FAQs

Using the configurator create the ideal shed for your needs and the space you have available.

Then click on the AR (Augmented Reality) tool to visualise it in your space. The symbol is as below.

You just need to scan the QR code using your phone camera, and follow the prompts.

And use the share button to send a link of the final configuration to family or friends.

Measure up your space, using our configurator work out which of our range works best for you, check that the model you want will fit and then make your purchase online. We’ll confirm the order and send you an estimated delivery date, and/or installation slot. The current lead times are 8-10 weeks, at periods of higher demand this can extend to 12 weeks.

We have a full range of sizes designed to accommodate up to 6 bikes. If even larger units are required, just contact us with a bespoke enquiry. We have installed large scale Vertical and Slot-in units for up to 20 bikes.

If you plan to store large 29″ mountain bikes you should ‘up-size from our standard products:

• • • • 1 big mountain bike  =  order 2 bike shed
      • 2 big mountain bikes  = order a 3 bike shed
      • 3 big mountain bikes  = order a 4 bike shed
      • 4 big mountain bikes  = order a 6 bike shed
      • 5 + big mountain bikes  = bespoke order

Yes, we have designed bike sheds for both back and front gardens! If there is a suitable space in the front garden this is probably the most convenient place to store your bikes and our Classic Shed is well suited to front gardens due to its lower roof height.

Our Slot-in and Vertical Sheds are designed to offer individually accessible bikes for convenience. However, due to their higher roof-lines they are more likely to be suited to side passages or back gardens.

Our Plus height Classic units are generally more suited to back gardens.

We have designed our standard bike sheds to be as compact as possible to fit into the tightest spaces.

Please carefully check the given dimensions of the bike sheds against the dimensions of your space before ordering online. If there are obstacles or you have any doubts, email us or send a bespoke enquiry with a few pictures of the site you have in mind. We can easily accommodate small tweaks to the standard sizes, if required and don’t charge any extra for these. We build a lot of Classics that are 1.9m wide and these still fit most bikes.

Please also be aware that the roof has a 40mm overhang on the left, right and front (Classic/Slot-in) and a 40mm overhang on left, right and back (Vertical). There is a 70mm gutter on the back of the Classic and Slot-in and on the front of the Vertical units. This is not normally an issue because garden walls are usually under 1.2m tall (so the overhang/gutter is above that). But if the shed is going against another structure there would need to be an allowance made for this when preparing the base.

For example, if the shed is going against a brick wall on the right, the right hand edge of the base would start 50-60mm away from the brick wall (which will give 10-20mm clearance). If a Classic is to stand with its back against a tall fence then the back edge of the base would be sited 80-90mm away from the fence, giving 10-20mm clearance to the 70mm gutter.

If you have any doubts, a picture says a thousand words. Just snap a quick pic or two and email along with some key dimensions.

Other things to consider:

• • • • If the garden walls around the shed looks un-square, you should ensure that there are tolerances of at least 50mm.
      • Please ensure that there is at least 800mm of space at the front to open the doors fully.
      • If there are branches or protruding foliage behind or above the site, please clear these prior to the installation. Especially ivy, as this has a habit of finding its way into all timber structures.

Yes. Please see Delivery and Installation page for further information.

The online price includes the cost of delivery to most of mainland UK, along with full fitting instructions. Unfortunately, our products are not available in Northern Ireland, the EU and US.

A comprehensive installation manual is included with all self-assembly units.

Our sheds can happily live on four types of base: a level concrete slab, an area already paved, an eco-base or a decked base.

