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How to: Toughen up your bike shed, part 1

Don't go overboard with external security. The more locks you have fitted, the more obvious it is that there's something inside the shed that's worth protecting

  • Toughen up your bike shed to protect your prized ride from thieves
  • Asgard Addition
  • Shackup Tridoorbikestore
  • Bike Cave / TidyTent
  • We opted for a wooden shed with a pent roof for more headroom
  • Door hinges are a major weakpoint
  • Door hinges can be toughened up by replacing the screws with bolts
  • Simply widen the screw holes with a drill...
  • ... and insert a bolt, with the nut on the inside of the door
  • To ensure the bolt can't be removed, simply add a drop of superglue. Alternatively, use a non-removable security screw
  • Don't rely on the lock that comes with your shed. Adding a couple of steel hasps with decent padlocks will make it harder for thieves to break in
  • Don't go overboard with external security. The more locks you have fitted, the more obvious it is that there's something inside the shed that's worth protecting
  • This alarm combines a PIR movement sensor...
  • ... with magnetic entry sensors, and will go off if anyone tampers with it
  • Windows are another weak point. If your shed is purely for storage, try to find one without any windows. If you'll be using it as a workshop, a bit of natural light may be worth the slight loss of security. It's easy enough for a burglar to smash a window but if they to climb in, the alarm will go off
  • Frosting spray makes it hard for thieves to see in while still allowing light into the shed. It can be washed off.
  • To stop thieves spotting your bikes, put translucent film over the windows or use a spray like this
  • Now thieves can't see in...
  • ... but there's still plenty of natural light for when you're working on your bike

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Don't go overboard with external security. The more locks you have fitted, the more obvious it is that there's something inside the shed that's worth protecting

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