ALBANY SHED CO

Colours

Your shed will be supplied in a light brown colour (unless the untreated option is selected), but if you select Sadolin treatment (Siding Options) we will supply the recommended product and calculate the correct quantity, enough for two external coats, provided in tins for self-application. Sadolin is a high quality treatment that not only ensures a beautiful finish but will protect your building for years before needing re-treating.
If you select the same Sadolin colour for the Cladding and Trims, we will provide enough tins to cover each wall externally as well as trims and all sides of any summerhouse doors and windows (two coats).
If you select a different trim colour, you will receive a one litre tin of treatment to cover the trims, which if desired should also be enough for all sides of a set of summerhouse doors and up to two summerhouse windows (two coats subject to how much trim is on the building)

Standard Treatment

If you do not wish to order Sadolin treatment, standard treated versions of this building are sprayed inside and out with a water-based base coat of treatment in a light brown colour. To keep this building in best condition, we recommend giving it a top coat of treatment within 6 months of assembly, or as soon as you like (normally possible straight away). Treating your shed is an important part of keeping the building weatherproof as it helps to seal the timber and repel water. Please note small areas such as the inside of doors may not be reached by the spray and it is normal to have some irregularities and drying marks from the treatment process. Untreated buildings should be treated as soon as possible. We recommend buildings are re-treated every year, though the higher the quality of wood preservative, the longer the protection should last.

What should I use to treat my building?
The two main categories of timber preservative are water based and spirit based (which is also known as oil or solvent based). Spirit based treatments are traditionally considered to give better protection, however, improvements in water based treatments mean some now give as good protection whilst being more environmentally friendly. Timber preservatives are available in many colours so finding a colour you like may be a large factor in choosing your treatment. Cuprinol, Ronseal and Barrettine are all well known and widely available brands with a large choice of colours. A high-quality treatment we have experience of using is Sadolin Classic, which is used as a base coat on untreated timber, and Sadolin Extra as a top coat on treated timber. Or for a wide range of colours, consider Sadolin Beautiflex.

Hardwood doors & windows
Our summerhouses feature joinery quality hardwood doors and windows, which should be treated accordingly with a high-quality wood preserver suitable for exterior joinery. To keep them in the condition they deserve, we recommend treating the doors and windows with two coats of a suitable timber protection as soon as possible on all sides. This limits the movement of the timber, so it will help stop them from swelling up as much, as well as stopping cracks from developing and keeping them looking great. If left untreated or treated in a cheaper wood preservative, the doors and windows are more susceptible to absorbing a lot of moisture and swelling up, or surface splits opening, depending on the weather conditions. This is a natural characteristic of the timber and not considered a fault by the manufacturer, but can make the doors and windows difficult to open and not look as good, so is best limited in the way described. Please use the turn buttons supplied to keep the doors closed when not in use. Below are some side-by-side comparisons of similarly aged hardwood doors that have not had a top coat and ones that have had two coats of Sadolin Extra.

Can I keep my shed exactly the same colour?
The colour of the shed will gradually fade over time. If you like the colour it is currently, your best bet is to find the nearest match at your local store. Please note the colour may darken slightly with every extra coat. The treatment we use in the factory is not available to buy in exactly the same form as it is specially made for us and not a branded product you can buy in a shop. Some of our retailers stock our Albany Brown treatment, but this is a slightly darker colour than the one applied in our factory. We do not recommend clear treatment.

Why are your sheds not tanalised?
We believe tanalised or pressure treated sheds are frequently misrepresented as being maintenance-free, whereas in our experience the best and only proper way to keep a shed in good condition is a regular coat of treatment. Pressure treatment is necessary for timber that has to go in the ground, but although it sounds like a good 'selling point', many in the shed industry agree that it can lead to more shrinkage and cracking than would otherwise occur. If left untreated, any tanalised shed would soon become an eyesore as it begins to look grey and unmaintained; it would also be more likely to leak in wet conditions.

Lead Times

An estimated lead time can be seen by clicking on the blue price bar.

Assembly

An assembly service is available and the option can be found and selected under Order Options. You will need a solid, flat, level base and clear access to the base in order for us to be able to assemble.

Will this building fit into my garden?
You should consider whether you have any height restrictions (doorways, archways, gates within walls or with bars across the top) or sharp turns. Some panels can be quite large, especially on larger sizes, so if you have any concerns please check before ordering. Generally, if you have a side entrance to your garden with no height restrictions or turns, it is unlikely there will be any problems.

What sort of base do I need?
We cannot stress enough the importance of putting your new Albany building onto a solid, flat, level foundation. Get it right and your building will fit together properly and last for years. Get it wrong and you could have problems with assembly, the shed will not last nearly as long and the doors may not close properly. Your local retailer may be able to offer a base-laying service or recommend someone who can.
See Base Requirements for more details.

Ordering your building

After saving a design you will be sent an email with a link to return to it at a later date, or you can go ahead and place a deposit with a debit or credit card. After the deposit has been paid, you will receive a confirmation email. We will then check the design over and process - we will contact you with any queries or to discuss any necessary amendments. If you are not ready to receive the building, delivery can be delayed up to three months from receipt of deposit.

Prices

Prices include VAT at 20%. Some areas may require additional delivery charges if not within 50km of a retailer - please contact us to enquire. Delivery is currently unavailable to Scotland.

Guarantee

Buildings are supplied with a standard 12-month guarantee covering faulty parts and workmanship. In the unlikely event you have a have a problem that needs addressing please contact the retailer you ordered the building from. Photos may be required so the problem can be assessed. Timber is a natural product subject to shrinkage and expansion throughout its lifespan. Cracks, splits, loose knots, resin pockets and general movement are beyond our control and not considered a fault. Most buildings are made to order and cannot be cancelled once the manufacturing process has commenced. The guarantee covers the cost of replacement goods only. Components should be inspected for problems before assembly to allow for replacement parts to be supplied if required. Albany Shed Co Ltd are not responsible for any costs incurred due to the incorrect manufacture of products, missing items or delayed delivery. We do not recommend storing items in outdoor buildings that could be adversely affected by damp air. We recommend not leaving items unchecked for long periods and to regularly open the shed door to allow fresh air to circulate. Failure to do so will increase the risk of mould developing. Items should be dry prior to storing in your shed. Please consider whether items are suitable for storage in an outdoor building before putting away. We recommend you check if your building is covered by household insurance in case of storm damage etc.

Why do you not offer a 10 year guarantee like I have seen on other websites?
This is used as a selling point by some other suppliers. However, if you look into the details of these guarantees you will discover that this is essentially only an “anti-rot” guarantee that is void if you do not treat the building every year with a high-quality wood preservative, as well as a long list of other terms & conditions, so does not really mean anything. We agree that a regular coat of quality treatment is the best way to keep your building in good condition – if you do this your building should not rot for a long time!