Garden Sheds: How to Choose the Right One
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Compare UK garden sheds in plastic, wood and metal, with current prices, sizes, shed bases, running costs and practical buying advice.
The best plastic garden shed depends on what you need to store, how much space you have and whether the base is already prepared. A 6 x 4 ft model suits ordinary garden storage, while larger or reinforced models are better for bulky equipment.
The prices below are listed prices from the linked retailer pages and can change.
| Plastic shed | Size | Best suited to | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keter Manor Pent | 6 x 4 ft | Compact garden storage | £285 at Argos |
| Keter Darwin Apex | 4 x 6 ft | General tool storage | £306 sale price at Argos |
| Keter Manor Apex | 4 x 6 ft | Standard small shed storage | £327 at Argos |
| Keter Darwin | 6 x 6 ft | More room for equipment | £600 at Argos |
| Keter Darwin | 6 x 8 ft | Large garden storage | £675 at Argos |
| Keter Factor | 8 x 6 ft | Heavier-duty storage | £697 sale price at Argos |
| Keter Stronghold | 10 x 8 ft | Large, heavily loaded storage | £1,203 at Wickes |
Argos lists 67 plastic sheds, including Keter, Palram Canopia and Ecobase products. The linked Wickes plastic shed range includes further Keter sizes.
A 6 x 4 ft plastic shed provides practical storage without the footprint of a large building. The Keter Manor Pent is the lowest-priced 6 x 4 ft option in the table at £285. The Darwin Apex is listed at £306 on offer, reduced from £340, while the Manor Apex is listed at £327.
B&Q lists the Keter Darwin 6 x 4 ft with a floor and window for £339.15, reduced from £399. Its category also describes the base as included. The exact door position, floor and included fittings matter when comparing similar-sized sheds.
Screwfix’s plastic shed category describes plastic sheds as almost maintenance-free and resistant to rust and rot.
For bicycles, bulky garden equipment or heavier storage, look for a strong floor, reinforced panels, wide doors and ventilation. The Keter Factor 8 x 6 ft is listed at £697 on offer at Argos, previously £820, and at £719 on offer at Wickes, previously £834. Wickes also lists the Factor 8 x 11 ft at £1,083 on offer, reduced from £1,252.
The Keter Stronghold is the larger step up. Argos lists a 10 x 8 ft version at £1,300, while Wickes lists a 10 x 8 ft Stronghold at £1,203 and a 10 x 15 ft version at £1,800. Wickes also lists Keter Factor and Stronghold models in several other large sizes, including a Factor 8 x 6 ft and Stronghold 10 x 15 ft.
For compact storage, Wickes lists the Keter Store-It-Out Max, a 1,200-litre plastic garden storage unit, at £160. Its format is better suited to storing equipment and garden items than to a conventional walk-in shed.
Argos lists Ecobase Fastfit plastic bases at £95 for 6 x 4 ft and £145 for 8 x 6 ft. These can be considered alongside the cost of a shed when comparing cheaper options.
Keter says its resin sheds use polypropylene resin and are designed for rain, snow and UV exposure without painting or other surface treatment. Which?’s shed buying advice describes plastic sheds as lightweight, durable, low-maintenance and straightforward to assemble.
Yes. A plastic shed should stand on a firm, level and stable base rather than directly on grass, soil or loose gravel. B&Q’s shed guide advises against those surfaces.
For a smaller shed on already level ground, a suitable gravel base or plastic base may work. Keter recommends a gravel base for smaller sheds and large storage boxes. For a larger or heavily loaded shed, Keter recommends concrete or patio slabs.
B&Q describes plastic bases as movable and suitable for level ground, including for tenants. The base should support the full footprint, and the shed should be anchored according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
The main disadvantages are lower rigidity in some models, limited customisation, fewer shapes and sizes, harder security upgrades and weaker ventilation. Which? also identifies environmental concerns. Shedstore’s plastic shed guide warns that cheaper models may not cope well with severe weather and that some are not suitable for strong wind or snow loads.
Plastic is therefore strongest as a low-maintenance storage solution. It is less suitable when you want a highly customised building, a workshop-style interior or the most straightforward route to heavy security. Prefabricated plastic sheds also offer less scope for modification than wooden sheds.
For ordinary garden tools, Keter Manor and Darwin models in the 6 x 4 ft class are practical options. For larger or heavier storage, the Keter Factor 8 x 6 ft is the stronger choice among the listed examples, while Stronghold models provide larger footprints.
Yes, when you want low-maintenance storage and choose a model with an appropriate floor, ventilation, reinforcement and anchoring. They are less compelling if customisation, maximum security or a workshop-like interior is the priority.
No. They should be placed on a firm, level and stable base. B&Q advises against placing a shed directly on grass, soil or loose gravel because it needs consistent support across its footprint.
Keter states that its polypropylene resin sheds are designed for rain, snow and UV exposure without painting or other surface treatment. The site still needs good drainage and a level base, with the shed assembled according to its instructions.
