Choosing The Right Material For Your Shed — Vinyl, Steel Or Timber?
Don’t run out and build or buy a shed without first doing a little research on what it will be made of. The building material used to construct your shed, weighs in as the most important element of the project — determining things like budget, durability and appearance.
Your probably asking what the best choice is. But the answer is different for everyone. Each specific person, with different needs and price ranges, living in different climates would come up with a different response. In this article we’ll go over three widely used materials and try to help you make your decision on which one’s right for you.
Vinyl
Vinyl or plastic sheds are fairly new to the world of outbuildings. Their fairly new arrival on the scene has caused quite a bit of skepticism among most but I believe they have positive and negative traits just as any building material you might pick for your shed.
They come fairly cheap, a quality that can be quite useful in today’s economy. A timber shed of the same features and size will almost always cost you more. In most cases they can even compete with a steel or metal shed in price.
The vinyl shed comes out a little ahead in my book- the sheds don’t have to deal with rust or attract termites. They don’t get too hot during summer or drop to frigid temperatures during winter, and they’re simple to install because of their lightweight.
I see very few faults in the vinyl sheds at all, but unfortunately a lot of people aren’t fans of the appearance and texture of vinyl sheds. The only other negative I can come up with is that the plastic sheds aren’t as sturdy as timber or steel.
Steel
Steel is usually about as cheap as it gets, though some vinyl sheds can be in the same price bracket. The all around best qualities of a metal shed are price and strength. They are great for storing things like garden tools and other items that aren’t temperature sensitive. The negatives with steel sheds is their poor insulation quality.
A steel shed will be piping hot in summer and freezing cold in winter. If you are using your outbuilding for only storage purposes, a steel shed will be great for you. However, if you had planned on using your shed for a workshop, art studio or office, this probably isn’t the shed for you.
Timber
Wooden sheds are the all around favorite. They hold off heat and cold very well, making for a comfortable office space or workshop, no matter what season it is. The sheds come pre-treated for termites and other wood-eating insects, but this is still something you’ll have to keep your eye on.
Timber sheds or outbuildings are a little pricier than the other models. They can cost nearly double that of a steel shed the same size. They also require a little more upkeep, requiring a paint job every few years.
On the other hand, you wont be able to find a steel or vinyl shed designed with the same element of class as a timber shed. With many designs and purposes, you can find a timber shed to fit almost any need. From greenhouses to studios, even a small guest house is possible!
Hopefully this article has come to your aide in the decision making process, remember to take your own expectations and needs into account. Whichever road you choose, completing your yard our garden with your very own outbuilding can be both rewarding and fun.
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