Expert Advice

Garden shed roof options by pitch: felt lasts 5 to 10 years, Onduline needs 5 degrees on boards, EPDM suits flat roofs. Plus how to refelt properly.

What a log store needs to dry firewood below 20% moisture: roof overhang, slatted sides, raised floor, the right size, where to site it and planning rules.

Summer house doors and windows: styrene, 3mm horticultural or 4mm toughened glass, which windows should open, and the height rule near a fence.

Garden greenhouses compared: glass passes 90% of light, twin-wall polycarbonate 80%, plus vent area, base and the 2.5m boundary rule.

A garden shelter can be open sided or fully roofed. Six types compared, plus the 2.5m height rule that decides whether you need planning permission.

Garden trellis panels count towards your fence height, so a 1.8m fence plus a topper needs permission. Sizes, timber spec and fixing, explained properly.

Wooden garden gates last when posts are Use Class 4 and the brace runs the right way. Sizing a side gate, hinges, and the 1m height rule beside roads.

A two-seater garden arbour is about 1.2m to 1.6m wide and 2m tall. Wood or metal, where to site it, fixing it down, planning limits and what to grow.

A garden arch needs about 2.7m of height so climbers do not hang in your face. Wood or metal, post depths, planning limits and what to grow over it.

A garden gazebo is usually permitted development, but only 2.5m within 2m of a boundary and 4m overall. The UK rules, bases and what actually lasts.