The Common Material Mistake To Avoid When Building A Shed

Whether you're lacking space for your outdoor equipment or tools, or want to create a private sanctuary or office, sheds offer a lot of versatility. Pre-built ones come in numerous layouts and sizes, and you can customize the interior to your liking. You can even build your own with any of the free shed plans that anyone can DIY. However, if you want to make upkeep easy, it's a good idea to skip high-maintenance exterior materials such as wood. Wood requires regular painting or sealing to remain in good condition. If you don't think you'll be able to keep up with maintenance (or have no desire to), choosing an easy-to-care-for exterior material is a safer bet.

The most durable material for your backyard storage shed is actually resin. Sheds built from resin are resistant to rot and insects and require virtually no maintenance. Resin isn't the only low-maintenance option, though. Metal, vinyl, composite, and fiber cement-sided sheds are also safe bets if you don't want to have to repaint or reseal every few years, but some of them require more upkeep than resin.

There's no denying that wood offers natural beauty that other materials may not be able to compete with. Unfortunately, though, without an intact protective coating such as a sealant or paint, wood is porous. This means it can absorb water, leading to rot. It's also at a higher risk of invasion by many of the wood-loving pests that will do by far the most damage to your household. To keep wood sheds in good condition, you'll need to regularly inspect and replace damaged boards, add a waterproof sealant every two to three years, and repaint as soon as the current finish appears faded or chipped. That can be a lot of upkeep.

Of course, the type of wood you use also matters. While plywood is easy on the budget, it's not as durable or as naturally weather-resistant as solid woods such as cedar or redwood. So if you're set on a wood-sided shed, these materials may be worth looking into. Or if you're after the wood look without the maintenance, choosing a composite wood is an attractive option. Composite sheds are made from a blend of plastic resins and wood fibers, allowing them to mimic the look of real wood while still being weather- and insect-resistant, and requiring zero sealing or painting.