San Lorenzo Lumber and Home Centers

What Is the Best Material for an Outdoor Shed?

2022-06-09T21:10:45+00:00

A shed can be a great addition to your garden. It can take a while to decide whether to purchase a shed. There are many options. Materials such as concrete, metal, and wood are likely to be challenging.

Every material has its advantages and disadvantages. It is essential to consider these factors when deciding. You may base your decision on appearance, customization, durability, security, or a combination, and shed builders such as Urban Sheds offer the best sheds ensuring them.

Best Outdoor Shed Materials

There are many options for outdoor sheds. It is essential to weigh all the factors before deciding. We have compiled a guide of the various materials to help you make informed decisions.

Concrete Sheds

Concrete sheds offer the best security and durability for your belongings. You can build storage in your shed, as you would inside your home. These sheds are not as customizable as wooden or metal sheds. Custom cast stone could be an intelligent decision in this case. However, they can be purchased with windows and other options.

Wooden Sheds

Wood is the most common choice for garden sheds in the USA and UK. It is the traditional choice, adding to the garden’s overall aesthetics. It is customizable, can be easily modified, and easy to make a variety of storage solutions.

Wooden sheds are attractive and provide flexible storage options and customization options. Wooden sheds are more expensive than other types, while wood can be susceptible to the elements. Extreme weather can severely damage wooden sheds and rot. So, it requires the most care of all shed materials.

Metal Sheds

Metal sheds can be made from either steel or galvanized aluminum. It’s an affordable option for first shed purchases. They have been around for many years and are less intense than wooden or resin sheds. We recommend an anchoring kit for sheds constructed in stormy areas. Metal sheds can also be rusty and susceptible to denting.

Metal shed kits don’t have the same aesthetic appeal as resin or wooden sheds. They also come in smaller sizes and shapes. Although metal sheds can be painted in many colors, they are not as durable as wood or resin sheds. They also require regular repainting to keep their appearance fresh. You should consider the foundation that you will need to build your metal shed. Many metal shed kits don’t include any floor. A metal shed is not recommended to store lawn equipment with a gravel foundation.

It's challenging to assemble a metal shed kit. Because of its nature, a metal shed’s interior can be challenging to customize or accessorize because of its core.

Resin or vinyl sheds

Resin sheds can be called vinyl or plastic sheds, depending on where they are purchased and the manufacturer. High-density polyethylene is used to make lifetime sheds. The newest on the market, Resin sheds have quickly become the most sought-after shed type.

Resin sheds can be made from a high-quality, lightweight plastic material. They are more robust than wooden sheds and last longer. Lifetime, for example, uses integrated steel supports and a double-wall to increase strength and durability. Resin sheds require no maintenance. They are stain-resistant, UV-protected, and do not need to be painted or stained like metal or wood sheds.

There are many sizes of resin shed kits available. Some manufacturers, such as Lifetime, also offer expansion kits that allow you to make the shed even larger. Resin sheds can be built in a matter of minutes. This kit is quick and straightforward to assemble and requires fewer tools, time, and “carpentry” knowledge than a wooden shed. While resin shed kits are more affordable than wooden ones, they are still more expensive than metal.

Although resin sheds can withstand heavy loads, they are not as strong as wooden sheds. Some resin sheds have an overhead loft that allows for more storage space.

Although resin sheds can be painted or shingled to match the house, they cannot be painted or stained. They allow you to add upgraded accessories like skylights and windows, shelving, lighting, and peg strips without additional wiring, cutting, or drilling. They have a clean interior with floor and plastic walls.

Final Words

Urban Sheds can create various outdoor structures, such as sheds or carports. Our experts can help you make the ideal structure for your budget, style, and needs. Contact us today to learn more about the body, roof, trim, and colors that we offer.

