Contrary to the famous quote by football manager Ronald Koeman, "When you build a house, you don’t start with the roof," when you put up a shed, you do always start with the roof! This is because your choice of either an Apex or Pent roof can determine where on your property the shed should be placed, how it might fare in bad weather and over time, and what you can fit inside it.
Read on to learn about the Apex and Pent roof designs that we stock here at UK Sheds to help you decide which is the best fit for you and your garden.
So, What is Better, a Pent or Apex Shed?
To briefly summarise, the main discernible difference between these two types of roofs is that a Pent roof has a single slope with the highest point at the shed entrance, and an Apex roof has a double slope with the highest point at the apex, ie., the meeting point of the two slopes in the middle. Each design has its own advantages and disadvantages that might appeal to your different needs as a shed owner, so to answer the question of which is better for YOU, shed owners will have to consider what they are looking for in:
Aesthetic Appeal
Apex Roof: The Apex Roofed sheds, such as the Orkney 7x5 Professional Storage Shed and the Lewis 7x5 Reverse Apex Shed, just have that classic shed look, with the peaked roof. The Lewis 7x5 Reverse, has the door on the side of the building so the peak runs horizontally across the structure rather than vertically as it does in the Orkney. This kind of shed promised to be a timeless addition to your garden automatically adding the whimsical charm of a rustic garden shed.
Additionally, the peak of an apex garden building allows hot air to rise to the middle which promotes better air circulation and reduces the chance of mould growth and stagnation. If you plan to use your shed as a studio, workshop or outdoor office, consider an Apex roof if you would like more headroom to get around and that old nostalgic feel.
Pent Roof: The Pent Roofed sheds, on the other hand, such as the Caldey Professional Storage Shed, offer a sleek, modern aesthetic that fits seamlessly into any kind of garden and even alongside any sort of home. This design is ideal if you’re aiming for a contemporary look in your garden. The single slope of a Pent roof gives it a minimalist, streamlined appearance, making it a great match for modern homes with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic.
Another advantage of the Pent roof design is its versatility in placement. Because of its lower profile, a Pent roofed shed can be tucked away against a wall or fence without dominating the garden space. This makes it an excellent choice for urban gardens or smaller outdoor areas where space is limited.
Water Resistance
Apex Roof: The design of the Apex roof with the double slopes allows for fast rain or snow runoff and prevents buildup, which can lead to long-term water damage. This is why it’s the typical shed choice for areas that receive high precipitation. The steep pitch of the Apex roof ensures that water quickly drains off the sides, reducing the risk of leaks and prolonging the life of the shed.
In addition to shedding water effectively, the Apex roof is also beneficial in regions with heavy snowfall. The dual slopes prevent snow from accumulating on the roof, reducing the likelihood of damage from the added weight. This makes Apex roofed sheds a practical option for those living in colder climates.
Pent Roof: While the Pent roof is also sloping—from the front to the back—it is a single slope, so while it will allow for drainage, it is not an ideal choice for areas that receive high amounts of rain or snowfall. The lower pitch of the Pent roof means that water might take longer to drain, which could potentially lead to water pooling on the roof. However, this design can be advantageous in areas with mild climates where heavy rainfall isn’t a concern.
One of the unique benefits of a Pent roof is that it’s well-suited for light rainwater harvesting. The single slope allows rainwater to be easily directed to one location, making it simpler to collect and store water for gardening or other uses. This can be an environmentally friendly feature for those looking to reduce their water usage.
Space Utilisation
Apex Roof: The increased height under the apex of this shed makes it a perfect choice for increased headroom. While the walls can be utilised for the storage of smaller tools, the centre can be used for the storage of larger equipment. This feature is especially beneficial in larger sheds like the Garden Shed 10 x 8 or 10 x 6 Apex sheds, providing ample space for taller items and making the shed feel more spacious.
The high ceiling created by the Apex roof also makes it possible to install additional features such as loft storage or even a mezzanine level, depending on the size of the shed. This added vertical space can be a significant advantage if you plan to use your shed for more than just storage, such as converting it into a workshop or hobby room.
Pent Roof: While Pent Roofed sheds don’t have the added benefit of height versatility with the apex in the middle, they are perfect for space utilisation in smaller sheds that may store smaller tools. This is because the slope is more or less uniform throughout the shed, so a larger area can be exploited for a single use. This feature is particularly beneficial in smaller sheds like the 6 x 4 Pent shed, where every inch of space matters.
Solar Power
Once your shed is chosen and set in place, depending on what you are using it for you might require that it is powered. Whether or not you want to attach it to the power grid of your main house or invest in alternative power sources is completely up to you, but it is wise to note that the Pent roof sheds with the single slope are the best choice for harvesting solar power because all the installed panels will receive sun at the same angles, rather than on an Apex Roofed shed where different halves of the roof will receive sun at different halves of the day.
So, What Is The Best Type of Roof for a Shed?
It is generally recommended that those with a smaller garden, adjustable storage needs, and in an area that isn’t prone to high levels of precipitation opt for a Pent roof shed that can be placed against a wall or a fence. The 6 x 4 Pent Shed is an excellent choice if you just need a small garden shed to store some of your tools and want the added benefit of the sleek modern roof of a Pent shed.
It is important to note that many of our Pent roof sheds are built to be less than 2.5m in height so that you can place them within 2m from the boundary wall without needing planning permissions! This makes them an excellent choice for urban gardens where space and planning regulations may be a concern.
However, if you live in an area with lots of tree cover and hence the possibility of more water stagnation due to precipitation and leaf fall, and you want the added benefit of a double sloping roof and more space within the shed, as well as the rustic charm, you might want to opt for an Apex roof. The 6 x 4 'Lewis' Professional Storage Apex Shed is also an excellent choice when it comes to space utilisation.
It is important, as always, to consider the long-term plans for your shed. Do you plan to use it just for storage, or could this one day be converted into a home office? Might you want to, at some point, install skylights on the roof, and would this be more beneficial in a roof with two slopes?
Finally, What will your Pent or Apex Roof be cladded with? And what is the best cladding for shed roofs?
While you should always check the spec sheet of the specific design you are interested in before making your purchase, most of our Apex and Pent designs use 12mm tongue and groove cladding for the roof, which is far easier to clean and maintain as dirt doesn’t build up in the gaps as compared to other types of cladding. However, if you have any questions about the same, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Ultimately, the choice between an Apex or Pent roofed shed comes down to your specific needs, preferences, and the unique characteristics of your garden. Both designs have their own set of advantages, so take the time to consider how you plan to use your shed and what features are most important to you and what factors such as cost, time and longevity are important to you when making this decision. Meanwhile, UK Sheds offers a wide range of Apex and Pent garden sheds showcasing different designs and possibilities so go through our catalogue for inspiration!