So how long will my shed last?
Firstly - the question on most peoples lips is...
How long is my guarantee?
OK: We offer a 1 year guarantee... however things that you need to bear in mind, is that the building is ercted, and it is onto a base provided by others.
The guarantee covers any manufacturing / assembly faults in addition to the wood 'not rotting' or the furniture rusting or failing.
We pride ourselves on delivering a quality building however should your building develop an obvious fault, we will come and fix it (not just send the parts).
We have established an outstanding reputation since 1982, to ensure our customers are happy with the product they have purchased, which is why we use the quality of materials during manufacture. When you buy from us, it means that in all likelihood, we don't need to return to you to fix a problem - but we are here on the phone and in person if things aren't as expected.
I can get a 20 year Guarantee Elsewhere
Yes you can. We've also done our homework and it covers the following...
The ***** 20 year guarantee offers protection against general timber rot and decay – the guarantee does not cover the product against timber splits or warping which may occur naturally over time.
​
That sounds amazing... So lets look at the details...
​
To maintain the validity of this guarantee the product must be assembled strictly in accordance with the instructions supplied, treated annually both inside and out with an appropriate high quality preservative and all glazing units must be sealed, inside and out, with silicone or other watertight sealant. For more information on how to correctly assemble and maintain your garden building please consult our comprehensive help centre.
​
OK - we can offer the buildings on a supply only basis, and you will need to treat the building annually both inside and out with preservative.
Silicon will naturally dry out and perish, or insects / spiders will often attact the areas, leaving the glazing likely to allow water in later on in it's lifetime. Also, you may not be skilled at administering silicon to windows, doors and joints, so be prepared for nullification.
​
Presumably you have read the assembly instructions to the letter to ensure the guarantee is valid after installaion. This would include using the correct fixings, having the correct clearance, not touching any plants, trees or buildings.
​
Hopefully, you aren't adding any shelving internally, fixing a washing line externally, or having it close to plants that can grow quickly otherwise...
​
Oh... and finally - treating the inside every year means that you have to empty the contents of the shed every year before you paint it internally. In most cases, that's the bit where customers come unstuck and invalidate the guarantee the most.
​
The ***** 20 year guarantee will be deemed invalid if:
-
The product has not been assembled correctly by the end user – please see our product assembly section.
-
The base upon which the product is assembled is not suitable - all buildings should be assembled on a firm and level base constructed from a suitable material – please see our build a base guide.
-
The product has not been treated annually both inside and out with an appropriate high quality preservative – please see our product maintenance section.
-
Any windows have not been sealed, inside and out, with silicone or other watertight sealant - please see our product maintenance section.
-
The product has been customised or adapted in any way.
-
At any point after assembly the building has been in contact with any trees, plants or exterior walls which could allow moisture to penetrate the timber.
-
Any timber has been cut, pierced or drilled without a subsequent application of approved cut-end treatment.
-
The eventual claimant was not the original purchaser of the product.
-
The roofing felt or covering has been damaged or incorrectly fitted allowing water ingress – please see our product assembly section.
Please note: timber is a natural product and prone to changes in appearance, including some movement, warping and splitting, particularly in extreme weather conditions. This will not affect the structural integrity of the product – this is natural and is not covered by a guarantee.
​​
So what's the lifespan?
Honestly... If you did nothing to our sheds from day one, we would expect it to last 10 years. This would be if you stuck it in the corner of the garden and didn't give it any treatment.
For those who purchase a building that needs 'annual preservative both inside and out' along with DIY assembly, you are likely to reduce the lifespan, especially if you never treat it.
What happens if I don't treat my shed?
Firstly it will start to turn a spotty colour before fading to a silver grey - usually from the bottom up. Then if you still don't apply any wood treatment, it will turn black as the timber soaks up moisture. If you get to this stage you will need to let the wood dry and sand it back before treating with a wood preserver and staining with a quality wood treatment.
Starting off correctly
First Year
Treated by
Manufacturer
It makes sense for us to treat it for you to start with. Afterall, we have the knowledge and the ability to do this quickly and efficiently during manufacture. This is especially important if you have your shed in late Autumn or early Winter
Second Year
Treated by
Customer
Once the building is settled in it's new surroundings, it is then the time to add a wood stain or paint. The more expensive the treatment, the better it is. Please note that we don't expect you to treat the inside - so you don't need to empty the shed every year.
Up to Year 20
Ongoing
Maintenance
I see you've put 'Up to year 20'.... Indeed... with the right care and maintenance your shed can last up to 20 years. To achieve this, you'd need to treat every 2-3 years, and check the roof covering for signs of damage / wear & tear. In fact, we know sheds that have lasted much longer.
What maintenance is needed?
In a nutshell. The better you look after the garden shed the longer it will last. Buying a better quality shed will also work in in your favour over the long run, as you will need to spend less time on maintenance. A building that is assembled correctly, on a solid base will provide dividends later on. Upgrading the roofing to Onduline or Felt Tiles will also extend the lifespan, plus they have the added bonus of only needing minimal replacement items should something go wrong.
Treatment
Treating your shed will extend it's lifespan and make it look brand new again. If doing a garden makeover, why not use the same paint that Alan Tichmarsh uses on ITV's Love Your Garden. You even get to benefit with a UK-SHEDS discount code. Find out more
Natural Influences
Timber expands and contracts naturally, so you will need to check the corner trims and barge boards are still secure. Trees and wildlife also have a habit of impacting on the sheds integrity. Plants (especially climbers) often adhere to the boards and draw moisture directly inside through the timber.
Wildlife
Insects, especially Wasps, have a liking for wood, as do beetles and other creepy crawlies. Good preservatives are designed to stop wood boring insects laying eggs in the timber, as well as providing protection against rotting.
How About A Metal Shed?
1
Positives
Metal sheds have the bonus of zero maintenance for the lifespan of the shed. They are lightweight and simple to put together and can appear as attractive as a wooden shed if you like that sort of thing.
2
Negatives
They do however condensate like nothing else in the shed world.
And the noise when it rains is deafening if you're inside.
Plus you can't simply screw into the uprights and hang your tools on the wall.
3
Conclusion
We appreciate that wooden sheds need maintenance, however the idea of a shed is extra storage Bearing this in mind, the timber sheds benefits far outweigh the metal sheds positives, regardless of where you purchase from.