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How to Choose the Best Garden Shed

The New Zealand lifestyle is busy, whether walking through the native bush, messing around on the water, or completing the weekend DIY list. Our activities and hobbies mean we collect a lot of stuff, from gardening gear to sports equipment and paddleboards to mountain bikes. You’ll need a spacious, stylish garden shed to store and protect everything. Whether you’re shopping for steel, wood, or resin garden sheds, you’ll enjoy great value and great service with Trade Tested. Shop our quality range of easy-to-assemble kitset garden sheds to suit your unique requirements and budget online or in-store. Read on to discover how to choose the best garden shed NZ-wide.

Why Kitset Sheds?

Our range of quality garden sheds provides a simple, cost-effective solution for all your storage needs. Unlike garden sheds built to order, we’ve got the easiest kitset shed to assemble, already made and packed up, ready to go. That means we can ship you a premium garden shed to suit your needs quickly and at a fraction of the price. Some kitset garden sheds contain many small pieces, meaning assembly is tedious and time-consuming. Ours are in as few pieces as possible, making it the easiest kitset shed to assemble.

All Trade Tested quality kitset garden sheds come with a 12-year warranty, so you can be sure you’re getting great value on a premium garden shed that will last you many years.

Purpose

What will you be using your garden shed for? We have a range of sizes and models available to suit a variety of purposes. Order an NZ garden shed to organise garden tools and accessories, house bikes, kayaks, and other outdoor gear. Garden sheds also make unique workshops and hobby spaces. If you need it for backyard storage, will your new garden shed be your only storage area? Or will it be used alongside a garage space or basement? If you’ll be working there too, how much time will you spend in there? And what facilities will you need? Here are some examples of what your NZ garden shed space might look like.

Our NZ garden sheds come in a range of sizes, colours and styles to suit the design and character of your outdoor living area. Once you’re clear on your shed’s purpose, you can start choosing specifications.

Choosing a Shed

Find your perfect shed in five easy steps:

 1  Pick a Size
 2  Select your Material
 3  Pick a Roof Style
 4   Choose your Colour

1. Size

Decide how much of your backyard you will devote to the garden shed. If your property is small, you may be limited by space. If you have a larger property, you’ll want to leave enough lawn area for kids and pets or even room to put some outdoor furniture.

How much storage space do you need in your garden shed? Besides what you’re planning to put in your garden shed immediately, consider how you’ll use it in the future. Your storage needs will probably increase as your family expands, your kids grow up, or you take on new hobbies. Properly cared-for NZ garden sheds can last decades. You don’t want to have to replace your garden shed a year or two down the track because you’ve run out of storage space. We recommend browsing bigger sizes to anticipate changing shed needs. Trade Tested’s quality garden sheds have floor areas that range from 0.8 m² to 14.8 m².

As well as floor area, internal shed height is critical if you plan to use it as a workshop or add shelving. How many shelves do you need, and what height should these sit at? If you plan to work inside your shed, you’ll need to ensure the roof height allows you to stand comfortably. Browse our range of larger sheds with a 2.1 m height.

Some of our larger garden sheds have double doors, while our smaller ones tend to have single doors. Ease of access might be important, especially if you plan to store large or bulky items. You’ll need to ensure items - and the people moving them - can safely fit through the door frame.


2. Material

Steel

Most garden sheds in New Zealand are engineered from steel, mainly because they are light, strong, simple to assemble, and won’t warp or fade over time. Membranes over steel frames yield garden sheds built to last. Steel garden sheds are robust and rigid and feature interlocking steel channels for easy assembly. For the conditions we experience in New Zealand, steel garden sheds stack up. The strength and corrosion resistance of galvanised steel means NZ garden sheds stand the test of time without needing much maintenance. Our great value steel garden sheds come in a range of sizes and with a 12-year ‘no rust’ warranty.

Wood

Wooden sheds have a classic look and an aesthetic appeal that can’t be underestimated. Sitting in your garden or your back lawn, these sheds provide unique, strong, and functional spaces that look gorgeous, adding to your property’s aesthetic.

Wooden garden sheds require occasional maintenance; otherwise, the wood’s finish can deteriorate over time. Consider your thirst for DIY and how much time you have to spend keeping your garden shed up to scratch. It won’t take much time, but it will add to your to-do list. Wooden sheds also tend to command a little more in price; however, getting the look you want and having something special is a great investment. Trade Tested’s wooden sheds are crafted from Nordic kiln-dried spruce and come in a range of sizes.

