Finding the perfect workshop can feel overwhelming, especially with so many timber buildings on the market. You want a space that’s reliable as well as a joy to work in. Somewhere that fits your needs and stands the test of time. At G&M, we understand your pain. We’ve been crafting timber buildings for customers across Scotland for over 35 years. During that time, we’ve developed solutions to our customers’ growing needs, like our 3-Tier Workshop. This is a robust alternative to our single-skinned Sheds, or if a Garage is out of your budget, the 3-Tier Workshop could be the building for you.
In this blog, I’ll help you decide whether a 3-Tier Workshop is the best choice for you. By the end, you’ll understand the difference between a 3-Tier Workshop and our standard sheds and be able to confidently decide which is right for your workshop needs.
What is a single-skinned Shed?
Most traditional sheds are single-skinned. This means that the shed has one single layer of timber making up its walls – its outer cladding is nailed directly onto the inside framing.
The important thing to note about a single-skinned Shed is that it is not fully watertight. Any single-skinned timber building will always be somewhat susceptible to water ingress because of the porous nature of timber.
Our single-skinned sheds are constructed with Scandinavian Redwood Weatherboard cladding and treated with Sadolin Superdec paint, making them very durable. That said, condensation can still travel from the outside of the shed to the inside – which is water ingress.
What is a 3-Tier Workshop?
This is a newer option which features our unique 3-Tier specification. This is the same wall specification we use in our timber Garages. The 3-Tier Workshop includes layered construction and an air cavity between the cladding and inside framing. This wall specification makes the 3-Tier Workshop very sturdy and guaranteed to stay watertight!
The 3-Tier Workshop will not experience water ingress. Any water that gets through the exterior layer of cladding cannot travel across the air cavity to reach the inside of your building. If you need assurance that your workspace will remain watertight and its contents dry, the 3-Tier Workshop is the ideal option.
What will you use your workshop for?
We’ve seen many of our buildings transformed into all kinds of workshops, from jewellery-making spaces to motorbike maintenance rooms. The intended purpose of your workshop will help you decide which Shed is right for you. Let’s dive into the options:
Woodwork: Whatever you’re crafting from wood, it’s probably going to be important to you that your materials are kept dry. Any warping or dampness of the wood could impact what you’re creating and spoil the project. The 3-Tier Workshop will be the best choice for you, as it will maintain a dry environment.
Mechanics: If your hobby is tinkering away on cars or motorbikes, it will be crucial to protect expensive parts and machinery from any rust. For this reason, the 3-Tier Workshop will be the superior choice, ensuring that your tools are safe and dry.
Painting: You’ll likely want to store your finished paintings and works-in-progress in a dry environment so that nothing gets ruined. With the 3-Tier Workshop, you will know that your projects are safe. However, if you’re going to take finished works of art into the house and you’re just looking for a space to work away in, a single-skinned shed will work nicely.
Tool storage: If your primary goal for your workshop is to store your tools and supplies and work on occasional projects, a single-skinned Shed is a great solution. If what you have planned for your workshop won’t be impacted by some occasional moisture, then the single-skinned shed is your winner.
Can you add electricity to a workshop?
Yes! Both the single-skinned Shed and the 3-Tier Workshops can be set up with electrics, perfect for making them into workspaces. Whether you need lighting, power for tools or even just somewhere to plug in your radio, electricity can enhance your workshop experience!
For single-skinned Sheds, you might need to be more mindful that any plugs or cables don’t sit in damp areas. Whereas, with a 3-Tier Workshop, you’ll have complete peace of mind that everything will stay dry and safe for use.
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When will you use your workshop?
What time of year, and how often you intend to use your workshop space, will also determine which of these buildings is right for you.
Seasonal or Occasional Use: When considering the single-skinned Shed, keep in mind that there’s only one layer of timber separating you from the outside. As you can imagine, if it’s cold and windy outside, it can be quite chilly and you’ll feel a bit of a draft inside the Shed. During winter, it may feel a bit uncomfortable to be working away in a single-skinned Shed for longer periods. If you plan to use your workshop mainly in the summer, or you don’t mind feeling a chill on those colder days then the single-skinned Shed will be a great fit for you.
