How We Help You Find the Right Large Plastic Shed
Our mission is to guide you towards the best large plastic shed on the market, ensuring you get the ideal product at the best price, from the most reliable retailer. Using detailed reviews and the most extensive database of large plastic sheds available online, we aim to make your search quick, easy, and effective.
We’ve developed smart algorithms, in collaboration with top UK garden building experts, to categorise, score, and rank nearly every large plastic shed for sale online. By automatically sorting the results, our system places the highest-rated products from the best retailers at the top of each page. Additionally, we offer full-price comparisons on all the large plastic sheds we showcase, ensuring you find the right product, at the right price, from the best possible source. We do the heavy lifting to save you time and money.
What is a Large Plastic Shed?
A large plastic shed is typically defined as an outdoor storage unit made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), resin, or other composite plastics, with sizes starting around 8×10 feet (2.4×3 metres) and larger. These sheds are engineered for durability, weather resistance, and easy assembly, providing a long-lasting and practical storage solution for gardening equipment, bikes, tools, and other bulky items.
Key Features of a Large Plastic Shed
1. Generous Storage Capacity
Large plastic sheds offer ample space for storing not just garden tools but also lawn mowers, bikes, BBQs, and even garden furniture. The larger dimensions allow for more flexibility in organising the interior with shelves, hooks, and racks to maximise storage efficiency.
2. Durability and Low Maintenance
Plastic sheds are highly resistant to rot, rust, and pests, unlike their wooden or metal counterparts. They are also UV-protected, ensuring they won’t fade or become brittle under sunlight exposure. Maintenance is minimal, with occasional cleaning being the only upkeep required.
3. Easy Assembly and Lightweight Design
Large plastic sheds are typically designed for easy assembly, often featuring interlocking panels that snap together without the need for professional installation. Despite their size, these sheds are relatively lightweight compared to metal or wood, making them easier to transport and set up.
4. Weather Resistance
Plastic sheds are fully weatherproof, designed to keep their contents safe from rain, snow, and UV rays. High-quality plastic sheds are constructed with reinforced, double-walled panels that can withstand harsh outdoor conditions and protect stored items year-round.
5. Ventilation and Security
Most large plastic sheds include built-in ventilation to reduce condensation and moisture buildup, protecting tools and equipment from rust or damage. They also feature lockable doors for security, making them a practical choice for storing valuable items like power tools or bikes.
What Makes it a Large Plastic Shed vs Other Storage Solutions?
The defining factor of a large plastic shed is its size and capacity, as well as its durable, low-maintenance plastic construction. Compared to smaller storage boxes or compact sheds, large plastic sheds are designed for extensive storage needs, accommodating bulky items that wouldn’t fit in smaller units.
1. Large Plastic Shed vs Small Plastic Shed
Small plastic sheds or storage boxes (typically around 4×6 feet or smaller) are ideal for storing small garden tools, cushions, or outdoor accessories. Large plastic sheds, on the other hand, start at 8×10 feet and provide enough space for large equipment like lawn mowers, bikes, and even full-size garden furniture sets.
2. Large Plastic Shed vs Metal or Wooden Sheds
Large plastic sheds offer the advantage of being rot-proof, rust-proof, and pest-resistant, whereas wooden sheds require regular maintenance, and metal sheds are prone to rust. Plastic sheds, particularly those made from HDPE or resin, are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions with minimal upkeep.
3. Large Plastic Shed vs Garden Storage Box
A garden storage box is usually a small, low-profile unit meant to store garden tools, cushions, or small equipment. A large plastic shed is significantly bigger and can serve as a multi-purpose storage solution for everything from bicycles to outdoor grills or workbenches.
Typical Dimensions of a Large Plastic Shed
1. 8×10 Feet (2.4×3 metres)
An 8×10 foot shed offers a substantial amount of storage space for garden tools, lawn mowers, bikes, and small patio furniture. You can install shelving units along the sides for smaller tools and gardening supplies.
2. 10×12 Feet (3×3.6 metres)
This size is ideal for those with more extensive storage requirements, such as larger garden furniture sets, lawn tractors, and power tools. The shed provides enough room for multiple bikes, a barbecue, and gardening tools with room for additional shelving.
3. 12×16 Feet (3.6×4.8 metres) or Larger
A shed of this size offers enough room to function as both a storage area and a small workshop. You could store outdoor furniture, a ride-on mower, and ladders, with plenty of room for shelves, hooks, or pegboards to organise smaller items.
Key Features of a Good Large Plastic Shed
1. Durable Materials
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or resin materials are highly resistant to cracking, fading, and warping in extreme weather conditions. Many high-quality plastic sheds feature double-walled or reinforced panels for extra strength and insulation.
2. Easy Access and Organisation
Look for sheds with wide double doors (around 5-6 feet wide) for easy access. Built-in shelving systems, hooks, or pegboards allow for organised storage of smaller tools and equipment.
3. Weatherproof and Ventilated
A good large plastic shed should be fully weatherproof, with sealed doors and roof panels to keep rain, snow, and moisture out. The shed should include integrated ventilation to prevent condensation buildup inside.
4. Security Features
Reinforced, lockable doors with steel hinges or built-in padlock points ensure your valuables are safe, especially if storing power tools or bicycles.
What Makes a Bad (or Cheap) Large Plastic Shed?
1. Thin or Weak Panels
Cheap plastic sheds may use thin, single-walled panels that are prone to cracking or warping in extreme weather. They may also lack proper UV protection, leading to fading or brittleness after prolonged sun exposure.
2. Poor Assembly and Fitting
Low-quality sheds may have poorly fitting panels or unclear assembly instructions, leading to frustration during setup. Inadequate fasteners or connectors can loosen over time, compromising the shed’s stability.
3. Lack of Proper Ventilation
Without proper ventilation, moisture can build up inside the shed, leading to rust and damage to stored items.
4. Inadequate Security
Flimsy doors and weak hinges make it easy for them to be forced open. Lack of proper locking mechanisms can make the shed vulnerable to theft.
Conclusion
A large plastic shed offers a versatile, low-maintenance, and durable storage solution for those with extensive garden equipment, tools, bikes, and more. The best large plastic sheds are built from UV-protected, weatherproof materials like HDPE or resin, featuring wide double doors for easy access and options for internal organisation with shelves or racks. Poorly made sheds, however, may suffer from flimsy construction, lack of ventilation, and inadequate weatherproofing, making them less durable and practical over time.