Sheds are great at providing lots of space for gardening and construction tools, or simply being a place for workshops and hobbies. But once you set out to buy or build that shed, you need to think about the best material for it. It is not as simple as one might think, all the different materials come with various benefits but also downfalls.
The most favorable option is to build a wooden shed yourself, but lately we have been seeing a lot of great prefabricated options made of metal and resin. Let’s dive into the options and figure out which shed type is for you.
Wood
When we think of a shed, most of us imagine a rustic looking wooden shed built from logs. After all, it is the oldest type of shed we are aware of. It has never disappointed and that is why we keep building it with wood, but this material is not without its faults.
While it is true that wooden sheds are very strong and durable, they are not invincible. Their biggest enemies are insects, fire, and moisture. Which is unfortunate since wood is facing most of these factors every day. And as mentioned before, wooden sheds need to be continuously well maintained to stand for a longer time.
Lastly, one of the most relevant factors today is the shed’s impact on the environment. Wood isn’t so friendly and sustainable as we might think, that is why new shed materials are being introduced.
PROS
- Visually appealing
- Strong and durable
- Long life
CONS
- Environmentally unfriendly
- Hard maintenance
- No moisture, fire, and insect resistance
PROS
- Visually appealing
- Strong and durable
- Long life
CONS
- Environmentally unfriendly
- Hard maintenance
- No moisture, fire, and insect resistance
Resin
What is resin?
Resin is a composite compound that can be molded into a hard material used in many products. While it is considered plastic, it is not the type of plastic we usually find in products like plastic bags or bottles. It is usually a mixture of organic materials that make resin.
When it comes to the negatives of resin sheds, the most obvious one is their strength. They are not as strong as wooden ones and will not bear more than limited weight on the walls, so it’s not the best place to use for shelf storage. Their visual appeal also isn’t very aesthetic compared to their wooden alternatives, also because of the fact they are usually prefabricated and not very customizable. They are less expensive than wooden sheds, but pricier than the metal ones.
What is resin?
Resin is a composite compound that can be molded into a hard material used in many products. While it is considered plastic, it is not the type of plastic we usually find in products like plastic bags or bottles. It is usually a mixture of organic materials that make resin.
What is resin?
Resin is a composite compound that can be molded into a hard material used in many products. While it is considered plastic, it is not the type of plastic we usually find in products like plastic bags or bottles. It is usually a mixture of organic materials that make resin.
Resin sheds are very light and incredibly easy to transport as they are bought prefabricated. That makes the installation of these very convenient and fast. Compared to wooden sheds, they also require low maintenance and are rot and rust free. Resin developed into a material that won’t peel or fade even in the strong sunlight.
PROS
- Environmentally friendly
- Low maintenance
- Easy installation and transportation
CONS
- Limited wall bearing
- Visually unimpressive and usually un-customizable
- Less durable
PROS
- Environmentally friendly
- Easy installation and transportation
- Low maintenance
- Weather resistant
CONS
- Limited wall bearing
- Visually unimpressive and usually un-customizable
- Less durable
Metal
Metal sheds are a very popular alternative to their wooden counterparts, as they are very durable and last a long time. The materials used in metals sheds are usually steel and aluminum, making them a zero-maintenance option. They cannot rot, burn, or become infested. They are also the cheapest option in the market, so depending on what your plans with the shed are, it might the best alternative for you.
Metal sheds are a very popular alternative to their wooden counterparts, as they are very durable and last a long time. The materials used in metals sheds are usually steel and aluminum, making them a zero-maintenance option. They cannot rot, burn, or become infested. They are also the cheapest option in the market, so depending on what your plans with the shed are, it might the best alternative for you.
However, if you are looking for a place to work and spend some time in, watch out. Steel gets hot fast, and the interior of the shed can become a sauna really quick too. You also need to look into what options you have available because while cheap and strong, they are not as pretty to look at as, let’s say, wooden sheds.
Plus, while they are low maintenance, they are not rust resistant. After all, it’s metal. It’s also tougher to transport because of its weight, so think about that when choosing the right shed for you.
PROS
- Strong and durable
- Cheap
- Weather resistant
- Long life
CONS
- Limited in styles and looks
- Not rust resistant
- Heavy to transport and assemble
- Not great for a workshop space
PROS
- Strong and durable
- Cheap
- Weather resistant
- Long life
CONS
- Limited in styles and looks
- Not rust resistant
- Heavy to transport and assemble
- Not great for a workshop space
How do I base all of these sheds?
Of course, no matter what type of shed you choose, there is always the question of what foundation do you use to base it on.
Do you want it to be fast and easy? Are you over the hard work of soil excavation and concrete pouring? If you want a foundation to be installed on the same day as your shed, we have the perfect choice for you. Today, one of the best options to go with is to use screw pile foundations.
Using GroundPlug screw piles, you not only have your foundation ready within hours, but you can also do it yourself alone! You don’t need any heavy tools; you only need an impact wrench which will install one screw pile in less than a minute.
So, which type of shed should you choose?
Now, there is no perfect choice, and it largely depends on how you want to use your shed. If you need a workspace for your projects, you should probably avoid metal and get a resin shed, but if you need a strong storage room full of shelves filled with heavy tools, metal or wood is the way to go. If budget is your priority, then it is probably best to buy a prefab metal or resin shed. Weigh all these factors, and you will definitely choose the perfect garden shed.
And don’t forget, no matter what type you go for, foundation is necessary for your shed to be safe and secure. So don’t skip this step.
GroundPlug® TwisterTM Screw Piles
We at GroundPlug® Easy Mounting SystemTM offer engineered screw foundations for small and large buildings. The GroundPlug® Easy Mounting SystemTM is a no-dig, no-pour foundation solution designed to make the foundation process faster and more efficient.
GroundPlug® TwisterTM Screw Foundations can be used for many different outdoor structures including patios, greenhouses, sheds, annexes, summer houses, prefabricated houses, container homes and much more.