Year-Round Use: If you’re looking for a space that you can comfortably use, no matter the season, the 3-Tier Workshop is the ideal choice. Its thicker wall construction makes the 3-Tier Workshop better suited to year-round use and withstanding the Scottish weather than the single-skinned Shed. Its watertight nature means you feel a lot less draft and cold from outdoors, and it holds onto heat better. By adding a heater to the building it will quickly warm up, so you have a nice cosy work station in no time.
Do you need a large workshop?
Our single-skinned Sheds come in sizes up to 12’ x 10’. Whereas our 3-Tier Workshops come in sizes up to 20’ x 10’. We offer our 3-Tier Workshops in larger sizes than the single-skinned Sheds because larger timber buildings are more susceptible to water ingress. You need the 3-Tier specification for the bigger building sizes to ensure there are no water ingress problems. Therefore, if you need plenty of space, the 3-Tier Workshop offers greater size flexibility.
| Building Type | Size Available |
| Single-skinned Shed | Sizes up to 12’ x 10’ |
| 3-Tier Workshop | Sizes up to 20’ x 10’ |
Do you need a low-maintenance workshop?
The 3-Tier Workshop and the single-skinned shed both require some level of maintenance to keep them lasting a long time. The 3-Tier Workshop is a lower-maintenance building than the single-skinned Shed because it is watertight.
Do you need to paint your workshop?
We recommend that our single-skinned Sheds get repainted every 3-5 years. The single-skinned Shed must stay well-painted because the Sadolin paint acts as a barrier that protects the timber from moisture.
Our 3-Tier Workshops only need to be repainted every 5-7 years. Their cladding is pressure-treated, and the 3-Tier wall construction keeps them watertight, so keeping them painted is less important.
Do you need to ventilate your workshop?
After particularly wet periods, it’s important to ventilate your single-skinned Shed when you can. On the next dry day, open up the doors and windows and air it out for a few hours so any excess moisture can escape.
Even though our 3-Tier Workshops are watertight, ventilation is still important, especially if you’re storing wet items inside the building. We always recommend having at least one opening window in your 3-Tier workshop so you can air out the space when necessary.
Further Reading: How much maintenance does a 3-Tier Workshop need?
Do you need a secure workshop?
If the security of your workshop is important to you, it starts with getting your choice of door right. Our 3-Tier Workshop comes with a uPVC fully clad door as standard. This door features a 5-Lever lock, which is insurance-compliant, offering you plenty of security and peace of mind.
The single-skinned Shed comes with a standard shed door. This is a sturdy timber door, but it doesn’t offer the same level of security as a uPVC door.
If you’re storing valuables in your building, opting for the 3-Tier Workshop with its uPVC features is an ideal choice.
What is the budget for your workshop project?
If you’re looking for a timber workshop on a budget, then the single-skinned shed offers great value. This is a great choice for those who need a reliable building that’s going to last, for a reasonable price. On the other hand, the 3-Tier Workshop comes with a higher price point, reflecting its superior specification. If you need a workspace that stays watertight, the 3-Tier Workshop will be worth your investment.
What’s the best G&M building for a workshop?
Now, you know the key differences in the performance of a single-skinned Shed compared to a 3-Tier Workshop. You will be able to make an informed decision about which building type is right for your workshop needs. If you need a building for occasional projects, then the single-skinned Shed is the perfect choice for you. Whereas, if you need a workroom that’s guaranteed to stay dry – no matter the season – the 3-Tier Workshop is ideal.
If you still need help deciding which building option is right for you, come and see them up close at our Show Area in Errol. We’ve got one 3-Tier Workshop with a fancy canopy, plus plenty of sheds for you to explore.
Alternatively, book a consultation now to talk through your workshop needs with our Sales Team. We can’t wait to bring your workshop dreams to life!
