Garden sheds are attractive to your typical home burglar because they’re often easier to get in to, away from prying eyes and usually contain tools and equipment that’s easy to pinch and easy to sell on.
To help protect your shed, we’ve put together this guide that shows you the methods you can use to secure your shed and its contents.
This guide has a mix of tips and tricks and also products you can fit that will help ensure the stuff in your shed remains yours!
Table of Contents
Shed Security Products
The following items are widely available and will all contribute to improving the strength and security of your shed.
Most basic sheds aren’t sold with security in mind but with a few handy extras you can make a big difference to the chances of a burglar even trying to take it on.
Stronger hasps
Most sheds come with a hasp that would have just about been deemed secure in the 1930s but these days, thieves are brazen and will carry all sorts of tools to help them defeat weaker security. Strong hasps protect this often-weak point.
Better padlocks
You need to use a padlock that’s hard to bolt-crop by hand. Something with a 10mm shackle is ideal but that £8 cheapy from eBay won’t cut the mustard.
Shed alarms
These battery-powered PIR sensors are a great addition to any garden shed. Mount yours above the door and if anyone gets access to your shed the alarm will sound. Any intruder won’t be expecting it and will want to clear off sharpish plus you’ll hopefully hear the alarm and be able to respond.
Door bars
Door bars are a simple but very effective layer of security. You can install a door bar in minutes and they’re simple to remove when you need access to the shed, just unlock the padlock and slide it out. With the door bar in place, a thief won’t be able to prise the door open.
Secure hinges
Most kit sheds have weak hinges that you can easily prise off with a crowbar. Stronger hinges are a must and they’re not expensive either. Not only are secure shed hinges larger, but they will fix in place from the inside of the shed, meaning burglars can’t easily unscrew them.
Anti-vandal screws
These ‘clutch-head’ screws are designed to screw one way and be harder to remove. If you do use screws to build your shed, try replacing some of them with coach bolts, or anti-vandal screws to make it harder for a thief to remove panels, roof joins or door hinges.
Ground anchors
If your shed isn’t secured to the ground it can be tipped over but the weather or a toe-rag. You can anchor your shed into concrete from the inside when you build it, or you can sink stakes into the ground and then attach these to the outside of the shed to give it more stability.
Window bars
If you have windows in your shed, not only should you apply an opaque film to the windows to stop people being able to peer inside but you need to secure these windows against entry. You can fit a bar on the inside of the shed across the window to make this a less appealing entry point or you can fashion your own ‘wooden curtain’ that you slot into place when you don’t need light in the shed.
Flood lights
Thieves like to work unseen, so any flood light that draws attention to them will put them under pressure and reduce the time they have to break into your shed. If you can, mount a flood light at least 10ft up on the side of your house and keep the wiring out of reach.
Angle brackets and braces
For a few quid you can buy a pack of metal braces which you can screw into the shed internals where the panels meet to improve their strength. Often set at 90-degrees, these plates will give your shed a massive amount of torsional strength and make it much harder for thieves to pry-the panels to gain access.
Shed Security Guide – 10 Simple Tips
Improving your shed security isn’t just about fitting extra locks and bolts. By following any one of these simple steps below you’ll improve your shed’s security.
Follow all of them and you’ll turn your shed into a veritable Fort Knox!
First secure your garden
Your primary goal should be to conceal your valuables from visibility because most robbers are opportunists. A burglar has no reason to assume you have a shed if they can’t see it from the path or road, and they have no incentive to come hunting for the items inside.
To hide your garden from view, think about growing tall hedges and installing high fence panels.
It’s tempting to fit barbed wire to the tops of walls and fences at the perimeter of your property but, in this day and age, it can get you in trouble if a burglar hurts themselves on them.
If you have a side gate, you can add extra height here to make it harder for a thief to climb over.
