“Been Shedding long pal?” Turns out Falkirk have… And since it’s my mission to review all the shed manufacturers in Scotland let’s see what they’ve got to offer. Yeah? We’re looking specifically at Google’s top 4 Shed Manufacturers in Falkirk and we’re using the search term; Garden Sheds Falkirk.
We’re not interested in the paid ads as they’re usually just online companies that have nothing to do with the locality of the area you’re interested in. In this case, we’re only interested in shed manufacturers operating in Falkirk. By the end of this review you will know which shed company is best for you!
Let’s take a look…
THE RULES
- We don’t talk about ourselves! Nope – this is not a sly skanky ad for Gillies & Mackay. We are not in this review. This is purely for my research purposes and I take a clear, impartial view of all companies I review.
- We only talk about 8’ x 6’s in our comparisons, it makes things easier.
- The opinions in this blog are based on my own personal judgement and what I believe is important when it comes to the perfect shed: specification, price and service.
Who is featured in this review?
Let’s begin, shall we?
SJS Fencing
First up we’ve got SJS Fencing. You might be thinking, why have we got a fencing company in first place? Well, SJS does a lot more than just fencing. These guys do everything from landscaping and decking to garden sheds and summerhouses. They are a local family-run business based in Falkirk. So, let’s dive in and see what they have to offer shedwise.
Specification
On SJS’s website, you’ll find a page titled “Apex Sheds” that provides some details about the specifications of these buildings. Here it states:
“3 Shiplap Tongue & Groove cladding options to choose from: 12mm Weatherboard, 16mm Weatherboard, or 19mm Loglap”
The wording of this statement is somewhat confusing. It suggests that the first two options are both shiplap and weatherboard but these are actually two different cladding profiles. Shiplap and weatherboard are not the same thing – it has to be one or the other. Weatherboard is a higher-quality cladding option than shiplap, so it’s important that you understand what you’re getting.
Then we’ve got shiplap and loglap – these terms are also contradictory. Loglap is a distinct cladding profile which differs from shiplap, so again, it can’t be both. Since Loglap is usually the better option between these two, it’s helpful if you have a full understanding of what you’re buying. It would be helpful if SJS clarified their wording to specify whether it’s tongue and groove shiplap or weatherboard and whether loglap is a separate cladding option.
I can’t seem to find any information about what type of timber SJS are using for their sheds. However, if I had to guess from the price I would guess that it’s whitewood. Redwood is a superior cladding option to whitewood, especially in Scotland where you need your shed to stand strong and stay dry.
Which cladding thickness is best?
If you’re looking for a long-lasting shed that can withstand the Scottish weather, 12mm cladding is too flimsy and won’t be good enough. Given that there’s not much price difference between the 12mm and 16mm options, you’re far better going for the 16mm cladding. In Scotland, 16mm is the minimum cladding thickness needed if you want a decent shed.
What about the 19mm Loglap? Well, that depends on where the measurement is being taken from. Loglap cladding has a curved profile, meaning it’s thickest in the middle, but thinner at the tongue and groove joint. The tongue and groove joint is crucial for the stability of your shed and keeping water out. If the 19mm measurement refers to the thickest part of the cladding, the thickness at the joint will be significantly less – making it less protective.
If you’re considering a loglap shed from SJS, I’d recommend asking them where the 19mm measurement applies, before buying.
What roofing material is used?
SJS Sheds, as well as the majority of sheds on this list, come with a felt roof.
Felt is a reasonable roofing option for a shed but even the heaviest felt will still need replacing after around 10 years. A steel roof offers ultimate protection to your shed and will be more long-lasting. That said, at the price point, it’s unrealistic to expect a steel roof and by using felt SJS can keep the cost down for the customer.
Price
How much will a lovely SJS 8’ x 6’ Apex shed set you back? Well, their prices vary slightly depending on what cladding thickness you go for:
For an 8’ x 6’ Apex Shed:
| Cladding Option | Price |
| 12mm weatherboard | £657 |
| 16mm weatherboard | £686 |
| 19mm Loglap | £716 |
These are very fair prices and are one of the cheapest options on our list.
What are customers saying?
SJS have a 4.5-star review rating on Google. There are lots of positive reviews about the customer service they provide. The majority of the reviews are for their fences and decking – this makes sense as it’s the main service they provide. But from the shed reviews that are there – they are mainly very positive! Good job lads.