Resin Plastic

Resin garden sheds are the ultimate in lightweight durability - this quality material does not fade or crack. Resin sheds have the ability to keep their contents dry - a testament to the weather-tightness of resin construction. Browse sheds in a range of colours, with new shades constantly released. The easy-to-manufacture nature of resin garden sheds means there is also a huge range of sizes and configurations, allowing you to select the right garden shed design to suit your needs. One useful advantage of resin construction over traditional steel is the reduced condensation, a plus if you want to store more temperature-sensitive items. Remember that the need for weather-tightness and durability under NZ conditions is paramount. Resin might be the best garden shed material designed to withstand the rigours of four seasons in one day! Trade Tested’s range of Keter garden sheds is made of a durable, weather-resistant resin reinforced with steel or feature composite twin-wall panels for strength and stability.


3. Roof Style

Pitched roof garden sheds are great for storing tall items like skis or surfboards. They also work well as workshops, providing comfortable standing room in the centre. Flat roof sheds are ideal for limited


4. Colour

When choosing the right colour for your dream shed, consider the surrounding landscape and how you want the garden shed to blend in. Some people like a subtle and inconspicuous garden shed design, while others enjoy a bold focal point for their garden. Assembling a cream or white garden shed could be attractive in a tidily manicured, landscaped garden, perhaps alongside a patio or water feature. Earthy tones are nicely suited to gardens with a softer, more naturalistic feel. Green is often a great colour choice for garden sheds placed amongst leafy flora. Garden sheds with dark, cool colours have a modern or bold feel and could suit a more minimalist garden design with lots of straight edges. Check out some photos of our quality garden sheds in use across New Zealand, and consider which colour and design would best match the features of your garden.

How to Choose a Floor

Sheds need proper foundations to anchor them securely and elevate their contents above the ground. The range of flooring options includes timber, a steel-raised floor foundation kit, or a concrete pad. Flooring selection primarily hinges on the existing conditions of the shed site, the functional requirements of your shed, and considerations related to cost and installation efforts.

Securing your shed to a fixed, level base will help prevent the frame from bending and maintain its strength and stability in bad weather. Trade Tested’s range of garden sheds comes with free anchor kits to secure them to timber or concrete bases.

Timber

Timber is the most popular option for shed floor construction in New Zealand, and for good reason. Any way you look at it, a wooden foundation and floor is a strong and versatile platform from which to build garden sheds. Using timber flooring is also a good option if you need to move the shed to a different location.

When opting for timber floors, it's crucial to account for potential windy conditions by firmly securing the wooden floor to the ground. The use of pegs is an effective means to achieve stability.

If you have plenty of timber on hand, you can make the bearers and floorboards of your shed floor yourself by cutting them to the correct size. This way, you can choose your favourite timber and finish it with a varnish, stain or paint. If you’d prefer a ready-to-build floor, we have a range of floor kits readily available for each shed size. These come with the bearers and floorboards cut to the correct dimensions, along with all the nails and nail plates you need for simple assembly. Our quality floor kits are made locally from FSC-certified New Zealand pine from Rotorua and are pre-treated to prevent moisture damage.

Raised floor foundations

AA simple and budget-friendly alternative is adding floor to steel-raised flooring foundations. After constructing the steel foundation frame, cover it with timber or plywood. The frame ensures that your actual floor is off the ground and is designed to fit with your shed. This option provides flexibility for your choice of based surfaces and is a great method for attaining a flat surface. It can be ideal when setting sheds up on existing hard surfaces, e.g. driveway, patio, paved or concreted area.

Concrete

You might already have a raised concrete pad on your property that’s just the right size for the shed you plan to purchase. Building a shed on it can be a great way to repurpose an old carport, driveway or patio area. The shed's frame will attach to the concrete slab using 8mm bolts and a series of clamps to ensure a solid connection.

If you don’t have one, making one is a great investment. However, the additional cost involved in buying, mixing and pouring cement and ensuring the foundation is straight and level may not suit everyone. Assembly will take longer than it would for a timber floor, but it’s strong and permanent. This floor style won’t expand and shrink the way timber might, and it won’t crack or damage if you drop something heavy on it. It’s also simple to keep clean, as you can hose it down. This is great if you’re keeping animals in your shed, potting plants, or storing anything that could make a mess.

Pouring a 100mm recessed cement floor provides a solid foundation and a robust platform that will last years. Of course, once you’ve poured the cement, you cannot move it to a different location—so take your time planning this option. It’s ideal if you own your property and want your floor to last as long as the shed.

We can provide a guide to help you plan your foundation and secure the shed. We recommend placing the floor above the ground outside the shed so rainwater doesn’t enter.

DIY Assembly

For those with good DIY skills, assembling garden sheds is straightforward. Our quality range of garden sheds is designed to be easy to assemble. Our sheds come with all the necessary components and precise instructions to guide you through the process. Assembly of smaller sheds takes around 4 hours or 6-8 hours if you order one of our larger sizes.

Many hands make light work, so the assembly will be easier and faster if you have help. You will definitely need assistance putting on the roof. Arrange for your partner, a friend or a family member to help out for the day. You’ll need a cordless drill, tape measure, and a ladder.

