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Click on images below to see larger versions of garden workshops
Click on images below to see larger versions of garden workshops
Click on images below to see larger versions of garden workshops
Click on images below to see larger versions of combination garden workshops with shed or extra rooms
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Options To choose from a large range of colours and make your new
garden workshop special.
Why I Recommend a 12×8 Workshop
A 12×8 workshop is a very useful middle-ground size. It is much more usable than a small storage shed without taking over the average garden. With nominal dimensions of 12ft x 8ft, you have useful space for a workbench, shelving, cupboards, tools, bicycles, gardening equipment or smaller machinery.
What matters, however, is not simply the outside dimensions. I always tell customers to think about what will actually be inside the building. A workbench perhaps 2ft deep immediately reduces the clear working width. Add shelves, cupboards or machinery and a seemingly large empty workshop can soon become crowded.
One simple trick is to mark out 12ft x 8ft on the ground before ordering. Put boxes, garden furniture, or anything else roughly where your benches and equipment will go, then walk around the space. It costs nothing to do and can quickly tell you whether a 12×8 workshop is right or whether you should consider something larger. For more help planning the working space, our garden workshop ideas guide covers workshop layouts, equipment, lighting, ventilation and different workshop uses.
Advice From Robin Antill – In Garden Buildings Since 1979
I left school at 15 and started in the garden building business in 1979, trading as Marina Sheds. Those early years taught me a great deal about sheds and timber buildings. Still, more importantly, they taught me what customers actually need from them and what makes one building better value than another.
I sold Marina Sheds in 1990, although unfortunately I did not receive all the money I was due from the sale. It was a difficult lesson, but it did not put me off the garden building industry.
In 1992 we expanded beyond sheds, adding summerhouses, garages, garden rooms and log cabins. This broader direction meant changing our name to Titan Garden Buildings. My son Craig also joined the business in 1992 after studying carpentry at Guildford College from 1990. His carpentry training complemented the practical experience I had built up since starting Marina Sheds.
We sold Titan Garden Buildings in 1998 and, in 2000, made the decision to retail quality garden buildings from a selection of manufacturers rather than concentrate on just one range. That’s when we formed 1st Choice Leisure Buildings.
Today Craig runs the day-to-day business, and I am still here to support him as required. More than four decades after I started selling sheds, customers should get straightforward information about what they are buying, not be told everything is wonderful. You can read more about me, Robin Antill, and my garden building experience, or read more about the business on our About Us page.
What Should You Look for in a 12×8 Workshop Shed?
After all these years, one thing has not changed: the specification matters. A photograph can make two workshops look remarkably similar, but their construction and long-term value can differ greatly. Before buying a 12×8 workshop shed, check what timber is being used, the thickness and profile of the cladding, the size of the framing, the construction of the floor and roof and the quality of the doors and windows.
Many of our timber workshop ranges use quality redwood deal rather than cheaper whitewood, with tongue-and-groove construction, wooden floors and roofs and toughened glass depending on the model. I also favour properly made timber doors and windows because they are working parts of a workshop that will be opened and closed repeatedly over many years. You can compare our wider timber workshop range if construction and timber specification are particularly important to you.
Don’t be overly influenced by phrases such as “heavy duty” unless the manufacturer actually explains what makes the building heavy duty. Compare the specifications. Timber sizes, cladding, framing and construction tell you much more about a workshop than a marketing description ever will. If you need a building for machinery, substantial benches or more demanding workshop use, it is also worth comparing our heavy duty workshops.
12×8 and 8×12 Workshops – What’s the Difference?
A 12×8 workshop may also be described as an 8×12 workshop, depending on which dimension the manufacturer lists first. Although the overall footprint may be the same, always check which dimension represents the gable or front of the particular building. This is especially important if your garden space is restricted or you need the doors and windows facing a particular direction.
Don’t assume that every 12×8 or 8×12 workshop has the same orientation. Check the building plan and the position of the doors and windows before ordering. If you are unsure, ask us. It is much easier to answer the question before your workshop arrives than to discover afterwards that you had pictured it the other way round.
A 12×8 Workshop Designed Around How You Will Use It
One advantage of choosing from our sectional garden workshops is the flexibility available on many models. A 12×8 building can often be adapted with doors and windows in different positions, extra or fewer windows, different cladding or treatment options and, on suitable ranges, internal partitions.
