Wood vs Plastic Sheds: Which is best for your storage needs

Kunal Singh
August 27, 2022
9:53 am

Sheds are enclosed structures protecting and sheltering things and objects stored inside from harsh weather conditions like rain, snow, and hailstorm and also against theft and burglary. Finding the right kind of shed material that is durable, affordable, functional, and visually appealing is a constant concern.

Plastic, wooden, steel, or vinyl siding sheds are commonly used in major parts of the US. Wooden sheds are built from premium quality timber. Plastic sheds are also widely seen on houses, storage spaces, gardens, and garages. To choose the best, you should quickly analyze wood vs plastic sheds and know their differences, pros and cons. Along with the wooden sheds and plastic sheds, steel sheds are also installed nowadays. Steel and Stud is one of the pioneers in the metal building material business. We manufacture engineered, and certified metal sheds that last long. The company also customizes the design and shape of the sheds to fit the space and area.

Which One To Choose - Wooden Shed Or Plastic Shed

Residents and business owners in the US constantly juggle between wooden and plastic sheds. Before drawing any definite conclusion, let’s take a glance at the perspective of a wooden and plastic shed and focus on the high and low points for both.

Wooden Sheds

The wooden shed is the first material that was widely used in the US. This shed is sturdy and long-lasting, either made of cedar, fern, pine, or spruce.

Advantages of Using Wooden Sheds

Traditional Materials

The wood shed has been in use even before 1800. Irrespective of many alternatives, wooden sheds are still quite popular in 2023 because of their strength, classic look, and versatility. Moreover, wood being a renewable resource, the shed is considered an environmental-friendly option.

Design And Appearance

Sheds made of wood look classic. The wooden shed enhances the overall look and feel of the space. Moreover, it is easy to do a makeover on this shed by installing shingles or by painting. Placing a window or making a door is also easy on wood panels.

A Great Insulator

Wood is known to be a super insulator. The exterior can resist the heat coming from outside and keeps the covered area pleasant. If you have the requirement to spend long hours under the shed, this is the best-educated decision.

Customizable Sizes

The panels are available in a plethora of shapes and sizes. Moreover, it is also easy to cut and resize wooden planks to fit the exact space. It can be easily painted to match the look and feel of the space.

Strength

Wood is heavy and robust. So this variant among all the shed types is known for strength. Thus, it can stand straight against gusts of strong winds.

Aesthetic appeal

Oozing out beauty and warmth, wooden sheds tend to add a rustic charm and beauty to the space. Wooden sheds have grains and textures that differentiate them from other materials, making them aesthetically pleasing. The seamless combination of wooden sheds with the environment, therefore, helps in improving the overall appeal.

Disadvantage of Using Wooden Shed

Available in Only Raw Finish

Due to the absorption of moisture, the wooden shed is quite imperfect. You can easily find twists and bends all over the shed surface.

Maintenance And Treatment

Wood needs a lot of protective treatment like weatherproofing. It makes the material durable and does not allow it to rot.

Prone To Insects And Bugs

Wooden sheds are prone to insects. You will often find carpenter ants and other wood-eating pests infesting the exterior planks. Thus, you need regular pest control treatments to augment the lifespan of the wood shed.

More expensive than plastic sheds

Contrary to their counterpart, wood vs plastic sheds, the wooden sheds are slightly on the higher price side. Why? Because the raw material, wood, is itself pretty expensive. The cost difference eventually makes people conscious, so many choose wood over plastic.

Plastic Sheds

Plastic or resin sheds are usually made of vinyl or, commonly said, PVC or high-density polyethylene. Though they get bounty points for being durable and easy maintenance, they are losing their market among the environmentalist population of the US.

Advantage of PVC Shed Material

Low Cost

A plastic shed is an economical option for Wooden sheds. Moreover, the maintenance cost is also very lower than a wood shed. So, when considering what to buy between wooden sheds vs. plastic sheds, low cost is the ultimate point of difference.

