Loxley 6′ x 8′ Pressure Treated Windowless Overlap Apex Shed Review

Loxley 6′ x 8′ Pressure Treated Windowless Overlap Apex Shed Review

When it comes to garden storage solutions, the Loxley 6′ x 8′ Pressure Treated Windowless Overlap Apex Shed stands out as an affordable and practical choice. Its design not only prioritises functionality but also adds security by lacking windows, making it suitable for storing valuable items without the risk of prying eyes. However, how does it truly measure up? In this review, Ill delve into its features and provide a thorough evaluation based on expert insights and market data.

Key Features

• Dimensions: 6′ x 8′
• Cladding: Overlap Board
• Treatment: Pressure Treated
• Roofing: OSB with Mineral Felt Covering
• Door Type: Single Door
• Guarantee: 10 Years
• Origin: Made in the UK from certified sustainable materials

Construction and Design

The construction of the Loxley shed employs overlap board cladding, which, while common, is often viewed as the weaker option for wall structure compared to other methods. Our analysis reveals that this type of cladding appears on only 11% of all analysed sheds, indicating it has not yet gained traction among top-tier products. Despite this, the 34.0mm thickness of the walls sets it apart, providing a sense of robustness that is rated highly by our experts.

Interestingly, this shed’s walls exceed the average performance for similar sheds with overlap board cladding, scoring 20% higher than the average expert rating. This suggests that while overlap board is generally a lesser option, its execution here offers more value than most. Furthermore, it’s vital to highlight that the overall expert score of this shed ranks 14% higher than the average for 6′ x 8′ models.

Roofing Analysis

The roofing combines OSB construction with a mineral felt covering. While our experts rate OSB as the least favourable roofing method, its presence here raises some eyebrows. The use of mineral felt, which covers roof materials atop 13% of all sheds, is regarded as one of the top roof-covering options. In fact, it is equipped on 55% of the top-rated models, underscoring its desirable attributes.

However, this shed’s expert score remains 10% higher than the average, indicating that even a traditionally lower-rated roof might still provide adequate performance when associated with quality materials.

Flooring Considerations

For the flooring, Loxley opted for OSB again, which represents a common choice yet is rated as average among similar products. Here, the flooring material is equally average, utilised by only 17% of the sheds analysed. Although its expert rating exceeds average performance levels, I recommend considering alternatives if durability under high traffic or potential moisture exposure is a concern.

Protection and Treatment

The sheds pressure-treated process enhances its longevity against rot and decay, commonly found in 60% of top-rated models. Combined with the 10-year guarantee, the longevity provides assurance that your investment is protected, as long as you apply a quality spirit-based preservative post-delivery.

As noted in the product description, the shed arrives pre-treated with a water-based timber solution, ideally requiring a swift application of a spirit-based preservative for optimal protection and the respect of the guarantee terms. I urge potential buyers to consider this maintenance requirement to prolong the lifespan of their shed effectively.

Height and Access

With a height of 2056mm (7′), this shed offers significantly less headroom, measuring 19% below the average for similar products. You may find accessing taller items or even navigating comfortably could be a challenge. Moreover, the taller-than-average door also matches the overall theme–providing access at a generous width, but falling short in height.

Market Standing and Value

Positioning itself as a value option, the Loxley shed is priced at £575, making it £136 less than the average for similar sheds. If observing other features forms part of your evaluation, I found alternatives with superior specifications that may better fit your needs.

For instance, the 8′ x 6′ Forest Timberdale, priced at £990, holds the highest expert score. This reveals an interesting juxtaposition in potential trade-offs–if you are leaning towards value versus performance.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Affordable price point relative to similar products
• Pressure treated for increased durability
• Expert score is higher than average in its category
• No windows enhance security for storage purposes

Cons

• Overlap board cladding may offer less durability
• Lower than average height may limit usability
• Maintenance post-delivery is required for optimal performance

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Loxley 6′ x 8′ Pressure Treated Windowless Overlap Apex Shed presents itself as a viable solution for those seeking functional and secure garden storage. With a solid 10-year guarantee, pressure treatment for longevity, and practical features, it caters to a specific segment of buyers. Should you prefer security through no windows and are aware of the maintenance requirements, this shed may just be the answer to your storage needs. Youll appreciate its expert-scored attributes, but as always, remain mindful of alternative options that may better suit higher traffic usage or public-facing placements.