Garden Shed: How To Choose It In 5 Questions
The garden shed is the gardener's secret domain: not only does he store his tools and accessories there, but he can also prepare his seedlings or tinker. This annex to the house comes in various sizes, shapes, and materials. Depending on its surface area, its installation may require administrative procedures. Here is a practical guide to choosing the right garden shed in 5 questions.
1- What dimensions to choose?
The choice of a garden shed, its dimensions, and its material should correspond to the use you intend to make of it. This type of shed can indeed be used as a storage or storage space, but also as a full-fledged living space.
The intended use will determine the size of the shed and the necessary equipment.
In order for this shed to serve as a gardening or DIY workshop, you should plan for a minimum area of ??5m2 with a ridge height of 2m.
In addition, the door should have a width of at least one meter to store equipment such as a wheelbarrow or a lawnmower, and it is also recommended to leave a clear area of ??2 by 2m in front of the entrance.
2- What are the regulations for garden sheds?
When choosing the dimensions, you must also know that the area of a garden shed determines the administrative procedures to be undertaken:
- if the area of the shed is less than or equal to 20 m2, you only need to submit a planning application at the town hall
- however, if the area is larger than 20 m2, you must apply for a building permit.
Furthermore, a tax called "taxe d’aménagement" is due for any creation of closed and covered floor area, with an area greater than 5 m2 and a ceiling height greater than or equal to 1.80 m.
Therefore, if you want to avoid paying this "taxe d’aménagement", you must choose dimensions smaller than 5 m² (for the area) or 1.80 m (for the ceiling height).
Also note that your shed will not be taxed if it is built with an opening to the outside (open shelter) as the tax only applies to enclosed spaces.
3- What equipment should be planned?
If you are considering converting your garden shed into a workshop or summer kitchen, it is recommended to equip it with:
- Running water for cleaning your DIY equipment and watering plants
- Electricity to be able to stay there until nightfall.
Electricity will not only serve for lighting but also for recharging motorized tools' batteries. Just remember to protect your electrical installation with a differential circuit breaker.
4- What storage solutions should be implemented?
The interior of a garden shed benefits from being cleverly arranged to facilitate the storage of gardening tools.
Here are some storage options to consider:
- Racks where the most frequently used tools can be placed within reach
- Shelves on which pesticides can be stored out of reach of children
- A drawer for seed packets
- A foldable shelf on which you can prepare seedlings and repot plants.
5- What materials to choose?
A garden shed can be made of wood (such as raw fir or Northern fir), metal, or PVC.
Wood is a material that blends into any landscape and is suitable for all uses, from simple storage to living spaces. However, this material requires significant implementation (foundations, assembly, roofing) and regular maintenance.
Galvanized metal has excellent resistance to weather conditions and is easily maintained with a water jet. Its installation is quick, but it does not blend well with all landscapes. Additionally, this material does not withstand sea air and persistent winds.
PVC garden sheds are easy to install and maintain. They can be placed by the seaside but have the disadvantage of not being very aesthetically pleasing.
You just need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of these different materials, taking into account the price of the shed and the intended use.
