Shed Glossary

Shed-Speak

Here at Ace Sheds, we realize that some of the terminology used on some of our pages may come across a bit like industry-specific jargon.  So, we’ve created the following glossary to break down some of these and ensure you feel that an informed purchase can be made and you know exactly what you’re buying. 

For further information about any of the below, feel free to contact our specialist team today, have a browse of our blog pages or visit our help and advice centre.  

Excavated Area – The base or foundation upon which your bespoke Ace Shed will need to be built.  The area should be 2 inches longer than each side of your shed and dug to a depth of 6 inches if you wish the shed to be level with the surrounding ground, e.g. lawn.  This will allow sufficient depth to accommodate both a sub-base and concrete layer.

Fungal Decay – Ace Sheds’ emphasis on quality drastically reduces the threat of fungal decay, but this is when timber becomes wet for some time and attracts wood-destroying fungi,  It can spread quickly across a shed wall but our pressure treatment and design minimises the potential damage.

Galvanised Door Furniture – Our sheds are securely designed by default, but galvanised lock on your shed door means an extra protective layer of zinc.  This prevents rusting to ensure no unsightly discolouring or weakening of the locking fixture on your shed.

Guttering – Highly recommended, Just like a house, we cannot stress enough the importance and benefit to your shed from having a well-considered guttering system to further improve the flow of water and offer a solution for collecting water in a butt if desired.  The design of a guttering system differs between pent and apex style sheds, but our specialist team can help you add the ideal system for your shed.

PEFC Certified – This certification means a lot to Ace Sheds, and effectively underlines the fact we source and utilise timber in a manner which respects ecological and ethical standards.  It is about sustaining forests, whilst still providing bespoke, quality sheds.

Roof Purlins – These are horizontal timber bars that go beneath a roof’s shed. They provide structural integrity and your roof sheathing, which goes beneath, should be nailed upwards into the purlins (not vice versa) for the most secure fitting.

SBD Code 3 – Sheds are often an unfortunate target for criminals, due to their perceived contents of high-value sheds.  This security standard is only granted to construction companies that offer the highest level of security and we will ensure your shed design offers the appropriate balance of aesthetics and safety as per your requirements.

Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvetris) – This a type of wood Ace Sheds uses to build our quality, bespoke sheds.  Scots Pine is an evergreen conifer, one of just three native to the UK.  It is one of the strongest softwoods available for joinery purposes.

Security Mesh – In front of windows, a security mesh provides an extra layer of safety for your shed’s contents.  It is applied over the top and has the dual benefit of obscuring the view inside whilst also making any break-in attempt likely to fail. 

Squire CombiBolt – This is a type of lock available on Ace Sheds’ building.  It removes the need for a key and can be locked open if you need frequent access in and out, such as using tools on a sunny afternoon.

Squire Keybolt – This is a type of door fitting, with a steel lock body encased within a waterproof case to offer security and resistance to rust.  It has a 4-lever mechanism and is durable for the exterior of your shed whatever the weather conditions. 

Swedish Redwood – This particular type of quality timber is used on many of Ace Sheds’ designed is an ideal material for tongue and groove cladding.  Redwood is a type of coniferous tree and, as the name suggests, offers a reddish hue for an aesthetically pleasing shed.  Such is their beauty, John Steinbeck – author ‘Of Mice and Men’ – saw fit to remark that redwoods “leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always”.

Tanalisation – This refers to the pressure treatment performed on all timber used for Ace Sheds’ products.  It involves a chemical treatment which provides extra durability and peace of mind that your shed can and will last a lifetime.

Tongue & Groove (T&G) – This type of cladding is interlocking planes of pressure-treated, which are designed to slot seamlessly and securely together.  It is durable and the tight interlocking nature means any water dripping down the sides in rainy conditions will not affect the structural integrity of your shed.

Wooden Shuttering & Formwork – In the context of shed construction, this refers to the border of your excavation area, which should be secure and sturdy as you construct your concrete base.  Ace Sheds’ installation service can help ensure this is done properly.  Once the concrete base is set, shuttering or framework should be removed. 

Ironmongery – ironmongery was a term used to initially refer to the manufacture of iron goods. The term then went on to be used in the context of the sale of items for domestic rather than industrial use. The term ironmonger is used to describe a supplier of consumer goods. 

Finial – Finials are usually supplied to cover the join of two fascia boards, as well as offering more of a decorative finish. 

Bargeboard – Bargeboard is identified as a board fastened to the gables of a roof. The purpose of a bargeboard is to provide strength, protection, as well as conceal exposed timber of the roof. 

Dip Treatment – Dip treatment is a type of treatment used to protect timber. As it sounds, timber wood is dipped into a ‘bath’ of wood treatment for a specified length of time. The purpose of the dip treatment is to protect the shed from fungal decay. Dip treatment is typically cheaper than pressure treatment, as a result, however, the protection won’t last as long. 

Pressure Treatment – Similarly to dip treatment, this process has a primary goal of protecting timber from rot and decay. During pressure treatment, timber is put into a pressure tank where moisture from wood is drawn out. The wood is then treated with a wood preservative which penetrates right into the timber rather than just acting as a coating. Pressure treatment is typically more expensive, however, this is reflected in the quality and longevity of the treatment.

Roof Felt – Roof felt is the final layer of material added to the top of the shed’s timber roof. Roof felt is an important element to your shed as it protects the wooden building from adverse weather conditions and ensures your shed continues to look great all year round. There is an array of roof felt materials to choose from depending on your budget and your requirements.