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A shed is usually for storage, while a summer house is for relaxing—and that’s the straightforward way to see it. But let’s look at their design differences in detail, shall we?
What Is a Shed?
A shed is a type of garden building where things you don’t want cluttering the house or outdoor space end up. It’s an outdoor version of a cupboard, often made from wooden panels, though metal and plastic are common, too.
The build is simple, featuring a few small windows or none at all, and no insulation for most. Inside, a wooden shed has floorboards, whereas metal and plastic sheds often require you to arrange your own flooring solution with their foundation kits.
That’s what you get from a standard shed for the most part, but add-ons are offered to upgrade it. And this option opens the possibility of sheds being used more than a dumping ground.
One example is our range of wooden sheds, available in different sizes and styles. The BillyOh Keeper, for one, has that classic shed look with its overlap cladding and high apex roof.
Choose a windowed version (added on one side of the shed), and it can double as a workshop. This is possible, thanks to the 19mm tongue and groove floor that can take on heavier equipment. Other garden storage models come pressure treated as standard, with floor bearers.
The other function a shed can serve is as a workshop space. For this, you would be looking at some of the larger models, perhaps with more of a focus on windows for providing natural light. But these would be purely for the functionality of lighting the space, not for making the building more attractive to be in. The inside of a workshop shed is typically untidy, full of tools and paint and sawdust, not used as a casual sitting space.
What Is a Summer House?
A summer house is a garden building meant for spending time in, a leisure space, or an outdoor retreat. What makes it that way is the floor-to-ceiling windows, with matching double doors. Such features make staying inside feel like a treat under the sun, but sheltered.
And that light-filled calls for relaxing, reading, or simply hanging out. A dream addition to many UK homes, if you ask us!
But couldn’t you just make do with your living room? Well, a summerhouse takes you out of the home and all its distractions, and gives you a way to enjoy the peace and beauty of your garden, even when it’s cold or raining outside. Imagine sitting there with a warm drink and listening to the patter of rain while you look at your beautiful garden.
To compare the BillyOh Keeper, take a look at the BillyOh Holly summer house. It may resemble a shed with its boxy shape and apex roof. But what defines it is the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front, plus modular side windows. With a matching wide-opening double door, it’s open and airy. Not the type of thing you would buy just for storing clutter.
Shed or Summer House?
Design-wise, a shed is meant not to stand out—it’s plain but practical, meant to conceal all the untidy-looking things inside. It’s the opposite for a summer house, which is open and set up to be a highlight of the garden.
One feature to look for is the window placement and how huge they are. Though sheds can be windowed, you’ll notice they cover far less than a summer house, with windows that can span three of its walls.
Now, if you need both in one structure, a summer house shed is your best bet. The BillyOh Penton gives you the best of each, featuring a corner design. The main room has tall glazed windows along the front walls, and double doors in the centre. The windowless side marks the storage section of the building.
Overall, this is one way to differentiate a shed vs summer house in terms of design.
What do you think ?