There are a few negative shed reviews which talk about problems with roof leaks and unhappiness with the poor roofing felt. Given their specification, this isn’t a huge surprise. If you do go for a shed from SJS, I’d recommend asking them what weight their roofing felt is. – you’re going to want something at least 30kg or more to make sure your shed stays dry in Scotland.
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The Shed Centre
Next up, in the number 2 spot is The Shed Centre! As Amy has discussed before The Shed Centre is a popular name for shed companies – so just to make it clear, here we’re talking about The Shed Centre Falkirk. The Shed Centre is a family-run business with over 30 years of experience!
Specification
There doesn’t seem to be any information about the specifications of these sheds on their website. The specifications of a shed will tell you everything you need to know about whether it’s going to be a solid and long-lasting shed or not. It’s crucial for you to know the specifications of your shed so you know whether it will meet your expectations.
I can’t find any information about what type of timber is being used, or how thick the cladding or framing is. However, if I had to take a guess I would say that it’s whitewood. Without knowing anything about the cladding profile or framing thickness it’s hard for me to assess the quality of sheds from The Shed Centre.
From the pictures, I can see that they are also using a felt roof on their sheds. Without knowing what sort of weight this felt is, its difficult to say whether it’s going to protect your shed or not.
Price
The Shed Centre is also keeping us in the dark about their prices. There doesn’t seem to be any sort of price list or pricing information on their website or their Facebook page. These could be the most affordable sheds on the list or they could be the most expensive – we’ll never know.
What are customers saying?
Well, The Shed Centre doesn’t have loads of reviews on their Google profile – but the few that are there, are all positive with an overall 4.4-star rating. I’ve had a look at their Facebook, where they seem to be a bit more active, and it’s nothing but glowing reviews and positive comments from customers and the surrounding community. Here’s what one happy customer had to say:
“Delighted with our new shed from The Shed Centre. John could not have been more helpful throughout the whole process, talking through options, advising on choices, and tailoring the design to our requirements. John and his team delivered and constructed the shed, coping with our high walled garden and no gate with good humour! It is solid and well made, and very good value particularly compared with other competitors. I would have no hesitation in recommending the Shed Centre.”
I would like to see prices, sizes and specifications on their website to make the buying experience a bit easier. However, it seems like The Shed Centre is a small operation, with lots of praise for boss John on Facebook – so I’ll give him a bit of grace here as not everyone is an expert when it comes to websites.
I would recommend any Sheddies considering a Shed Centre shed to ask about the specifications of the shed before purchasing!
AMR Log Cabins
Next up, in our Google search is AMR Log Cabins. I’ll tread carefully here though because last time I mentioned AMR they weren’t too impressed. But anyway, let’s take a look. Things get a little confusing from here on out, Sheddies, so stay with me!
AMR Log Cabins were previously known as AMR Sheds Falkirk and their old website still pops up in the Google search so be mindful of this when searching. When I reviewed AMR last time, they got in touch to clarify that they were never manufacturing their sheds, they were simply the supplier of Apex Sheds (who are another Falkirk manufacturer and feature next on the list). In their complaint to G&M, AMR Log Cabins emphasised that they were no longer selling the sheds and instead focusing on their log cabins.
But if AMR Log Cabins no longer make sheds then why are they on this list? Well, from a quick look at their current website, you can see that they’re still offering a few different sheds. They don’t specify where these sheds are coming from but the descriptions, prices and images are identical to those on Apex Sheds website. This would suggest that they are still selling Apex Sheds unless they’re coming from a different manufacturer and they just haven’t updated their website accordingly. Either way, the lack of transparency is confusing and unfair to the customer.
Specification
Let’s see how the specification of this mystery shed measures up! For AMR’s 8’ x 6’ Apex Storage Shed you’ve got two cladding thicknesses on offer: 16mm and 22mm.
They state that these sheds are made from quality tongue and groove timber, but it would be helpful to know what type of timber this is. Whitewood or redwood? Based on the price, it’s probably whitewood but it would be good if we knew for sure.
They also mention that the shed is built on a sturdy internal timber frame – but without any actual specifications, we just have to take their word for it. Some clarity on the framing dimensions would be useful. At the very least your shed framing should be 40mm x 50mm to ensure it’s sturdy!