1. 1. 1. 1. Concrete slab: the best base for any of our bike sheds and especially suitable for our Vertical units. The slab should be the same dimensions (W x D) as the shed footprint. It should be 100mm thick and level.
         2. Existing paved area: fine for any of our units. Most front garden locations are already paved with a slight slope for drainage, and we mainly install Classic Sheds in front gardens on existing paving without issues. If the paving is partial (e.g., alongside an area of soil), then it should be extended with more paving or concrete to include the whole footprint of the shed.
         3. Eco-base: this is a grid/honeycomb layer designed to be filled up with shingle. Classic and Slot-in Sheds can be installed on eco-bases. We recommend that the eco-base be laid on sharp sand over a well compacted and level sub-base 100mm thick. The eco-base should be firmed up and level before filling with shingle and ideally would be finished around 25mm above ground level.
         4. Decked base. A decked base is a good solution for sloping sites. The frame should be set level and the joists running side to side. This is because the joists on our sheds run from front to back, so the result is better structural support. If you require any advice, please contact us.

      We do not recommend the following as a base: gravel, soil, grass, ‘astro’, old or uneven decking/paving, or any mix of these. If your site is currently any of these we recommend it be replaced with a solid base from the options above.

      All our sheds include a sturdy timber floor, which sits on rubber pads. These pads can be adjusted (between 1-3cm) so that the floor panel is firm before installing the walls.

      Please note that we do not install concrete bases, so you would need to arrange this prior to your shed being delivered/installed.

      Sloped sites:

      • • • • If the area intended for installation is already paved with a slight slope for drainage, our sheds can be installed directly on that. The rubber feet we use can be adjusted between 1-3cm.
            • If the slope is in the 3-8cm range (over 2m), the shed can still be successfully installed but it will slope slightly.
            • If you have a paved area and would like to check the degree of slope (fall length), place a length of timber on it, pack up the lower end to level using a spirit level and then measure the resulting gap between the timber and paving. If the shed is 2m wide (e.g. Classic), then the timber would need to be 2m-2.4m long.
            • If the site is substantially sloping with falls of over 8cm (across 2m), this will require the installation of a tapering plinth. We can offer this service on a case-by-case basis and will use timber sections to level out the base and then clad across these in cladding to match your shed.
            • If the slope has falls of over 20cm (across 2m) we would recommend that you install a level concrete plinth or decked/paved platform.

Yes! Our new range of modular, interchangeable storage units are designed to be beautiful and discreet, and are available to configure here.

These are simpler units than our bike sheds as no security is required. They’re built using the same robust and high-performance timber framing techniques.

Robust design and build

The coloured plastic bins are hidden behind naturally weathered timber cladding, which is slatted for good air flow. The green roof keeps the interior dry and the structure well protected for longevity. The green roof option can weigh over 100kg per metre squared when saturated with rain, and these units are structurally engineered to easily carry that load.

Simple functionality

The bins can be easily accessed without being rolled out (for the majority of deposits) as there is a clear space above the bin lids. It’s a simple case of opening the doors to use the bins. On request we can add shelves to any number of the bin spaces so dual height can be added inside the unit; perfect for recycling boxes or the compost caddy!

Up to 6 bins

The design of these storage units is based on the average 240L household wheelie bin but can be used for bins of alternate sizes. Shelves can be added on request for recycling boxes or food waste caddies.

Add-ons also available

Useful add-ons can be added to your bin storage – we have a small or large log store option and a parcel safe option too. Add on either side of your bin shed.

We offer a limited 5 year Guarantee on all of our sheds covering malfunction of the material and manufacturing defects (the same applies to installation faults if the shed is installed by our team). If you have spotted an issue please send us an email with photos and we will arrange a suitable date with you to fix the issue. If your product is a Self-Assembly then the issue may be due to incorrect installation. In these cases, we will do our utmost to help you fix the issue by email and over the telephone.

Please read our Terms & Conditions for full Guarantee terms.

