Buying Guide: Vinyl vs. Wood Shed
The right shed material can make the difference between decades of reliable performance — and paying to have your worn-down purchase hauled away in just a few short years. So if you’re shopping for a shed, we’ve got your need-to-know info right here. We’re breaking down the pros and cons of the two leading shed materials and comparing vinyl vs. wood sheds.
At Glick Woodworks, we build our custom Amish sheds out of both vinyl and treated LP Smartside wood. Any shed you buy from us will perform well and satisfy your needs. However, vinyl sheds and wooden sheds have different advantages and disadvantages that make them right for different homes. Read our latest blog to see the breakdown between vinyl vs. wood sheds — and if you’re ready for your custom quote, we encourage you to reach out today!
LP Smartside vs. Vinyl
While we’re comparing LP Smartside vs. vinyl shed siding in this blog, both options will serve the right buyer in their own unique ways — which is why we build with both. However, there are some shed materials that we can NEVER recommend, like the cheaply-made metal and rubber sheds that you’ll find at hardware stores.
Learn more about the difference between big box store sheds and Amish sheds.
While you’ll be satisfied with either a vinyl or a wood shed built with LP Smartside, one may be better than the other for you. We’re breaking it down:
Vinyl Shed Facts
- Vinyl Sheds Never Need Painted: Just like the vinyl siding on your home, a vinyl shed will never need painted or stained, unlike LP Smartside sheds.
- Rot Immune: Rotting is one of the most common problems that can destroy a wooden shed, even if the exterior is treated. A vinyl shed should not rot as long as you keep a good, watertight roof on it.
- Matches the Style of a Vinyl House: We can work with you to closely match the exact color combination of your house to your shed for a unified outdoor style. This is one of the reasons that vinyl has the competitive edge when comparing LP Smartside vs. vinyl.
Learn more about matching the look of a shed to your house. - Fiberglass Doors Come Standard: A bonus reason to choose vinyl over Smartside is that ALL of our vinyl sheds come standard with ultra-durable fiberglass doors.
- Lasts 25+ Years: One of the big wins vinyl has when comparing a vinyl vs. wood shed. Vinyl sheds have an incredible lifespan — in fact, vinyl sheds from Glick Woodworks easily last 25+ years. While Smartside sheds may be tough, they can’t match that lifespan.
Painted Smartside Shed Facts
- Need to Be Painted Every 8 to 10 Years: In order to keep the exterior strong and resilient, you need to paint your Smartside shed every 8 to 10 years.
- You Can Change the Color Every Year with Paint: While some homeowners won’t want to do that level of annual maintenance, there is a hidden upside when comparing vinyl vs. LP Smartside. By re-painting the shed, you can change the color as often as your outdoor style changes. That’s not an option with vinyl.
- Has around a 20-Year Lifespan: While vinyl is the champion when it comes to longevity, a treated wooden shed can last right around 20 years before it needs to be replaced.
- Doesn’t Have the Vinyl Appeal: Generally, vinyl sheds are considered the deluxe option that most homeowners want when given the choice. While wooden sheds can look attractive in their own right, they are missing the all-important deluxe vinyl appeal.
- The Budget-Friendly Option: This can be the decision maker when comparing vinyl vs. wood sheds. A wooden shed will almost always come in at a lower price point — which can be highly attractive to the right buyer.
Whichever choice you make, you’ll absolutely be satisfied with your new Glick Woodworks shed. Both of these shed materials are great — and that’s why we build with both. You just have to weigh which of these shed materials — with all their pros and cons — is the better option for you when making your decision.
Learn more about choosing the right shed style for your backyard.
Get Your Quote on a Vinyl or LP Smartside Shed
If you’ve made your choice between a vinyl vs a wood shed, we’re ready to start building your custom shed. However, if you have more questions about what we recommend for your project, we’re here to help you decide.
Either way, the next step is to reach out to us to start the conversation — and to get pricing on both wooden and vinyl sheds. Contact us to get started today!
