Making sure your shed is locked down is an important piece in building the perfect yard for home. So how can you improve your shed security?

Sheds. It’s where the magic happens. Everything from welding to building to science experiments happen in this happy bubble that’s like a man cave…without restrictions.

In recent years, we’ve been investing so much into home security. I’ve learned some good news and bad news. The good news, burglars are having a hard time breaking into homes - which means we’re safer now! The bad news, they’ve discovered how easy it is to break into sheds, which is where power tools and some expensive stuff is stashed away.

1. First Things First! Build a Secure Shed

To those who are still planning to build a shed, make one with a durable skin. A desperate burglar can easily kick off walls made of lumber. Besides, wood is more vulnerable to weather, water, and insects.

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.

2. Reinforce Your 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 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 mortise lock.

3. Be Discreet

If you are keeping valuable items like high-end power tools in your shed, you may not want thieves to see them. 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. Blocking the windows so no one can see in is a good first step.

Don’t give away clues that you have something valuable in your shed. There’s a thin line between good security precautions and being obviously protective for something of high value. 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.

4. Secure It From the Inside

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 movers, or leaf blowers can be chained and pad locked to concrete floors with the help of expandable screws.

5. An Alarm System for Your Shed

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 deter 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 above.

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.