Some maintenance is required to ensure your shed lasts for many years. The most important to remember is to keep the sides and base of the shed clear from debris build-up. Any build-up of leaves, soil, ivy etc against the walls and base will prevent the timber from breathing. This could create a damp environment and cause rot. If the walls or floor rot prematurely due to debris build-up, please be aware that this will Invalidate our Guarantee. Other types of maintenance we recommend are as follows:

• • • • Felt roof: check the felt roof for any wind damage. We cover repair or re-felting under the Guarantee only if the roof was fitted by our installation teams.
      • Sedum living green roof: Read more about our green roofs here and see the next FAQ with details about green roof aftercare.
      • Gutters and down pipes: check yearly for damage or blockages. Un-block these as required.
      • Walls, doors, cladding: keep clear of debris or invasive plants. If you decide to apply a wood preservative to any of the cladding options, we recommend Cuprinol Wood Preserver Clear for larch or pine T&G cladding and we recommend using products from the Osmo and Owatrol ranges for cedar or the burnt larch cladding.
      • Hinges and locks: keep oiled as necessary for smooth operation.

Once established the sedum has the advantage of requiring very little maintenance. It does not need fertilising and only needs one cut in the autumn. If the installation coincides with a hot dry spell it will need watering each evening for 2-3 weeks, while the plants get established. After this, the roof will be virtually maintenance free. In dry periods, the roof will turn red or yellow but will return to green.

With a sedum roof the types of flower emerging will vary from year to year depending on temperature, moisture and available nutrients, which provides you with a constantly changing, natural landscape. If windblown grasses, weeds or small seedlings land on your roof these can be picked out easily to give the sedum the best possible chance to establish and thrive.

If the sedum roof is shaded by overhanging branches and there is an opportunity to prune these to allow more light to the sedum then we would recommend doing so. If the site is fully shaded or north facing we recommend our felt roof rather than sedum.

Yes. We have worked hard to improve our designs over the years to make security a top priority. We build security into our sheds layer by layer. Not only does this delay intrusion, it also makes a silent attack virtually impossible.

Our STANDARD security features include:

• • • • Door hinges are heavy duty galvanised T-hinges, fitted externally using galvanised steel security screws. A pair of 200m galvanised bolts lock off the secondary door internally. Turning the key on the primary door extends a hardened steel long-throw bolt behind the secondary door. The lock itself is coach bolted to the door frame to deter the use of crowbars.
      • Every Brighton Bike Shed is equipped with our SecureBar as standard. The SecureBar is a thick-walled galvanised steel tube that is fitted into the frame on the back shed wall. It would require noisy power tools to cut through it. Our SecureBar is easy to lock bikes to using your D-locks (Classic, Vertical units), or a security chain and padlock that runs through all the bikes. (Or best of all, a combination of both chain and D-locks).
      • Timber cladding is firmly nailed on in three rows. Removal of it is made impossible by the roof overhang, which clamps the cladding in place around the top. Slatted cladding is given an additional run of lost head screws alongside the existing screws to deter the prising off of slats. The doors are given an extra layer of fixings and are nailed through the back and front.

We recommend a 2m long chain such as the Oxford OF160 HD Chain Lock, which can live happily inside your shed. You can add one to your order at checkout.

At the cart/checkout you can currently add our two most popular security upgrades: a second door lock on the main door, and a 2m long chain to use inside the shed.

Additionally, we now stock the following items and can quote to add them to your shed on a case by case basis:

1. Alarm with a motion sensor, battery operated with a remote fob. Loud at 125DB and a great deterrent for those night prowlers.
2. Steel mesh on the inside of the doors. A galvanised mesh with 25mm holes fixed to the door frames internally.
3. Flush hinges. Less visible hinges.
4. Ground anchor. Sold secure anchor fitted on the floor of the shed.

We can increase the substrate depth to 100mm, to allow for wildflower roof mats. In order to achieve this we have to increase the loading capacity of the shed, as this adds a lot of weight. Also we need to increase the retaining elements and fascia heights. We usually quote to switch from sedum to wildflower case by case, so please make an enquiry if you would prefer a wildflower roof.

