Your Ideal Guide to Choosing the Best Material for Your Garden Shed or Summerhouse

Whether you have been an enthusiastic gardener for years or are just starting, having a garden shed or summerhouse can be just the thing you need. It could be a wise investment for your property, and garden sheds or summerhouses nowadays can serve varying purposes as well. You can have it as your office, a playhouse for your children, a gym, a studio or workshop, a music room, an entertainment room, and so on. But deciding to have a garden shed or summerhouse is one thing – choosing the proper material for it is another. You have to choose a material that works best with your budget, needs, and the space in your garden. There are three primary materials to choose from, so here's your ideal guide to selecting the best material for your garden shed or summerhouse.

• Metal

Metal can be a suitable choice due to its robustness and durability, and it is often ideal if you plan to store many valuable items in your shed or summerhouse. Metal is also cheaper than other materials, and it can withstand the elements without suffering from decay or rot. But one aspect about metal sheds that some consumers don't like is that they are not as attractive as other materials, like wood. Whilst you can always paint your metal shed in an appealing colour, it still doesn't look the same as natural wood. Keep in mind that metal sheds are not as easy to modify compared to wooden garden sheds or summerhouses because you would need specific tools like drills and bits, an angle grinder, sheet folders, and a welder. A metal shed can also end up 'sweating' if it isn't ventilated or appropriately insulated.

• Wood

Garden sheds or summerhouses made from wood, such as those from Timberdise, are often a popular choice, and rightly so. There is no doubt about their aesthetic appeal, and wooden garden sheds and summerhouses are a pleasant sight in any garden. They can also come in modern or traditional styles that can suit your garden’s theme. A wooden garden shed is even easier to assemble and work with than metal, and wood has naturally good insulation. It makes your garden shed or summerhouse warm during the winter and cool in the summer. And compared to plastic or metal garden sheds, wooden ones are more solid and heavier, and they can feature double framing, making them sturdier and able to withstand harsh weather. You also have the option to pressure-treat it, which extends its lifespan.

The thing with wood is that it can rot or decay and be prone to infestation, but the best thing you can do is buy a pre-treated garden shed or manually treat your shed or summerhouse.

• Plastic

Plastic is yet another option, and it isn't as expensive as metal or wood. The material is lightweight yet strong, and you can move it around or even dismantle it. Plastic is rigid and resistant to UV rays, and to maintain it, hose it down with water. But plastic garden sheds or summerhouses can also have issues, such as security. They can also be impacted by extreme weather or temperatures, becoming brittle or warping in extremely cold or hot weather.

With extensive research and study, Simon passionately creates blogs on divergent topics. His writings are unique and utterly grasping owing to his dedication in researching for distinctive topics.