The Big Shed Question!!!!

In many households, there will come a time when you’ll get fed up of propping your bike up next to the kitchen sink, or sick of cleaning up the messy trail of dirt coming in through the back door when you’ve been gardening, or when your gardening tools have been pinched when you leave them out in the garden. That is when you decide that its time to get yourself a new outdoor storage shed. But it doesn’t end there, now the question is – which is the right garden shed for me?

There are a variety of sheds available in a range of shapes, styles and sizes these days. Now, the old fashioned flimsy wooden garden sheds have been replaced by the next generation of garden sheds – heavy duty all-metal garden storage sheds. Made from galvanised steel, these metal storage units tend to be much more secure and long-lasting then the wooden units.


Wooden Vs Metal Garden Shed

TOP 3 things to look out for…

1. Security

The main advantage of a metal garden shed is its security. Whereas design a wooden shed is weak and can be simply “kicked” in, a metal storage unit with a metal roof and metal doors is very robust due to its reinforced panels. An Asgard metal storage unit has integral stiffeners, internal shoot bolts in the larger models, double folded joints, hidden fixings, integral all metal floors, industry standard metal locking and ground anchor points. Added to this our internal roof clips on selected models and you really have the maximum security possible

DID YOU KNOW?

Many of the Asgard metal Storage units are Loss Prevention Board Certified (which may reduce your insurance premiums*)

2. Maintenance

You’d be surprised about the amount of maintenance an ordinary wooden shed needs. Wooden sheds are vulnerable to the weather and may require regular repainting, repairing leaks, replacing rotting panels, re-felting of the roof. Over the years, a wooden shed would require constant care and these costs do add up.

In comparison, metal storage sheds are very low maintenance. The Asgard metal storage units will not rot or leak, and other than a periodic wipe down and oiling the hinges, the Asgard metal storage units are virtually maintenance free. The unique hidden ventilation system reduces condensation in the units, which means no re-roofing, or re-sealing is required.

3. Weight

One thing to note is that good quality metal storage units are heavy. Compared to a wooden shed, which framework is mainly wood panelling, the Asgard metal sheds are made from galvanised steel and are very heavy, with some of the units weigning in at over 50 stone. However, with weight comes quality and security. You can be sure that no burglars can easily lift the roof off an Asgard unit or kick in the doors. With Asgard units you can choose to fix your unit to the floor using our (included) fixing kits, then you will have maximum security for your tools and equipment

DID YOU KNOW?

On average The Asgard metal storage units are 5 times heavier than the equivalent sized product from other shed companies*.

The Shedforce verdict? Don’t waste your time with a wooden box, and invest in a long lasting, sturdy metal garden shed to store all your gardening tools and supplies.

Visit www.asgardsss.co.uk and find the metal garden shed perfect for you.

Metal Sheds

Metal sheds offer the best all round security. Beware though, you do get what you pay for in this area. A cheap metal shed is actually worse than a wooden one!

When choosing metal sheds it’s a good idea to check the following:

Does it have an integral base? A metal shed with no base is no use. A thief will lift the shed (even if bolted down) and simply crawl under the side.

Above a 3 point locking system
How does it lock? Hasp and staples are next to useless. In the same way as with a wooden shed. A thief will just knock the hasp and staple clean off the door without touching the padlock.

How is the unit fixed together? So many imported sheds are self-assembly – which helps to keep the costs down – BUT they are often screwed together from the outside. All a thief needs is a screwdriver. The thief then just unscrews the door or panel to gain entry.

British made or import? UK manufacturers generally offer better quality products as the BSI often forces manufacturers to adhere to certain standards – imports are cheap for a reason – they tend to be poorly finished, with sharp edges and screws that stick out.

Metal Shed Accessories? As well as larger items, your shed may need to accommodate helmets, shoes, jackets, sports equipment, cycles, tools etc. Does the shed offer shelves or hooks? The alternative is to keep them in the house!

What sort of metal are they made from? All metal isn’t the same. First, look for galvanised steel. This is a process the steel is put through to make it rustproof. Galvanised products normally have a warranty, (5 or 10 years) against perforation from rust. Find out about galvanised metal sheds here.

Check the weight of the unit. A heavy shed can’t be tipped over. A light weight wooden or metal shed can be kicked over.

Check the gauge of the steel? If the shed is made from corrugated metal it will offer very little resistance to forced entry. Corrugated sheds are historically made from very thin metal – (it has to be to add all those bends). As anybody who has ever climbed on an old garage roof will tell you, corrugated roofs bend under body weight.

