Storage sheds are an essential part of garden life. Often the go-to place for lawn mowers, gardening tools and bike storage. Some have converted theirs into a ‘man-cave’ or maybe Dad has been inspired by garden workshops instead! Even fitness fanatics know how to enjoy a garden shed. These days the shed can be transformed into almost anything. So, if it’s a multi gym, a garden office or a hot tub cabin you're after, why not buy the ideal shed that works for you? No matter if you have a small courtyard or acres of lawn, sheds come in all different shapes and sizes. A great place to house all of the outdoors equipment and garden furniture. With an outdoor garden building, everything is easily accessible to help keep your garden looking tip-top! Are sheds waterproof? New timber sheds are usually first pressure treated with a preservative for a good level of water resistance and protection from weathering. The manufacturer should also give you an indication of how long it will last or what else you can do to improve moisture and minimise water damage. How to keep your shed waterproof? The best thing to do with ANY shed is maintain it. Maintenance is the key - particularly with wooden sheds. Assess the outside each year and give it an extra coat of wood preserver or paint to see it through the toughest of Winters. Painting your shed will also add a splash of colour to your garden. Get inspired with different shades from Cuprinol. It’s a lot harder to undo water damage on wooden sheds. But assessing the cause of the damage will help you to identify a solution. Floors are often the first place to go. If it’s damp, rotting or warped, following these steps; Empty the contents. Remove pressure from heavy items. Assess if you need new floor. Assess if you need a better shed base. A leaking shed roof is also another recurring problem. If yours is leaking, strip the felt and determine if the panels need replacing too. If you’re fortunate enough, it could be just a simple re-felt job. If you have window frames, the seals can go if the wood starts to rot. If the problem isn’t too serious, it may be fixable with filler. If not, then you’ll need to replace the frame entirely. Windowless sheds are available for future reference! DIY on a budget is one of the biggest crazes on social media at the moment. Pinterest and Facebook communities all sharing their latest transformations, fix-ups and quick fixes. With so much information available at our fingertips we’ve never been in a better position to figure out how to repair, re-build or improve our sheds. Seeking advice from others is helpful, but bigger jobs like new shed bases and re-felting may require a professional. If your shed is extremely weathered, leaking or deteriorating, then it could be time to buy new. Weigh up the cost of the repairs versus the cost of a new one. Be aware, that whilst these quick-fixes may do the job in the short-term, you could be looking at another maintenance project in a year’s time. What sheds are best? There’s no solid evidence to say whether a buying a metal, plastic or timber shed is better. With each material, there are pro’s and con’s and all three can unfortunately deteriorate at some stage of their lives. Wooden Garden Sheds Timber is not perfectly impervious to moisture, but so long as the roof felt is assessed and the frame is maintained, the windows remain sealed etc. – a wooden shed should give you a good 5-10 years of life. Air circulation is also necessary if outside temperatures drop as condensation can occur inside. Aesthetically the wooden garden shed, such as the Rowlinson 10 x 8 Premier Shed is the shed of choice. Homeowners favour natural materials over man-made. Their appearance seamlessly blends into the garden backdrop. Timber also offers a sturdy frame that remains solid against high winds and adverse weathers. You can also customise a wooden garden shed by building onto the wooden frame, adding shelving or racking etc. Best type of cladding for a wooden shed? There are two popular types of cladding for wooden garden sheds; Tongue and groove weatherboard. This is often found on shiplap sheds. It allows the water to readily fall off and offers a sound structure which will remain straight and square over time. Overlap cladding is a more rustic style ,with rough sawn pieces layered on top of each other. It's a cheaper option to tongue and groove and although rainwater will run off the sides, over time it's susceptible to warping and weathering. Metal Garden Sheds Metal is a practical material for any garden building. It’s durable and relatively light-weight and easy to build. They are one of the most secure sheds, certainly harder to break into or damage. This Rowlinson Double Door Metal ‘Ezee’ shed is a strong contender for bike sheds and tool storage, locking away valuables behind their double doors. Will