Reduce the number of entrance points and put in thick, solid, lockable gates to deter thieves. Many scumbags won’t bother attempting to go further than your driveway if they’re lit up by a floodlight and facing obstacles to entry.
Secure the windows and the roof
Popping off the roof is one of the most typical methods burglars gain entry to sheds. Before safeguarding your windows, make sure your roof is securely fastened to the frame by screwing or bolting it to the frame.
When not in use, store tools and other goods in boxes, cupboards, or drawers to conceal the contents of your shed. Even better, pick a shed with no windows so the contents are shielded from inquisitive eyes. Your belongings are safer the less there is to see.
If you require natural light, install security shutters made of wood or metal and secure them with a strong padlock to make window panes less susceptible to attack while you are away from home.
Criminals can easily smash single-glazed glass windows to gain entry to your shed, making them a susceptible security measure. Instead, take into account alternatives like laminated glass that won’t shatter when hit with a hammer, double glazing, or shatter-proof Styrene panes. Additionally, smaller windows will make it simpler for you to conceal your valuables and more difficult for burglars to break in.
I have windows on my shed to let light in as I use the shed as a little workshop. However, I have a hinged piece of plywood mounted to the top of the window frames. I simply lift this up when I need light and when I’m done, I lower it and secure it with a simple bolt slid into the wooden worktop.
Strengthen your locks
A typical shed door won’t dissuade persistent burglars. You’ll need something more robust, such as a fully framed door that allows you to install mortice or Yale-style locks, to completely secure your shed.
Hasp and staple fastenings and pad bolts are less secure, but you can increase their security by fastening lock plates with round-head coach bolts because they are much more difficult to remove than screws and by attaching a metal plate to the back of the door to prevent thieves from cutting out the lock.
It doesn’t matter how strong your lock is if burglars can get inside by unscrewing your hinges, so pay attention to external hinges and secure them with coach bolts.
You can also easily fit shed bars that slide across the outside of the door and are secured with padlocks. These make it impossible to open the door or pry it off its hinges.
Protect what’s inside
If a burglar does get entry you want to make they they have a hard time actually finding anything worth taking.
If you have tools, use lockable drawers, cabinets, and cupboards. Tools should always be kept locked away – you can buy toolsafes which can be secured with a padlock and also bolted to the floor.
It’s easy and inexpensive to fit ground anchors which can be used to loop high-security chains and D-locks through to ensure items such as bicycles and lawnmowers are hard to pinch.
Consider chemical DNA, which is nearly impossible to erase, or even microdots for security coding on pricey gadgets. Display stickers in visible eternal locations to let criminals know you’ve employed data tagging.
If they see those, they’ll likely figure that you’ll have had a good think about security and you might also have other layers of security they’ll have to bypass to get at your stuff.
Anchor it down
Some simple sheds won’t have any hardware to anchor them to the ground. Some burglars will merely attempt to lift your shed and prop it up so they can squeeze inside. An unlocked shed may easily topple with the help of a handful of scrotes. It will be much more difficult for a burglar to enter if you can bolt it down from the inside.
Install floodlights
Burglars hate floodlights. Motion-sensitive security lights are not only useful for you when you’re navigating the route to your shed in the dark but they also make life difficult for criminals by illuminating them with cold powerful LED light.
You can easily fit a light and sensor along access points to your house, i.e. over the driveway, by the side gate or into the back garden.
Think of CCTV
You can buy security camera systems that can record video to an internal storage SD card or you can get some that run off solar power and have the ability to connect to your home WiFi, streaming the footage live and recording any motion. Even a dummy camera outside your shed can assist to dissuade burglars.
Alarm your shed
Although it is technically possible, it is not absolutely required to wire your shed to your home security system.
In fact, it’s far easier and cheaper to fit a basic motion-sensing alarm. These emit a 120-decibel siren when triggered. These can be bought for as little as £25.
Think about a customised security shed
If you’re worried about break-ins and you aren’t the sort of person who liked a bit of DIY then consider a bespoke secure shed.
