Should you add electricity to your shed or summerhouse?

Should you add electrics to your shed or summerhouse?

It’s a big question when you’re planning out your shedlife.

It’s one we’re asked frequently by customers on a shedlife journey.

Should I do it?

How do I do it?

What’s the best way to do it?

Adding electricity to your shed and summerhouse can create many benefits and uses for your space. Alternatively, if it’s the peaceful sanctuary you are after – a no-tech zone – then electrics are likely off the cards.

The possibilities are endless with your new shed or summerhouse project.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of having electricity in your summerhouse, what adding electricity looks like, some rules around the project and by the end you should have a good idea of whether it’s for you or not.

I’ll use the word shed throughout this blog to keep things simple but it’s also relevant to summerhouses.

The Pros and Cons of Electricity in your Shed or Summerhouse

Before we kick things off, let’s get things straight. There is no right or wrong answer to this question, there are both pros and cons – and you’ll need to figure out which one works best for you.

Pros of adding electricity to your shed or summerhouse:

Adding electricity can transform your shed or summerhouse into a functional space for both day and night.

Lighting

The first thing most sheddies are thinking about is lighting – whether it be internally or externally.

Internally – adding lighting is a great feature to extend the use of your shed. The chance to use your building at night and in those darker months.

Lamps are a great feature to add to keep things cosy, a little romantic and dim. Alternatively, if you are creating a working space for yourself you may want to opt for brighter lighting from the ceiling.

Externally – We all love those pretty, mysterious lights in the dark that make your garden a little more magical in the nighttime. Having electrics in your shed allows you to add a little external sass to compliment the aesthetics of your garden. Spotlights are a great example.

Heating

If you want to make the best use of your shed – adding some extra heating to combat the colder months or drops in temperature at night is a great benefit to keep you comfortable. Timber can be a great insulator too – the right timber, I’ll add.

Amazon have great options for heaters.

Gadgets

Depending on what you are using your shed or summerhouse for will depend on the gadgets you want to hold. Some common examples are: mini fridges – for those special bottles and social gatherings, a TV – typical for a man cave to catch Sky Sports with his mates, or access to your craft equipment so you can work on your inspired mind.

Cons of adding electricity to your shed or summerhouse:

Additional Cost

We always recommend getting an electrician to carry out the work required. It’s safe, they know what they are doing and they’ll keep you right. It’s an additional cost to consider when mapping out your project. We work closely with RC Electrical who do a grand job for oor sheddies.

A Distraction

If you want your shed or summerhouse to be a place of pure sanctuary and peace, a place to meditate on life and appreciate your garden, a peaceful place to read or tend to your plantlings away from a world full of tech and distraction, you may want to create your own wee place without it and stay in the present. Mindfulness.

Aesthetics

If your shed or summerhouse is single-skinned – meaning the internal wall is the same as the external wall (no layers) – you’re going to see the wiring – there’s nowhere for it to hide. However, a good electrician will keep it neat and tidy for you. We’ll go into more detail about this further.

The purpose and value of your building will help you decide if you want electrics or not. If you don’t opt for it now, or maybe you don’t have the budget for it now and you change your mind later – it’s easy enough to implement.

How does adding electricity to your shed or summerhouse work?

Typically the electricity is fed from your house, through an armoured cable in the ground, then through the floor of your shed.

Safety note: We always recommend the access of the cable comes through the floor of the shed. This is to stop moisture and frost from affecting the cable and causing a fire hazard. We can drill the hole in your floor for access on delivery.

This will then connect to any sockets or lighting required within your shed. The wiring is best attached and tucked neatly on the framing of the shed. It should not be attached to the walls of the shed as you can pierce through to the exterior of the building which allows moisture to come in causing both an electrical hazard and a timber hazard – excessive moisture = rot.

Traditional sockets can be used within your shed – they must be attached to an additional piece of wood attached to the framing. They should not be directly attached to the wall.

Once you have all your required elements in – voila – you have a fully powered shed or summerhouse.

Additionally to this – if you have a lined and insulated shed there are more layers to play with, meaning all wiring can be hidden under the layers. This should always be done by an electrician to meet safety regulations.

If you have ordered a shed or summerhouse from us – we always create a gap between the delivery and assembly of your building and the lining and insulation job. Typically a week’s gap. This allows you to organise for your electrician to place electrical access and wiring in the right places before we add the final layers. 

Should I get an electrician to add electrics to my shed or summerhouse? 

You might be thinking, maybe I can save a little cash; do a cheeky wee DIY job. ALWAYS get a qualified electrician. It’s their job, they know what they’re doing, they do it well and they follow the safety regulations to ensure everything is safe and fitted in the correct places.

Yes, it’s an additional cost and worth not risking always worrying if something is going to go wrong or find your building burned down in a year’s time and the cooncil at your door.

Get an electrician and know in the comfort of your mind that your space is a safe place.

➡️ Recommendation: RC Electrical – they cater to Perthshire Area.

Should you get electricity for your timber building?

So sheddie, is it an aye or a naw?

It’s your choice depending on your wants and budget and remember it can always be added later if you wish.

There are plenty of benefits to having electricity in your shed and summerhouse to extend its use and get the most from your building and with your creative flair and imagination create a gorgeous space in your garden for years to come.

And remember the sheddie school rule: An electrician ALWAYS.

We’re here if you have any questions about your G&M project. Head to our contact page, send us your questions and we’ll guide you. We’ve been doing this and working closely with RC for years and we know how to get your dream shedlife project to success.

Shed love to you.

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