A garden shed is the quiet revolution of your summer. Stop trekking to the basement every time you need a tool, free up 2 m³ inside your home, and within a year you'll have forgotten how you lived before. But the choice of material and size will determine whether you get 15 years of peace of mind or 5 years of headaches. In this collection you'll find over 40 models selected for real Italian use.

What's in this collection

Garden sheds in pressure-treated wood, HDPE resin, galvanised steel, and mixed-material models. Sizes from 1 m² (compact tool store) to 15 m² (multi-purpose shed with windows). Bicycle storage boxes, heat pump enclosures, balcony storage units.

Wooden sheds: beauty and commitment

Pros

Unique visual warmth, decent thermal insulation, natural integration with greenery. Customisable: you can drill, add shelves, mount hooks. Structural lifespan 15–25 years with maintenance.

Real drawbacks

Mandatory maintenance every 2 years: protective oil or wood stain (€40–80 + half a day's work). Bituminous roof shingles need replacing every 7–10 years in rainy areas.

What to look for

Minimum wall thickness of 19 mm in Nordic spruce or pine. Pressure-treated pine: 30% longer lifespan. Red cedar: premium, naturally antifungal, 25+ year lifespan.

HDPE resin sheds: pure pragmatism

When it's the right choice

Zero maintenance. Wash with a garden hose, that's it. Doesn't rot, doesn't flake, doesn't attract wood-boring insects. Lighter than wood: two people can move it if you change its location. Interlocking modular assembly in 2–3 hours.

Limitations

Plasticky look in budget versions. Can vibrate under constant strong wind (>80 km/h). Custom drilling impossible (voids warranty). No thermal insulation.

What to look for

Double-wall HDPE with UV stabiliser. Reinforced roof for areas with heavy snowfall. Side panels at least 6 mm thick.

Metal sheds: the budget-friendly safe

Pros

Top security against break-ins: 0.3–0.5 mm galvanised panels are hard to cut with common tools. Prices 50–60% lower than wood. Excellent hail resistance. Structural lifespan 20–30 years.

Important drawbacks

Greenhouse effect: inside temperatures reach 50–60°C in July. If you store paints, fertilisers, or seeds → they degrade. Winter internal condensation: anything metal inside will rust.

What it works for

Metal garden tools only (rakes, spades, lawn mowers) that can withstand extreme temperatures. Never for outdoor furniture, cushions, parasols, or bicycles.

How to choose the right size

1–2 m² (tool store)

For those with only small gardening tools. Leans against a wall; almost never requires a permit.

3–6 m² (standard shed)

The best-selling size. Room for large tools, a lawn mower, bicycles, and seasonal items. Permit almost never required.

6–10 m² (multi-purpose shed)

Storage plus hobby area (gardening workshop, sink). Permit almost always required.

10–15 m² (habitable shed)

Home office, gym, guest annexe. Landscape permit often required. Check local building regulations before purchasing.

Installation: what to know before you buy

The base is everything

Never place the shed directly on grass or bare earth. Build a concrete base (the best option), or rest it on timber sleepers + geotextile membrane + 10 cm of compacted gravel. A poorly built base means a crooked shed after a year and doors that no longer close.

Orientation

Door facing south or east to avoid driving snow at the entrance. If possible, back against a wall for protection from the prevailing wind.

Distance from boundaries

Civil code: 3 metres if the shed exceeds the height of the dividing wall. Many local council regulations require 5 metres.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 6 m² wooden shed weigh?

Typically 300–500 kg disassembled. 2–3 people are needed for transport and a full day for assembly. Equivalent resin shed: 80–120 kg, 2–3 hours.

Do I need a permit for a garden shed?

Under 6 m² and height < 2.5 m: almost always considered an accessory outbuilding, no permit needed. Above that: a building notification (SCIA) is required. In protected areas (historic centres, landscape zones): landscape permit often required.

How much does annual wood treatment cost?

For a 6 m² shed you need 5–6 litres of oil-based wood stain (€40–70), plus 4–5 hours of work. To be done every 2 years during the dry spring season.

Do metal sheds rust?

Exterior surfaces with powder-coat paint last 15–20 years without signs of rust. Galvanised screws and bolts start showing signs at 8–10 years — replaceable for €30–50.

Which holds up best against hail?

Metal dents but doesn't break. HDPE resin withstands hailstones up to 3 cm. Wood with bituminous tile roofing can be pierced by large hailstones. For alpine areas: metal or high-end resin.

Browse the full collection below, or read our guide to comparing wood, resin, and metal.