Trade Tested is more than happy to help with all the advice you need putting together our wooden, resin or steel sheds - it’s all part of the service! If you get stuck, call us toll-free on 0800 800 880.

Remember to put your safety first. Make sure you use the right tools for the job, and don’t take on more than you’re capable of. If you’re using a ladder, correct set-up is important, and remember to keep three points of contact at all times when you’re on the ladder and avoid over-reaching. Read more about DIY safety on ACC's website.

Professional Assembly

Our quality range of garden sheds is quick and easy to assemble. However, if you don’t feel confident enough or are short on time, we can organise a free, no-obligation quote for an assembly partner in your area to assemble your shed.

Our assembly partners can also put down flooring in your shed if needed. However, they cannot clear your site or level the ground to work on. If you’d like an assembly partner to put your shed up, you’ll need to make sure the area is flat and clear before they arrive.

Legal and Compliance

You won’t need building consent to install sheds smaller than 10 m² in most areas of NZ. However, you may need to research NZ council regulations for our larger garden sheds. Check with your local council to find out what requirements apply for assembling garden sheds in your area.

Positioning

Measure out space before you decide which of our quality garden sheds you plan to order. Use pegs or stakes to mark it out to make sure the shed will fit properly and look how you want it to. What existing features do you have on your property? Concrete, lawn, or bare ground? Consider these spaces to put your shed. Alternatively, place your shed on a deck or patio. Your location will determine how you secure your shed to the ground and what kind of foundations and flooring you need.

Some people like to place their sheds away from the house. But, balance these aesthetic considerations against practicality and convenience. Assembling the shed close to where you use it gives you the ability to get the most use out of it. You might find that the kids put their outdoor toys away if the shed is near where they play. Keep your shed close to facilities you might need to access, like power or water supply.

Understanding the features of your property will help you decide where your shed should go. Think about the contour of the ground - the shed should go on flat ground, or if there’s a slight incline, that should be towards the back of the shed. If drainage is poor, or you experience water leaks from ponds or water features, that area will probably be too damp. Wet ground could damage a timber floor or let water enter your shed.

Leave space around your shed so you can easily clean and maintain it. Make sure there’s space at the front for the door to open and for you to get any large items in and out without hassle.

Council regulations usually require that garden sheds be placed away from other buildings and fences - at least the same distance as the roof height. If you have a swimming pool, remember that your shed should be a reasonable distance from the pool’s fence.

Be careful of putting your shed near any trees on your property, especially if the tree still has a lot of growing to do. Leave enough room around the shed for the tree’s growth in the future. Remember that the roots may be spreading, too, so you may not want to put the shed directly over them. Use the drip line - the area on the ground covered by the tree’s canopy - to give you an idea of where the tree’s roots are. You might also think twice about putting your shed under a tree that loses a lot of leaves or drops seeds, flowers or fruit - clearing tree matter off the shed roof might be an extra garden chore you could do without!

Trade Tested’s range of quality garden sheds is tough enough for all weather conditions, but they’ll last even longer if screened a little - especially wooden sheds. Shelter from the sun and wind will also be more comfortable if you’ll work in the shed a lot or if a pet will live inside. Depending on the features of your property and the purpose of your shed, a sheltered area might be a good idea.

Remember, too, be nice to your neighbours. Try not to put the shed where it could block their view - attractive though Trade Tested’s quality sheds are!

Customisation and Accessories

If you’ll be using tools or other electrical equipment in your shed, or if you want to install lighting, you should consider a permanent electrical supply. We recommend you have this work done by a qualified NZ electrician to ensure it’s done safely.

Installing a simple ramp is a great idea if you’re storing anything with wheels, such as bikes or lawnmowers, or if you’ll need to carry heavy or bulky things in and out of the shed.

Consider ventilation and insulation if you’ll design your shed as a workshop or the kids will keep a small pet in it. Trade Tested’s range of garden sheds can easily be customised with windows or skylights; you can even line it with plasterboard and add insulation.

Security may be an essential consideration; if you have costly items like lawnmowers, bikes or power tools, you’ll want the peace of mind of knowing they’re safe. Our sheds can easily be fitted with features such as locks and security lighting.

How to Purchase Our Garden Shedse

Enjoy great value and great service with Trade Tested. Ordering from our range of sheds is quick and easy to order online. If you have trouble, you can chat live with us during business hours or call us free on 0800 800 880. Most of our sheds are readily available at our warehouse near Auckland Airport, so we can prepare to send out a great garden shed as soon as you place your order. In most NZ areas, you’ll get it within about three days - much faster than some shed retailers, who can take several weeks to send a shed out. We deliver sheds door-to-door across NZ, or to the nearest depot for collection.

If it would suit you better to shop in person, you’re welcome to visit our Auckland Store. We’re open seven days a week and have an assembled shed on display, so you can check out the product’s features before you decide on which new shed design to take home.

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