Wood vs. Metal Sheds: The Pros and Cons of Each
An outdoor shed can provide home-owners with numerous options. It can be a place to store gardening or repair equipment, outdoor or off-roading vehicles, or they can even be used to store automobiles if your home lacks a garage or adequate space for a second or third vehicle. There are many materials sheds from which can be built; in this article we’ll discuss woods vs. metal sheds, the pros and cons of each, and how to make a decision on which type is right for you.
Wood Sheds
Wooden sheds are very easy to find and can be customised to whatever size and shape you request. These types of sheds can be painted to match your house or the surroundings of your yard, and may be adorned with flower boxes, or even windows if you desire. Some wooden sheds are large enough that they come with a loft area, which may be used as additional storage area, and the walls are strong enough that shelving, cabinets and other types of storage units can be hung from them. These variable sheds are a little more expensive than other types, but their customisability makes up for the cost.
Among the negatives of a wooden shed can be durability. Wood is a strong material, but without the proper protection (weatherproofing, on both the inside and outside of the building), the material can become vulnerable to the elements in a short amount of time. Insects and harsh weather can damage wooden sheds and cause them to rot, and eventually paint or other coverings on the shed will need to be replaced along with other maintenance. These are all factors to consider when choosing a wooden shed for your home.
Metal Sheds
Metal sheds are usually made from galvanized steel or aluminium, and are typically the least expensive option in a shed-kit. They can come in a variety of colours, or be painted to match your décor, but they do require frequent maintenance to maintain an appealing look. You’ll need a foundation of sorts upon which to build the metal shed, as most of them do not come with flooring. You may also want to consider purchasing anchors to hold the shed down in stormy weather, as they are lighter and not as strong as wooden sheds.
A challenge of metal sheds is their construction. Putting together a metal shed can be difficult and complicated, if you don’t have assistance in putting it together. And because of the nature of metal, customising the interior is difficult, unless you purchase the customisation options along with the shed, rather than adding your own. Though some metal sheds come pre-built, they’ll still need anchors and protection to keep them standing and protect the exterior during harsh weather.
Conclusion
Look over what you want to do with your shed: are you looking to store an automobile or other important equipment in the space? Either type could work for this usage. If you need excess storage space, or want to be able to customise the interior based on your needs, or even to adapt the shed to your changing life over time, a wooden shed would be more appropriate. If a simple storage area is all you need, metal is a cheaper choice and may be perfect for your usage. When choosing wood vs. metal sheds, the pros and cons of each compared with your usage and needs should be the deciding factor in which type you purchase when you’re looking for sheds for sale for your home or office.