Garden Shed Locks and Security Guide | How to Properly Secure Your Garden Shed

Buy or Build a Good Quality Garden Shed

Your shed should be a shelter that can withstand the elements, insects, thieves and kids alike, keeping your equipment dry and safe for many years to come, and that means one thing and one thing only – great build quality. Look for the following indicators of a solid shed:

• Quality materials – Flimsy sheds can be damaged quickly by thieves and won’t last long in the weather either. Your shed should have good structural integrity (it shouldn’t bend when you push on it or feel like it could collapse), be solidly built and use good quality materials.
  
  You may consider using metal or resin as your shed’s main material. Metal is cheaper but is also vulnerable to harsh weather and rust. Resin sheds (a.k.a. vinyl sheds) are tough and light.
  
  However, it may not offer the decorative options that metal or wooden sheds do.

• Solid door hinges – These are often the weak point in shed construction, so look for a shed that has a solidly framed door and one way screws that can’t be removed. You can upgrade your shed door hinges with longer nuts and bolts or one way screws yourself in some cases.
• Secure roof base – Another common weak point is where the roof meets the walls. Make sure you have a solid, fairly heavy roof that can’t be shifted easily. Close any gaps between the walls and the roof to prevent pests from getting in.

As with anything else, you get what you pay for when you buy a garden shed, so be prepared to pay a little extra for better materials and construction if you want your shed to last.

You’ve invested a lot in your garden tools and equipment, so don’t leave them vulnerable in a flimsy shed.

Reinforce Your Shed Door

The easiest way into your shed is through the door. Make sure that it’s so secure that you are the only one that can come and go. There are 2 kinds of shed doors, framed and unframed.

Generally, framed doors are harder to break into as the frame adds more strength. The best kind of lock for framed doors is the mortise (also called mortice) lock.

A mortise lock is fitted within the body of the door in a recess, which is less obtrusive and more secure. If you have an unframed door, you can use several kinds of shed door locks.

A simple hasp-and-staple door lock is the easiest to install and also the least secure. Pad bolts and rim locks are viable solutions, but neither can beat a framed door with a high quality lock for garden sheds.

Secure Access Points and Position for Privacy

When selecting or building a shed, consider potential access points and how to secure them. If you want a shed with windows, choose small windows with a thick Perspex rather than glass, and use a blind to prevent anyone from seeing inside.

The most secure option is to not have any windows at all, and use your door to provide light and air circulation for when you are working in your shed. This will hide your expensive gardening equipment, bicycles and other outdoor items from view and help prevent anyone from getting any ideas about stealing them.

The less people can see, the more the chances of an opportunistic crime are reduced.

Also, make sure you are using the right gate latch type to help you secure your garden and home. 

Get Your Free Guide: 

Master Growing Australian Natives eBook

A Must Have Complete Guide for Every Australian Garden

Get Your Free Guide: 

Master Growing Australian Natives eBook

A Must Have Complete Guide for Every Australian Garden

Yes, I want the FREE guide

Yes, I want the FREE guide

Choose a Private Position for Shed Security

If possible, position your shed so that it’s out of view of anyone passing by. It should ideally be away from easy garden access points or flimsy fences.

Don’t put it in a very secluded part of your garden, however, as this can make it easy for thieves to spend time in the shed removing all your equipment without being noticed.

You want it somewhere where you can check on it easily from your home, but where it’s out of sight from the road or access points.

Be Careful What You Store Inside Your Shed

Another good shed security tip is to be careful about what you store inside your shed. In some cases, it may be better to keep certain tools indoors or in a garage where you have a full security system.

This includes items like ladders, wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers and other items that can be used to break into your home or as weapons.

Secure Items Inside the Shed

Never underestimate a thief’s resourcefulness. If he wants in, he’s in. But even if he does, make sure he doesn’t go out with anything in his hands. You can hide small tools in a locked steel cabinet or in a concealed storage bin.

Larger items like bikes, lawn mowers, or leaf blowers can be chained and padlocked to concrete floors with the help of expandable screws.

Install an Alarm Shed Security System

Installing a basic alarm system has become a necessary shed security measure if you are storing expensive items like patio furniture, gardening equipment, bicycles and sports gear.

Alarm systems for sheds aren’t as fancy as home security systems, but they do the job. Shed alarm systems are usually made of a door contact, high-decibel siren and sometimes a motion sensor.

The downside of such alarm systems is that it sounds only when the thief has managed to break in. The siren may encourage some thieves to run away empty-handed, but some may ignore it.

Which is why, along with an alarm system, you should also employ the precautions mentioned. An outdoor security camera in your home facing the shed is also a good solution.

It will help you monitor your shed along with other parts of your house with minimal additional expense. If you have a shed, you can try to discuss it with your home security provider and ask them for help designing a solution.