a metal shed rust? Similar to the doors on metal garages, a steel shed will eventually be susceptible to rust and corrosion, but they are relatively low maintenance for at least a good 5 years. The galvanised layer protects the metal from the elements and prevents the formation of rust. Can metal sheds be painted? Yes! Try to keep your metal shed clean and coat the structure in a protective metal paint to continue its’ life for as long as possible. The great advantage of a metal shed is the metal shed roof oppose to the felt roof. Due to the low level of maintenance, they are also considered relatively cheap sheds. Plastic Garden Shed Less durable than wood or metal, the plastic shed is still a practical solution for the garden. Plastic sheds don’t require a concrete shed base. So long as the ground is flat. Usually they’ll come with a plastic floor included and can be installed almost anywhere. This means the outlay for plastic overall is a lot less. Often a plastic shed is reinforced with a steel structure so it’s a lot more solid than it initially appears. In addition, new models of plastic sheds like the Keter Newton has a ‘wood-effect’ shiplap design. Whilst still man-made, the colour palette with realistic design feels a lot more natural within a garden setting to earlier plastic shed designs. Are sheds easy to move? One of the easiest outdoor buildings to move is the plastic shed. It’s delivered flat-packed with assembly instructions and it’s as easy to build as it is to dismantle. If you’re simply moving it to another spot in the garden, then the whole shell can probably be lifted in one go. Plastic is also popular for homeowners who are moving up the property ladder and can take the shed along with them to their next house. Best garden shed for… ? Hundreds of sheds are sold each day in the UK. If you get the opportunity to visit a showroom, you can get a feel for the sheds by size and different styles. Educate yourself in the language of sheds! Research is fundamental before you invest. Get to know the difference between an 'apex shed' and 'pent sheds.' Or the benefits of a ‘44mm log cabins’ over ‘19mm log cabins’. Once you've done your homework and picked the shed you’d like, then you're ready to buy the best shed for your garden. What’s the best shed for small gardens? As a shed retailer, we take lots of calls asking us which sheds to buy for a specific use. It’s probably right to assume that if someone has a small garden, the property is proportionally small and they are lacking garden storage. Therefore, we would always suggest either one of our smaller 4x4 shed, wooden garden storage sheds or any of the utility stores, storage chests, storage boxes and mini stores. These take up little surface area but can be filled with lots of garden essentials. There are even wheelie bin storage and bike stores in our Rowlinson collection. What’s the best shed for a garden office? If outdoor space is plentiful, those looking for a room outside to work from home will find a great selection of sheds with us. The word ‘shed’ can cover all manner of outdoor garden buildings. However, for a home office we recommend exploring our range of log cabins or summer houses. These are tailored to be a more habitable space with larger opening windows for lots of natural light. Secure door lock will help to keep valuables like computers safe and heavy duty framing for a long-lasting outside building. If you’re browsing with us, we stock the complete Rowlinson range from the popular sheds summerhouses, wooden playhouses, contemporary log cabins, potting sheds, corner sheds and even pet houses! Whatever your final plans for your Great British Shed, remember these fantastic tips so you can enjoy these amazing spaces for as long as possible!

In the words of Jon Snow, winter is coming. There’s not long left to get everything in order for those colder months. Winter is a time for cosy nights in, Christmas preparation and spending time with friends and family. Or at least it should be…Make sure you’re not missing out on the festivities by preparing for winter with My Tool Shed’s top 7 home essentials.1. Outdoor lightingAs the cold weather approaches, so do the dark nights and late mornings. Keep your garden and your home’s surroundings well-lit all year round with some outdoor lighting. Not only is this a practical investment for your home, it will also deter burglars and unwanted visitors. It’s a win-win.2. Smoke detectorsThose cosy nights in around the fire are an essential part of winter for many. But, it’s important to keep safe too. With all the extra indoor heat that winter brings, and the use of log fires, the risk of fire and carbon monoxide can increase. