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If you are considering one of our garden sheds to use as a workshop, you probably have a rough idea of what you would like it to look like, but have you thought about all the little details regarding the functionality of it?
Before you look at buying a garden workshop shed, what would you like to use it for? The purpose will affect decisions about the size, the roof style, what type of doors you will like, the flooring type and all the interior options, as you will want to make sure your outdoor workshop is fully equipped for what you are going to use it for.
To help you narrow down the options and get you thinking about what you will need to allow you to use one of our premium timber workshops to its full potential, we have put together a list of things to consider when buying a garden shed to use as a workshop.
1) Size
The first thing you will want to consider is the overall size of your shed. Is it going to be big enough for what you want to achieve, but small enough to fit into the space you have available in your garden? A shed that is the perfect fit for your garden will provide you with enough space for what you need, whereas if you can accommodate a large workshop in your garden, you could use it for a dual purpose, if you wanted to, and have an area for storage too.
If you are unsure about what size you need and would like some guidance, our sales advisors will be more than happy to help. We offer a no-obligation site visit service, where our friendly advisors will visit your property to measure up, taking into consideration the space you have available and all building regulation requirements, to then recommend the best building in the right size for your needs.
2) Roof type
Another important choice is what style roof you will need. An apex roof will give you more height and headroom, so if you are tall, you will be able to work comfortably without hitting your head. It is also a more traditional roof choice, with the height allowing your building to stand out in your garden.
 v2 small.jpg "3.0 x 4.8m Superior Shed in Sikkens Grey")
The overall height of a pent roofed workshop can be made to 2.5m or less, ensuring it meets permitted development regulations. A pent roof can also be a good option for those looking for a more subtle workshop that will blend into their garden.
 v2 small.jpg "1.8 x 3.0m Superior Shed in Slate & Pebble")
3) Door type
You may not think it but choosing what type of door you have on your outside workshop is also a big decision. If you are going to need to bring large items in and out of your shed, you will want to consider having double doors added so that you have a big enough opening to get them in and out with ease.
 v2 small.jpg "A customer's workshop - a 3.6 x 6.0m Superior Shed in Light Oak")
Doors with windows allow additional light inside your building and you may also want to choose to have more than one door, so you can have one set for moving items in and out, and another as a personnel door.
 v2 small.jpg "A 3.0 x 4.8m Superior Shed in Sage")
4) Windows
Another choice you will want to make is about windows. Would you like any windows in your shed design at all? You may want to include windows to give additional light to help you see the projects you are working on. Having windows in your workshop will also allow you to gaze out onto your garden while you are working inside.
If you have equipment that creates a lot of dust or you are using paints or stains that give off strong fumes, opening windows may be an essential to aid with internal airflow. You may also want to choose to double glaze the windows as another option to make it more user friendly all through the year.
5) Flooring
If you have particularly weighty equipment that you need inside your workshop, you will want to make sure that the floor is fit for purpose. With this in mind, we would advise choosing a heavy-duty floor. Ours is made using ex 38mm thick boards that are designed to support the weight of heavy items and machinery.
6) Insulation
.jpg "An example of our Oak Faced Ply Lining")
If you are spending a long period of time in your shed turned workshop in the winter, you will want an insulated workshop. Not only will insulating a shed workshop help to keep you warm, but it will also help to decrease noise levels, which can be helpful if you are using loud machinery or equipment inside your shed and do not want to disturb the rest of your family at home or your neighbours.
7) Electrics
.JPG "An example of where your electric sockets could be fitted on your Superior Shed")
Have you got equipment you need to plug in to use your workshop effectively? If so, you will want to add electrics to your workshop. If you opt for one of our Superior Sheds, you will get 4 double switched sockets that can be fitted where you like, so they are placed in the area that works best for you. An electric pack will also supply your building with lighting inside, allowing you to still use your workshop when it is dark outside and in the winter months of the year.
8) A Workbench
 v2 small.jpg "A customer's workshop with added workbench")
You may also want to consider having a workbench installed inside. A workbench will provide you with a place for you to tinker with tools and take on projects, while also offering space underneath for storage. We make our workbenches using oak faced plywood so that they are solid and sturdy.
They are 900mm tall and 600mm deep, and we make them to your chosen size so you could have one installed along the side of your building or have two joined together to make an ‘L-shaped’ bench.
9) Security
 v2 small.jpg "Some of the items of value you could be storing inside your garden shed turned workshop")
When using your shed as a workshop, you are bound to be storing items and equipment of value so you will want to make sure that your shed is as secure as possible.
We offer our security pack as extra on our Superior Sheds for those customers who want additional protection for the items stored inside. We add stainless steel bars to the window frames, security screws to the door hinges that are impossible to unscrew, and a heavy-duty 7 lever lock that is anti-sawing, anti-picking, anti-cropping, and anti-prising, for your peace of mind that your items are safely secured inside.
 v2 small.jpg "2.4 x 3.0m Classic Shed in Smoke")
We have three different shed ranges that may be suitable for your garden workshop; our simple yet high-quality Classic Sheds, our National Trust Sheds that are traditionally styled, and our Superior Sheds that are fully customisable with a whole host of interior and exterior design options available to tailor the building to your needs.
 v2 small.jpg "1.8 x 2.4m National Trust Felbrigg Shed in Dome Ochre")
You may also find one of our Garages would be suitable for what you are looking for. Our Garages use a concrete base as the floor, making sure it is strong and sturdy, and the double doors have a wider opening than our Sheds.
 v2 small.jpg "1.8 x 2.4m Holkham Summerhouse in Ash")
Even buildings from our Summerhouse and Studio ranges would make for an excellent workshop, with previous customers using our Holkham Summerhouse, Blakeney Summerhouse and Langham Studio as their back yard workshop.
 v2 small.jpg "3.0 x 6.6m Langham Studio in Sage")
If you are unsure on which of our timber workshops would be best suited for your needs, please do get in touch with us by emailing sales@cranegardenbuildings.co.uk or give us a call on 01760 444229. Our friendly advisors will be more than happy to use their expertise and knowledge of our garden workshop buildings to help you with your workshop project.