Garden Sheds for Sale in Ireland: Sizes, Deals & Permissions

If you’ve been scrolling through DoneDeal looking for a garden shed, you already know the options are plentiful — but figuring out what you can actually put up without a planning application? That takes some digging. Ireland’s rules are fairly generous up to a point, but the fine print catches plenty of buyers off guard.

Ads on DoneDeal: 2,110 · Entry price: from €550 · Showrooms: Belfast & Dublin

What size shed can I build in Ireland without planning permission?

Ireland’s Planning and Development Regulations allow garden sheds up to 25 square metres to skip the planning application — but only if they meet the full checklist. The structure must sit behind the front building line of your house, leave at least 25 square metres of private open space untouched, and stay within 1–2 metres of your boundary. Roof height caps depend on style: pitched roofs max out at 4 metres, while flat or membrane roofs top off at 3 metres.

The 25 m² allowance isn’t a fresh start. Any existing sheds, garages, or greenhouses on your property chip away at that figure. If you already have a 10 m² timber shed, your new structure can only be 15 m² before you trigger a planning requirement.

— Planning and Development Regulations, per Shanette Sheds planning guide

One detail that trips people up: the 25 m² allowance isn’t a fresh start. Any existing sheds, garages, or greenhouses on your property chip away at that figure. If you already have a 10 m² timber shed, your new structure can only be 15 m² before you trigger a planning requirement. The one exception is structures that were part of the original house planning permission — those don’t count against the exemption cap.

Garden Shed Planning Permission Ireland: Size Exemption Guide

• Garden sheds under 25 m² exempt if located behind front building line
• Minimum 25 m² of open space must remain after construction
• Pitched roof height limit: 4 metres; other roofs: 3 metres
• All existing structures count toward the 25 m² allowance
• Conservation-area locations always require planning

If a garden shed is beside the house, it must match the external finish of the house for exemption. Windows in a garden shed must not be within 1 metre of a neighbour’s boundary.

— Steeltech Garden Sheds Ireland, planning requirements page

Is it better to get a metal or plastic shed?

Metal sheds bring solid durability and low maintenance — they shrug off rot and resist pests without much effort on your part. Steel models in particular hold up well against Ireland’s wind and rain, though they can dent and will need rust protection over time. They tend to feel more industrial, which suits practical priorities over aesthetics.

Plastic sheds — often made from high-density polyethylene or resin composites — arrive in sections and snap together fairly quickly. They’re lightweight, won’t corrode, and don’t require a treated base the way timber does. The trade-off is rigidity: thinner plastic panels can bow under snow load or warp in strong sun, and the lighter models may need anchoring in windy spots. Higher-end resin units from brands like Keter address many of these weaknesses, but you’ll pay more for the extra wall thickness.

Metal vs Plastic Shed: Which One is Better?

• Metal advantages: Durable, pest-resistant, fire-retardant, lower long-term maintenance
• Metal drawbacks: Can dent, needs rust-proofing, limited style options
• Plastic advantages: Easy assembly, lightweight, won’t rot or rust
• Plastic drawbacks: Can warp or bow under load, may require ground anchoring

Do garden sheds need foundations?

Technically, every shed benefits from some form of base — but the question is really about what level of foundation satisfies both structural needs and planning rules. A concrete slab is the gold standard for permanent structures, providing a level, load-distributing surface that keeps moisture away from the shed floor. For smaller timber or plastic units, paving slabs or gravel-filled frame bases work fine and cost considerably less.

If you’re buying a plastic shed, the manufacturer usually includes a floor panel or recommends a specific base type. Skipping the base entirely means the shed sits directly on soil, which leads to moisture wicking up through the floor, accelerating rot in timber or rust in metal. Even a simple plastic grid base (often called a “base kit”) that sits on level hardcore provides meaningful protection.

Do Sheds Need a Base?

• Concrete slab: best for permanent, heavy timber or large metal sheds
• Paving slabs: mid-range cost, good drainage, suitable for most sizes
• Plastic grid base: lightweight, easy to install, adequate for plastic sheds
• Timber frame on hardcore: budget-friendly option for smaller structures

What this means: the base costs often run 10–20% of the shed itself. Factor that into your budget before comparing prices.

What is the cheapest time of year to buy a shed?

Shed prices follow seasonal patterns tied to construction and gardening cycles. Late autumn through winter — roughly November through February — tends to see the best deals. Demand drops once gardens go dormant, and suppliers look to clear stock before the spring ordering season. If you’re buying from a showroom or ordering custom-sized units, this is when retailers are most willing to negotiate.

Spring, particularly March through May, is peak buying season. Prices firm up as demand climbs and lead times stretch. If you need a shed for summer storage or a specific project, order in late winter to lock in earlier delivery.

— Seasonal pricing analysis per GardenRooms.ie planning guidance

Spring, particularly March through May, is peak buying season. Prices firm up as demand climbs and lead times stretch. If you need a shed for summer storage or a specific project, order in late winter to lock in earlier delivery. Late summer and early autumn (August–October) offer a middle ground — still some spring stock available, but without the frantic demand.

When is the Best Time to Buy & Save on Shed?

• Best deals: November–February (lowest demand)
• Highest prices: March–May (peak season)
• Middle ground: August–October (stock available, demand moderating)
• Tip: Order custom or large sheds 6–8 weeks before needed

What type of shed lasts the longest?

Longevity depends heavily on material, build quality, and maintenance — but as a broad ranking, treated timber and thick-gauge metal outlast most plastic options. A well-built timber shed, properly treated and sitting on a sound base, can push past 20 years. The catch is upkeep: timber needs periodic re-treatment or repainting, usually every 3–5 years depending on climate exposure.

Vinyl and PVC sheds occupy the middle ground — they resist rot and don’t need painting, but UV exposure makes them brittle over time. Expect 10–15 years from a quality vinyl unit. Steel sheds, particularly hot-dipped galvanized models, rival timber for lifespan if you address surface scratches promptly. Resin composite sheds sit at the lower end of durability without the premium pricing to match.

Resin vs. Wood vs. Vinyl vs. Metal Sheds

• Treated timber: 15–25 years with maintenance
• Hot-dipped galvanized steel: 15–20 years, low upkeep
• Vinyl/PVC: 10–15 years, UV-sensitive
• Resin composite: 8–12 years depending on wall thickness

The trade-off: upfront cost rarely predicts lifespan. A mid-range timber shed with a proper base will outlast a cheap metal unit that’s left exposed to moisture without maintenance.

Shed Specifications at a Glance

Four material categories dominate the Irish market, each with distinct performance profiles for the island’s damp climate.

Where to Find Garden Sheds for Sale in Ireland

DoneDeal is the largest online marketplace in Ireland for second-hand and new garden sheds, with 2,110 ads spanning multiple categories. Listings range from free collections of older timber units to new 6×4 models starting at €550, with full installation packages also advertised. Dedicated suppliers like Shed Factory Ireland maintain showrooms in Belfast and Dublin, offering higher-specification units with delivery and fitting services included.

For buyers specifically after planning-exempt sizes, the Property section on DoneDeal carries 29 ads targeted at permanent structures, alongside 1,588 listings that bundle installation. If you’re comparing second-hand versus new, older timber units often come with the 25 m² exemption already partially consumed by their footprint — worth checking before committing to a deal.

Related reading: Houses for Sale on Daft.ie & MyHome.ie · Property For Sale Carlow

Gardeners weighing metal against plastic sheds in Ireland can draw comparisons from sheds in Stoke-on-Trent, where suppliers showcase diverse showroom stock.

Frequently asked questions