Some sheds are specifically made for storing items such as bicycles. They are not only designed with the right amount of space in mind but they have built-in security features, like stronger hinges, anchor points, and better quality materials.
A cheap shed from B&Q is fine if you have half an idea how to use a few basic tools but if you want a simpler, more secure way of storing your stuff, have a look for secure sheds as the hard work’s done for you.
Ensure you’re insured
Examine the fine print in your homeowner’s insurance policy. The contents of your shed may not be covered for theft or accidental damage even though the structure of the building may be protected against storm or fire damage.
If you use your shed as a home office, you must obtain separate insurance to protect any structures and business-related property. In any case, it’s crucial to ensure sure your shed is fully insured.
What is the most secure type of shed?
While there are sheds on the market sold with built-in security features, these come at a cost. For a pre-fabricated secure metal shed kit, you’re looking at having to spend over £1,500.
No doubt, if built properly, these sheds are secure – almost as secure as a brick garage but they are pricey too.
There’s no reason that you can’t build a secure wooden shed by taking an ordinary shed kit, widely available at DIY stores like B&Q and beef it up with additional shed security products.
For well under half the price of a purpose-built shed you can build your own high-security garden store!
How to secure a shed door
There are over a dozen different types of shed security products on the market, from door bars, to shed alarms, stronger locks and security lights.
We’ve picked three types of security that we think are the best ways to improve your shed security, while keeping your outlay to a minimum.
1. A better lock
Most sheds some with a seriously weak hasp. You can easily replace this with a secure hasp and quality padlock. The best hasps will fix from the inside of the shed, meaning a burglar can’t easily unscrew the whole hasp or cut the hasp or padlock. For around £40 you can buy a quality hasp and padlock that will give thieves a tough time.
2. Stronger hinges
Thieves love weak hinges. In most home-build shed kits the hinges are tiny and screw in from the outside. With a power screwdriver, thieves can remove these hinges in under a minute and easily gain access to your shed.
However you can – and should – by larger, stronger hinges. The best types will secure from the inside and some will secure from both inside and out. This will make it significantly harder for a scumbag to prise the hinges off the shed, cut them or unscrew them.
Most home-build kits come with two hinges but if you can, mount a third in the middle to make the door even more secure.
3. A Door bar
A door bar is a great layer of security. It protects the often-weakest area of any kit shed, by preventing the door from being easily prised open.
The door bar is simple to fit too, with a bracket either side of the door, which you then slide the bar in to. Some door bars are hinged, meaning you can unlock it and swing it open just like you would your shed door.
In Summary
These three additional extras can be had for less than £100, are easily fitted and will make your shed far more secure.
If I had to pick one item, I’d go for the shed bar.
How do you reinforce a shed?
Garden shelters should always be erected on a sturdy foundation, that much is clear.
The ideal option is usually a concrete slab, therefore you should make an effort to get one installed, even if it costs a bit more. Place the slab in a level area of your yard, providing enough space on all sides for easy access, for best results. You may store as many goods as you’d like within your garden shed thanks to concrete’s ability to support high weights.
When building garden sheds, another thing to think about is ensuring sure the walls are firmly attached to the base and the floor. This will stop your garden shed from swinging in heavy winds and greatly extend its lifespan.
Use more metallic connectors than your shop has given you permission to, if necessary. Typically, businesses that sell garden sheds only offer enough parts to enable the buildings to be erected.
Aspects to consider
Particular focus should be placed on the areas where two walls meet. By adding a few extra metallic corners, you can increase the construction’s overall durability and prevent structural damage.
Since nuts and bolts are much less likely to break than conventional screws, using them is always a good idea. These elements will improve the security of your garden shed in addition to boosting their longevity.
By include more connectors, these structures can be made stronger. The walls will stiffen up and provide the roof more support. If the roof of your new building is heavier, this is crucial.
