How to Choose the Right Material for Your Workshop or Storage Shed
The design and planning process for a new workshop or storage shed is one of the most exciting phases of any new construction project. It is a new area for creativity and productivity. However, all the excitement that one feels during the design and planning process comes to a standstill when one reaches the important decision-making process that involves the selection of material for the new project.
Choosing the appropriate material is a matter not just of looks but, rather, of aligning the ability of the structure with your needs and local climate. Whether you will use your workshop for storing lawn mowers or organizing wood, the exterior is important. We have outlined the four most popular materials and will do our best to provide you with information necessary for making the appropriate decision.
1. The Industrial Durability of Steel
Perhaps the best choice for you, if your top concern is power and durability, is structural steel. Such buildings are designed to be able to withstand harsh weather that could bring down some other, inferior structure. These buildings, with durable I-beam building frames, also have the protection that comes with being able to resist the dangers of fires, termites, and rot, some of the biggest enemies that outdoor buildings face. From the perspective of security, steel is hard to penetrate, so if you need to keep high-value tools or equipment, this is the best choice.
However, this industrial strength comes with a cost. Steel buildings are relatively more expensive than the other alternatives. Furthermore, the structures can be prone to rust should the protective coating be scratched or damaged in any manner. Although, this problem has been reduced to a large extent by the advancements in galvanization techniques. You must also understand the fact that steel buildings can sometimes prove to be difficult to insulate.
2. The Cost-Effectiveness of Metal
Although structural steel is robust, a metal shed, which consists of lighter-weight materials such as aluminum or galvanized steel sheets, is a strong option for people who are constrained by budget constraints but still need a decent shed for storing their belongings. The shed is quite light, hence easy to erect compared to regular sheds that are composed of heavy steel material. It also resists rot and insects, which means no surprise encounters with termite damage in the morning.
However, the disadvantage of such lighter weight metal materials is their vulnerability to damage. They can become dented if struck by a rock thrown by a lawnmower or a falling tree limb. Additionally, they tend to be noisy, especially during heavy rainfall. They also do very poorly in matters of insulation as well as temperature regulation. If your location is prone to high winds, a light metal shed might need extensive anchoring.
3. The Aesthetics of Wood
Wood remains a favorite for those who wish for their work environment to blend in with their house and garden. It has a natural appearance that is hard to replicate with synthetics. Apart from that, wood is a robust wooden material that beats insulation from both metal and plastic. It is also a comfortable environment for a work environment that you can occupy for hours at a time. Customization is also easiest when you use wood, be it installing shelves, hooks, and windows.
The cost of this is the maintenance required. Wood needs to be painted or sealed to prevent it from decaying or warping as a result of water. Additionally, it is prone to insect infestation as well as fire. If you decide to use wood, you will be required to invest time to keep it upright.
4. The Low Maintenance of Plastic
Another type of shed that has gained popularity lately is the plastic and resin shed. The main reason is that these sheds are almost maintenance-free. Plastic and resin sheds do not rust, rot, or get damaged by insects. They do not require any kind of painting and can easily be washed clean with a garden hose. They are also quite light and extremely easy to assemble, requiring less hardware than a wooden or metal shed.
Yet, despite all the conveniences that plastic has to offer, it doesn’t have the strength of the other materials. What happens to plastic over time is that it becomes prone to brittleness from UV exposure and low temperatures, causing it to crack. Another thing that might be a major concern upon choosing to build using plastic walls could be their ability to be easily cut or broken compared to wood and steel walls. Modification would also be a problem if you want to install heavy objects on your walls, since you can’t drill into it.
Making the Final Decision
Ultimately, it will come down to what matters most to you in your project. If you are looking for a robust work area and are willing to spend the money, structural steel is simply unbeatable. For something simple and affordable for storage, metal materials are a good choice. If appearance and customization are important, then wood materials are what you are looking for. And lastly, if you are looking to simply set something up and forget it for simple storage that won’t take much, plastic materials are what you want.