We think sedum is a better solution for our sheds as it only grows to a maximum of 150-180mm in the summer, whereas wildflower can grow much taller (up to 450-500mm in summer) and we think this is disproportionate to the scale of the shed. Also, wildflower roofs tend to brown off in summer after flowering, and never fully recover until spring. Sedum flowers in summer and new growth follows and it looks green all year around. It is much easier to maintain than wildflower.

Our Wood Shed range can be adapted by simply adding a lock to cart after configuring. The M or L sizes (108cm wide and 144cm wide) are like mini Classic bike sheds. Instead of logs just add small bikes!

Yes. You can add shelving to our Classic or Vertical Shed designs as a custom extra.

We charge £25-£85 per shelf installed depending on the size. Specify your shelving needs in an email to us and we will work out any extra costs. We include a full width shelf as standard in our Plus Height Classic (2000x400mm).

Here are the most popular places in a shed to add shelving:

• • • • Classic. One small shelf at the side for bike oil, lights or pumps. W: 130mm x D of shed.
      • Vertical. 2-4 full depth shelves on one side, taking up the space of one bike.
      • Add–on side storage. Side storage in a Classic or Vertical is an ideal place for 2-4 shelves. Full width and around 400m depth works well for general storage.
      • Bin storage. Recycling boxes can be efficiently stored on and under a mid-height shelf. This would take the place of one bin.

Unlike the Classic, we can’t add Plus Height to the Slot-in design as the space over the bikes is inaccessible – meaning there will be little point to having any storage or a shelf there. For similar reasons, we don’t add shelving.

One idea that does work however, is to use one side of a Slot-in to store car top-boxes or lawnmowers. If you plan on doing this, you can always order a 6 bike Slot-in for bikes (for example).

If you require non-standard or bespoke sizes or finishes, use our bespoke enquiry form. Or email us at info@brightonbikesheds.co.uk  with an image or two of the space. Please also include a description of your storage needs, dimensions (WxDxH), and your postcode. If you send a photo or a quick sketch of the layout, that really helps.

We’ll reply with a free detailed quotation. If you’re happy to proceed, just reply to confirm your order and we’ll send you an invoice for the agreed cost. Once we have received your payment, you will receive an installation date. Your shed will be built in our workshop and delivered and installed typically within 8 weeks.

We have a range of finishes designed to meet most budgets and aesthetic requirements. Our untreated Scottish Larch cladding, Pressure Treated European Pine slatted cladding or Pressure Treated European Pine tongue and groove (T&G) all offer great looks, resilience and value. Please see Cladding Options for more information.

The premium cladding options we offer are Western Red Cedar (WRC), either vertical slatted or T&G. The quality of the Western Red Cedar is reflected in the price and in addition to its BS EN 350 Class 2 durability rating, it also looks great.

We now offer a painted option, Painted Slats, in Black or Obsidian Grey. If you would like solid panels (T&G) with a painted finish the Treated Pine T&G and the Larch options can both be painted. We recommend that you order the shed for self-assembly and paint the panels before you or your builder assemble it. If there is good access to all sides of the shed and you select our Premium Installation service, you can paint the shed after our team have installed it for you.

We have built many ‘bay’ sheds, which are a five sided version of our Classic. We offer a Bay Window option in Optional Extras – the additional cost can be seen alongside various Classic Sheds.

If think your bay window will obstruct our standard Classic bike shed download the BAY GUIDE PDF 2024 and record these dimensions so that you have them to hand when you are ready to purchase.

We offer standalone bin sheds and recycling storage. Choose your standalone bin shed here.

We also offer bin units as optional extra to bolt-on to your bike shed order. Just add a bin shed add-on when you are designing your shed . Read more about bin shed add-ons here.

A recycling unit can easily be incorporated and usually consists of a mid-height shelf that the boxes sit on/under lengthways. If you would like a recycling unit or a variation on the standard just send us an email as a bespoke enquiry.

