By: Fabiola Grosshan
Submitted: 2010-11-24 02:04:21 | Word Count: 578
Although wooden garden sheds have always been a popular storage solution for the typical backyard setting, in recent years a growing number of property owners have started to shift their focus onto metal garden sheds instead. Both metal and wooden sheds have their pluses, so choosing one type of construction over the other is, more often than not, a question of personal preference. However, as we will address hereinafter, metal sheds are undoubtedly superior in terms of durability, service life, practicality and even cost efficiency.
Whether you choose the wooden or metal variety, both solutions are equally good when it comes to storing things like gardening tools, garden furniture and various other items. Despite serving for very similar purposes though, metal sheds differ from their wooden counterparts in many areas, and in some instances even stand out as the better alternative over the latter.
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While wooden garden sheds may look better than their metal equivalents, if we leave the exterior aspect aside, metal sheds have the major benefit of being very durable. Unlike wood, quality sheds made of steel and aluminum are not exposed to the risk of developing blisters or cracks on the sidewalls or roofs. By contrast, wood is quite prone to such problems, especially after harsh, cold winters.
Another benefit is that metal is impervious to damage inflicted by termites or other garden insects, which means it will also help protect the integrity of the items you will be storing inside the shed, even more so if we are talking bio-degradable gardening products as mulch, fertilizer or plant seeds, all known to be attractive targets for pests. When it comes to ensuring protection from pests, metal garden sheds are by far superior to their wooden counterparts, no matter what chemical sealants you may use for treating the wood.
Metal garden sheds also score plenty of points in terms of practicality. Since most sheds are built almost exclusively out of aluminum, which is a very light-weight and malleable yet resistant material, transporting and installing the storehouse is quick and easy. Opting for an aluminum garden shed practically eliminates the need to place a foundation, and, as an added benefit, you won’t need to purchase any expensive chemical treatments to preserve the shed’s exterior. However, if you install your shed in a harsh environment (high humidity, extreme cold conditions), it is still advisable to give it one coating of preserver every six months or so to prevent a premature aging of the material.
From a costs perspective, metal garden sheds are also looking pretty good. Most models in this class are very affordable, and although they may require the occasional minor repair, anti-rust coating, or restoration work over time, metal sheds definitely involve lower overall maintenance costs in the long run as compared to wooden constructions of the kind.
After weighing the pluses and minuses of metal garden sheds against those of their wooden equivalents, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that, in this particular case, metal is preferable over wood by a mile. Especially if you are the kind of guy who places durability above simple physical appearance, and want to make sure that you will end up with a sturdy and serviceable garden shed, then don’t hesitate to choose one that is made entirely of metal.