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe with smoke and carbon detectors around your home.3. DehumidifiersIf you suffer from allergies, the winter can bring a flurry of coughs and sneezes your way. Help to keep symptoms at bay with a dehumidifier. As well as reducing the sniffly noses and watery eyes, a dehumidifier can even help to keep your home warm. By drying out the air, heat can travel around the house quicker.4. HeatersIt goes without saying that you’ll want to keep warm during these cold months. Sometimes, your home’s heating just doesn’t cut it. For those cold nights, invest in a portable heater to keep you toasty around your home. Remember, safety first! Don’t cover the heater or put it next to anything flammable.5. Door bellsWith winter comes a flock of visitors – some of them even invited! Be sure to greet guests with open arms, not leaving them out in the cold for too long. Never miss a trick-or-treater or a troop of carollers with a new door bell. You could even set up a Christmas chime to get you ready for the big day!6. Door LocksSo, you’re all set up to welcome in visitors. But, how about keeping unwanted guests at bay? Burglars are more likely to attack during the winter months, particularly around Christmas time. Don’t panic, there’s no need to re-enact Home Alone to keep safe. Simply secure your doors with extra night latches and locks.7. Security CamerasWith extra door locks and motion sensor lighting, you’re sure to keep thieves away. But, you can never be too safe. A camera outside your home has been proven to deter burglars, even if it doesn’t work! Even better, with a working camera, you can check who’s knocking and avoid chatting to your nosy neighbours.Be ready for winter with My Tool Shed Don’t get caught unprepared. The cold weather is fast approaching, and My Tool Shed are here to get you equipped. We stock everything you could need for home preparation, from outdoor floodlights to fire extinguishers.Take a look around our site and see our extensive product range for yourself. Be sure to get in touch with our team with any questions or for more information about any of our products.

Outdoor Work Gear We’re quickly turning the corner into winter, and with that comes cold weather, dark evenings and frozen ground. Working outdoors in these conditions can be daunting and, sometimes, even dangerous. Lucky for you, My Tool Shed are here to help. Read on to discover our essentials for keeping safe and warm while you work outdoors in the winter.  Gloves Numb fingers can be a work-hindering nuisance in the winter months. Especially when working with power tools. Cold fingers can slow you down and, most importantly, could cause accidents. Of course, choosing the correct gloves for the equipment is always important, particularly in cold weather. Some sturdy, lined leather gloves are the perfect way to keep frostbite at bay.  Hats Wearing a hat while working outdoors is just as much for safety as it is for warmth. For light, open air work, opt for a warm beanie to keep your ears nice and toasty. But if you’re working on a construction site, or underneath anything that could possibly fall, a hard hat is fundamental for safety. Throw on a hard hat over your beanie, to stay safe and warm.  Clothing Whether you spend your day working outdoors or you like to get out in the garden after work, it’s important to be dressed for the occasion. If you’re out all day, or even all night, you need to wrap up and make sure you stay that way. Layer up with some thermals under a jumper or hoodie and be sure to stock up on waterproofs for the inevitable downpours. Lights The lack of light in winter can really eat away at your productive work hours. Avoid missing out on valuable time with site lighting. Useful both at work and in the garden, portable lights are an essential tool for those colder months. Head torches are also great for working on the move, particularly for intricate jobs that require a lot of light. Tarpaulin Along with the cold weather in the UK, the winter months often bring with them a lot of rain. Don’t let your hard work go to waste. Cover up any damageable areas overnight with some tarpaulin. Remember to protect yourself against the harsh winds, too. Add some clip on eyelets and peg your tarp to the ground for an extra secure fitting.  Radio Even with the cold weather, a radio is an essential for those working outdoors. Save yourself from the long hours of silence with a portable site radio. Or, better still, invest in one with Bluetooth connectivity so you can choose your own tunes to sing to. Be sure to get a long enough extension lead so you can keep the music playing no matter where you are.  Keep safe in the cold with My Tool Shed From winter woollies to waterproof tarp, My Tool Shed has everything you need for working outdoors in the winter. Make sure you’re stocked up and ready to go – there’s not long left! Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of tool experts for more information.

