Wood, Plastic or Metal
Wooden stores in various styles are either dip or pressure treated to prevent rot and are generally guaranteed for between ten and fifteen years although re-treatment with a preservative can greatly extend their lifespan. You should check that the timber comes from sustainable sources and has the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) logo.
Vinyl or PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene (HDPE) and resin are all used in the manufacture of plastic garden stores. They will offer great durability and will not rot or rust. No painting or preservative is required, and any colour should be retained through their resistance to UV rays.
The rust and corrosion that used to be associated with metal storage has now been eliminated by the use of galvanized steel, which has a protective zinc coating, and usually several layers of polymer coatings. These processes ensure a hardwearing UV resistant finish with an impressive guarantee of up to 25 years. Stainless fixtures and fittings should also be used and, because of their fireproof nature, metal stores are particularly useful on camp and caravan sites.
Timber Garden Stores
Forest Garden stores, Rowlinson stores and Shedlands storage range all offer a number of shiplap. overlap and tongue & groove style general storage boxes. Their natural finish and appearance are perfectly suited to the garden landscape and you have the choice of many different dip or pressure treated sizes that cater for garden toys, tools and equipment.
These versatile stores can be easily accessed, through double front doors or a top that can be easily lifted. Placed against a wall they are compact and can be used to tidy away children's playthings as well as larger items such as bicycles, with all the contents kept dry and protected from bad weather.
Plastic Garden Stores
Suncast's storage range of cabinets and desk boxes made from blow moulded resin but their innovative garden storage furniture also catches the eye. In a choice of colours and with a contemporary wicker appearance, there are comfortable benches and chairs together with side tables, and they all contain integral storage space.
Rowlinson plastic storage comes in the form of their Utility Cabinet, Stores and Cushion Boxes that can also be used as a bench, while Lifetime offers similar boxes with rigid double walls and spring-hinged lid.
Metal Garden Stores
There are four versions of the BioHort Leisure Time Box, up to 800 litres, they have a gas-operated spring opening system, excellent ventilation and cylinder locks for security.
Trimetals have Storeguard, Stowaway and Sentinel garden stores, they also offer both great security with padlock points and easy access through a spring-assisted cantilevered front and top. The Patio Box has a gas-assisted hinged lid with a double-bolted key lock and heavy-duty integral floor which is designed to be bolted onto a hard base.
Bicycle and Motorbike Stores
As the cost of bicycles and other outdoor items increases so does the threat of theft but fortunately, there are several specialist storage facilities that emphasize security.
Featuring pick-resistant locks and designed to be attack-resistant, the Asgard range of heavy-duty metal storage sheds can also safeguard quad bikes, sit on lawnmowers and other valuable equipment.
If you have limited space, Asgard has a twin and vertical bike locker, in addition to a double-ended locker suitable to be located at the side of a house. The latter has two independent doors and internal locking points that ensure the two bikes can be secured independently of each other inside the same unit.
Asgard has garages large enough for two motorcycles with outstanding security including a five-point locking system, and many other features such as electrical points and ventilation to allow exhaust fumes to escape.
Alternatively, the larger models in the Biohort StoreMax range of utility storage boxes, with coated aluminium roll-up shutters, are big enough for a scooter or bicycle, and Forest manufacture wooden bike stores to a slim design that allow the owner easy access.
Trimetals four storage solutions include a specialist Bicycle Store that has ample width and height for all types of mountain and racing bikes. Depending on their design, there's usually enough room for three adult bikes. They feature a spring assisted opening action that allows easy access and two padlock points for extra security. Larger 'Titan' garages are designed to accommodate motorcycles.
Wheelie Bins, Recycling and LPG
Many households across the UK will now have received two wheelie bins. Normally, one for household rubbish and another for recycling paper, glass, cans and plastic.
Dorset Log Stores offer a comprehensive range to hide one, two or three wheelie bins and recycling boxes. Each one is attractively designed and built from heavy Swedish Redwood which has been pressure treated against rot and fungal attack.
If you prefer a plastic store, Suncast manufactures the Kensington 6 and Kensington 8 steel reinforced multi-purpose units that can also be used to store garden equipment and bikes. The stores, which can be padlocked, are large enough to hold two bins, with the roof and two front doors opening to offer easy access.
Trimetals gas store meets all the codes of practice used by British Standards and the LP Gas Association, so it can be used on a caravan site for storing propane and butane with fixing holes for securing a regulator and ventilation that prevents condensation.
There are three Asgard gas bottles stores, the largest can accommodate four 47kg propane bottles very compactly, and all are designed in conjunction with Calor Gas with a utility company lock to allow entry to gas suppliers, and a top lid so that you can easily access the regulator.