In addition, if you wish to outfit roof tiles, these alterations are unavoidably required. The latter is strongly advised because it offers better defence against snow and rain.
Should you anchor your shed?
Yes. Anchoring your shed to the ground is a must.
It doesn’t matter if it’s metal, wood or plastic, home made or bought from a kit. You would be amazed at how little wind is required to shift your shed a few inches.
If you don’t secure your shed, you’ll have water ingress problems at the base, it will be less stable and secure and in high winds it might even blow away.
Ideally you’ll factor-in anchoring when you are building your shed and laying the concrete slab that you’re going to be locating it on. However if you have already built your shed or if you haven’t built it on a concrete base, don’t worry; it’s not too late to anchor it down.
Why you should anchor your shed
1. Increases Strength, Security and Stability
Whether you built the shed yourself or purchased it in a DIY kit, it gains strength when you secure it to the ground.
When you do this, the shed becomes more stable, which is ideal if you plan to store valuable equipment and tools there. An unanchored shed is relatively simple to lift up or tip over, meaning thieves can easily access what’s inside.
It is much more crucial to anchor a shed to the ground if it is built of lighter materials like plastic or aluminium because these materials are more prone to damage.
By doing this, you may be confident that no natural calamity or severe thunderstorm will harm your shed.
2. Increases General Safety
Speaking of natural disasters, storms and the like can produce strong winds that can topple buildings, split trees in two, and even lift garage roofs off.
Although anchoring won’t stop a storm from destroying your shed, it can lessen how bad the damage is.
If your shed is anywhere near power lines, this is much more crucial.
Your shed won’t be flung across the neighbourhood during a violent storm if you use anchors to keep it solid and in place.
This is a sound approach to protect not just your shed but also your family and the people in your neighbourhood.
3. Prevents damage from wind
If you live somewhere where there is a lot of wind, you should make sure your shed is firmly fixed to the ground.
You may get wind maps online that will display your area’s wind rating.
Keeping your shed wind-damage-free also safeguards everything inside.
This is a fantastic technique to guarantee that all of your lawn and sporting equipment stays in place—even in strong winds.
How do you anchor outdoor sheds?
If you’re doing a proper job, you should build your shed on a concrete foundation. This slab of concrete should be a minimum of 4-inches thick but ideally 6 inches or more.
You should also use steel reinforcing bars or mesh to give added stability and strength.
When building a shed this way you can anchor the structure that’s above the ground to the concrete in the ground.
Your options include anchor bolts, which can be inserted through the wooden frame and into a pre-drilled hole in the concrete. These expand when tightened meaning they will stay securely in place in the concrete.
You can also use T-bar bracing (pictured above) which attaches to the edge of the slab and is then mounted to the outside of the frame.
Retrospective Anchoring
If you’ve already built your shed (or inherited it with your property) and it’s not anchored down, don’t worry, you have a few options.
If it’s on a concrete base, you can retrospectively use anchor bolts, just as you would if installing the shed from new.
However if there’s no secure footing you can use earth screws (pictured above). These screw into the ground and provide a very strong platform from which to secure your shed. Insert them as close as you can to the corners of the shed and bolt them into the base.
Shed Security FAQ
What should you not keep in a shed?
Can I anchor a shed into pavers?
If you can lift a paving slab, then so can the wind. It’s really not worth trying to secure it this way. If you can, drill past the paving slab and into the concrete and anchor into that. If the paving slabs were laid on the ground as a base for your shed, you’re best off seeing if you can use earth screws instead and anchoring the shed into those.
Is it better to nail or screw a shed?
For added strength we’d recommend you screw your shed together and where you can, reinforce the internal supports with additional metal strapping or extra lengths of wood.
Should I put anything under my shed?
If you’re building a shed, ideally you should base it on a concrete slab that’s no less than 4 inches thick. You can also mount it on hard-compacted gravel.