Durability

Gone are the days when plastic sheds were made with inferior-quality PVC. Now with the advent of new companies, this material is manufactured with high-density polyethylene, which not only boosts the lifespan of the items but also makes them weather resistant.

Low Maintenance

Unlike wood sheds and vinyl sheds, plastic sheds do not require weather-resistant and pet-resistant treatments. You can easily clean the plastic sheds regularly with solutions. Moreover, it is best to put an anti-UV ray coating on the shed that prevents the color from fading.

Easy to Set Up

Plastic sheds’ walls and roofs can be easily installed through DIY. One of the plastic shed pros is that you do not require carpentry knowledge or tools to set it up.

Lightweight

Unlike wooden sheds, plastic sheds, made with high-density polyethylene, are lightweight and can be carried everywhere conveniently. You don’t need much manpower to carry the shed from one place to the other.

Plethora of Designs

Though shingles are not meant for plastic or resin sheds, they can easily fit in many designs and sizes. You can use a plastic shed in areas like covering a gutter, a skylight, and windows. Most plastic sheds are available in modular kits, so installing and taking them out during a facelift is easy.

Resistance to pests and rot

As far as pests are considered, plastic sheds are resistant to rot and pests compared to wooden sheds. Since plastic sheds are not prone to moisture damage, the risk of pest infestation is quite less. As a result, plastic sheds are low maintenance and durable, providing long-term protection to your property.

Disadvantage of Plastic Sheds

Low Strength

Compared to wooden sheds, these materials lack sustainability. So installing this shed might not be a good choice from a security perspective.

Unable to Resist Harsh Temperature

Plastic sheds are not capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. One of the plastic shed cons is that it twists in extreme cold and hot conditions.

Renovation is Tough

Refurbishing and facelifts are a challenge with a plastic shed. Because of the lightweight material, these sheds cannot hold extra weight, though the shed’s roof and walls can be easily painted.

Limited design options

Now that you are considering plastic sheds better than wood, you must compare the design options. Unlike wood sheds that let you unleash your creative side, plastic sheds come with very limited design options. You need to limit your expectations as plastic has a bland, transparent appearance, which wouldn’t make the shed charming.

Environmental concerns

Time and again, we have all learned that plastic is dangerous for the environment. So, even when planning to get one plastic shed, unknowingly, you are hurting the environment around you. Plastic is toxic and can release a lot of waste, creating pollution.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Plastic and Wood Sheds

Are you confused about the choice of plastic shed vs. wood shed? Look no further, for we have collected all the points that will help you make a more smart and informed decision between the two:

Budget: If you don’t want to burn your pocket, you must go for plastic sheds as they are more affordable.
Aesthetic preferences: Wooden sheds should be your go-to choice if you want your shed to look aesthetic. This is mostly because the wood has a natural texture that adds to the rustic charm. On the contrary, plastic sheds are boring with their transparent appearance and do not add much aesthetic value to the property.
Climate: The climate in your area can play an important role in helping you make the right choice, especially in terms of material. While wooden sheds can easily last under moderate climates, plastic sheds can bear harsh weather conditions. You can assess the frequent climate in your area and make an informed decision.
Maintenance Requirements: You need to maintain wooden sheds frequently. Plastic sheds are easy to clean and maintain but only sometimes provide a lot of aesthetics. Whereas wooden sheds are aesthetically pleasing and easily blend with the interiors; however, require frequent maintenance to prevent termites and other issues.
Environmental impact: Comparatively, wood is more environmentally friendly than plastic. Plastic causes pollution and waste, which wood does not.

Buy Steel Sheds Instead- Better Than Wooden And Plastic Sheds?

