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 18×12 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 12×18 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
As we are past the shortest day of the year and the days are getting longer, although it doesn’t seem like it at the moment, now is the time you should be planning how to improve the soil in your garden. This is where mulching comes in.
Mulching involves putting loose coverings around plants in your garden and you have a wide variety and choice of biodegradable as well as non-biodegradable materials to choose from. Straw, compost, wood chippings from the work in your garden shed and even seaweed will help to replace nutrients lost from the soil.
Alternatively you can use plastic sheeting (available in sizes from 18X12), gravel or stone chips and these will help to keep in the moisture in the ground and will keep weeds at bay. These actions will help improve the texture of the soil and will deter garden bugs and pests.
It will also help to protect your garden plants from the extreme temperatures experienced over winter. It is possible to store your plants in your garden shed but you would need to ensure you keep them moist during this time.
Another item which is really good for the garden is well rotted manure, which can be quite stinky and not that pleasant. This can be bought from your local farm or from garden centres. As the manure rots it provides your plants with vital nutrients.
I would advise using strong rubber gloves when handling to ensure that the smell does not follow you around. Bark is another good mulch and one of my favourites. It is available in different grades with some being ornamental in appearance and some in more minute sizes which rots a lot quicker.
However, it is important that the stems of small trees and bushes are not covered as this action can make them susceptible to disease and rot. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) recommends for the best results to only use biodegradable materials such as straw, compost etc and ideally should be about 3 inches thick and should be laid over the ground whilst it is still moist.
This will hold in the moisture to benefit your plants. You can buy straw and store it in your 18 x12 shed so that it is available as and when required.
There are different opinions as to when your should do the mulching and late winter and early spring tends to be the best time, although literally any time of the year will help for different reasons. There is universal agreement that mulching is good for the garden and that if you have the opportunity then you should make the most of it.
Do you mulch your garden? Do you store mulching materials in your shed or outdoors? What do you consider the best thing to mulch with?
