Shed Wall Security

by Ben Ellis
(suffolk UK)

I am currently planning a big build after years of messing with small sheds. I am building a shed for storage of a very expensive quad bike with several snap on tool boxes and music equipment. I was just trying to find out your opinion on my wall structures.

To make it secure from thieves I was going to line the outside of the shed with ship lap then insulation with a steel checkerplate finish on the inside as thieves in Suffolk have been cutting through shiplap and stealing goods. I know this won't stop them breaking in but will create enough noise to at least get noticed. I would like to hear if you like the idea or possibly have a better idea.

Many thanks

Ben Ellis

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Shed Wall Security

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Steel Containers
by: DaveG

A neighbour of mine has got an old steel container that he keeps in his field to house his tractor.

He has, at the request of the local council clad it in timber.

In truth it still looks like a cargo container because of the dimensions, but because it is behind some trees it blends in. The sort of way elephants hide in long grass.

Although the steel will stop the thieves hacking their way in - the camoflage is probably the best thing, as he still only has a fairly standard pad-lock on the doors - which could be taken off with normal bolt cutters.

so - my tip - disguise the container and buy a BIG padlock to determine all but the most determined thieves - oh, and hide it!!! :)

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Improving Shed Security
by: Anonymous

Hi Ben,
Thankyou for your question. The idea of having an inner skin of metal inside the framework is a good one. I have a few other ideas and questions that may help you refine your design.

Essentially you are creating a metal shed inside a timber shed. The timber is for a good appearance and to blend in, while the steel is for security.

What thickness of metal checker plate are you using? The highest security mainstream metal shed on the market is the Asgard range and these are made of metal 1.2mm thick. Another option is to use a recycled metal shipping container which are available secondhand and in a range of lengths. Shipping containers are often converted to stores and site offices where a high level of security is required.
Both of these options could be covered in timber cladding and made to blend in if required.

Other options for beefing up the security of a more standard shed would be to use a layer of expanded metal (Expamet) or weldmesh reinforcement in a similar way to the way you propose with the checker plate. These both have the advantage of being easier to fix to the frame work and would require heavy cutting equipment to get through them. Expamet and weldmesh do have the disadvantage that they would not be a solid barrier as the checker plate would be.

This article on shed security shed security has a link to an article by a Hampshire Police Officer which has some useful suggestions beyond the standard advice and also pictures of a shed that has the weldmesh option installed.

Once you have the physical barriers in place some electronic measures such as shed alarms and motion sensors that would alert you when there was activity around the shed is another avenue to follow.

I hope this is of use, let me know if you have any more ideas and the solution that you finally adopt.

Regards

John

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