Pent vs Apex Shed: Which Should You Buy?
Pent or apex shed? We explain the difference in plain English, help you choose the right roof for your garden, and pick the best of each on sale now.
Holt 8' x 6' Pent Shed
If you want a pent shed that lasts, this is the one.
- Built for British weather, with a 15-year rot guarantee
- Strong, thick floor for heavy kit
- Very little maintenance
Adley 6' x 8' Security Shed
Sheds are an easy target for thieves, and bikes and power tools are what they're usually after.
- Lock and anti-theft fittings included, so you're protected from day one
- Windows placed so nobody can see inside
- Wide door that's easy to get a bike through
Adley 6' x 4' Apex Shed
Want the headroom of an apex shed, but don't have much space?
- The lowest price of the three: under £400
- Small footprint that suits compact gardens
- Better headroom than you'd expect at this size, thanks to the pointed roof
You've decided you need a shed. Then you start shopping and hit the first big question: pent or apex? They're the two most common shed shapes in the UK, and the right one depends on your garden and what you'll keep inside.
The good news is that it's an easy choice once you know the difference. We'll explain it in plain English, then show you the best pent shed and the best apex sheds in the Sheds.co.uk Autumn Sale.
Ways to save at Sheds.co.uk
- The Autumn Sale is on, with up to £274 off our picks
- Holt shed buyers get 50% off a timber base
- Spread the cost with Klarna in three interest-free payments (subject to approval)
- See today's offers at Sheds.co.uk
The quick answer
- Pent shed: a single roof that slopes one way. Pick it if your shed will go against a fence or wall, or under a low tree.
- Apex shed: a pointed roof like a house. Pick it if you want to stand up comfortably inside, or need room for bikes and tall tools.
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What is a pent shed?
A pent shed has a flat-looking roof that slopes from front to back. The front is taller than the back, so rain runs off one side.
Why people choose pent sheds
- They sit neatly against a fence or wall, because the low side can go at the back.
- The windows are usually at the front, so you get daylight where you need it.
The catch: headroom is good at the front, but less at the back.
What is an apex shed?
An apex shed has a pointed roof, with two sides sloping down from the middle, just like a house.
Why people choose apex sheds
- You can stand up comfortably in the middle.
- There's more room up high for tall tools, shelves or hooks.
- Rain runs off both sides, and it looks like a classic garden shed.
The catch: the roof slopes down on both sides, so you have less height near the side walls. It also needs a bit of space around it, so you can reach both sides.
Pent vs apex side by side
| Pent shed | Apex shed | |
|---|---|---|
| Roof shape | One slope, front to back | Pointed, two slopes |
| Headroom | Good at the front, less at the back | Best in the middle |
| Best spot | Against a fence or wall | Anywhere with a bit of space around it |
| Looks | Modern and simple | Classic garden shed |
| Good for | Mowers, garden furniture, storage | Bikes, tall tools, working inside |
What to look for when buying a garden shed
Once you've picked pent or apex, a few simple checks will help you choose a shed that lasts and fits your garden.
- Size. Measure the space first, then leave room around the shed so you can build it and treat the wood later. Think about what you'll store too. A mower, bikes and garden furniture take up more room than you'd expect.
- Wood treatment. Pressure treated wood has the protection pushed deep into the timber, so it needs very little care. Dip treated wood is cheaper, but you'll need to re-treat it regularly to keep the guarantee valid.
- Cladding. Shiplap boards slot together and let rain run off, which helps keep the inside dry. All three of our picks use 12mm shiplap walls.
- Floor. A thicker floor copes better with heavy things. The Holt's 18mm floor is the strongest here.
- Door width. If you keep bikes or a mower inside, check the door width before you buy. A narrow door can rule a shed out straight away.
- Security. If you store bikes or power tools, look for a lock, a strong latch and windows that make it hard to see inside.
- Guarantee. A longer rot guarantee is a good sign the wood will last. Read the small print, as some guarantees only apply if you treat the wood every year.
What do customers say about Sheds.co.uk?
Sheds.co.uk is rated around 4.3 out of 5 from more than 18,900 reviews on Reviews.co.uk, and 4.0 out of 5 from over 4,500 reviews on Trustpilot. These reviews are about the shop in general rather than any one shed, but they give a good idea of what to expect.
What buyers like: good value for money, a wide choice, clear instructions that make building straightforward, and polite, careful delivery drivers. One customer wrote: "Very pleased with the quality of the shed and how well it went together. Clear instructions."
What some buyers complain about: the most common complaints are about delivery (arriving without proper notice or at a different time), missing fixings or instructions, and a few damaged or poorly fitting panels. Some also found it hard to get through by phone.
Our tip: check every panel and the fixings pack as soon as your shed arrives, before you start building. If anything is missing or damaged, photograph it and contact customer service straight away.
So, pent or apex?
Go pent (the Holt) if your shed will sit against a fence or wall, or you're storing heavy things like a mower.
Go apex (the Adley Security Shed) if you keep bikes or power tools in the garden and want to stand up inside.
Go small apex (the Adley 6' x 4') if you have a small garden and only need space for gardening kit.
Not quite right? Sheds.co.uk has hundreds more pent and apex sheds in every size. See all sheds at Sheds.co.uk
Three things to sort out before your shed arrives
- A flat base. Every shed needs a firm, level spot to sit on, such as paving slabs, concrete or a wooden base. Sheds.co.uk offers a base preparation service, and Holt buyers get 50% off a timber base when they order.
