Worried about thieves wanting to gain access to your shed? This guide will help. From securing your shed door to ensuring that thieves can’t gain access through windows, here are some tips to create the most secure shed possible.
At A Glance
Here are 8 shed security tips:
- Keep your valuables hidden.
- Install an Alarm system with sensor lights.
- Install security cameras.
- Secure the door with a heavy-duty lock.
- Keep the windows secure.
- Secure The Shed To Its Foundation.
- Ensure your shed and contents are insured.
- Install floor anchors for valuable items.
Some of these suggestions are pretty straightforward, while others are a bit more involved. Let’s take a closer look at each suggestion:
1. Keep Your Valuables Hidden
Thieves aren’t targeting your shed for fun. For the risk of getting caught to be worth it, they need to think there’s something valuable inside your shed. A shed with tools, vehicles, or other valuables in plain sight is a more likely target than a shed where nothing is visible. Here are a few steps you can take to keep your valuables hidden:
- Install your shed in your backyard so that it isn’t visible from the street.
- Move valuables away from the windows of your shed.
- Consider covering your shed windows.
- Install An Alarm System With Sensor Lights
Solar-powered security lights installed above your shed door and around your shed are an excellent way of improving shed security on their own. Pair them with an alarm system, and even the most daring thieves will think twice before trying to gain access to your shed.
Make sure that the alarm system is prominently displayed like stickers from the company, flashing red lights, or anything else that makes it clear that you’re the owner of a very secure shed.
3. Install Security Cameras
Security cameras are similar to security lights; just seeing one is enough to make most criminals turn back. Unlike a security light, which also has the advantage of helping you find your shed at night, security cameras have another advantage: They make it easier for law enforcement to track down any thieves or vandals who decide, against all good judgement, to break into your shed.
Cameras have become much more affordable in recent years; we highly recommend adding one to your shed security system.
4. Secure The Door With A Heavy-Duty Lock
There are a variety of different locks available that can help keep your shed secure; the one you’ll install will depend, in part, on your shed door.
Many shed doors use a hinge and hasp system; these sheds are best protected by padlocks, which should feature shrouded shackles to make it harder for thieves to use bolt cutters. Disc locks are another great option for these types of sheds.
Other sheds, like many of those offered by Horizon Storage Sheds, may come with doors that feature a classic bolt-style lock. These offer added security to your shed.
5. Keep The Windows Secure
Thieves love to target windows; there are rarely locks on windows, and they may be able to break the glass to get in. You can prevent this by installing window bars or by installing sensors that trigger when your window glass is broken. Obscuring your windows can also dissuade thieves.
6. Secure The Shed To Its Foundation
Lower-quality sheds should be secured to their foundation using anchors to stop thieves from prying the walls up.
Here at Horizon Storage Sheds, we recommend a simple gravel pad as a foundation for our sheds. Our sheds don’t need to be anchored, as they’re made of heavy, durable materials. Thieves won’t be able to lift the walls of our sheds away from the floor, so this isn’t a concern if you own a Horizon shed.
7. Ensure Your Shed & Contents Are Insured
Your home insurance should cover your shed and its contents, but newly-built sheds may not be covered by your insurance policy. Always let your insurance company know if you’ve added to your property, including installing a new shed; this will help ensure that you have enough coverage for your shed and its contents.
8. Install Floor Anchors For Valuable Items
Floor anchors are a great way to add extra security for high-value items like bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs, and expensive equipment. They’re bolted into the floor with loops so that chains can be anchored by the floor, making it almost impossible for thieves to access your valuables. Simply use a high-quality lock on the chains, and you’ll deter thieves who somehow manage to get into your shed.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re talking about simple wooden garden sheds or large metal sheds, security is of the utmost importance. By taking steps to ensure that your shed is properly secured, you can prevent break-ins and protect your valuables—whether you’ve got manual garden tools or heavy-duty power tools.
The sheds built by Horizon are constructed with security in mind; we use high-quality materials, and install locks on all our sheds. Contact us today!