Certified? If you can get a product with a Loss Prevention Certification Board (LCPB) certificate you are pretty much guaranteed the shed will be very secure. Sheds with such accreditation will have reinforced doors, hinges and floors and can often get you a reduction on your insurance. Do check the certification though. Some less than honest shed makers will provide you with a weak corrugated shed and supply you with, eg, a LCPB bike lock inside the shed. Genuine LCPB sheds will cost you £600 plus, so do you really need this much security? If your bike is only worth £250, it’s more expense than you need consider: for £8000 worth of jetski equipment, or a topend carbon bike it is more of a worthwhile purchase.

Has anybody else bought one? If you are unsure what you are getting check the internet for feedback. Try http://www.bikeradar.com/ for real life reviews of products and service. Also check the manufacturer’s site, do they have a feedback section? Maybe even a case studies section?

Asgard Secure Steel Storage - The UK's leading supplier of high quality & secure metal sheds, metal bike sheds, metal bike garages, school storage and under caravan storage.

Bike It! -For schools

Bike it for schools Bike it is a venture by sustrans to get more and more people in the UK on their bikes. Now nationwide, this project has become a huge success. To see if your area has a “Bike it” project leader click here to the “Bike It” website.

From Sustrans…

“Bike It has been hugely successful at its target schools, with five times more children cycling than the national average. It’s run by the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, which is also behind the National Cycle Network, Liveable Neighbourhoods and Safe Routes to Schools amongst other projects. We believe that schools are at the core of a healthy, happy community, and our officers are highly trained and expert at working in a school environment. As well as tackling vital issues such as cycle training, storage, travel plans and parental involvement, our officers provide practical experience of cycling with many different kinds of events and activities – including tailored lessons linked to the national curriculum.

“Bike It” works alongside Eco and Healthy Schools awards and satisfies all kinds of government requirements on sustainability and school travel. It is also very highly regarded by Ofsted.

There are several different Bike it schemes – Visit the sustrans site below for full details… and get on your bike!

Bike It for me Children feel fitter and more independent – they just love being out and about on their bikes. Bike It and my child Parents know we are offering something really positive for their child and trust us to do everything we can to help their child towards a healthier, happier journey to school”.

“Bike It and our school Teachers say Bike It has transformed their schools. Children are energised, excited, ready to learn and travelling safely and independently. Bike It for the community Local authorities enjoy the success of Bike It in their areas. It has attracted the praise and attention of many Government ministers and national newspapers and TV”.


Bike Shelters For Schools
Everyone loves the empty car parks and full bicycle sheds!

Don’t forget to think about where all these bike are going to go when the children ride to school. Look for good quality bike shelters, cycle shelters , and bike storage here. Also check out our pervious blogs for tips on bike storage

Motorcycle Storage

The English weather has let us down again this year, ice and snow has kept a lot of bikes off the road so far. So, where do you keep your bike in the winter months???

When storing a Scooter or Motorbike it is important that you invest in a decent storage method.

Scooters and Motorbikes are easy prey for thieves – Particularly if they have been left on the street overnight, so common is this crime there are whole websites dedicated to it. http://www.weeklygripe.co.uk/arc266.asp . Check out these figures.

In 2007 26802 motorbikes were stolen - National Bike Safe Security Advisor.

THREE QUARTERS of these were taken from the bike owners home.
Statistically a thief takes less than 30 seconds to steal an unsecured motorcycle.

Approx 40% of all stolen motorbikes are never recovered. – Most are stripped down and sold for spares.

By far the best solution is a dedicate storage garage or motorcycle shed. There are very few of these on the market, so you have a limited choice. Which is actually a good thing; lets have a look at other motorcycle securtiy first.

Nothing but a cheap lock: A cheap chain can be cut in seconds with a simple bolt cutter. If it can be seen it can be stolen.

Plastic sheet: Great if you have a secure backgarden or yard. A couple of bungee ropes around it will help to keep the sheet on the bike in the wind! The sheet keeps the seat nice and dry. Not a lot of security though. If the budget is tight, try the plastic sheet with a ground anchor for around 50 quid

Ground Anchors Are Secure – But Your Bike Will Get Wet!
You bolt a metal loop to a concrete base, then loop the heavy duty chain around your bike and through the metal loop. Look for anchors that are sold secure standard – these are really strong and near impossible to cut through.

Wooden shed/store

Good for keeping your bike dry, though the level of security isn’t high. Wooden sheds and wooden bike stores are very easy to break into. When looking at a wooden shed, 1st check the lock. A hasp and staple really offers very little deterrent to a thief. No matter how good your padlock is, most thieves will simply force the hasp off the door with out ever touching the padlock. Wooden sheds will also require regular maintenance, every 12 months or so you will need to apply wood preservative to the panelled sides, then every 5 years or so re-felt the roof. In the long term – you may find a cheap wooden shed has a high long term running cost. Wood burns, there could be nothing worse than seeing your prized bike burn inside a £100 shed. Metal sheds These offer the best all-round security to store your bike. However, you do tend to get what you pay for. A cheap metal shed can actually be worse than a wooden shed! When looking at metal sheds check the following:

Does it have an integral base? Essential.