- A helper on delivery day. The shed is delivered to the kerb outside your home, and the driver won't carry it into the garden. Have someone around to help you move the panels.
- Building it. Two people can put any of these sheds together. If you'd rather not, Sheds.co.uk can install it in most of the UK. Allow an extra two to three weeks.
Common questions
Is a pent or apex shed better in the rain?
Both keep the rain out well when they're built on a level base. A pent roof sends all the rain to one side, so make sure that side isn't right against a wall where water can collect.
Do I need planning permission for a garden shed?
Usually not. In most cases a shed counts as "permitted development" as long as it's in your back garden, isn't too tall, and doesn't take up more than half your garden. The rules are stricter for listed buildings and conservation areas, so check with your local council if either applies to you.
How long does delivery take?
The Holt usually arrives in 2 to 5 days, and both Adley sheds in 1 to 2 weeks. You'll get a two-hour delivery window on the day.
What size shed do I need?
Make a list of what you'll keep inside, then add a little extra room to move around. A 6' x 4' shed suits garden tools and a small mower. A 6' x 8' or 8' x 6' shed has room for bikes, a bigger mower or garden furniture.
Do I need to treat a new shed?
It depends on the wood. Pressure treated sheds like the Holt need very little care. Dip treated sheds like the Adley models should be re-treated regularly. The Adley 6' x 4' needs a fresh coat every year to keep its 10-year rot guarantee valid.
How can I make my shed more secure?
Fit a good padlock, keep valuables out of sight of the windows, and lock bikes to a ground anchor inside. The Adley Security Shed comes with a padlock, a steel hasp and anti-vandal screws.
Full specs (for the details fans)
Holt 8' x 6' Pressure Treated Shiplap Modular Pent Shed: 2467mm wide x 1865mm deep x 2013mm high. Door 756mm x 1651mm (single or double door option). 12mm shiplap walls, 18mm floor, felt roof. Two non-opening glass windows. 15-year anti-rot guarantee.
Adley 6' x 8' Premium Shiplap Apex Security Shed: 1892mm wide x 2408mm deep x 1989mm high. Door 861mm x 1601mm. 12mm shiplap walls, 12mm floor, felt roof. Two high, small plastic windows. Padlock, steel hasp and anti-vandal screws included. 10-year anti-rot guarantee.
Adley 6' x 4' Shiplap Apex Shed: 1976mm wide x 1241mm deep x 2042mm high. Door 548mm x 1631mm. 12mm shiplap walls, 12mm floor, felt roof. Two fixed plastic windows. 10-year anti-rot guarantee (yearly re-treatment needed).
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- We checked prices across several stores so you can see where it is cheapest.
Holt 8' x 6' Pent Shed
If you want a pent shed that lasts, this is the one. The wood is pressure treated, which means the protective treatment is pushed deep into the timber at the factory instead of just being brushed on the surface. In plain terms: it resists rot much better, and you won't need to spend weekends re-painting it. That's why it comes with a 15-year guarantee against rot.
The floor is extra thick (18mm), so it can take heavy things like a petrol mower or a stack of garden chairs. You can also choose where the windows go, which is handy if one side will be against a fence.
What fits inside: roughly a lawnmower, a set of folding garden chairs, a strimmer, and your hand tools on shelves or hooks.
✓What We Like
- Built for British weather, with a 15-year rot guarantee
- Strong, thick floor for heavy kit
- Very little maintenance
- Made in the UK from sustainably sourced wood
- Biggest saving of the three: £274 off
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Like every pent shed, headroom is lower at the back.
- The windows don't open, so it's better for storage than for spending time in.
- No lock is included, so budget a few pounds for a padlock.
Adley 6' x 8' Security Shed
Sheds are an easy target for thieves, and bikes and power tools are what they're usually after. This apex shed is designed to make life harder for them. The screws can't be undone with a normal screwdriver, the latch is made of hardened steel, and a weatherproof padlock comes in the box.
The windows are small and set high up on the walls. You still get some daylight inside, but nobody walking past can see what you keep in there. The pointed roof means you can stand up comfortably in the middle, and the wide door (86cm) makes wheeling a bike in and out much easier.
What fits inside: roughly two adult bikes, plus a toolbox and a few garden tools hung on the walls.
✓What We Like
- Lock and anti-theft fittings included, so you're protected from day one
- Windows placed so nobody can see inside
- Wide door that's easy to get a bike through
- Plenty of headroom in the middle
✕What to Keep in Mind
- The wood is dip treated, a lighter surface treatment. Give it a coat of wood treatment regularly to keep it in good shape.
- The windows are clear plastic rather than glass. That's safer, but they let in a little less light.
- The floor is thinner than the Holt's, so it's better for bikes and tools than very heavy machinery.
Adley 6' x 4' Apex Shed
Want the headroom of an apex shed, but don't have much space? This compact Adley shed is only about 1.2 metres deep, so it fits neatly along a fence or in the corner of a small garden or patio. It's the cheapest of our three picks, at under £400.
What fits inside: roughly your garden tools, a small push mower, a few bags of compost and some plant pots. It's a tidy home for gardening kit rather than bikes.
✓What We Like
- The lowest price of the three: under £400
- Small footprint that suits compact gardens
- Better headroom than you'd expect at this size, thanks to the pointed roof
✕What to Keep in Mind
- The door is narrow (55cm), so it's not a good choice for bikes or large mowers.
- It's dip treated, and you'll need to re-treat the wood every year to keep the 10-year rot guarantee valid.
- No lock is included.
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