Along with wood, plastic, vinyl, and resin, Steel Shed is another popular choice for a shed. Metal sheds gained popularity in the 1960s. Available in varying thicknesses, Putting up a metal shed is the cheapest, sturdy, and most durable option. We propose a steel shed as a better option for the following reasons:

3 Reasons How Steel Sheds Will Offer Cost-Saving Benefits In The Long Run

1. Nature of Materials

The steel is heavier and extremely strong to resist strong winds and hailstorms better than plastic sheds. Structurally solid and sturdy, these variants are long-lasting compared to wood, plastic, and vinyl materials. Apparently, these sheds are quite aesthetically pleasing and can even be painted to match with the theme of the walls and floor. You can add shingles to augment the look.

2. Safety Parameters

Steel does not rot with over-exposure to humid conditions. Moreover, this material has no risk of insect and pest invasions, unlike wood sheds. A metal shed has unmatched strength, especially against fire accidents, as they are fire retardant similar to a vinyl shed.

3. Maintenance

Maintenance is quite easy. Either painting or spray where the paint has faded away. Unlike wood, metal sheds and its floor are not affected by mold and mildew, so they rot or get distorted or twisted. As the high-quality PMB manufacturer, we provide a 10-20 years warranty on our steel shed. But for wood, resin, vinyl, and plastic, the warranty period is not streamlined and might require more frequent painting.

When exploring the pros and cons of a metal shed, you must focus on and consider the facets that have made the material a cost-effective option for all in the future. Take a glance.

Shop Steel Shed Kit for Quick Construction

Construction of a new building can be an expensive call for your buisness storage problem or better living at home. Also traditional construction may involve time, which can be exhausting again.

The metal sheds are available in modular kits and are super easy to assemble and install. Thus, it saves a lot of construction costs. Moreover, a metal shed foundation cost is usually cheaper as concrete can easily be laid down on flat surfaces. The time-saving and super convenient assembly and installation process has made a metal shade an immensely cost-effective choice.

Conclusion

Buildings like resin shed, garden shed, garage, and barns may not be the most decorated space on your property, but they surely are the most useful ones. They are not only helping you to store your garden tools, extra clothes, beds, or any other household items, but they are also helping many new small and large businesses in fulfilling their dream when used as workshops or warehouses,

Steel And Stud are one of the leading names that manufacture top-quality Metal sheds. This company has gained acknowledgment and admiration by offering engineered quality and certified products with a warranty and flawless customization techniques.

1-877-275-7048

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have pest control in Steel shed too?

Unlike woods, pests and insects do not invade a metal shed, So pest control and other protective treatments are not required, making it a low-maintenance choice.

Unlike wood, steel sheds are portable and easily carried from one place to another. Thus, not only cost-effective but is also a convenient option.

I have to move to Los Angeles County from Alabama County. Can I Reinstall my existing metal shed there?

Every county has its building codes; you must first check with a state official to confirm eligibility. If it is permissible, you can easily carry it from one place to another. A metal shade is easy to assemble with simple tools and convenient to carry.

Can steel sheds be customized?

This type of shed can be customized as per the size and dimension of the space. You can remodel or do a facelift of a metal shed with drill holes to enhance the functionalities and look trendy.

What is the best Material for Outdoor Shed?

What material you want for your outdoor shed depends on what you give more preference to aesthetics or durability in terms of plastic vs wood shed. If your answer is aesthetics, you need wood. But, if you want durability, you need to choose plastic.

Which type of shed is better for the environment, metal, plastic or wood?

Wood is a renewable energy source and does not harm the environment by creating waste or pollution. So, wood should be your prime eco-friendly choice. Thus, this provides a solution to metal vs wood vs plastic shed.

Are plastic sheds better for storage purposes than wood sheds?

You might want to know are plastic sheds better than wooden ones. Plastic sheds are resistant to moisture and require very less maintenance. So, if you have many items to store, plastic sheds can serve the purpose effectively.

Do plastic sheds get damp?

Plastic sheds can easily resist moisture and dampness, so there is no way they can get easily damp like wood. Moreover, if you’re frequently taking care of your plastic sheds, dampness damage isn’t a major thing to consider.

What is the life expectancy of a plastic shed?

A plastic shed’s life expectancy completely depends on how you care for it. If the care is frequent, it can last longer than a surprising two decades.