That means you don’t necessarily have to fit your plans around a standard shed. We can often make the workshop suit you. You may want most of the building as working space with a separate section for garden tools, or you may want windows concentrated around a workbench while keeping another wall clear for shelving.
Think about how you will work inside the building before deciding where everything should go. Where will the main bench be? Do you want natural light above it? Which wall needs to be clear for storage? Will you be carrying large pieces of timber or machinery through the doors? These practical considerations can make a considerable difference to how enjoyable your workshop is to use.
Is a 12×8 Workshop Large Enough for a Proper Workshop?
For many people, yes. A 12×8 workshop shed gives useful space for woodworking, DIY, repairs, model making, crafts, bicycle maintenance and general hobby use. It can also provide substantial storage alongside your working area.
If you intend to install several large machines, long woodworking benches or extensive floor-standing storage, however, I would consider whether 12×8 will still feel large enough once everything is installed. Empty buildings always look bigger than furnished ones.
Have a look at our complete range of garden workshops before deciding. If your garden and budget allow, buying slightly more space than you think you need can be worthwhile. Workshops have a habit of filling up with tools and equipment surprisingly quickly.
Free Professional Installation on Our Timber Workshops
One feature I particularly like about our Diamond and Platinum timber workshop ranges is professional installation. A 12×8 building is a substantial item to put together. An experienced DIYer may be able to assemble one, but handling large panels, fitting the roof correctly, and making sure everything is square and properly fixed is still hard work.
Where free installation is included with the selected model and delivery area, the fitting team does that work for you. Besides saving you considerable effort, it means the workshop is erected by people familiar with the building and how it should go together.
Your responsibility is to ensure there is suitable access and, crucially, that a firm and level base is ready before the installation team arrives.
A Good 12×8 Workshop Needs a Good Base
I have seen many otherwise good garden buildings let down by poor foundations. Your 12×8 workshop needs to sit on a base which is firm, flat and level. If the foundation is wrong, the building can settle unevenly, and you may end up with doors which don’t operate correctly, unnecessary strain on the structure or problems with damp around the bottom of the building.
Concrete, paving slabs and suitably constructed timber subframes can all be options depending on the building and your site. The important thing is that the finished base is suitable for the workshop you are ordering rather than simply being approximately level.
If you are unsure where to start, read our garden workshop base guide. We can also help with base preparation as part of your overall project.
Should You Insulate a 12×8 Workshop?
That comes down to how you expect to use it. If your workshop is mainly for tools, storage and occasional DIY in reasonable weather, you may decide insulation isn’t necessary. If you expect to spend several hours at a time inside throughout the colder months, consider it.
Selected workshop models can be supplied with insulation and internal lining options. You can see suitable choices in our insulated garden workshops range.
Insulation will not heat the building by itself, of course, but it can help retain warmth and make maintaining a comfortable temperature considerably easier. It can transform a workshop from somewhere you only want to use on pleasant days into a more practical year-round workspace.
Doors and Windows Matter More Than You Might Think
When comparing 12×8 workshops, think carefully about the doors. If you only expect to carry hand tools and smaller equipment in and out, a standard door arrangement may be perfectly adequate. If you have larger machinery, bicycles, lawn equipment or wide materials to move, double doors can make life much easier.
The same applies to windows. Natural light is useful in a working building, particularly above a bench, but more windows are not automatically better. Every window uses wall space which could otherwise hold shelving, cupboards or tools. If security is particularly important, you may prefer fewer windows or position them away from the most visible side of the garden.
This is another reason why I like workshops which offer some flexibility in their layout. The right position for the doors and windows depends on how you intend to use your particular building.
Think About Security When Planning Your Workshop
A workshop often contains considerably more valuable equipment than an ordinary garden shed, so security deserves some thought. Good-quality doors, appropriate locks and sensible window positioning all help, but where you position the workshop within your garden can be important as well.
Consider whether the doors and windows are easily visible from the road or neighbouring properties and avoid displaying expensive tools unnecessarily. You may also wish to add an alarm, lighting or other security measures depending on what you intend to keep inside.
No timber garden building can be made completely burglar-proof. Still, sensible choices when specifying and positioning your workshop can make it considerably less attractive to an opportunist thief.
Come and See the Workshop Quality for Yourself
This is advice I have given customers for decades: if you can inspect a garden building before spending your money, do it. Websites are useful and photographs help enormously, but neither allows you to feel the floor under your feet, open the doors, look closely at the timber or appreciate how much working room a 12×8 building really provides.
