Complete UK Potting Shed Buying Guide
Written by Matt W on 7th Aug 2026.
Power 6ft: 1,814mm
Apex, pent or combi
Power staging: 500mm
Flat-pack or installed
A good UK potting shed gives seedlings natural light, provides a standing-height bench and keeps tools dry. Choose by actual external width, usable aisle, roof shape, glazing, storage and installation method. A 6ft Power shed measures 1,814mm wide, while a Swallow Jay measures 2,035mm. Check the prepared base and delivery route before ordering.
Key takeaways
- Nominal sizes are labels. The Power 6ft range measures 1,814mm wide outside.
- A 500mm staging bench leaves about 1,314mm before wall thickness inside a Power 6ft model.
- Apex roofs give central headroom. Pent roofs control which side receives the roof fall.
- Power models use 12mm boards and 44 x 28mm framing.
- The Swallow Jay 6x8 includes 520mm staging, two roof vents and 3mm toughened glass.
- Power delivery is kerbside. Swallow delivery includes fitting on a prepared base.
Matt's buying note
Start with usable width, not the name on the card. A "6ft" Power shed measures 1,814mm outside. The Jay measures 2,035mm. That 221mm difference matters beside a deep bench. I would settle the working space before choosing paint, roof felt or handles.
What should you look for when buying a potting shed?
A useful potting shed needs light over the bench, dry storage and enough room to turn safely. Begin by writing down its main job. Seed sowing needs glazing and bench space. Tool storage needs solid walls and a secure door. A mower needs a clear route through the doorway.
Next, measure the garden in millimetres. Record the available base, door swing, maintenance gap and delivery route. Product names use rounded feet. The manufacturer's millimetre dimensions decide whether the building fits.
The full decision has eight parts:
- Primary use and storage load.
- Actual width and length.
- Apex, pent or combi design.
- Glazing and ventilation.
- Bench dimensions and aisle space.
- Timber treatment and future care.
- Base size and drainage.
- Delivery access and installation.
How much space do you need inside?
Allow for the bench before judging the aisle. The Power 6ft Apex has an external width of 1,814mm. Its standard two-tier staging is 500mm deep. Wall thickness reduces the remaining 1,314mm, but the layout still suits one gardener.
The Swallow Jay is 2,035mm wide. Its front staging is 520mm deep and 745mm high. The 6x8 model measures 2,550mm along its length. A Swallow Rook widens the gable to about 2,660mm, which suits two working zones.
Use the existing potting shed size guide for the full width decision. Do not rely on floor area alone. Long and narrow can work better than square when the bench follows the glazed wall.
Should you choose an apex, pent or combi shed?
Apex roofs put the ridge near the centre. They suit taller gardeners, central doors and free-standing positions. The Power 6ft Apex reaches 2,288mm at the ridge and 1,869mm at the eaves.
Pent roofs use one slope. They suit a wall or fence when the roof fall faces away from it. The Power 6ft Pent has a lower profile, with listed heights around 1,913mm and 2,028mm. Confirm which side is high before preparing the plot.
Combi models add a partitioned store. The Power 12x6 Apex Combi has an external depth of 3,682mm and a nominal 4ft store. Read the roof and combi design comparison before choosing.
View this combined growing and storage shed
| Design | Best position | Main strength | Check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | Open plot | Central headroom | Ridge height |
| Pent | Beside a wall or fence | Controlled roof fall | High-side orientation |
| Combi | One-building plot | Separate locked store | Bay split and both doors |
| Swallow glazed | Prepared permanent base | More ventilation and fitted build | Access for large panels |
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Matt's pick for a first potting shedBest for: One gardener needing a proper bench without a premium fitted price. Why we rate it: The 500mm staging, toughened glazing and central ridge cover the essential jobs. Live price: £973 |
How much glazing and ventilation are enough?
The bench should receive useful daylight without turning the shed into an oven. Power uses 457 x 610mm toughened-glass windows. Swallow Jay models use 3mm toughened glass in sealed grooves.
The Jay 6x8 has one opening side window and two opening roof vents. Two Bayliss XL autovents operate the roof vents. Automatic opening helps when nobody is home during a warm afternoon.
