Garden sheds are built from a variety of materials. The three most common are wood, metal, and plastic. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages that affect appearance, stability, maintenance requirements, and longevity. But which material best suits your needs? In this article, we'll take a closer look at the properties of each option and explain what you should consider.
Wood - The classic with natural charm
Wood is the traditional choice for garden sheds and is often purchased as a classic standard. This wood allows them to be easily and harmoniously integrated into the garden.
Advantages of wooden garden houses
- Aesthetically pleasing for wooden houses or old buildings
- Can be individually painted and adapted to the house color
- Good basic insulation through the wood itself
Disadvantages of wooden garden houses
- Very maintenance-intensive, must be primed and painted regularly
- Sensitive to moisture if not treated properly
- Combustible material
- Susceptible to pest infestation
Not all wood is the same!
There are different types of wood that garden sheds are made of, so it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the type of wood and check how good the respective quality is.
Softwoods are usually cheaper, but also less durable. Hardwoods, on the other hand, are significantly more robust and durable, but also more expensive.
Plastic - easy to care for with limited durability
Plastic garden sheds are very easy to care for and maintenance-free, but are often not very durable and are often used as temporary solutions.
Advantages of plastic garden sheds
- low-maintenance, no painting or impregnation required
- weather-resistant, no risk of rust or rot
- Lightweight parts, which can make assembly easier
Disadvantages of plastic garden sheds
- Less stable than wood or metal, as the parts are very light and usually thin
- Visually often less high-quality, can fade over time
- Not very durable, as plastic can become brittle over the years
Differences in plastic types
Even with plastic, it's important to pay attention to the quality of the plastic. The strength of the plastic and its UV resistance are particularly important. Above all, pay attention to its stability and whether it's sufficient for your needs. Especially if you frequently experience severe weather or storms, this can quickly become a problem with a cheaper plastic garden shed.
Metal - The most stable and durable solution
Metal garden sheds are particularly robust and weatherproof. They offer high stability with low maintenance and are a long-term investment for your garden.
Advantages of metal garden sheds
- extremely stable and resistant to wind and weather
- low-maintenance, no painting or protective coating required
- Fireproof and immune to pests
- can be optionally insulated without any problems
Disadvantages of metal garden sheds
- In cheaper versions, stability and appearance may be poorer
- Direct sunlight can heat up the material
Aluminum or steel?
When it comes to metal garden sheds, a distinction is often made between the materials aluminum and steel.
Aluminum is a light and rust-proof metal, which is often less stable.
Steel, on the other hand, is significantly heavier and therefore more robust. To be rust-proof, you should make sure that steel garden sheds are hot-dip galvanized or have another rust protection.
Why material thickness and workmanship are crucial?
No matter which material you choose, you shouldn't compromise on thickness and workmanship. This determines how robust and durable your garden shed is. As a rough guide, we've compiled the ranges of different thicknesses for the various material types:
A garden shed made of thicker material is generally more stable and better protected against external influences.
Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, and factors such as appearance and budget often play a major role in the decision. Always pay attention to the quality of the materials, their strength, and the workmanship to find a high-quality garden shed. Here you'll find another article that goes into more detail about what makes a high-quality garden shed.
Feel free to use our free 3D configurator to plan your dream garden house . It includes everything you need: custom dimensions, free choice and positioning of features, and even the visual design. All in one tool.
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