A bit random…but please help me decide. Do I buy a shed with or without a window and why?

[RobynBai]

The shed is for my allotment, will be double doored and most likely pent shaped.

With, for natural light.
Without to be more secure.
With so people can see nothing worth stealing in shed.

Are you going to want to start and seedlings in it? If so window with bench beside. Is it somewhere particularly windy? As the flimsy windows tend to go in bad weather in my experience

Interesting @TeenToTwenties I thought with would be less secure as others can see what to steal.

We haven't an issue with theft luckily.

When my DDad locked the keys inside the shed, being able to get the window (plastic) off and send small DS in, that was useful. But many neighbours had their sheds robbed in the same way - so shed 2 was windowless and although it was just for storage, not on a working allotment, I did always struggle with the lack of light when searching for things, especially fiddly things. I imagine on an allotment, security is much more important than in a residential area.

I have a greenhouse so no need to grow in my shed.

This is really helpful but even more confusing than I thought.

I'm so excited about my new shed 😂

Depends what you are putting in it. A lawn mower and a bike then no window. Lots of smallish things, or things that are being stacked then get a window or an electric light. Nothing more annoying than trying to find the correct small thing in the gloom.

Realistically window/no window will make little difference to security on allotment, if someone wants in, it’s empty on a nighttime they will, at my old allotment no one locked as it was less issue to replace a spade than to replace a smashed door type thing

Shed at my last house had two windows and the previous owner had fitted strips of wood at the sides of each window then a piece of thick MDF slid in. So could be a compromise?
They’re not pretty but plastic sheds have a roof that lets light in. They also don’t need painting and are mouseproof.

A window. Sheds can be broken into but allotment stuff is usually ok and allotments are about joy and light - like a window.

No bikes or lawnmowers.

Shelves and tools.

I want a single burner and a little kettle to make a cuppa.

Maybe think of it like a beach hut then. They don’t have windows, but are there for cuppas and seating.

I'd not thought about a beach hut nit having windows, so yes similar.

Not sure I'll be painting it in candy colours…though at that point could return for another poll. 😉

Who knew that there would be so many reasons both for and against having windows!

Still deciding!

I'd say yes to the window, firstly so you can see the stuff at the back in the corner, and secondly you can have a shelf under the window and use it like a potting shed. You can always hang a bit of net curtain over the window so people can't see in anyway.

Oh have a window! One of the greatest joys of my life is sitting in my shed at the end of my (very small) garden with a cup of tea and looking outside. I mean, I look out of the door, but the window means that the light levels are decent and it gives me the whole 'summer house' vibe, rather than a 'sitting in a dank shed' vibe! Plus you can hang pretty curtains if you want.

(I always wanted a summerhouse but the garden is too small, this may be colouring my opinion).

Nobody has ever broken into my shed

My dad finds his allotment shed gets broken into a lot regardless so he now leaves it unlocked. Since then nothing has been stolen as they open the door , find nothing of value and leave. At least this way he's not got a broken lock or door.

I don't think the window or not made a difference.

With if you want to stand in in and pot up something.
you can always hang something over the window.
also if you retreat to the shed in the pouring rain best not to be in pitch dark

It depends on if you will be using it to sit and to have a cuppa and get out of the cold when you’re having a rest in the winter months.

if you are then a window means you can shut the door to keep the wind of you while you’re having a wee sit down before you get stuck in again.

Not . Keep a battery lantern for if it’s dark and you need to be in there with the door closed .

I find it very off putting if trying to work without a window above a bench. I like to be able to have a cuppa from my flask and look out at the rain hissing down!

Definitely a window. And I agree, leave it unlocked - at worst you might lose tools, but generally people are after electrical equipment and bikes.

I have a potting shed with a window and it's my favourite thing. Sitting in there with a cuppa and my seeds - heaven.