Face the main glazing towards useful daylight where the plot allows. Avoid permanent shade from walls, evergreen hedges or large trees. Good orientation reduces reliance on electric lighting.
Ventilation still matters in winter. Wet compost, trays and coats release moisture. Cross-flow lets damp air escape before it condenses on cold glass and tools.
See the fitted ThermoWood option
Which timber specification should you choose?
Power and Swallow sit at different price and service levels. Power uses 12mm shiplap tongue-and-groove boards, a 12mm floor and 44 x 28mm framing. Panels arrive dip treated and need ongoing preservative care.
The Power guarantee covers timber against rot, decay and insect infestation for ten years. Its terms require annual treatment inside and outside. Read the current warranty before ordering.
Swallow uses heat-treated ThermoWood, never cedar. The Jay includes a 12mm fitted floor on plastic runners. Its timber warranty lasts 12 years. Current warranty text still mentions treatment, so never assume ThermoWood means zero care.
Choose Power when price and modular size choice lead. Choose Swallow when factory build, glazing detail and included installation justify the higher cost.
What base does a potting shed need?
The base must be flat, stable, dry and correctly sized. A poor base twists the frame. That can make doors bind and glazing openings lose shape.
The Power 6ft Apex needs a listed base of 1,790 x 2,468mm for its 8ft length. The Swallow Jay 6x8 needs a fully slabbed or concrete area measuring 2,035 x 2,550mm. Always use the product's metric base size.
Concrete suits permanent and heavy buildings. Paving slabs offer a repairable solid surface. A proprietary floor kit can reduce wet groundwork on suitable level ground. The potting shed base guide compares each option.
Base warning: Do not order from nominal feet alone. A 6x8 label does not equal a 1,829 x 2,438mm base.
What should you check about delivery and installation?
Delivery method changes the job after checkout. Current Power records state delivery within five to seven working days. Delivery is kerbside by an 18-tonne or 26-tonne vehicle. Assembly remains the customer's responsibility unless a separate service is agreed.
Swallow Jay delivery includes installation. The current lead time is eight to twelve weeks after base confirmation. The Jay needs at least 2,032mm access height. Panels cannot pass through a property or around right-angle turns.
Measure gate width, height, bends and the route from kerb to base. Note steps, narrow alleys, air-conditioning units and low branches. Check the combi guide if two doors or a store bay affect the route.
Which current models fit each type of buyer?
| Buyer | Example | Verified fact | Live price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value-focused grower | Power 6x8 Apex | 1,814mm wide; 500mm staging | £973 |
| Wall-side plot | Power 6x8 Pent | Single-slope roof; 12mm boards | £973 |
| Grow and store | Power 12x6 Apex Combi | 3,682mm depth; nominal 4ft store | £1,428 |
| Fitted premium choice | Swallow Jay 6x8 | 2,035 x 2,550mm; fitted | £3,751 |
| Wider workspace | Swallow Rook 8x8 | About 2,660mm wide | £4,606 |
Three useful starting points
Why we stock these ranges: Power covers many sizes without forcing buyers into premium pricing. Swallow answers the fitted, permanent end of the market. Keeping both makes the recommendation depend on the garden, not one supplier. - Matt W, Potting Sheds
Frequently asked questions
What is the best size potting shed for one person?
A 6ft-wide shed suits most single-gardener layouts. Check the actual width and bench depth before buying.
Is an apex or pent potting shed better?
Apex suits open plots; pent suits controlled wall-side placement. The correct answer depends on roof fall, height and access.
Do potting sheds need a concrete base?
No, but every shed needs a flat and stable base. Slabs or suitable floor kits can work when the manufacturer permits them.
Can a potting shed store a lawnmower?
Yes, if the doorway and clear floor area fit it. A partitioned combi keeps the mower away from seedlings and compost.
Are Swallow potting sheds supplied and fitted?
Yes, current Swallow pricing includes delivery and installation. A finished base and suitable panel access are required first.
How often does a Power shed need treatment?
Current warranty terms require treatment every year. Apply suitable preserver inside and outside according to the manufacturer's instructions.