Yes, so long as it can be built from timber! We build to order bespoke solutions such as planters, herb beds, log stores, vegetable box stores, seating, trellises, pergolas and screens etc., usually as add-ons to our bike sheds, and featuring matching cladding and roofing. We also build bike sheds that are designed to house surf-boards, car boxes, BBQs, tools, mowers, garden furniture… Contact us with your ideas and we’ll be happy to make them a reality!

The width and height of the Classic are dictated by the thickness of the timbers used in the walls, roof and floor construction. The width is determined by the length of a bike, plus a little wriggle room. The height by a standard bike and the clearance needed above it. We use 1.83m as a standard bike length and 1.15m as a benchmark bike height.

However, if you have a tighter space to fit your shed into (eg <2m wide), or if all of your bikes are 1m or less (all road bikes or kids bikes) then we can shave anything from 50mm to 150mm off the width/height. If you would like us to do this just order your Classic online as normal – and then send us a separate covering email requesting that we reduce the width or height by …..mm. There is no extra cost for this small type of alteration as we build to order.

Our shop has two of the most common alterations added – as simple check boxes, and these don’t add any cost to the build. These are either to reduce the height or reduce the width by 100mm.

Bear in mind that any reduction in height or width will lower clearances inside the shed.

If we install in your area our Full Installation service will be offered during checkout.

See the installation map HERE or postcodes below for our installation areas:
BN, AL, BR, CB, CM, CO, CR, CT, DA, EC, E, EN, GU, HA, HP, KT, IG, LU, ME, MK, N, NN, NW, OX, PO, RG, RH, RM, SE, SG, SL, SM, SN, SO, SP, SS, SW, TN, TW, UB, W, WC, WD, BA, BH, BS, CV, GL, IP

Our Full Installation package is £316. Units larger than 5 cubic metres are subject to additional installation charges and these are calculated at checkout.

If you are ordering a bespoke product further installation costs might also apply and will be itemised on your detailed quotation.

Within ten days of ordering your shed you will receive an email with the date of installation, as well as instructions on how to prepare your site.

• • • • Installations start between 8 am and 4pm.
      • You will receive an email notification from us when the team are on their way on the day.
      • If access to the site is through the house (back garden install), please ensure that a responsible person is at your home for the duration of the installation, which usually takes between 2 to 4 hours.
      • If there is a side access or the shed is to be sited in a front garden, it is not essential you are at home during the installation once you have confirmed the location for the shed with us.
      • You will need to have the location cleared and made ready on the day we arrive.
      • On completion we will post the set of keys for the bike shed through your letterbox.
      • We use cordless power tools so won’t need access to your house.
      • Any parking permits or cups of tea are gratefully received!

There are four types of base that our sheds can happily live on: a level concrete slab, an area already paved, an eco-base or a decked base.

1. 1. 1. 1. Concrete slab: the best base for any of our bike sheds and especially suitable for our Vertical units. The slab should be the same dimensions (W x D) as the shed footprint. It should be 100mm thick and level.
         2. Existing paved area: fine for any of our units. Most front garden locations are already paved with a slight slope for drainage, and we mainly install Classic sheds in front gardens on existing paving without issues. If the paving is partial (for e.g., alongside an area of soil), then it should be extended with more paving or concrete to include the whole footprint of the shed.
         3. Eco-base: this is a grid/honeycomb layer designed to be filled up with shingle. Classic and Slot-in sheds can be installed on eco bases. We recommend that the eco base is laid on sharp sand over a well compacted and level sub-base that is 100mm thick. The eco base should be firmed up and level prior to filling with shingle and ideally would be finished around 25mm above ground level.
         4. Decked base. A decked base is a good solution for sloping sites. The frame should be set level and the joists running side to side. This is because the joists on our sheds run from front to back, so the result is better structural support. If you require any advice, please contact us.

      We do not recommend the following as a base: gravel, soil, grass, ‘astro’, old or uneven decking/paving, or any mix of these. If your site is currently any of these we recommend it be replaced with a solid base from the options above.