This shed also comes with a heavy-duty felt roof. Lots of shed companies claim to be using a ‘heavy duty felt’ on their sheds. Technically a heavy-duty felt is 45kg or more in weight. However, without specifying what sort of weight the felt is, it’s a bit of a cop-out. Heavy-duty felt has also been very difficult to source since Brexit so the likelihood that all the shed companies who say they’re using heavy-duty felt are actually using felt that’s at least 45kg is low. I’d recommend inquiring about what weight of felt is being used on a shed before you buy.
AMR states that the shed has an oil-based lacquer, but from the pictures, the stain looks quite thin. It’s unclear what kind of aftercare is needed to maintain the shed. While their website does have a product care section, it seems to focus only on their log cabins, with no mention of shed maintenance.
AMR offers two cladding thickness options – 16mm and 21mm. However, it’s unclear whether these measurements are before or after machining the cladding. If these are pre-machined sizes, the actual thickness would be closer to 14mm and 19mm. In this case, the 19mm option would be the better choice for strength and durability. Anything under 16mm in Scotland isn’t going to be good enough.
AMR specify that it costs you extra to have a timber floor installed in your shed and it doesn’t come as standard on the shed. Some cheaper sheds will come without a floor so be aware of this when looking around Sheddies.
Price
For an 8’ x 6’ Shed:
| Cladding Thickness | Price |
| 16mm | £750 |
| 21mm | £845 |
Then it’s an extra £270 – £350 for a timber floor. So if you went for the 21mm cladding and wanted a floor added it would be at least £1,115.
What are customers saying?
AMR Log Cabins have a 4.7-star Google rating. Be mindful that the majority of their reviews are for their log cabins, rather than their sheds. So, what are people saying about the sheds? It’s a bit of a mixed bag. While there are some positive reviews, there are also a few negative ones which raise concerns about the quality of the sheds.
One review from a couple of years ago seems to confirm what I’ve been wondering – that Apex is manufacturing these sheds and AMR is simply selling them on. If that’s the case it makes me wonder why AMR continue selling these sheds, when their log cabins receive much better feedback. They appear to manufacture the log cabins themselves so it doesn’t seem beneficial to sell sheds that are negatively impacting their reputation.
If you plan on buying a shed from AMR Log Cabins I’d advise you to ask them where the sheds are coming from and what sort of aftercare is included with your purchase. This way, if an issue arises with the shed you’ll know whether they’ll be willing to help or not.
Apex Timber Garden Buildings
Last up we’ve got Apex Timber Garden Buildings. Apex seems to be manufacturing a few different buildings including sheds, summerhouses and garages. Let’s take a look at what Apex is offering you.
Specification
Apex Timber Garden Buildings have the same specifications as the previous shed discussed by AMR so I’ll not spend much time here. One thing to note is that Apex specifies that their sheds do include a timber floor whereas with AMR a timber floor had to be added on as an extra. I can’t figure out why this would be the case as it seems pretty clear that AMR sheds are coming from Apex anyway.
Apex does include a year guarantee on their sheds which is a bit of a safety net if anything goes wrong with your shed after the initial install. They will also deliver and install the shed as part of the cost, within their local delivery area.
Price
As it’s the same shed from Apex as it is from AMR, the price is also pretty similar.
It’s £750 for the 16mm cladding and £840 for the 21mm cladding. However, with Apex Timber Garden Buildings the timber floor is included in the price. Therefore, the overall cost of your project will be less with Apex.
What are customers saying?
Apex Timber Garden Buildings also has a 4.7-star review rating on Google. They have plenty of positive reviews for their sheds which is great. However, this confused me a little because, in AMR’s reviews, customers seemed less satisfied with what I’m pretty sure are the same sheds. One possible explanation for this is that Apex Timber Garden Buildings appear to offer more of an aftercare service for these sheds. By addressing issues they could potentially be keeping customers happier than AMR is with the same product.
So there you have it Sheddies! A shed is an investment and you want to be sure yours is built to last. Don’t be afraid to ask your shed company plenty of questions – clarity is key on timber type, cladding thickness and felt weight! I hope this review has helped you navigate the murky waters of garden sheds in Falkirk and given you the confidence to buy the right shed for your garden.
Thank you and goodnight!
All my Love
NattyShedGirl x
- Related content: Log cabin vs garden room: what is the difference?