Whether you’re a professional handyman, an avid DIYer or just a complete novice, a heat gun is a handy tool to have in your kit. Tackling home improvements from stripping paint to drying out damp wood, heat guns are a versatile and useful addition to your collection.  However, like most tools, it can be difficult to decide on the right one for you with all the options available. Read on for our introduction to heat guns to find out what to consider when making a purchase…  Gas or electric  The two most popular types of heat gun are differentiated by how they are powered. Gas heat guns are less frequently used but do benefit from being cordless, while electric heat guns are the most popular option. Although they are more restrictive in that they have a cord, they are much safer and can be adapted with extension cords.   My Tool Shed only stock electric heat guns as they are easier to use for all abilities, and we prioritise the safety of our customers.  What do they do?  With temperatures ranging from 100-600° Celsius, heat guns can tackle a range of jobs with ease. Typically, people use heat guns for removing paint and wallpaper, heating and bending plastics and softening glue and adhesive. They’re also useful for thawing frozen pipes in the winter and for shrink wrapping, working much faster than a standard hair dryer.  Amongst the more standard uses, there are some surprising things you can use a heat gun for. Removing dents, restoring trims on your car and even cooking bacon – heat guns can assist you with almost anything! So, the next time you fancy some roasted coffee, you could make your own with your heat gun, saving time and money!  Whilst its fun to try out new things with your heat gun, remember its always important to keep safe. Make sure you’re in a suitable environment and are wearing the correct protective clothing.  Which heat gun should I buy?  When you’re looking for a new tool to add to your collection, you need to firstly consider what you’re going to be using it for. With heat guns, they vary in power, hot air flow and temperature control. People who use a heat gun regularly, for work or around the house, will benefit from a more powerful heat gun. We stock a range of heat guns with 240-volt power, perfect for frequent use.  Temperature control is also important to ensure safety and also to make sure that the heat gun can carry out all the tasks you need it to. Some heat guns come with a memory function for a consistent temperature, which is handy for frequent users.  My Tool Shed  At My Tool Shed, all of our products are high quality at low prices. Our selection of heat guns has something suitable for every purpose and ability. Any questions? Our friendly team are on hand to provide more information. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.  

Whether you’re a professional landscaper or a newbie home gardener, it’s important to be prepared with the right equipment. Sometimes handheld tools just don’t cut the mustard – or the hedges – and it might be time to up your game with garden power tools. They could make it easier to create the landscape of your dreams. So, here a are a few garden essentials to stick in your shed... Lawn mower Perhaps the most obvious, but definitely the most necessary power tool in any garden is the humble lawn mower. With plenty of different types to choose from – including cylinder, rotary and hover – there’s one to fit each and every project. Each work with varying levels of lawns, with rotary lawnmowers great for the average-sized garden. Hover lawnmowers, on the other hand, are lightweight and easy-to-use, perfect for gardens with edges and borders. Hedge trimmer Another essential power tool is the hedge trimmer. With a hedge trimmer in your arsenal, you can save bundles of time and energy rather than using shears to cut hedges by hand. So, you can keep your garden neat and tidy all year round. When choosing a hedge trimmer, check the blade length as this will correlate to how fast it cuts. Heavy-duty blades will make it easier to cut those thicker, trickier branches – helping you to maintain a beautiful arrangement. Pressure washer If you want to make your garden look spick and span come summertime, then it’s time to invest in a pressure washer. This power tool makes it quick and easy to clean away built up dirt and grime. It’s perfect for washing decking, siding and patios that haven’t seen the sun in a while. Pressure washers come in varied sizes dependent on your needs and you can choose between cold and hot water washers. Hot washers are great for professionals dealing with particularly hard to clean areas. Leaf blower Blast away the worries of winter and the fall of leaves with the handy leaf blower. A perfect power tool for both professional landscapers and novice gardeners. Put away the time-consuming rake and instead opt for this powerful piece of equipment. Clear the debris and leaves from your garden with adjustable air deflectors and speed controls. Chain saw If you’re after a power tool to make landscaping more efficient and stress-free look no further than chain saws. Perfect for cutting large trees, branches and trimming out of control shrubbery. Be aware that chain saws do require frequent sharpening and look out for a wrap-around handle for the most secure grip. Strimmer A handy power tool for any garden is the strimmer. Great for tackling undergrowth or edging around borders and driveways. All the hard to reach places where the lawnmower can’t reach, a curved or straight strimmer will get up close and personal. Pick one with an ergonomic handle to ensure comfort and safety. Perfect for any size garden. Essential garden power tools My Tool Shed stocks a wide variety of garden power tools. Give your garden a little TLC with everything you need to get the job done both safely and professionally. Any questions? Be sure to get in touch with our friendly team of specialists. We’re ready and waiting to help you.