For more information, visit one of our San Lorenzo Lumber and Home Centers locations and speak with the pros. They will give you the assistance you need. For more information, browse our website at https://www.sanlorenzolumber.com/

Top 10 Creative Uses of Composite Decking Material

2021-09-21T17:18:49+00:00

Top 10 Creative Uses of Composite Decking Material

Decking products from Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon and AZEK are not used only for patio flooring. Often these composite decking boards can transform a home project from good to great. As a bonus, you will save money with little maintenance and it will look great for a long time.

Our lumber and outdoor living pros at San Lorenzo Lumber have seen a wide range of creative applications for decking material. Our DIY homeowner and contractor customers have created amazing projects. Here are some ideas to help you get inspiration for your next project.

#1: Planter Boxes

A little touch of greenery on your deck adds color and life to your outdoor living space. Rather than potted plants that leak and leave marks on your decking, consider building planter boxes with composite decking material. These beautiful structures can contain seasonal flowers, herbs, a small vegetable garden or any number of other creative plant options. Attach a small bench seat along the side to invite your guests to relax and enjoy the relaxing energy. These composite decking planter boxes can perfectly match your existing composite decking flooring or be used as a contrasting design choice to complement your brick or decorative concrete patio flooring.

#2: Bird Houses

This is a fun project to use up any scrap decking material from your recent decking installation. Adding colorful birdhouses to your outdoor living space may be just the right creative touch to make your project shine. Why buy a generic birdhouse when you can create something special yourself that your guests will enjoy? Creating a funky birdhouses is a perfect project for a DIY homeowner and their children or grandchildren to do together.

#3: Storage Shed and Storage Containers

There is no such thing as too much storage space. You can use composite decking material to create a beautiful, long lasting shed to store your outdoor landscaping tools. If you want to get really creative, consider building a small standalone structure for your outdoor mancave and attach composite decking boards as siding to give it an artistic touch. If you do not have space to build a storage shed, you can construct smaller storage containers to keep toys, cushions, and other outdoor materials for the rainy months.

#4: Furniture

Our outdoor living professionals have seen customers design a range of interesting furniture with outdoor decking materials. Building benches along the edge of the deck is an obvious choice. Consider creating coffee tables, picnic benches, Adirondack chairs or even an outdoor desk.

#5: Shelving

Imagine a composite decking shelving system attached along the side of your house displaying plants and other outdoor art. Get creative indoors using decking boards and galvanized piping to build shelves in a bedroom or an office.

#6: Doghouse

Did you enjoy building the bird house and now want to create something larger? Consider a doghouse build from composite decking boards. Get creative with door and window openings, alternating colors for an A-frame roof, or even a mini deck attached to the doghouse for your family pet to enjoy.

#7: Cornhole Set

This is an easy project to enhance your outdoor deck with a fun game your whole family can enjoy. A Cornhole Set made of the same composite decking boards as your flooring will look spectacular while resisting the elements. Get creative and add a composite decking score board with a chalkboard mounted on the boards or inside a small case with closing doors like a dartboard system.

#8: Pickup Truck Bed

Have you seen old pickups that have wooden flooring in their pickup bed? We have seen truck enthusiasts instead use composite decking material for both newer and vintage pickup trucks. This gives the truck a craftsman’s look with some great styling.

#9: Trash Bin Enclosure

Consider building a small fence and gate with composite decking material to surround the area where you keep your trash containers. This will hide the site of trash and recyclables while adding a cool look to an otherwise mundane space.

#10: Home Siding

Many architects will use wood siding on a house to give it a warm, textured design element that catches the eye. Using composite decking boards rather than traditional wood ensures your siding will last a long time without the need for significant maintenance.

There are so many other options including backyard fencing, outdoor dividers, decking for a meandering pathway or a fun tree house. Your only limit is your imagination.

For more information, contact one of our Outdoor Living Professionals at San Lorenzo Lumber and Home Centers. Visit us at https://www.sanlorenzolumber.com/ or visit one of our convenient store locations.