How does it lock? Avoid hasp and staples.

How is the unit fixed together? If the screws are on the outside a thief can just take your shed apart

British-made or import? UK manufacturers work to better quality standards by law, but imported sheds are not necessarily as good quality.

Accessories? Do you need shelves or hooks? For your helmet and other gear – and often overlooked but very handy for wet clothes to dry on after a tough winter ride.

What type of metal is the shed made from?? Look for galvanised steel, with a warranty against rust. Also check the gauge of the steel – avoid corrugated materials.

How heavy is the unit? You don’t want it to tip or be kicked over

Do you really need a store with LCPB certification? Such a shed will cost you more than £600 – if it’s just for a £250 bike it’s a waste: for a £10000 sports bike then yes, it’s a worthwhile purchase.

What do others think? Check the internet for feed back. Try review sites for real life reviews of products and service and check the manufacturers site for a feedback or case studies section?

Location:
Finally, choose the position of your shed/motorbike store wisely. No matter how secure the shed is. If you leave it in the middle of a dark field out of view, you will find not only the bike has been stolen, but the shed as well! Try and keep the shed in view of your house and either tight against a wall or a 4 metres away. A metre away from the wall and the thief will use the wall as a lever to get into your motorbike store .

General Bike Maintenance During The Winter Months:

We are experts on sheds, not motorbike maintenance – so we have found a great site with lots of advice on how to store your motorbike and keep it it tiptop condition. http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/winter-motorcycle-storage-guide.ph

Gas Bottle Storage

This small blog is about Gas Bottle Storage. This is one of the often over looked aspects of owning a static caravan. Gas bottles are a necessary evil – You really have to have them but they are not the most attractive things to have sitting outside your brand new caravan. The most common suppliers of Propane Gas Bottles in the UK is currently Calor Gas (http://www.calor.co.uk/).

Asgard Secure Steel Storage offer Calor approved gas bottle storage units for storing the most common gas bottle sizes. Asgard designed their Gas Storage units with Calor – ensuring they the perfect solution for storing standard gas cylinders.

Often people will buy a cheap generic wooden garden shed to house gas bottles. As we know from our previous blogs wooden sheds decay rapidly (and look a mess) – They are so unsightly (and flammable!) major caravan sites are beginning to ban wooden sheds from caravan parks, instead insisting on Metal Gas Storage units such as the Asgas storage range.

Cylinder Location

General Advice on Gas cylinder storage from the calor website.

Cylinders must be:

Installed in the upright position with valves uppermost so that vapour will be withdrawn in use.

Located against a wall or structure of the building with at least 30 minutes fire resistance.

Located in the open air outside buildings and situated on firm level ground in a well ventilated area.

Positioned where they remain accessible at all times.

Where they do not obstruct any means of access to and from the property.

Sited where they are reasonably protected from accidental damage or interference by persons, animals or vehicles etc.

Gas Bottle Storage

Unsealed gullies

Openings to cellars

Unless an intervening diversion wall not less than 250mm high is provided.

Within 3 metres of any corrosive, toxic or oxidising materials unless a fire resistant barrier is interposed.

The area around the cylinders should be kept clear of litter, vegetation or other flammable materials.

Associated equipment eg manifolds, automatic changeover devices, pressure regulators etc.Should be located as close as practicable to the cylinder(s) and located above the cylinder shrouds. Flexible connections should be short as practicable whilst being long enough to provide the flexibility required without excessive strain on the end fittings

Gas Bottles/Cylinders Must:

Cylinders must be sited upright against an outside wall on a firm, level base (approximately 1800mm x 460mm x 50mm) in a well-ventilated location. Because LPG is heavier than air, cylinders must not be located in cellars, basements or sunken areas.

The cylinders must be a minimum of 1 metre horizontally, and 0.3 metres vertically, from doors, windows, ventilation ducts, flue terminals and all potential sources of ignition.


Gas Bottle Storage units.

The cylinders must be a minimum of 2 metres from untrapped drains, unsealed gullies or cellar openings, unless separated by a 250mm high wall.

The cylinders must be a minimum of 3 metres from any corrosive, toxic or oxidising materials unless separated by a fire resistant barrier.

Main considerations are the safety of the location and easy access to permit cylinder replacement. Additionally, flammable material (such as grass, sheds and fences) must not be allowed near the gas cylinders. However, provided that free ventilation is not impaired around the cylinders, a nearby arrangement of flowers, shrubs or slatted screens may be acceptable.


