WhatHut › Types of garden shed, hut and summerhouse
Types of garden shed, hut and summerhouse
The names overlap, so here is what each type of garden building usually means and who it suits.
By roof shape
- Apex (dual-pitch): a ridge roof sloping both ways, the classic shed shape. Good headroom in the middle and easy to shed rain. In England, permitted development allows up to 4 metres overall for a dual-pitched roof, per the Planning Portal.
- Pent (single slope): one slope, usually falling to the back. Simple, often cheaper, and good against a fence or wall. The permitted development height limit for other roof types is 3 metres.
- Reverse apex: an apex roof with the door in the gable end rather than the side. Maximises the use of space under the ridge.
- Flat roof: modern look; needs a good membrane and slight fall for drainage.
- Hip or dome: typical for some summerhouses and gazebos.
By purpose
Storage sheds
Built for tools, bikes, mowers and garden kit. Strength and a lockable door matter most. Windows are optional, and many people choose none for security. Overlap or shiplap cladding is common. See cladding and materials.
Workshops
A shed with windows for light, a stronger floor and often power. Wider doors help with machinery. Think about ventilation, fire safety and insulation if you will work in it regularly.
Potting sheds and greenhouse sheds
Windows on one or more sides, a bench and often a sink or water butt. Check the planning page for the rules on greenhouses, which fall under the same outbuildings rules.
Summerhouses
A building for sitting in, with larger windows, double doors and often a veranda. Note the Planning Portal says verandas, balconies and raised platforms are not permitted under the outbuilding allowances, and platforms must not exceed 0.3 metres in height. Read planning permission.
Log cabins
Built from thicker interlocking logs or boards (check each maker's spec for the thickness). Thicker walls give better strength and some insulation. They are heavier, need a solid base, and cost more.
Garden offices and studios
Insulated, with power, heating and good windows. A year-round room, not a shed. See garden offices.
Shepherd's huts
A hut on wheels, originally used by shepherds, now sold as retreats, studios and guest rooms. Steel running gear and a curved or pitched roof are typical. Check how your local authority treats a wheeled building and whether it counts as an outbuilding. Do not assume the permitted development rules for a shed cover a hut used as living accommodation: the Planning Portal says the outbuilding rules do not cover separate self-contained living accommodation.
By material
- Timber: the traditional choice, warm to look at, repairable and needs treatment.
- Plastic or resin: low maintenance, lighter, less secure and less customisable.
- Metal: tough and lower in cost, but can rust and get cold or hot.
Which suits you?
| You want | Likely type |
|---|---|
| Cheap, secure storage | Apex or pent shed |
| A place to work with tools | Workshop |
| A relaxing garden room | Summerhouse or log cabin |
| A year-round home office | Insulated garden office |
| Something characterful | Shepherd's hut |
Next: sizes and prices.
This is general information, not legal or planning advice. Rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and for your own property, so check with your local planning authority.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between apex and pent roofs?
An apex roof has two slopes meeting at a ridge. A pent roof has one slope.
Is a summerhouse the same as a log cabin?
Not always. A summerhouse is a style of building for sitting in, while a log cabin describes the construction, usually thicker interlocking timber.
Can I sleep in a garden building?
The outbuilding rules don't cover separate self-contained living accommodation, so check with your planning authority and building control.
Is a shepherd's hut an outbuilding?
It depends on use and how it is fixed. Ask your local planning authority.