Making a comparison between two VERY different materials like metal and plastic seems a little silly. But when thinking about the pros and cons of a metal shed over its plastic counterpart, it does bear wondering what things end up being deciding factors for consumers.

 

Perhaps the most important deciding factor for purchases of any kind is cost. With the global economy still trying to make heads or tails out of the last few years, and domestic finances in a tough place, people are trying to make every dollar count. As such, if one only looks at price tags, a plastic shed will be ‘better’ than a metal one. However, this only raises more questions when it comes to the lifespan of a plastic unit before replacement. If you’ve got to replace a plastic shed more than once, are you really saving as much as you think?

 

But as with anything related to consumers, cost is only one thing to weigh when comparing metal and plastic sheds. For instance:

 

Mobility — How will you get the shed onto your property? Is there a need to move the shed once it is erected? Does the weight difference raise questions about the stability of the shed?

 

Maintenance — Plastic tends to be easy to clean (if one chooses to clean it) while metal may not be as open to a quick hosing down. However, plastic doesn’t always do so well with repeated actions, the likes of which include opening and closing the door. Can the door be replaced as easily as that on a metal shed?

 

Weather — Aside from the obvious questions about whether a metal shed can handle tougher weather (e.g., hail, heavy precipitation, straight-line winds), appearance can also be a crucial area to think about. The more a plastic shed is impacted by sunlight and the elements, the more fading, drying, and cracking can take its toll.

 

Fire Resistant — Metal sheds have an inherent fire resistance. It is the main reason that metal panel roofing has taken off in recent years and led some insurance companies to offer discounts on home policies.

 

Plastic sheds tend to be plain and often come across as extruded structures built to do a thing. Granted, they fill a need, but compared to their metal shed counterparts, customization is not usually on the table. Metal panel suppliers, especially the best ones, offer customization on just about all of their products so as to meet the specific needs AND wants of the consumer.

 

Is a metal shed the right choice for you? Click here to connect with one of our team members to get a better sense of the best option for your application.