Other Important Safety Tips:

When refilling a gas cylinder, always have it done by a professional. This way you know it’s done right and don’t end up regretting it later on down the line. Make sure you have your cylinders inspected for safety as well. And, of course, always keep proper safety equipment (such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits) in or near the cylinders in case of an emergency.

www.asgardsss.co.uk

Cycle Storage - Do you like your bike???

Well make sure it is still there in the morning!

With Spring finally here, many of you may be thinking about dusting off your bicycles and spending weekends and holidays enjoying the sunshine and the great outdoors with family and friends.

Whether you are keen on mountain biking, prefer to cycle to work, or simply enjoy riding your bike on your holidays and cycling tours, it’s essential to think about secure bike storage to keep your bike safe, secure and protected all year round. Remember – you wouldn’t leave you car unlocked at home…why leave your bike unprotected?

Protect from the weather – Wet weather, rain and dampness may cause rust and damage to you bicycle over time. The Asgard range of metal bike sheds are made from high quality, galvanised steel making it tough, weather proof and versatile to keep your bike clean, dry and ventilated.

Protect from theft – Always keep your bike securely locked away or out of sight behind locked doors. Fitted with a robust 5-point locking system and reinforced joints and hinges, the Asgard bike sheds offer complete peace of mind to keep your bikes and equipment safe.The one-stop solution: Asgard Metal bike storage

The Asgard metal bike sheds provides a multiple bike and equipment storage facility and can be installed anywhere, offering easy and convenient accessibility to your bicycle whenever you require them. Built from strong galvanized steel, and fitted with a unique ventilation system around the unit, minimizing the build-up of condensation inside the unit, keeping your equipment dry and safe.

Cycling Plus magazine recommends the Asgard Metal Bike shed “The best bike storage we’ve seen by a long way”.

Rated highly by our customers as well as the experts, here is what some happy customers had to say about the Asgard Metal Bike Storage: “We really love it! Extra storage for not just three, but at a squeeze four, adult bikes. It’s a great feeling that our ‘best’ bikes are securely locked away; it feels a lot safer than our wooden shed”.

So if you’re looking for secure metal bike storage to keep your bike and general cycling equipment safe and secure, click on our website www.asgardsss.co.uk to choose the best bike storage for you.

Will you catch the Olympic cycling bug this summer? Make sure your bike is ready and equipped for record lap times! Follow us on twitter (http://twitter.com/shedforce) to stay up to date with regular updates on looking after your bike and all the latest cycling news and events near you.

Enjoy the sun!

Fishing Tackle Storage

Look after your tackle!

Fishing is one of the most popular sports in the UK, many new and experienced anglers will be taking to the riverbanks and lakes and experience the pleasure of fishing and catching big carp this summer. For those who love the great outdoors, it has long since been enjoyed by people of all ages and locations as a relaxing way to spend time with family and friends.

Whether considered as a hobby or a competitive sport, did you know that the average anglers fishing tackle costs around £5k?*

This prized equipment is an increasing target for thieves, eager to make some quick cash. With fishing tackle often too bulky to store comfortably in many homes, and with wooden sheds offering little or no security, many keen fishermen are left exasperated at the lack of secure outdoor storage facilities for their equipment. Lets be honest, fishing may be fun for the fisher … but it is a hobby that smells .. a lot. There is nothing worse for a “none fisher” to be in the family garage on a hot day, with all the wet fishing nets and equipment hanging from the roof!

Do you value your tackle?? - Introducing the NEW Asgard Fishing Tackle Storage Unit.

Asgard have developed a Fishing Tackle Storage unit to meet the needs of the nations’ fishermen with their high quality and secure outdoor fishing tackle storage.

•Safe and Secure – Built from thick, heavy galvanised weather proof (rust resistant) steel panels with a built-in metal floor and large single door access. Featuring a tough 3 point locking system.

•Keep the elements at bay – An integral rain guard ensures that your equipment is kept dry and ready for action at all times

•Something smells fishy? – Keep those strong odours out of your house and garage with separate storage for your fishing tackle

•Got a lot to store? Not a problem. The Asgard Fishing Tackle store can hold multiple sets of equipment and trolleys – Ideal for fishing clubs and organisations.

•Fit trolleys and rod bags easily into the large easy access unit. Add the shelves and hook packs and store even more.

Fishing Tackle Storage
Store all your fishing equipment. Accessory packs are available including extra strong shelves and hooks to hang; over suits, tools, baits, pellets and nets.

We think that this is not only the best fishing tackle storage unit on the market but it is also the ONLY one that combines high security with high convenience, so if you “value your tackle” come to Asgard and make sure you are protected all year round!

Store All Of Your Fishing Tackle
For more information about the Asgard Fishing Tackle Storage unit visit www.asgardsss.co.uk and place your order today