Don’t Overdo Your Shed Security System

Good shed security systems are about being discreet. If you put up security cameras, an obvious alarm system or a really expensive-looking lock on the door, criminals are going to immediately think that there is something worth stealing inside! 

Their determination is directly proportional to the price they’re looking at. Even if you have enough security, a determined thief might still be able to break in if there’s something he really wants. 

That’s why, going back to the 2nd item, it is better to use a framed door with mortise lock vs. unframed door with multiple padlocks visible from the outside.

Garden Shed Locks Reviews for 2024

1. ABUS 20/70 Diskus Plus Shed lock

2. Master Shed Lock Pro Series

3. Schlage B60N Single Cylinder Deadbolt

Shed Security Systems  Reviews for 2024

4. Reolink PoE Home Security Camera System

5. ZOSI 1080p HD-TVI Security Camera System

The ABUS 20/70 Diskus Shed Padlock is our pick as the best garden shed lock for 2024! The hardened steel alloy and circular design make it very challenging to cut through or manipulate, and it’s designed to resist saw attacks.

The anti-cut plate provides 360-degree lock protection, and is highly resistant to drill attacks, pull attacks, and cylinder damage, while the lock retains the key until the locking mechanism is activated, so you can’t accidentally leave it unlocked. It’s designed for use in tough conditions including dusty and very cold areas.

There’s no beating the Reolink PoE Home Security Camera System, which is why we’ve chosen it as our top pick for best shed security system for 2024! It offers a high-quality high-definition display (2560 x 1920) for sharp footage, has a night vision feature for security after dark that offers a flawless display for up to 30 meters in front of the camera.

This system is an ideal combination of home and shed security, and is easy to install thanks to the plug-and-play PoE system. It offers 2TB of HDD storage (10 day capacity), remote playback, and can work with up to 8 Reolink PoE, bullet or dome cameras.

Shed Lock Frequently Asked Questions

What type of lock is best for a shed?

Deadbolts and hidden shackle locks are the most effective way to secure your shed against thieves as neither can be easily cut through with bolt cutters. Hidden shackles or covered locks are the most effective way to actively stop thieves from entering your shed.

What is the best way to secure a shed?

There are all sorts of extra ways to secure a shed. Start with the basics (a lock) and then think about adding security alarms, sensor lights, or even cameras for particularly valuable goods.

One thing that’s often overlooked too, is to secure your shed to the ground.

How do I make my shed door more secure?

Shed doors, even with locks on, are still not completely thief-proof. Shed hinges are often partially exposed, and are usually secured with short screws. To prevent thieves from simply forcing the shed door off its hinges, secure it with nuts and bolts instead of short screws.

What do thieves steal from sheds?

The most common items stolen from sheds are power tools, bikes, and lawnmowers. Essentially, anything that’s reasonably easy to carry and of high resale value. If your shed has windows, keep these items out of view so thieves aren’t tempted.

What should you not keep in a shed?

Food, whether canned or otherwise, should never be kept in a shed as it will attract rats. Any upholstered furniture or fabric is also at risk of both cold and damp damage, and moth damage. Paint and electronics can be harmed by high humidity, especially if stored near the floor.

Does a shed need to be bolted down?

Sheds don’t need to be bolted down, but it’s a great way to add extra security against wind and thieves. Sheds are fairly lightweight buildings, and thieves often just lift them up to gain access, making all that money spent on security a waste.

What are shed locks called?

Shed security bars or shed lock bars are the most common type of shed security, but are quite easy for thieves to crack. Aim for higher-end shed locks to avoid problems later. Those with protective covers are best.

What is the biggest deterrent for burglars?

CCTV, home security cameras, and alarms are the three biggest deterrents to thieves. Make sure your CCTV is well installed and high enough that it can’t be vandalised, while still being a visible deterrent. 

Can I install a shed lock myself?

Shed locks are easy to install and can be done as a straightforward DIY job. Even if you need to replace the entire door, it’s usually a case of changing a few screws for bolts, and lining the fitting up properly.

What is the easiest lock to pick?

Pin and tumbler locks, an old-fashioned type of cylinder lock, are really simple to pick and are one of the most common types of clocks found on sheds and padlocks. Most cylinder locks can be picked in the same way with a little more effort, so avoid them on your shed.

What scares off burglars?

As well as having friendly neighbours, a good burglar deterrent is automatic lighting. The dream scenario for any burglar is to be unseen and hide in the shadows. Motion-detecting lights remove that possibility and alert you when there’s movement in the garden at night.

How much wind can a shed take?

Most sheds can withstand up to 70 mph winds, but even so, they should be properly secured to the ground which will not just stop wind damage but make them more secure against theft too.