      All our sheds include a sturdy timber floor, which sits on rubber pads. These pads can be adjusted (between 1-3cm) so that the floor panel is firm before installing the walls.

      Please note that we do not install concrete bases, so you would need to arrange this prior to your shed being delivered/installed.

      Sloped sites:

      • • • • If the area intended for installation is already paved with a slight slope for drainage, our sheds can be installed directly on that. The rubber feet we use can be adjusted between 1-3cm.
            • If the slope is in the 3-8cm range (over 2m), the shed can still be successfully installed but it will slope slightly.
            • If you have a paved area and would like to check the degree of slope (fall length), place a length of timber on it, pack up the lower end to level using a spirit level and then measure the resulting gap between the timber and paving. If the shed is 2m wide (e.g. Classic), then the timber would need to be 2m-2.4m long.
            • If the site is substantially sloping with falls of over 8cm (across 2m), this will require the installation of a tapering plinth. We can offer this service on a case-by-case basis and will use timber sections to level out the base and then clad across these in cladding to match your shed.
            • If the slope has falls of over 20cm (across 2m) we would recommend that you install a level concrete plinth or decked/paved platform.

• We conduct all initial advice and estimates by checking your emailed images and dimensions. The simple dimensions of our products make this relatively easy, and we don’t ever encounter problems with subsequent fitting on site.
• If you require advice selecting a product please email us with measurements, photos, sketches and your location.
• Contact us with your bespoke enquiry and we will email you an estimate. We are sure we can offer a product that is ideal for your space and your storage needs.
• If you need advice on how to prepare your site for installation, we’ll be happy to help with that too. Just send us images of the site and we can offer advice based on our experience.

We deliver everywhere within mainland UK.

Full Installation service is offered within our installation zone. Check the map HERE to see if we offer this service in your area.

Unfortunately our products are not available for delivery to Northern Ireland, EU and USA.

Delivery for self-assembly is calculated at checkout.

Our full installation package has the delivery included in the price calculated at checkout.

The volume of your order is calculated using the width, height and depth values of the configuration of your shed, including any selected add-ons. Orders of units 5m³ and below do not incur any surcharge.

Within ten days of ordering your self-assembled shed, you’ll receive an email with a date for delivery. This will include information about the delivery and what to expect when your shed arrives. The courier will deliver between 9 am and 5pm. You’ll receive a text notification on the day of delivery from the courier.

The courier will deliver your self-assembled shed in parts (which are usually large and heavy), as close to your property as possible. Once delivery is made, if you’re going to assemble your shed at a later date we advise that you store and protect all parts in a safe place.

In the unlikely event that the delivery is delayed the courier will contact you on your mobile; and keep us aware of any hitches so that we can keep you updated.

You must ensure there is a responsible person at your property to receive your delivery on the day. If nobody is in on the specified date, the courier will make every attempt to contact you to check your whereabouts. Please be aware that the courier reserves the right to abandon the delivery and invoice you for a wasted journey if there is no solution on the day.

We provide a full set of clear and simple self-assembly instructions and if you would like a PDF copy of this sent to you before deciding whether to self-assemble, just let us know.

The installation process is facilitated by the fact that much of the pre-assembly has already been done in our workshop. However, an understanding of basic carpentry will help. As will a battery drill with 18V batteries.

Generally, the larger Vertical units (4-6 bikes) are more challenging to install, especially with green roofs. The Classic range is simpler and can take around half the time. Be aware that a tall/sturdy step ladder is essential for all Vertical roof installations.

We also offer sheds with add-ons for self-assembly. Please be aware that the larger the unit and the more add-ons it has, the more complex the installation will be. Our installation guides now (as of April 2022) extend to all add-ons including bin sheds.

If in any doubt we recommend that you select our installation service, which is available for certain locations and offered at checkout if applicable.