How to make your shed more eco-friendly

Homeowners are being encouraged to follow easy hacks to make their outbuildings more eco-friendly.

The experts from GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk are sharing easy eco-friendly upgrades for garden sheds.

As awareness of sustainability and eco-friendly options grows, Britons are being urged to also consider their outbuildings.

Sheds can be great storage solutions, as well as providing great workspaces and a home to additional appliances.

Simple things like installing a rainwater collection station, opting for eco-friendly lighting solutions and using recycled materials for insulation can make the average garden shed a much more sustainable and usable space.

A spokesperson at Garden Buildings Direct said: “Sheds are versatile outbuildings which can be used for much more than simply housing garden tools.

“While some use their shed to house an extra fridge, others use them as workspaces. Whatever you use your garden shed for, we are encouraging you to make as many sustainable choices as possible.

“This could be as simple as switching light bulbs to LED. Not only is this a more environmentally friendly option, but they will also last longer than the average bulb. This makes them a more financially sensible choice, especially for those spending long periods of time in their shed.

“Other tips include making your very own compost in your shed, insulating with eco-friendly materials and using efficient appliances.”

Here are GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk‘s tips for eco-friendly sheds:

1. Rainwater collection

You can set up a rainwater collection system to reduce your reliance on water supplies. Use a large container to collect water from your downpipes. Collected rainwater can be used to water plants and filtered water can even be used for showers and toilets.

2. Make your own compost 

Your garden shed is a great place to store homemade compost. This costs nothing to make, and can help improve the health of your garden soil while also creating a more eco-friendly home. You can save money on bagged compost from garden centres and instead fill a box or bag with lawn clippings, wood ash, hedge trimmings, tea bags, egg cartons, leaved, shredded newspaper and veg peelings.

3. Use eco-friendly appliances

Many people use their shed or outbuilding to run appliances like an extra fridge or freezer. If you are looking to add an appliance into your shed, opt for an eco-friendly model with high efficiency ratings to minimise electric consumption.

4. LED lighting

You can switch up your lighting options to be more environmentally friendly by choosing LED or solar-powered lights. LED lighting is not only the more eco-conscious option, but they also last longer than traditional bulbs, so are a great choice for anyone who uses their shed as a workspace and stays in there for long periods of time.

5. Insulation

Insulating your shed is the best way to control both temperature and moisture coming into your outbuilding. Proper insulation is essential for saving on excess heating, and there are lots of eco-friendly options to choose from including foam boards or repurposed fabric and jeans. Make sure to seal all gaps to prevent drafts.

6. Solar panels

Another way to make your shed work harder is to install solar panels. In order for them to be efficient, avoid installing any panels on a shed that is overshadowed by trees or other buildings. Your shed must be strong enough to ensure the building doesn’t buckle under the weight of the panels.

7. Create a green roof

Improve biodiversity, air quality and noise levels by installing your very own shed green roof. The layers of soil and plants provide sound insulation for your shed, while providing food and shelter for a number of birds, insects and other wildlife.