At our Surrey garden building show site, near Guildford, Woking and Ripley, you can compare full-size garden buildings and see different construction methods, finishes and specifications. We cannot display every possible building or every size. Still, the buildings on show let us demonstrate many differences that are difficult to explain through photographs alone.
I would much rather somebody visits us, asks awkward questions and buys the right workshop than orders something unsuitable simply because it looked cheap online. That philosophy has been with me since I first started selling sheds in 1979.
Why Buy Your 12×8 Workshop From 1st Choice?
There are plenty of companies selling garden buildings online. We add experience and straightforward advice. My involvement with garden buildings goes back to 1979, and Craig has worked alongside me since 1992. Between us, we have seen building styles, manufacturers and materials change enormously, but the basic principles of buying a good workshop remain remarkably consistent.
Choose the right size. Understand the specification. Make sure the base is right. Think about access before delivery. Decide where your benches, equipment, doors and windows need to go. And don’t automatically assume the cheapest building represents the best value.
My experience has taught me that a garden workshop should be viewed as a long-term purchase. Saving a relatively small amount by compromising on the building you actually need can prove a false economy if you subsequently find it too small, poorly laid out or unsuitable for how you want to use it.
If you are unsure whether a 12×8 workshop shed or 8×12 workshop is the right choice, contact us and tell us what you want to use it for. We will be happy to talk through the choices without pressure. After more than four decades around garden buildings, I still believe good advice before somebody buys is worth far more than trying to solve the wrong decision afterwards. Robin Antill, Founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings.
12×8 Workshop Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 12×8 workshop a good size?
For many home workshops, yes. A 12×8 workshop gives enough room for a useful workbench, shelving, tools and equipment while leaving working space around them. For substantial machinery or several large benches, consider whether moving up to a larger workshop would give you a more practical long-term layout.
Is an 8×12 workshop the same as a 12×8 workshop?
Often, yes. The two descriptions can refer to the same overall nominal footprint, with the dimensions stated in a different order. However, always check the product drawing, because the first dimension can refer to a particular side or gable, depending on the manufacturer. Door and window positions can also affect which orientation works best in your garden.
What is the difference between a 12×8 workshop and a 12×8 shed?
There is no official dividing line. Still, a proper workshop should place greater emphasis on construction, floor strength, usable headroom, natural light, door access and working space than a basic storage shed. Always compare the actual specification rather than relying on the word “workshop” in the product name.
Can a 12×8 workshop be made to my requirements?
Many of our timber workshop ranges offer bespoke or made-to-order options. Depending on the model, changes can include window and door positions, additional doors or windows, treatment and colour choices, insulation and even internal divisions. Ask us for advice if you have a particular layout in mind.
Does a 12×8 workshop need a base?
Absolutely. A timber workshop needs a strong, flat and level foundation. Never treat the base as an afterthought; it affects how well the whole building sits and performs. If you do not already have a suitable base, talk to us before ordering or read our workshop base guide.
Can I use a 12×8 workshop throughout the year?
Yes, although the specification needs to match how you intend to use it. An ordinary timber workshop can be perfectly suitable for storage and occasional hobby use. In contrast, regular winter use is usually more comfortable with insulation, appropriate ventilation, and a suitable heat source.
Is a 12×8 workshop big enough for woodworking?
It can be an excellent size for a home woodworking workshop, particularly for hand tools, a bench and smaller machinery. If you plan to use larger stationary machines or regularly work with long lengths of timber, carefully plan the internal layout first. Door placement can be particularly important when bringing long materials in and out.
Can I see the workshop quality before buying?
We strongly recommend seeing our buildings in person whenever practical. Visit our Surrey show site to compare timber, floors, doors, windows and general construction and to get a much better feel for the amount of usable workshop space you will have.
Who is Robin Antill?
I am the founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings and have worked in the garden building industry since starting Marina Sheds in 1979. I left school at 15 and built my knowledge of garden buildings through practical experience. After Marina Sheds came Titan Garden Buildings, where my son Craig joined me in 1992 following his carpentry studies at Guildford College. We sold Titan in 1998 and formed 1st Choice Leisure Buildings in 2000 to offer customers a carefully selected range of quality garden buildings from manufacturers we were happy to recommend. Craig now runs the business day-to-day, and I continue to support him and the company as required.
From £2789
