When you’re looking for a spacious shed that has an emphasis on security, then this Shed-Plus overlap apex shed could be exactly what you’re looking for. We were surprised at just how much it offered for a price point of less than two hundred pounds, and yet it both looks and feels durable. Our first impressions that this is a high quality garden building are confirmed by the 10 year guarantee against rot supplied by the manufacturer, giving the owner a decades’ peace of mind.
One thing that we especially liked about this shed is its appearance. The traditional overlap design gives it an almost rustic feel which is very much in keeping with modern garden fashion. The large double window at the side of the shed not only lets natural light flood in, it also looks very stylish. This is certainly a shed which will complement any garden, and one that you’ll be proud to invite your neighbours and friends to look around.
Security is an essential factor when choosing a shed today, and the shatter proof glass goes a long way to protecting your contents. We would, however, recommend that you add a strong padlock if you plan on keeping valuable items inside.
The classic apex design of this shed, along with the overlap cladding found around the exterior, really help to give it a timeless feel, but they provide a useful function as well. With our weather becoming ever more severe, and rainfall never far away, it’s important that the shed acts as a defence to anything kept inside. When rain hits the roof or walls it will simply bounce off or run harmlessly away.
The height of the roof at its ridge is a generous 2.04m, creating lots of storage space and being more than adequate for even the tallest person. The size of the apex itself is shown by the relatively low eaves height of 1.48m. We found the shed as a whole to feel spacious and accommodating, thanks to its width of 1.54m including the overhang, and depth of 2.11m including the overhang. We did have to bend down a little to get through the door, which has a height of 1.59m and a width of 0.66m.
When we review sheds that feature overlap cladding, we always like to check that the cladding is thick enough to endure not only the weathering but also the bumps and knocks that a shed can expect to take. The cladding on this shed is 7mm thick, which although around average for this kind of shed still gave a durable feel as a whole. Once up, this shed appeared sturdy enough to take all that the weather could throw at it.
A standard frame forms the basis of the shed, with a frame size of 28mm x 28mm. When we walked on the floor it felt solid and stable under our feet, which is tribute to the 9mm thick solid sheet material that the flooring is made of. This makes it suitable for all but the heaviest pieces of machinery and also helps to prolong the life of the structure as a whole. We were pleased to see that the integral wooden floor bearers had been pressure treated, as this not only elevates the base of the shed above ground level,it helps to prevent rot occurring in the areas where contact is made with ground. This can often be the weak point of a garden building, so it’s good that Shed-Plus have addressed this.
When reviewing a shed we feel it’s important to judge any pre-treatment provided by the manufacturer, and any warranty offered, as a garden shed should be an investment that lasts and lasts. That’s why we were pleased with the ten year warranty against rot that is included from Shed-Plus.
This in itself is tribute to the effectiveness of the dip treatment given to the shed’s timbers. This means that the timbers of the shed are dipped into a strong preservative before being allowed to dry naturally, giving far greater support than preservative which has been brushed on. Although this treatment gives a good initial protection level, the terms of the guarantee do state that additional preservative treatments will need to be provided on an annual basis, so this extra cost is something that must be considered when buying the shed.
Whilst the door could have been a little taller, the height of the shed roof ensured that there was plenty of room to move around in once inside, and it’s then that the most striking feature of the shed comes into its own. The large double windows dominate one side, so that the interior is bathed in natural light, allowing you to easily find whatever you’ve stored, or even sit down and relax with a newspaper or book.
We were very pleased to note that the windows on this shed are made not of standard glass, but of shatter resistant polycarbonate. This is a material that whilst being clear like glass is much tougher and more resistant to things hitting it such as stones. It also means that in the unlikely event of the polycarbonate glazing being broken it won’t shatter into tiny pieces, this is an important consideration, especially if you have young children or pets.
One area where we thought the shed could have been improved is in the button catch provided as standard. This is enough to prevent children accessing the shed, and to keep the shed door closed even in windy conditions, but it may not be enough in itself to stop a concerted attempt to gain access. That’s why we would recommend adding a strong padlock to the door, and there is room to accommodate one.
The tough and shatter proof window enhances the security of this shed, as a large window is often the first point of entry that a shed thief will turn to. Once their initial attempt to break the window has failed, many thieves will move on and search out an easier target.
We found that the shed has an attractive darkened effect common to dip treated wood, but it’s important to remember that this will fade over time. For that reason, to give a long lasting beauty to the timber we feel it’s advisable to paint or stain it. There are two shades of wood stain available as optional extras with this shed: dark brown and harvest gold. These are easy to brush on, and give the shed a uniform look as well as providing added protection from the sun’s UV rays which can otherwise damage or age wood.
Other available options include solar lighting to illuminate the exterior of the shed, and shed hooks which can be used as convenient places to hang your garden tools while you are working on the lawn or plants.
We are used to seeing high quality components and workmanship in sheds made by Shed-Plus, and once again they don’t disappoint.
By offering a 10 year guarantee, the manufacturers have shown their confidence in the longevity of their materials. Don’t forget, however, that the owner does have to add further preservative treatment every year.
7 foot by 5 foot is more than enough for most people’s needs, meaning that you can fit a lawn mower in there with ease as well as a selection of tools, or equipment relating to a hobby or leisure activity.
When we saw how the shed would look once constructed, we anticipated that it would take more of an effort to install than it actually did. Between two of us, it took less than two hours to set up including the windows.
It’s great to see that a reputable and well established name like Shed-Plus can offer such a good looking and spacious garden shed for less than two hundred pounds. Even taking into account the cost of annual treatment, this still represents excellent value for money.
Final Thoughts: A good shed should be beautiful as well as functional, and that’s definitely the case with this rustic overlap apex shed. It looks much more expensive than it actually is, and yet with a 10 year guarantee as standard it will be long lasting as well. Don’t worry too much about the cost of annual treatment, as the overall value for money is still excellent. You’ll be able to look out of the two large windows at your garden without being concerned about intruders or vandals trying to smash them. The polycarbonate glazing is very tough, as are the single sheet roofing and flooring.