We suppose you’ve already seen the obvious need and decided to get a storage shed; thumbs up! It’s a good and necessary idea to have a storage shed in your garden or just out on your compound lawn where you can keep the gardening tools and any other outdoor stuff.
Well then, you’ve set out to get an outdoor shed with posters, and the tough part comes, “What type of shed do I get?”
Outdoor storage sheds are mostly made with either of three materials – wood, metal, or vinyl (a type of plastic). So, the question of the type to get mostly refers to the material used to build the shed.
When you choose the type of shed you should get, you would want to consider many things that answer both questions “what do I want?” and ” what do I need?”
In this article, we’ve decided to compare and contrast these three material types of sheds so you can read on to find out what type you’d like to get at the end of the day.
Let’s start by looking at each shed material, its features, and all.
Wooden Sheds
Wooden sheds are most likely the first-ever type of sheds, and they’re still vivid for a good reason – they’re quite the durable type.
You’d find wooden sheds made from spruce or pine or some more expensive ones from cedar or Douglas fir.
Features
- These sheds are easily the most aesthetically pleasing since they have this classic and traditional appeal.
- They are also quite customisable to any shape or size. And you can repaint any design you like at any time.
- Wooden sheds are often more costly than metal sheds and vinyl sheds.
- Wood is vulnerable to adverse weather, wear, and insect-eating, so it’d require more maintenance than other shed types.
Pros
- Wide range of options of size or price to suit your budget
- More solid and defined in structure than metal or vinyl sheds
- Have the finest designs and best aesthetic appeal
- Easy to customise to suit your taste
- Very durable and strong
Cons
- Prone to rot or harsh weather if not properly maintained or made of poor quality wood
- It’s wood – so, remember it can burn too.
- More expensive compared to others
Should you get a wooden shed?
A wooden shed is best for anyone who prioritises aesthetics and design.
If you’re looking to spend some more time in your shed too, you could consider a wooden shed – they’re quite comfortable.
Also, since wooden sheds are easily customisable, you have the right choice if you’re handy with tools or more of a do-it-yourself person.
Metal Sheds
Metal workshops are another good and durable option for making your sheds, and they are less affected by weather, rot, or insects, unlike wood.
However, they are made to get the job done and may not look all that pleasing to the eye.
Most metal sheds are made from galvanised aluminium or steel.
Features
- They are mostly the cheapest to get since they aren’t aesthetically pleasing.
- Metal sheds have strong resistance to harsh weather and most other factors. A well-maintained metal shed may serve you up to 25 years!
- Metal is prone to rust, though. So, it’s very common to coat the shed metal with a baked enamel finish to prevent rust and weather effects.
Pros
- Metal sheds are almost totally resistant to many factors that affect wooden sheds except rust.
- They are quite inexpensive.
- Require so little or no maintenance at all
- Very durable, too, against a physical force, so you can also store more valuable stuff if you need the security.
Cons
- Not visually pleasing
- Difficult to set up
- Difficult to customise too
- Prone to rusting
- Not comfortable to spend time in. Hot weather makes the shed hot inside.
Should you get a metal shed?
A metal shed would be a great option you should consider picking if you prioritise security and durability over aesthetics.
Or if you need a more secure place to store stuff away and don’t need a place to spend some alone time in.
It’d also be a great choice if you’re avoiding breaking the bank and want the cheapest shed possible.
Vinyl sheds
Vinyl sheds are a type of plastic shed. Other plastics like polyethene and resin are also used to make outdoor garage sheds.
Vinyl, however, differs from them by being more durable. Vinyl sheds are resistant to fire and weather factors and do not crack easily. So, they are generally more durable.
Vinyl sheds are not as old as wooden or metal sheds regarding their use time, being the newest on the market.
Vinyl sheds are generally lightweight and will not bear as much load as the other wooden or metal types of sheds.
Features
- Vinyl sheds are manufactured with different sizes and options to pick from to suit your style and budget.
- They are not as aesthetically or visually appealing as wooden sheds but much better looking than metal sheds.
- The vinyl sheds come in different colours, and that’s as far as customisation goes. They aren’t suited to bear up the weight of inner shelves or being drilled.
- Vinyl sheds are the easiest to set up and assemble because of their piece-by-piece designs.
Pros
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Incredibly durable and resistant to a lot of factors
- Lightweight and easily transported
- Fairly well priced
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Not easy to customise
- Colour paint will fade off over time
- Lightweight may allow very strong winds to cause damage
- Doesn’t offer as much security as metal sheds
Should you get a vinyl shed?
A vinyl shed is a good option if you don’t live in harsh weather areas because it’s lightweight.
They require the least maintenance, so it’s a good option if you don’t have time for regular upkeep.
So, which is the better choice?
You’ve gone through the three types, and now comes the time to make your choice. All three types of storage sheds are great choices if you know why exactly you’d need the shed.
So, make your comparisons considering durability, beauty, price, and perks to offer. And consider your budget too, and you’d be making the right choice!
