Buying a shed is a real no brainer for anyone whose property has an outside area. Perfect for garden storage, great as a workshop, and easy to customise for other uses too, sheds are absolutely invaluable garden buildings.
However, buying the right garden shed can be a much more difficult decision, especially as there are so many different types of sheds for sale. And of all the various factors to weigh up, the biggest is the choice of material used to build it.
Here, we examine the main pros and cons of metal, plastic and wooden sheds, so you can make an informed decision about which shed is right for you.
Metal Garden Sheds
Most metal garden sheds are made from steel, which is galvanised to protect it from rust. And as metal sheds tend to be built purely with garden storage in mind, their design is usually more simplistic than plastic or wooden models.
Advantages of Metal Sheds
Metal sheds’ main selling point is their high level of security. As well as being built from exceptionally robust, near-impregnable metals, they invariably include high-quality locking systems and various other security measures. This security-conscious design is why so many metal sheds come without windows, and why those that do often use skylight alternatives.
The second major advantage of metal sheds is their strength and longevity, which is clearly evidenced by the length of their guarantees. For example, the metal sheds for sale on our website come with warranties ranging between 10 and 30 years. And metal sheds’ longevity isn’t purely down to their strength. They are pest proof and fire retardant too. In fact, their fire retardant qualities make them the ideal choice of shed to meet regulations for use on caravan parks.
And there’s no need to worry about costly, time-consuming maintenance if you buy a metal shed, either, as they will stand the test of time, with zero maintenance required.
The final advantage of metal garden sheds is that they tend to be cheap sheds. Pound for pound, more often than not, you get more for your money if you buy a metal shed.
Disadvantages of Metal Sheds
The main disadvantage of metal sheds is that they are usually more difficult to assemble than plastic and wooden alternatives. That said, some metal shed manufacturers, like Absco, cleverly design their sheds to negate this problem.
In terms of assembly, it’s also worth bearing in mind that metal garden sheds need anchoring to the ground, which is a more complicated process than simply positioning other types of shed on their bases.
And, as touched on before, metal sheds tend to have quite a basic design, and are exceptionally difficult to customise. So, if you want a shed with lots of windows, a lean-to attachment or other non-standard features, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.
As a final thought, some people will tell you that metal sheds are prone to condensation and look unattractive. In terms of the former issue, if you buy a model with an air vent, it’s problem solved. In terms of the latter complaint, looking at the metal sheds for sale here, we beg to disagree.
Metal Shed Star Buy: 10 x 8 Yardmaster Green Metal Shed (3.03m x 2.37m)
Currently available for just £379.99*, this large metal shed is made in Great Britain, by Yardmaster.
Constructed from hot-dipped galvanised steel, with a beautiful baked-on emerald-green finish and 7 protective layers, it is supremely stylish, built to last, and impervious to rust.
Other notable features include sliding double doors, anti-tamper bolts, an anchor kit, and superb 15-year guarantee.
Plastic Garden Sheds
Plastic sheds used to be viewed as the poor relations of metal and wooden models, but not anymore. In fact, when you consider the plastic sheds manufactured by companies like Palram Canopia, plastic can often mean premium.
Advantages of Plastic Sheds
If you want an eye-catching shed, which stands out from the crowd, there’s sure to be a plastic garden shed for you. Available in a huge range of colours and designs, plastic sheds are supplied ready painted and brimming with clever features. And don’t think that their striking appearance will disappear over time, either. Good plastic sheds are always UV protected, so will neither fade nor discolour in the sun.
One of the beauties of plastic sheds is that they are far quicker and easier to assemble than other garden sheds, primarily because the panels are light in weight, and so relatively easy to manoeuvre. In fact, you can install some plastic sheds without even using specialist tools.
And, once they’re up, another advantage of plastic sheds quickly becomes apparent: they’re near maintenance free. By and large, all you need to do to keep a plastic shed looking pristine is give it an occasional wipe down with soapy water.
The final major advantage of plastic sheds might surprise you…it’s their strength. Although lightweight, once assembled and anchored to the ground, good plastic sheds will prove almost indestructible.
Disadvantages of Plastic Sheds
The main disadvantage of plastic garden sheds might also surprise you. It’s their cost. Although many plastic sheds still offer excellent value for money, when compared to metal and wooden models, they can no longer be classified as cheap sheds. After all, huge technological advancements don’t come for free. The days of paying peanuts for a plastic shed are long gone, certainly if you want it to be premium.
Secondly, while some plastic shed manufacturers do a very good job in disguising the fact that their sheds are made from plastic, there’s no escaping the fact that most types of plastic shed do not have the all-round aesthetic appeal of wood. Put it this way, while the average plastic shed can look extremely attractive in a contemporary outdoor area, it might look a little out of place in a cottage garden.
Finally, like metal sheds, plastic sheds are also quite difficult to customise. So, if you want to add shelving or other upgrades, be sure to read the full product description on the relevant page of our website, to check whether or not it’s possible with the plastic shed in question.
Plastic Shed Star Buy: 6 x 5 Keter Manor Plastic Garden Shed (1.85m x 1.52m)
Built from double-wall resin panels and backed by a 15-year warranty, this plastic shed features an attractive wood-effect design.
