12′ x 8′ Windsor Overlap Double Door Apex Shed

Building Type and Measurements

• External ridge height – 6’11”
• Eaves height – 5’3”
• Door width – 3’2”
• External depth – 11’5”
• External width – 7’8”

This is a budget storage shed, built with reliability and affordability in mind. Due to its extremely low cost, it does have a pretty basic design. However, its measurements are impressive compared to a lot of other models. Take its height for example. Reaching up to 6’11” tall, this shed gives you a lot of interior space. Its doors also have a wide opening design, making it possible to transport all kinds of equipment easily. Being one of the largest storage sheds on the market, it is capable of storing all of your garden furniture, equipment and tools.

Roof and Floor

Constructed with solid sheet materials, the roof and floor of this shed provide a reliable, good quality interior. The apex roof is used for its water-resistant benefits, as well as its height boosting benefits. It is covered by a basic mineral felt which is provided free of charge. Now this isn’t the strongest or most durable felt on the market, but for this price range it’s a great addition and provides standard rot protection.

Now the solid sheet floor is reliable and sturdy enough if you’re planning on storing light, plastic garden furniture and equipment. However, it isn’t really designed to hold heavy items. So it could be worth taking a few measures to improve the strength of the floor by adding bracing or an additional solid wood sheet.

Cladding, Frame and Treatment Requirements

Traditional overlap is used in the creation of this shed. A lot of people don’t realise that there’s actually more than one type of overlap. The traditional square cut version is the highest quality. This has been given a basecoat treatment before it is shipped out to protect the timber from damage whilst it is in transit. What you need to know about overlap cladding is that it does warp more easily than tongue and groove. So if possible we’d recommend installing this shed out of direct sunlight. Standard 28mm x 28mm framing is used giving the shed a solid and stable structure.

Treatment wise you will need to apply a good quality, preferably spirit based, treatment after assembly. Then annual treatments are required to keep it protected against anything the weather throws at it throughout the year. Do this and you’ll be rewarded with a 10 year anti-rot guarantee.

Doors and Windows

Double doors provide excellent spacious access into this shed, making it easy to get all kinds of equipment in and out of the building. They are hinged in two places, reducing the risk of them sagging over time dramatically. Thanks to the height of the doors you’ll also be able to just walk right in and out comfortably without the risk of banging your head. They are fit with a button catch to keep them shut when required and thanks to their design, a hasp and staple can be easily installed.

There are two variations of this shed and this model is the windowed version. It comes with 4 large styrene glazed windows. This is a plastic alternative to glass and is totally shatterproof. They ensure you get a massive amount of light inside the building during the day, making it great for use as a potential workshop as well as a general storage shed. The windows are fixed so you can’t open them, but ventilation can be added to the building if you leave the doors open whilst you’re home on hot sunny days. Another benefit of the windows is that they can be installed on the right or left hand side of the shed.

Security and Privacy

As this is a low budget shed, it doesn’t offer much security. However, the fact that the windows are fixed rather than openable does add a little more protection. Thieves won’t be able to open them and climb in. If you need to store anything expensive in the shed however, we’d recommend installing a hasp and staple followed by a padlock.

Privacy also isn’t something you benefit from with this building. The overlap isn’t supportive enough to handle the weight of curtains or blinds so it isn’t something that you can really improve either. However, as the windows can be placed on any side of the shed, it does allow you to place them so they are facing the more private side of the garden.

Customisation Options and Extras

This shed doesn’t come with a huge range of extras and customisation options. However, you are given a great choice of coloured treatments. Some merchants supply a free treatment with the shed so this can save you money on the first year’s maintenance. It is still worth taking a look at the other colours on offer though. There are four in total ranging from a unique Cedar Red to a more sophisticated Dark Brown. They are 100% environmentally safe and very easy to apply.

The DIY Assembly Assistance Tool Kit isn’t the most useful extra, but it really depends on how much DIY you have carried out. If you’re a DIY enthusiast then it’s safe to assume you won’t need most of the tools included in the kit. However, if you don’t tend to do a lot of DIY tasks then this kit will provide you with everything you need to self-assemble this model.

Note that this kit is sold on the manufacturer site and may not be available at different retailers. Extras do vary depending upon where you buy the shed.