Whether it’s keeping yourself or your employees safe, you need to ensure you’ve got the right types of personal protection equipment (PPE). Safety includes instructions, training and supervision, but this can all be next-to-useless without the correct personal protective equipment. So, this post will look at the six essential things you need to keep yourself protected at work. 1. Respiratory protective equipment One of the main things you need to think about is your breathing. With dust, gases and vapours flying around it can be dangerous – even for shorter periods. Wear respirators and masks throughout your work day and until you’re away from contaminated air. Just remember to change the filters regularly. Full mask or half mask? Either way check it’s the perfect fit. Also, top tip – if you have facial hair you may need hooded respirators to make sure you get the right amount of protection. 2. Overalls Splashes or sprays aren’t just a pain to wash out, but a serious safety risk. You should wear overalls / boilersuits to keep you and your favourite garments safe and clean. Plus, make sure you size up to prevent rips in the seam. Pick either conventional or disposable overalls to fit your personal needs, whether you’re working inside or out. And remember to go for hi-vis clothing if you’re working at night or in bad weather. 3. Ear defenders Ear defenders are an essential piece of PPE. Even short durations of exposure to high-levels of sound can be hazardous. So, use earplugs, earmuffs and ear defenders to keep the noise down and keep yourself safe. Be sure you know how to fit them properly though. And pick the right protectors depending on noise levels, to ensure noise is reduced to an acceptable level. 4. Safety footwear Risks of slipping, cuts, falling objects and chemical splashes all mean you need to put your best foot first and wear safety footwear. Boots are preferable, but shoes with protective toecaps and mid-sole wellington boots are great for preventing problems with feet. 5. Gloves Once you’ve you got your safety footwear sorted, you then need to think about your hands. Keep your fingers safe and sound by ensuring you have proper fitting gloves. Make sure your gloves have cuffs and you are wearing sleeving that covers part or most of the arm. Select the perfect glove by checking the materials are appropriate for your working environment. If you’re operating machinery where gloves might get caught, remove them to avoid accidents. 6. Eye wear With risks of eye damage from dust, gas and projectiles, eye wear is a crucial tool for many trades. Choose from safety glasses, goggles, face screens and face shields. Whatever the situation, don’t forget your specs. With the right combination of protection and size, your eye wear should fit you perfectly and be appropriate for the job you’re doing. Perfect PPE My Tool Shed stocks a wide variety of personal protective equipment. Our tool boxes and workwear range includes everything from clothing and footwear to toolholders – everything you need to get the job done both safely and professionally. Any questions? Be sure to get in touch with our friendly team of specialists. We’re ready and waiting to help you.

Best Sliding Mitre Saws Shopping around for your first Mitre Saw can be a bit of a minefield and understanding the key features or applications of each machine is essential to getting the best saw for your money. A Brief Explanation of Mitre Saws Mitre Saws exist to perform those complex jobs, for repeated accurate and precise cuts in a variety of tasks. Spring can be a popular time in the Decorating / Kitching Fitting Trade, and for fitting skirting and door frames, hopping from house to house on strict deadlines, there is no better machine for the job to allow for optimum time efficiency. Now that the dust has settled, we welcome you to the My Tool Shed: Mitre Saw Buying Guide 2018! Here at My Tool Shed, we have categorised our Mitre Saw range into two sections. These are: Slide Compound Mitre Saws – An excellent choice for the bigger jobs, and increased versatility in the functions and cuts it can perform. The slide function allows for extension of the blade. Crosscut Mitre Saws – A fixed saw is a common theme amongst this category of Mitre Saw. Smaller and compact, this is the perfect choice when your van is bursting at the seams! What to Look Out For In our Mitre Saw Category we have taken the time to add a filter to differentiate between the blade sizes of each machine. There are four main sizes to consider: 305mm / 12in 250mm / 10in 216mm / 8.5in 190mm / 7.5in 305mm Mitre Saws – The absolute DADDY. The perfect choice for any professional builder or contractor, and very popular on a building site. The 12in Mitre Saws are double-bevelled, and by rule-of-thumb will cut up to around 300mm x 100mm timber at the minimum. Check out the Key Features of each product to compare the