metal or wooden shed ? advice please

[the big lebowski]

hi all ,having just got my new plot im looking into sheds and there are lots to choose from,any fors and against points on metal or wooden sheds would be great,the size i was after is 6x8,any advice would be much appreciated,thanks

[Glutton4...]

Hello, and welcome to the Madhouse!

We used to have a metal shed - the reason being, my Husband said he can't weld wood, and I couldn't argue with that. It really depends on what you want it for. Metal ones tend to be very cold in winter, and they do suffer condensation. However, they can be ply-lined.

Thinking back, I actually preferred the metal one.

[Bren In Pots]

If you buy a metal shed make sure you fasten it down well or it will end up in the hedge like our daughters one did

[the big lebowski]

thanks ,im thinking of one of the homebase metal one pic below and putting a base of concrete slabs down to mount it on (not sure how yet),i want it for tool storage,shelter from the weather and just a place to put odds and ends and might even put in a little camping stove to cook up bacon sarnies or a nice bowl chicken soup to boost moral when the weather is bad ,cheers

[Alison]

Mine is a wooden one as it's what was available for free from freecycle . I don't think it matters too much what you have but the shelter is great although metal ones are very noisy in the rain whereas wood deadens the noise somewhat. Not too much of a problem as you're hopefully not going to be sleeping in it but a bit less cosy.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I have a metal one at home like the Homebase one you show which I picked up from freecycle. It houses her ladyship's bike and I absolutely love it because the bike is no longer in my lovely big wooden shed. .

G4 has identified the downsides of metal sheds.

I think garden sheds should be made with wood. No particular reason other than I prefer it.

[Bill HH]

I would prefer wood too, it's cosier, has a window and smells "woodey" You may think metal will be more secure but they are only usualy thin aluminium and could easily be ripped open. However if you line the interior with ply that will make it more suitable. You might say well I dont need a window because i will just open the door but thats not going to stop driving rain getting in.

[Glutton4...]

The other benefit of the metal shed, which I forgot to mention, being a Chicken keeper, is that they are rodent proof...

[out in the cold]

Check your allotment site rules, as some don't allow metal sheds.

Ours is wooden, which IMO are more secure if you buy a sturdy one.

[stevekentuk125]

Well i went up my allotment sunday and saw two metal sheds wripped up and away of there plot with the winds that we had a the weekend . I didnt see any wooden ones damaged though

[Veggielot]

I went for a wooden one. It needs some minor repair work but nothing I can't manage. A metal one probably wouldn't need the same amount of maintainance but a wooden one seems more appropriate somehow.

What I would say is, if you have the space at least think about having a larger shed. I went for a 8x6 shed but frequently wish I went for a bigger one.

[Margit]

I prefer wood over metal because it is easier for me to repair. Both will have long term maintenance needs so you need to decide what type of maintenance you would rather perform.

[the big lebowski]

thanks for all the advice I think I will look for a wooden one on free cycle and various other place and see what comes up ,if anyone knows of anyone in a 50 mile radius of Bedford that is getting rid of one pls let me know ,thanks again for all your advice,cheers