How to Secure Your Shed

Shed security is a hugely important part of preserving the peace and enjoyment of your home and garden. Sheds are a great solution when it comes to outdoor storage, providing a home for your lawnmower and strimmer perhaps, your house and car tools, or other bits and bobs that you simply can’t find a place for anywhere else. Plus, it makes a great space to potter about and get little jobs done, whatever the weather.

Small wonder then that your shed can be a prime target for burglars intent on stealing or damaging your property. That’s why we’re going to take a look at the best ways of securing shed doors, your shed roof, a shed window and more, for real peace of mind.

Why shed security is important

Your shed can be a little portal to pleasure, a place where gardening gets done and expensive tools are secured throughout the year. For instance, a lawnmower, no matter what the size, is an expensive outlay that can be pricey to replace. Even if it’s insured, your insurers will likely expect you to have and maintain a security system for shed matters, that shows you’re committed to keeping things safe from prying eyes.

Not only that, but sheds can be home to useful tools that an opportunistic thief can then utilise to make further break-ins on a larger scale. So it’s vital to keep them secure.

Sheds can be pretty vulnerable things, and so it pays to consider strengthening things for a secure garden shed. Let’s examine how you can improve your shed security.

Lock and reinforce doors and windows

First of all, consider where any burglars could gain access to your shed. Depending on the integrity and age of your shed, that would most often be the shed doors or windows. However some criminals have been known to unscrew things and enter through the roof or walls. But more on that later.

First things first – locks. Get a strong and secure shed lock for your shed door. Shed door locks will reduce the ability of a burglar to get in. There’s a huge range of shed locks out there, of different sizes, strengths and costs. You could also consider installing a garden shed security bar across your door for added protection, but remember that it’ll only be as tough as the padlock or locking system that secures it.

Shed windows are another easy route in if not secured strongly enough. If you have a shed with windows you should consider replacing the glass with double glazing if your shed doesn’t already have it, or toughened glass at least. Doing so is another way to secure the integrity of any garden shed with windows, and can put any burglar off in a flash.

Choosing the best locks for sheds

Always keep your shed securely locked. While sheds with locks stand less of a chance of being broken into, the choice of lock can make all the difference. Put in a bit of research when selecting the right lock for a shed and if you’re buying a padlock, don’t go cheap – the more sturdy and robust the lock is, the less likely it is that it can be forced open or damaged. Look for locks with a hardened case and shackle, made from strong materials such as hardened steel. You’ll pay a little more, but the extra spend will reward you with better security. Keep your padlock clean and check it regularly to make sure it works properly.

Also make sure that the bolts that you attach your padlock to are strong, secure, and always kept in good condition. Solid metal bolts increase the overall strength and security of your locking system.

Use smart security technology

Depending on the location of your shed and the type of home security system you use, you can also make use of more advanced technology to help keep your shed secure. Smart technology can enable you to keep an eye on things remotely via cameras for instance, alerting you to any unexpected signs of movement around your shed.

A shed smart lock, which can be controlled by an app on your phone, are one option. Others can be unlocked by fingerprint.

Other smart security options for your garden can include smart alarms, motion sensors and outdoor CCTV cameras which sync to phone apps, allowing you to keep an eye on things and digitally record any disturbances.

Secure your shed’s roof and walls

Despite your doors and windows being securely locked, a thief can still enter your shed in other ways. Depending on the materials used and the design of your shed, along with its age and condition, it may be possible to attempt entry via the shed roof or shed wall panels.

Make sure that your roof is securely attached to the rest of the shed, and is in solid condition. Wooden shed roofing, as with any wooden parts of your shed, should be thick, well treated and regularly maintained. Secure your roof in place with metal bolts and heavy duty screws where possible. Additionally, covering your roof with shed roofing felt can help to increase its longevity and endurance, while you can reinforce your shed roof interior with the addition of metal brackets.

Pay attention to your shed walls and frame too. Again, ensure everything is securely bolted in place and that nothing is loose. You can reinforce the walls and frames with brackets and bars, and should pay attention to any weak spots around doors and windows. Finally, ensure your shed is properly secured to the ground, and not just resting on a concrete or soil area.

Protect your valuables inside the shed

Extra protection inside your shed can make a difference too. If you have any valuables you wish to keep in there, ensure they stay out of sight. Curtains or blinds at the window, or frosted glass, will ensure things stay unseen, and you can keep things both secure and organised by investing in some lockable boxes to put tools and valuables away in. If you keep bicycles in the shed, ensure each is individually locked with a heavy duty bike lock.

Lockable storage units

As mentioned, lockable boxes can help to keep things secure inside the shed. They present an extra layer of protection should an intruder manage to break in, and the more sturdy the box is, the better. Heavy duty lockable storage boxes made from reinforced plastic or metal are a good choice, and can help to keep things securely locked away and out of view.

Improve garden security around the shed

Improving garden security at your property can help deter burglars from making an approach in the first place. Securing garden shed areas as well as the shed itself adds an extra layer of protection, and a garden security light or a solid garden gate security system can protect against garden entry. Gates around your property should be sturdy and always locked when not in use.

Home burglar alarms, depending on the complexity of the design, can be set to detect for any intrusions into your house or garden space, and trigger an alert for homeowners or any connected security companies. The noise of home or garden shed security alarms is often enough to stop any intruder in their tracks and scare them off the property as it is.

A CCTV system is also a strong visual deterrent, with well-positioned cameras ensuring a constant eye on your house and garden.

FAQs

What type of lock is best for shed security?

The best lock depends on the type of shed and shed doors that you have, but generally it’s advisable to go for the strongest and most durable materials and designs available to suit your budget. Hardened steel padlocks and bolts are tough to break through, and you should consider locks with a hardened case and shackle.

How can I secure the roof of my shed?

Use solid bolts and fasteners to keep your shed roof fully secure and in place, and reinforce the interior with strong metal brackets and bands. You should also aim to keep the roof in good solid condition too, with the addition of roofing felt or another waterproof coating to protect against all weathers.

Is installing CCTV necessary for shed security?

Installing CCTV isn’t necessary as it may not suit your budget, but if you can afford it, it’s a great security investment. Visible CCTV coverage can deter potential intruders, while the extra surveillance helps you keep an eye on things. The recordings from the cameras can be used as evidence if you are unlucky enough to experience a break-in, while some smart CCTV systems can link to your phone or laptop enabling you to monitor things remotely.