What are the Pros and Cons of a Steel Shed?

A backyard shed can come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Wood once was the go-to material for building a portable shed, but steel sheds are increasingly becoming the shed of choice in homeowners' backyards. Proponents of steel sheds rave about their durability, affordability, and sustainability. Negatives to consider when purchasing a steel shed include the noise factor, dealing with dents and rust, and dealing with extremes in temperature.

Putting up a steel shed is a good way to go if you value durability. Metal is strong and makes strong structures. It will outlast other popular building materials. Unlike wood, it doesn’t fall victim to termites, mold, mildew, or rot. Once in place, a steel shed is very low maintenance.

A metal shed is also one of the most affordable options when it comes to building a backyard shed. The price of a metal shed can vary depending on the intricacy of the design but, when compared to wood for a similarly designed shed, the price is almost always much less expensive. It is also cheaper to maintain a steel shed, because wood rot and peeling paint don’t usually occur.

Something more people are taking into consideration when thinking about types of sheds is sustainability. Metal can be recycled and used again to build another shed. It is even possible to find a metal shed that has been revamped and reconstruct it at a different location.

Just as there are many pros for building a steel shed, there are a few cons as well. Metal conducts noise while wood tends to swallow it. A steel shed can be loud and full of echoes, which can be a problem when the shed is used as a workshop. If its main use is for storage, the noise factor isn’t that big of a deal.

Steel sheds are mostly maintenance-free but, if they are scratched or dented, there is a possibility of rust setting in. Rust is steel's enemy and needs to be handled in the proper way. If a dent occurs in a steel shed, it is important to pound out the dent and to apply a coat of sealer along the surface of any scratches. This remedy should keep rust from damaging the shed.

Perhaps the biggest drawback of a steel shed is the difficulty in regulating temperature. Steel buildings can get quite hot, and airflow can be hard to control in a metal shed. In the winter, metal is a poor insulator and the temperature inside a shed can actually dip lower than the temperature outside. This shouldn’t be a problem as long as the shed isn’t being used to store something that requires a controlled temperature.