When you need to store valuable items, not just any shed will do. High-security shed offers peace of mind, but it’s important to know what specific features contribute to its enhanced protection. Manufacturers might label sheds as ‘secure’, but understanding the key components that genuinely deter thieves allows you to make a truly informed purchase.
From robust doors and advanced locks to reinforced construction, several elements work together to create a formidable barrier. Here are the top 5 high-security shed features to look for when choosing secure garden storage from providers like Flat Pack Sheds.
Feature 1: Door Construction and Hinges
The door is often the primary target for break-in attempts.
Reinforced Door: Look for doors with extra internal bracing (Z-bracing or double-Z) to prevent them from being easily kicked in or warped.
Thicker Frame: A stronger door frame adds rigidity.
Secure Hinges: Standard hinges can be easily unscrewed or forced. Look for:
Bolted Hinges: Hinges secured with coach bolts that go through the frame, making them much harder to remove from the outside.
Security Hinges: Designed so the pin cannot be removed when the door is closed.
Hidden Hinges: Concealed hinges offer maximum protection but are less common on standard sheds.
Robust Shed door security is paramount.
Feature 2: Advanced Locking Mechanisms
A simple padlock and hasp are often insufficient.
Multi-Point Locking: Systems similar to those on house doors, with bolts engaging at multiple points in the frame, offer superior resistance.
Heavy-Duty Pad Bolt / Hasp & Staple: If using a padlock, ensure the pad bolt or hasp is made of thick, hardened steel and secured with coach bolts, not just screws.
Shrouded Padlock: A design where the padlock shackle is protected, making it very difficult to cut with bolt cutters.
Integrated Key Locks: Some sheds come with built-in cylinder locks, similar to house doors.
Look for secure shed locks that are specifically designed to resist common attack methods.
Feature 3: Window Design (or Lack Thereof)
Windows offer light but also create a vulnerability.
Windowless Design: The most secure option, as it removes a potential entry point and keeps contents hidden from view. Awindowless shed is often the top choice for pure security.
Security Glazing: If windows are desired, look for options using polycarbonate or laminated safety glass, which are much harder to break than standard horticultural glass or styrene.
Small, High Windows: Windows that are too small to climb through and positioned high up offer a compromise between light and security.
Internal Beading: Ensure window glazing is secured from the inside, preventing easy removal from the outside.
Feature 4: Cladding Thickness and Frame Strength
The shed walls themselves need to be robust.
Thicker Cladding: Look for substantial shiplap or tongue-and-groove cladding (e.g., 12mm minimum, with 16mm or 19mm offering even better strength) rather than thinner overlap boards.Stronger Framing: A robust internal frame (e.g., 44x44mm or larger) provides greater structural integrity and makes the walls harder to breach.
Interlocking Panels: Construction methods where panels interlock add overall strength.
Feature 5: Secure Anchoring Options
Preventing the entire shed from being lifted or tipped is crucial.
Anchoring Provisions: Look for sheds that include brackets or pre-drilled holes specifically designed for forshed anchoring to a solid concrete base.
Internal Anchoring Points: Some designs allow anchoring from the inside, making the fixings inaccessible from the outside.
Heavy-Duty Fixings: Use substantial anchor bolts (e.g., M10 or larger) to secure the shed floor/frame to the concrete base.
Conclusion: A Combination of Strength
No single feature makes a shed secure; it’s the combination of robust doors, advanced locks, secure (or no) windows, strong construction, and proper anchoring that creates a truly high-security shed. When comparing security sheds, carefully evaluate these five key areas to ensure you’re getting the level of protection you need for your valuable belongings.Invest in peace of mind by choosing a shed designed with security at its core. Explore the range of sheds with enhanced high-security shed features at Flat Pack Sheds