You can gain storage-friendly access via wide double doors, which are fitted with sturdy metal hinges and a pad bolt to keep your valuable tools safe. The single window provides plenty of natural light, while strategically-placed air vents reduce condensation and help optimise storage conditions.
Easy to assemble, supremely weathertight, and completely maintenance free, this plastic shed provides premium garden storage, with zero hassle.
Wooden Garden Sheds
Wooden sheds are unquestionably Britain’s most iconic type of garden building. Not only do they seem to have been around since the dawn of time, they still remain the nation’s bestselling type of shed.
Advantages of Wooden Sheds
Nothing beats the sight and smell of the quintessential wooden shed, which, being made from a natural material, seamlessly blends in with the rest of a garden. That said, wooden sheds’ aesthetic appeal isn’t just confined to traditional styles of garden. They genuinely look good anywhere.
Wooden sheds are also the most versatile type of shed. Firstly, their versatility is clearly evident when you’re shopping for the shed. Want a shed with a choice of door placement? Choose wood. Want a shed with multiple window options? Choose wood. Want a shed with a lean-to attachment? Choose wood. The list goes on. In short, if you’re shopping for a shed with specific features, the best starting point is to look for one made from wood.
Wooden sheds’ superior versatility is also apparent once you’ve actually bought the shed. By far the easiest sheds to paint, supplement with different shelving arrangements, or modify in other ways, wooden garden sheds can always be used for more than just basic storage.
Yet in terms of garden storage, wooden sheds often come up trumps too. This is because the temperature inside one tends to be better regulated than metal or plastic alternatives. Therefore, condensation is rarely an issue, so your valuable tools and equipment are kept in optimal storage conditions. This advantage also makes wooden sheds pleasanter places in which to spend time, making them the best type of shed to use as workshops.
What’s more, while good wooden sheds are equally as robust and durable as metal and plastic models, should you ever encounter a problem with them, they’re far easier to repair. After all, building a wooden shed isn’t a complicated process, so patching up signs of wear and tear is relatively simple for someone with good DIY skills.
The final advantage of wooden sheds is their price. Sure, you can find luxury models at the top end of the market, but if you’re operating on a budget and want a no-frills cheap shed, you’ll have no issues finding a wooden shed that fits the bill nicely.
Disadvantages of Wooden Sheds
Being made from a natural material means that wooden sheds are neither fire retardant nor immune to damage from pests, so the former factor makes them unsuitable for use on caravan parks or to store flammable goods.
Some wood sheds can also be prone to rot, so need periodically retreating with a high-quality wood preservative, which can be both a costly and time consuming process.
However, the simple way around this last problem is to buy a wooden shed made by Forest, who are Britain’s leading manufacturer of wooden garden buildings. These guys have been in the business for over 50 years and made over 2 million sheds, so what they don’t know about wooden sheds isn’t really worth knowing.
Because of this expertise, the company boasts a superior pressure treatment process to other wooden shed manufacturers, so their sheds never need retreating against rot, giving you the level of maintenance freedom that you’d normally associate with a metal or plastic model. Furthermore, Forest has such confidence in their sheds that they provide a market-leading 25-year anti-rot guarantee on ALL models, as standard.
Wooden Shed Star Buy: 8 x 6 Forest Beckwood 25yr Guarantee Shiplap Pressure Treated Double Door Apex Wooden Shed - 4 Windows (2.42m x 1.99m)
Beautifully built here, in Great Britain, this maintenance-free wooden shed is pressure treated and backed by a market-leading 25-year guarantee.
Its fully modular design makes for an easier assembly and choice of door/ window positions, as well as more extensive framing for a much stronger shed. And thanks to shiplap walls, a tongue and groove floor and mineral felt roof cover, this wooden shed provides weather-beating protection for all stored items.
Boasting security-enhanced double doors, 4 shatterproof acrylic windows and other high-end features too, this wonderful wooden shed really does have it all.
So, Which Type of Shed Should I Choose?
As Britain’s leading retailer of garden sheds, we offer an unrivalled choice of ALL types of shed. And the reason we do this is that we know that metal, plastic AND wooden models all have their own unique selling points.
In terms of the 3 materials, there is no ‘better’ or ‘best’ - your decision on which to choose should purely be based on your own requirements, bearing in mind the advice we’ve given above.
To make further comparisons, why not visit our shed homepage for an overview of our complete collection of garden sheds?
Alternatively, if you’ve now made up your mind about which type of shed to buy, you can view our full range of metal sheds here, plastic sheds here, and wooden sheds here.
And while you’re browsing the sheds on our website, you’ll notice that we’re currently running some superb deals on a number of different shed lines, the latest of which is an EXTRA 10% off ANY wooden garden building, priced over £699. To take advantage of this extra 10% saving, simply apply voucher code OFFER10 when you checkout. But you’ll need to hurry because this special spring deal ends at midnight, on Monday, 29th April.
Finally, should you require any advice before making your purchase, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly, UK-based shed experts, who will be delighted to assist you in any way they can.
(*Prices as at 26th April, 2024)