exact specifications. Our Choice The DWS780 is the all-singing, all-dancing offering from DeWalt. A staple in their corded range for many years, this is our most popular selling 12in Mitre Saw to date! DeWalt’s DWS717 (10in) and DWS780 (12in) Models use a slightly different take on accuracy. Instead of a built-in laser beam, DeWalt use an XPS Shadow system on their larger saws, and this essentially projects an LED Light down both sides of the blade. This in turn then forms a shadow on the workpiece, and as the blade lowers, the visibility of the shadow is increased and mirrors the exact spot where the blade will contact the material. But a laser beam is surely more accurate, right? Well, not exactly. We know some of the more rough-and-ready builders out there like throwing their machines straight in the back of the van after a hard day’s labour, and this can knock the laser off kilter. If knocked hard enough, the next time you go to use the machine, the laser will not accurately reflect where the blade will contact. This is unlike the Shadow System, which will always show a true reflection, even if the blade is slightly off centre! Best Compound Mitre Saws The option is also there is purchase the DWS780 with a Universal Leg Stand as a package. The DE7023 included has collapsible legs and can extend up to 3.9 metres. Perfect for the jobsite. 250mm / 260mm Mitre Saws – The smaller brother of the 305mm. These machines are slightly easier to transport due to weighing less, but they still pack as big a punch! Preferred amongst the tradesman with everything in his locker, as the 10in Blade can be switched between use in both the Mitre Saw and Table Saw equivalent. Our Choice We couldn’t write this without overlooking the brand new Spring 2018 offering from Makita! The Brushless Motor on the DLS110 prolongs the life of both the Li-Ion Batteries when in use, and the machine itself from a maintenance standpoint. The DLS110 is an excellent addition to the 18v LXT Range, without actually being one. This is a monster 36v machine, as it has a dual-port to incorporate two 18v Li-Ion Batteries. The Automatic Torque Drive Technology is new and will automatically change the cutting speed according to the load condition for optimum performance. The brand new “Close To Wall – Zero Clearance” Design is a first. Whereas with most Mitre Saws, the sliding bars are set-back from the head and protrude from the back, on the DLS110 the bars are at the front of the machine, with the head (blade and guard) at the furthest point back. The head then pulls forward separate from the sliding bars, which allows an increased work area as you can position the Mitre Saw right up against the wall. 190mm & 216mm Mitre Saws – Now we start venturing into the DIY’er and occasional Tradesman’s field. Compact in size, but still packing a powerful motor, at a standard they will still cut around 250mm x 60mm timber. Perfect if your apprentice has still got a bit of muscle to put on, and struggles lugging the bigger machines out of the van! Our Choice – 216mm It must be the DWS774 offering from DeWalt. Utilising that ever-so-popular Shadow System and with a 1400 Watt Motor, this is brand new, updated and looks the part! Included in the kit itself are side-handles which can be bolted on for easy transportation. The DWS774 as well as all of DeWalt’s smaller Mitre Saws will lock on to the Universal Leg Stand. Our Choice – 190mm The most popular offering in Makita’s range of Mitre Saws, the LS0714 makes up for what it lacks in size, with versatility and sturdiness. An ability to cut up to 300mm x 52mm timber and with a total weight of just over 10kg, this is the dream compact machine. A few added features include an Electronic Brake for increased user safety, a soft-start function to prevent material zipping off the surface upon contact with the blade, and a constant speed control. So, there you have it! If you have taken the time to read this, many thanks. We always a appreciate a comment or a like on Facebook, so let us know what you have decided on and any handy tips for your fellow enthusiasts! Keep an eye out soon for a follow-up guide on Mitre Saw Blades and Accessories at the start of May!

Notoriously dark nights attract light fingers. During Autumn and Winter months there is a higher risk of theft in the home. Studies show that 62% of burglaries take place at night and many opportunists can be in and out as early as 4pm-7pm. Having a home that is well protected give us all greater peace of mind. My Tool Shed are here to help keep you and your belongings safe. We have increased our range of security products, with a selection of Home Alarms and Security Cameras. And for sheds, windows and garages we have heavy duty Padlocks, Mortice Locks, Nightlatches and Window Furniture manufactured by trade trusted brands including; Yale, Union, Abus and Henry Squire. Visit the full range Here.