Shed Roof Styles Explained | Apex, Pent & Corner

Not all garden sheds are the same. Understanding the different roof styles — apex, pent, reverse apex and corner — will help you choose the right shed for your garden, your needs and your available space.

Apex Roof Sheds

An apex roof is the classic British shed roof — a pitched roof with the ridge (peak) running along the length of the building. The door is typically on the gable end (the triangular wall under the peak).

Advantages

Maximum headroom in the centre of the shed — ideal for tall items and working standing up
Traditional appearance that suits most gardens
Effective water shedding — rain runs off both sides equally
Door on the gable end — useful when the shed is positioned with the long side against a boundary

Best For

General storage, workshops, and traditional garden settings. Apex is the most popular roof style in the UK.

Pent Roof Sheds

A pent roof is a single-slope roof — one side is higher than the other, creating a gentle fall that directs rainwater to the lower side. The door is typically on the front (high or low side).

Advantages

Contemporary, modern appearance — clean lines, flat aesthetic
Ideal for boundary placement — the sloping roof can direct water away from a fence or wall
Lower overall height — useful when height is restricted (e.g., near a boundary)
Easier to access the roof for maintenance — the lower side is within easy reach

Best For

Modern gardens, boundary positioning, and contemporary settings where a flat-roofed look is preferred.

Reverse Apex Sheds

A reverse apex shed has the same pitched roof as a standard apex, but the door is on the long side (the eaves side) rather than the gable end. This means the ridge runs across the width of the shed rather than along its length.

Advantages

Door on the long side — provides wider access, useful for bulky items like ride-on mowers or motorbikes
Maximum headroom at the entrance — you walk in under the peak
Different aesthetic — a variation on the traditional apex look

Best For

Storing wide or bulky items, and gardens where the shed must be positioned with the gable end against a boundary.

Corner Sheds

Corner sheds are specifically designed to fit into the corner of a garden. They typically have a pent or apex roof and a distinctive shape — often with two long sides that meet at a right angle and a diagonal front.

Advantages

Makes use of corner space — often the least-used part of a garden
Maximises internal space while minimising the footprint
Creates an interesting architectural feature rather than a standard rectangular box
Can be positioned to face into the garden — doors and windows look out over the lawn

Best For

Smaller gardens where space is at a premium, or as a feature building in a larger garden corner.

Dutch Barn Sheds

A Dutch barn shed has a distinctive curved roofline that gives it a barn-like appearance. The roof curves from the eaves up to the ridge, creating a more rounded, traditional profile than a standard apex.

Advantages

Unique, attractive appearance — stands out from standard shed designs
Extra headroom — the curved roof creates more usable interior height
Traditional rural aesthetic — suits country and farmhouse gardens

Best For

Gardens where appearance matters as much as function, and those wanting something a bit different from the standard apex.

Choosing the Right Roof Style

Consider these factors when choosing:

| Factor | Apex | Pent | Reverse Apex | Corner | |--------|------|------|-------------|--------| | Traditional look | ✅ | | ✅ | | | Modern look | | ✅ | | ✅ | | Boundary placement | | ✅ | | | | Maximum headroom | ✅ | | ✅ | | | Wide access door | | | ✅ | | | Saves space | | | | ✅ |

Don't Forget the Door Position

Beyond the roof style, think about where the door goes. For apex sheds, we offer multiple door positions (labelled A through E) so you can choose which gable end or side the door sits on. This is crucial for positioning the shed in your garden — the door needs to be accessible and face the right way.

Read our guide to door positions or use the layout configurator on any shed product page to visualise door positions.

Explore Our Sheds

Browse our full range of garden sheds — available in apex, pent, reverse apex, corner and Dutch barn styles, with free installation included across mainland UK.