Sheds - Anyone opted for plastic or metal?

rubberduck · 20 Mar 2017 at 21:47

So... I need a shed, mostly for some extra storage + garden tools. The traditional option is something wooden which you have to creosote every so often and treat the roof fabric... Was thinking about alternatives so would love to hear from people who have gone down the non-wooden route with feedback etc. The shed will be stood on a patioed section, a relatively flat area (ex dog kennel) but not perfect.

TripleT · 20 Mar 2017 at 22:15

I got a metal shed from garden buildings direct.

Love it, mine is 8x6 which i use for my motorbike. Fiddley to assemble but easy with two people. Not had any condensation inside ever and obviously never had to paint or treat it.

It even stood up to a small fire when I burnt down a Wheely bin, wooden shed would have been toast

Madwelsh · 20 Mar 2017 at 22:25

When homebase got bought out by that aussie firm, they sent leaflets around showing very reasonably priced galvanised sheds in a variety of sizes. If you already have the base, might be a route for you.

Mysterae_ · 20 Mar 2017 at 23:49

I've got a 11x10 metal shed and it's quick and simple but you need two people to construct. There are some issues but easily dealt with. I lined the inside with some 11mm pine board so that I could mount the mini consumer box for the power and lighting and hang stuff on the walls. With electricity and being metal you need to make sure you earth everything, including the doors (I pig-tailed the wires) and test the continuity. The doors can be a bit noisy when opening too. Definitely a lot less maintenance than a wooden shed.

nutcase · 21 Mar 2017 at 06:53

We've got a metal one. It's an American design (you can get a kit to brace the roof to be able to support lots of snow!) - it's OK. Probably wouldn't do it again as it took ages to build and the base whilst flat for concrete still lets water under the edge - Have put a thick rubber strip in between the shed and the base now to see if that helps.

Semple · 21 Mar 2017 at 08:00

My partners parents bought one of the small plastic ones recently, i helped her father put it up, and was very easy to do so.

However i couldn't help but think they were a little flimsy, someone could easily put their foot through the side of it to gain entry. Although i guess the same could be said of wooden ones. They only use it to store some pots of paint, and a few old golf trolleys, so if anyone broke in they'd be sorely disappointed.

So whilst it's easy to put up, and practically zero maintenance, if you plan on storing anything remotely valuable, i'd probably go with metal.

Punt · 21 Mar 2017 at 09:13

I put a 6x8" plastic Keter shed up last year. Made a good concrete base for it and assembled it by myself in a few hours. Very sturdy, it's been getting blasted with wind lately and it doesn't move. I would say it's more secure than a wooden one but maybe not a strong metal one. Wasn't cheap but I'm very happy with it.

Had a flimsy thin metal one before we move home and it wobbled all over in the wind and don't like wood ones, too many crevices for spiders to call home!

Kaka · 21 Mar 2017 at 12:12

How about a composite one?
http://www.keter.com/en/fusion-757

Looks great and seems sturdy enough. I don't own one, but it was at the top of my list when I was after a shed a few years ago.

Adam · 21 Mar 2017 at 13:11

I have a Keter plastic shed. I thouroughly enjoyed putting it together and it looks as good as it did the day it went together a couple of years ago.

valve90210 · 21 Mar 2017 at 15:31

I too have a plastic Keter shed (well mine's more of a cupboard to be fair but I have to say I'm hugely impressed with it, was simple to put together, really well made, nice and sturdy too

Maundie · 21 Mar 2017 at 16:33

I bought a metal one from Argos (Father in law had one so I knew what I was getting) and despite needing 2 people to construct it has been absolutely flawless, as mentioned the doors are noisy when opening but I think that is a good thing as any would be robbers will definitely be put off with the racket.

I also have never had any condensation in either (I went round the base both inside and out with silicone sealant as well to make sure there isn't any water ingress).

JustBen · 22 Mar 2017 at 11:31

i've just about finished mine, i went for a 8x6 metal one. put together by myself over 3 days, i have insulated the shed and wooden cladded the inside. Just awaiting the electrics and water to put in then i'll fasten it to place and tile the floor.

dbmzk1 · 22 Mar 2017 at 11:51

Wood or metal.

Plastic ones are very insecure.

Adam · 23 Mar 2017 at 08:11

dbmzk1 said:
Wood or metal.

Plastic ones are very insecure.

That's incorrect. Mine is bolted down to the concrete base it sits on.

Semple · 23 Mar 2017 at 08:21

Adam said:
That's incorrect. Mine is bolted down to the concrete base it sits on.

I think he means easier to break into, rather than more likely to be blown away.

That said, i'd doubt wood would be any stronger than the plastic.

Adam · 23 Mar 2017 at 09:03

Semple said:
I think he means easier to break into, rather than more likely to be blown away.

That said, i'd doubt wood would be any stronger than the plastic.

I think you might be right actually. Mine has a padlock in but I wouldn't keep anything valuable in there.