When choosing a timber building, you need to check the specifications to ensure it will have the strength to last. So always check out the thickness of the timber, whether it’s made from redwood or the cheap inferior whitewood, how thick the framing is etc. Are the doors and windows joinery made, meaning they will last a long time? Does it has toughened glass for safety or imperfect horticultural glass, plastic or perspex? All important questions.
On many of the buildings available on the web, you will find that they will deliver them to your house and leave them for you to build. You can save a little money this way, but you will have to build it yourself. That’s OK if you are a good DIYer, but it will still be hard work. The best option is to take advantage of 1st Choice’s FREE assembly option on the Diamond and Platinum buildings. They will do all the hard work – all you need to do is build a level base for it to go onto. And they can even arrange that for you as well if you wish. This way, you can be sure your new building will be built correctly, and all you need to do is enjoy it.
We have a large range of
garden shed sizes for you to choose from and in several styles. However, we specialise in making buildings to suit your needs. Whether it needs to be taller, extra or fewer windows, the doors and windows moved, we can do that for you. Ensure you buy the building to suit you and your family with no compromises. Give us a call on (0333) 800 8880 or visit our showroom and discuss what you would like. We are happy to provide a quote to suit you with no pressure.
To make the most of your new building, it’s a good idea to have it
lined and insulated to get the most use out of you all year round. Doing so will keep the building cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It’s possible to do this yourself if you feel confident. However, there is an option to do this for you on all the
Platinum buildings. It can be seen as a luxury, but you will be glad you did on those hot summer days or cold winter days. Just contact us, and we will arrange a free quote for you.
We provide 16×12 sheds with a protective treatment but why not consider a building painted with Sadolin (Diamond Buildings) or Valtti (Platinum Buildings) paints. Both are available in a range of colours so you find a colour to suit you. You can find more details about
painted sheds here. Or, just contact us, and we will arrange a free quote for you.
Sadolin Superdec 'Clover Leaf'
Free Fitting Included
Sadolin Superdec 'Sea Step' +
Free Assembly Included
Sadolin Superdec 'Four By Two'
Free Fitting Included
Sadolin Superdec 'Outside'
Free Installation Included
Tikkurila 'Sage Green' Wood Stain
Free Assembly Included
Tikkurila 'Chestnut Brown' Stain
Free Assembly Included
Tikkurila 'Charcoal Grey' Wood Stain
Free Assembly Included
Tikkurila 'Oakwood' Wood Stain
Erected Free Of Charge
Before deciding on a new 12×16 shed for your garden, you should always do your homework (sorry!) as it’s very easy to be taken in with a flashy website leaflet or colour brochure. Try to find time and make a trip down to our showroom where you can examples on view. By doing so, you will then be able to decide what you may be buying. We have a large collection of wooden buildings that you are welcome to view. We will be delighted to show you the different buildings and answer any queries you may have. We can provide quotations as well. Another thing to do is to take a look at the
feedback from previous customers which can be enlightening.
All of our timber sheds which we sell are not the 'cheap and cheerful' buildings you can buy online made from inferior materials and down to a price. After 40 years in the business we know what is important in making a quality garden shed - one that will last and will look good in your garden.
Don't risk buying a 'bad un'. Do your research and always, if possible, go and look at your intended purchase before signing on the 'dotted line'. Don't end up in the situation - if only! Visit one of our show sites and see for yourself how good our sheds are. You won't regret it.
Photo Gallery
Diamond Sheds
Free Assembly Included
Platinum Sheds
Free Installation Included
Bespoke Options
Garden sheds are used mainly for general garden duties or for home workshops however, increasingly, many are being used for living in which can cause problems with the local council as generally this is frowned upon.
If permission is granted the shed owner would need to ensure that the building meets all the local building regulations, which can be stringent. Why are garden sheds being using for this purpose? Well the cost of homes as sky rocketed with many children unable to find their own homes due to the cost and the struggle to get a mortgage. Renting and living in a shed is sometimes their only option.
Having said that most decently made 16×12 garden sheds can have the walls and roof insulated and then lined. 1st Choice Leisure Buildings can offer this as an option on most of their Platinum garden buildings. With the addition of internal lining and electrics and, ideally, double glazing these can be ‘home from home’ (nearly). Just ensure you meet the required building standards which your local council will be able to advise you about.
Hopefully as time goes on the children will be able to save up and obtain a mortgage and a property of their own. The converted 16 x 12 shed will then be able to be used as a guest room, garden home office or recreation room – all of which will increase the value of your property. So in the long run can be a good investment as well as helping your off spring.
If you are thinking of renting your converted shed to an outsider then you need to be a little more careful. The implications are a little more involved and need greater consideration as the council are not normally very keen on this sort of development.
This is why, quite often, that these lettings are kept secret much to the council’s annoyance. They actually have officers looking out for this sort of thing, so beware. The silliest thing you can do is to advertise your shed for renting as this will be picked up on very quickly.
When these type of renting outs are found the occupants are evicted onto the street, which in some ways (most ways) a great shame as they often don’t have any where to live. All the council has done is to put these previously homeless people back onto the streets, which can not be nice. With no help from the council these people have to end up struggling to make ends meet – and we are supposed to live in a caring society!
Other sheds often let out are the bathing huts found at many seaside locations, usually painted in bright colours such as the ones at Cromer. Available for the day, week or month this gives the people renting a base for the day where they can change into their swimming costumes, prepare and eat picnics as well as sheltering from the weather, if need be. Even when it is raining at the seaside it can be nice looking out onto the sea from a dry building – or you can go home – your choice.
However some garden sheds owners are being successful in utilising their sheds and making some income from them. An example was an owner in Manor Park in London advertised their 16×12 converted garden shed for £150 per week.
Being close to the local railway station was a big plus and the shed, complete with bathroom so it completely self contained. This shed was professionally converted by a building with a glazed front door, windows and with a tiled roof – so is clearly more than a ‘run of the mill’ garden shed found in most gardens.
