10′ x 8′ Windsor Shiplap Double Door 108 Shed

Shed Type, Roof Size

This attractive apex shed takes a classic timber design and uses modern shiplap cladding to give it extra protection against the elements. We were impressed with the end result, and it’s certainly a building that you’ll be proud to have in your garden. With a range of fence paint colours available as optional extras too, you’ll be able to give it that personalised touch so it complements the surrounding landscape.

The wide front and generous depth caught our eye straight away, but so did the relatively constricted eaves height. That’s why it’s good that the rain repelling apex roof gives the building a few more inches of vertical space. The ridge height is 2.05m, and the eaves height is just 1.65m. The overall depth is 3.05m and the overall width is 2.44m, so obviously you’ll need an area of at least this size on which to site the shed.

Cladding, Frame and Floor

We were pleased to see that tongue and groove shiplap cladding had been used for this shed, as it’s very effective at stopping water ingress. The components locked together tightly, although still allowing the slight movement that all timber needs, making it very difficult for rain to get through. We found the wall cladding to be reasonably thick and strong at 12mm, but we were disappointed that the roof was only 8mm thick.

The floor is made of solid sheet material, which is a cost effective solution but again it was thinner than we would have liked it to be at only 10mm thick. If you plan on keeping anything heavy inside, or even walking up and down on the floor on a regular basis, then we would recommend reinforcing it.

Treatment Requirements and Warranty

One area in which the shed scores highly is in its weather proofing qualities. Windisor have pre-dipped the shed to give it a good level of initial protection, and combined with the cladding and apex roof this allows them to give a 10 year warranty against rot, which is more than many other timber sheds we review in this price range.

There is a requirement, however, for the shed owner to carry out an annual preservative treatment themselves, so remember to factor in the time and cost that this will take. One thing we especially liked, however, was the inclusion of a free tub of preservative basecoat with the flatpack kit itself.

Doors and Windows

The hinged double doors were the feature that struck us most upon seeing this shed in its assembled form. They are wider than most other doors we see on wooden sheds with these dimensions, and measure 0.96m. This makes it easy to manoeuvre wide objects in and out, although it also has to be said that the doorway is rather low, so you do have to watch your head when going in and out.

The other feature that can’t fail to catch the eye is the set of four windows. They contain styrene glazing which gives the clarity of vision associated with glass but which is considerably tougher and more shatter-resistant. One thing we really liked about them is that the panels containing the windows are interchangeable, so you can decide on which side of the shed you want them to be positioned.

Security and Privacy

The large number of windows are a great boost to the illumination of the interior, but one side effect is that they allow passers by to easily see what’s kept inside. This can have security implications, so we would have liked to see a padlock included, or even a shed alarm. The doors do come with a pad bolt to keep them in a shut position, but a lock will have to be sources separately to add to it.

Customisation Options and Extras

We were glad to see that there are a range of customisation options available, including a portable DIY timber base support kit. This creates a level area for the shed to be positioned on that is also raised, and this gives it added protection against rising moisture from the ground. It’s quite easy to assemble, but if you haven’t got time to do it yourself then a portabase installation service is available. We also liked the fact that a professional installation service is available for the shed itself. This does add £319.99 to the initial cost, but it’s a great option for those who don’t have the time or opportunity to install it themselves.

Another extra that can prove very useful is a selection of wood stains. Available in four colours, they mean that sunlight can’t reach the timber itself where it could quickly fade it to a silver colour. That’s why we always recommend that unpainted timber is given a colour.