximum use is made of your garden building:

• Remove the clutter - If you’re redesigning a shed that's been in your garden for a number of years, then chances are it’ll be full of garden tools and other miscellaneous items. The more space you can make for your summer house, the better, so have a really good think about what you do and don’t need.
• Paint your shed - Pick a colour for your summer house, based on your desired aesthetic and garden surroundings. Ensure that your chosen paint includes wood treatment, in order to protect it from weather damage and rotting in the future. Lots of our garden buildings come with options for trim and wall colours.
• Fill your new space - Turning your shed’s interior to that of an idyllic summer house is no mean feat. Decorate the interior of your garden building, according to the style you wish to attain. Painting the inside with lighter colours will give an added sense of space, and some comfortable furniture is absolutely essential!

No matter how you intend to use your garden summer house, you should ensure it’s built in a suitable spot. There are a number of considerations to think about when determining this location:

Check the terrain

It’s essential that your summer house - or any type of garden building for that matter - is built on a level surface. Building on a base is the optimal way to ensure this is the case.

Accessibility

Having a pathway leading up to your summer house can help it become the centrepiece of your garden. A further benefit is that there’ll be no chance of the area in front of your summer house being caked with mud and you won't ruin your lawn by walking across it. Make sure any garden entrances are big enough for your summerhouse panels upon delivery. Also, try to keep your summerhouse off any boundaries to give you access around the entire building.

Natural lighting

You’ll want plenty of natural light to pour into your summer house. So, it’s best to avoid placing the summer house in a dark corner with overhanging branches. However, you also want to avoid direct sunlight. The goal is to locate an area with the perfect balance of light and shade, in order to ensure an enjoyable temperature throughout the year. That's why our summerhouses feature wide-opening double doors and large windows to maximise on natural light.

You should consider insulating any type of wooden garden building. Doing so will result in superior heat retention, meaning improved energy efficiency. In many cases, insulation can be inexpensive, while offering something which can save you hundreds of pounds in additional heating bills over time.

Insulated summer houses also tend to have longer lifespans than their non-insulated counterparts. Sudden changes in temperature, as well as high levels of humidity and moisture, can damage a summer house’s structural integrity over time, leading to rotting wood and the growth of mould. This will become less of an issue if insulation is installed.

Condensation can be a common problem in metal sheds, though not one which you should necessarily worry a great deal about, provided the proper steps are taken to tackle this. Condensation can occur in a metal shed when surface temperature and outside temperature differ, allowing water vapour in the air to condense, resulting in droplets of moisture covering walls, ceilings and other internal surfaces.

Here at Garden Buildings Direct, this issue is largely negated by the intricate design of our metal sheds. The vast majority of our metal sheds feature vents for added air circulation. Simply allowing air to freely flow in and out of your metal shed will go a long way to negating the effects of condensation.

Beyond this, you can check your roof for leaking. Providing ventilation and caulking any gaps in your ceiling can help prevent moisture build-up. For more information, check out this guide to stopping condensation in a metal shed.

While it isn’t essential, insulating your metal shed/metal workshop will aid in preventing a build-up of condensation, thus greatly reducing the likelihood of rust. Moreover, insulation will allow your metal or wooden shed to maintain a more consistent temperature throughout the year. This will keep it warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Fibreglass batts

These are most commonly used in larger houses in the walls and roof. They offer a high R-value (the level of resistance to heat flow) without being particularly expensive. However, they aren't very moisture resistant and are uncomfortable to work with.

Mineral wool

Instead, opt for mineral wool batts. Mineral fibre is highly resistant to moisture and fireproof. Though, this can be an expensive alternative to fibreglass.

Rigid foam boards

This is often considered the most popular option, courtesy of excellent moisture resistance, a solid R-value and not being too expensive. Brands like Celotex make boards that can easily fit in between wall studs and roof and floor joists. 

Yes - it’s highly advisable to have any kind of garden building built on top of solid foundations. A great foundation will protect your building from variable ground conditions, thus minimising the risk of rot/rust in the future.

In the UK especially, the weather can often be unpredictable, lurching from drought to consistent rainfall in a matter of days. When this occurs, any garden building which has an inadequate foundation, or no foundation at all, will likely suffer and find its structural integrity compromised as a result. Not building on a suitable base can also cause uneven pressure on things like windows and door frames leading to cracking and, eventually, a broken shed.

There are a number of viable base options to consider, such as concrete slabs, stilted foundations and concrete plinths. The main aspects to review are whether or not the ground is level (as your garden building should always be constructed on a level surface), will it be able to support the weight of your garden building, and, if your garden building is wooden, will it be effective in stopping damp seeping into the timber?

As a general rule of thumb, the majority of garden buildings are classed as ‘permitted developments’, meaning that the use of the building is ‘incidental to the enjoyment of the main dwelling house’, so won't need planning permission.

The larger your garden building and the closer it is to your property boundary, the greater the chance that you’ll require planning permission. How you intend on using your garden building also affects the potential for requiring planning permission. If you intend on regularly sleeping in or using it as an office, then the need for planning permission becomes more likely.

To be safe, we’d recommend checking with your local planning authority (LPA). Before that, you can always check this helpful resource on UK planning permission

The most obvious and effective way of treating wood is through pressure treatment. Pressure-treating wood introducing preservatives and chemicals to wood in a vacuum, allowing them to penetrate the surface. This, in turn, better protects it against things like rot, decay, and insect infestation. That's why we can offer our BillyOh 15-year guarantee on our pressure-treated garden buildings.

However,if pressure treatment isn’t the route you wish to pursue, then a number of other options exist. Wood treatment and preservatives are widely available online and only need applying every 1-2 years. Wood preservers are great as they can make garden buildings far more water-resistant, thus preventing mould and mildew in the long run.

Water and oil-based treatments are another possibility. Water-based treatments are cheaper but less effective and require regular re-application, while oil-based treatments provide strong weather protection and only need to be reapplied every five or so years.