What's In This Article
Sheds are great places to store garden tools, lawn equipment, or other items that don’t fit into the house. They also provide shelter from the elements.
If you want to build a new shed, you’ll need to choose the right type of wood.
Wood is a versatile material that can be used for a variety of purposes. There are several types of wood that are suitable for building sheds.
The most common ones include cedar, redwood, pine, and cypress.
However, wood is not the only siding that you can get for your shed.
There are many types of siding – but which is the best? Today we’ll be aiming to answer this question so that you can choose the best shed siding for your personal requirements.
What Is Shed Siding?
Shed siding is the exterior covering on a wooden structure. It’s usually made out of plywood or vinyl. Some people use metal as well.
The main purpose of siding is to protect the interior of the shed from the weather. In addition, it provides a decorative element.
Some shed sidings are better than others, and the best usually cost the most.
So, your budget will play a big factor in which type of shed siding you are going to be using. Another factor will be the style you are building your shed in and the aesthetic you want to create.
The Best Shed Siding Materials
There are many different materials that can be used for siding. However, some are better than others. Here are the top five:
- Wood
- Engineered Wood
- Fiber Cement
- Vinyl
- Metal
Which Type Of Siding Is Right For You?
If you’re looking for something cheap and easy, then you might consider getting a prefabricated shed. These come with all the necessary components already installed.
They’re usually very simple to install. This makes them perfect if you’re just starting out. However, they’re also very basic and plain.
They may look good at first glance, but over time they tend to lose their appeal.
So, if you want something more durable and long lasting, then you should go for a traditional shed. Traditional sheds have been around for hundreds of years.
These are much harder to make than prefabricated sheds. That means that they take longer to construct. But once they’re done, they last forever.
Making your own shed will also mean that you have to choose your own siding, and it will most likely be one of the five choices that we listed above. So, let’s take a look into these in more detail.
1. Wood
Wooden sheds are by far the most popular choice when it comes to building sheds. They’re relatively inexpensive, and they’re extremely strong.
This means that they’re ideal for any type of shed. Whether you want a small storage shed, an outdoor workshop, or even a garage, wood is a great option.
You won’t find a better value for money than wood. And because it’s such a popular choice, there are plenty of suppliers who sell quality wood for less than $100.
Wood is the most traditional siding for sheds, and it will probably be the one that your mind automatically goes to when you think of shed siding.
There are two types of wood siding to choose from – a natural finish or a painted finish.
Natural Finish
A natural finish is where the wood has its natural color. The colors vary depending on what kind of wood it is.
For example, red cedar looks like a deep brownish red. Cedar is also known as cypress, and it’s a hardy tree that grows throughout North America.
It’s actually a member of the pine family. Pine trees grow in temperate climates, so they need lots of water during the summer months.
Anyway, if you want a shed that is going to naturally age with time, you’ll want to go with a wood that ages the best. These can be oak, cedar, larch, or another wood.
Bear in mind that the wood you choose will determine the price of your siding. For instance, oak is much more expensive than pine.
Painted Finish
The other type of wooden siding is a painted finish. A painted finish is exactly what it sounds like – the wood is painted before being finished off.
This gives the wood a nice smooth appearance. It also helps protect the wood against moisture. This is the more put together option and it won’t wear the same as a natural finish.
However, painted finishes aren’t without their drawbacks as they need more maintenance, such as re-treatments and new coats of paint as the shed ages.
A painted finish doesn’t have to be painted with color – it can be painted with a wood stain instead.
This still allows you to see the natural beauty of the wood without the risk of rot.
Using a high-quality stain will allow you to leave your shed to age naturally, with you only having to re-stain it every couple of years.
If you’re set on having an opaque block color for your shed, though, don’t let go of the dream just yet.
Engineered wood is the best for this type of shed siding, and it allows it to be low maintenance while still looking amazing.
2. Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is made from fibers that have been treated with resin, making them look like natural wood while being amazing at resisting moisture and therefore rot.
The best engineered wood is one that has been treated with a low-emitting resin, so remember that when shopping around.
The best engineered woods on the market will have also been treated with zinc borate which can protect the wood from termites and fungal infections, both of which will damage the wood beyond repair if not careful.
This kind of siding is very durable and better for sheds than natural wood siding. However, it also comes with a larger price tag.
Due to this cost, you should look for a manufacturer that offers a warranty covering more than one decade, such as a 20-year warranty or even a 50-year offer.
3. Fiber Cement
Fiber cement is basically a mixture of sand, cellulose fibers, and cement.
It’s a great alternative to traditional wood because it’s incredibly strong, lightweight, and easy to work with.
You can use fiber cement to make everything from decking to roof tiles.
The benefit of fiber cement is that it won’t rot like wood does, and it doesn’t rust either.
You can also customize the color that it is made in so that you don’t have to paint it.
Fiber cement is expensive though, so you should be prepared to make an investment.
The biggest drawback to fiber cement is that it is quite easily broken, so you wouldn’t want your kids playing ball near it.
You should also get a professional to install it to avoid it being broken in your hands.
It also creates a dust cloud while installing, so you’re going to need the right equipment and protection if you were to install it yourself. It’s just easier to get a professional to do it.
4. Vinyl
Vinyl siding is a very common material used for building sheds.
There are many different kinds of vinyl available, but all of them are basically the same. They’re easy to install, durable, and affordable.
You can find vinyl siding in many different colors and patterns, including some that are meant to resemble real wood.
Some people prefer the look of vinyl over other materials, but others think it looks cheap. If you’re unsure about what you want, then consider getting a sample first before buying any.
Vinyl is quite cheap and easy to maintain, and it is also very weather resistant.
However, you cannot paint it once it begins to fade, so you might find yourself replacing it quite often – which can add costs up quite quickly.
5. Metal
Metal siding is another option for building a shed. It is usually aluminum, although steel and copper are also options.
Aluminum is much lighter than wood, so it makes sense to go with metal if you plan to build a small shed.
Metal is very durable, and it can withstand extreme temperatures.
It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to install. However, there is the chance that it can rust during poor weather conditions.
If you’re looking for something that has a unique look, then you may want to consider using metal as well.
Steel is stronger than aluminum but it also corrodes more easily, so you will need to protect it from the weather.
To do this, choose steel that has been galvanized beforehand and that has formulated paint coatings to protect it from rust.
Make sure you look for metal that is corrosion-free from a supplier, and see if they have a decent warranty in case you find it to rust unexpectedly.
Aluminum is weaker and therefore will dent if a ball hits it, but it is more resistant to rust and corrosion.
Other Options For Shed Siding
While the five options above are the best in our opinion, that doesn’t mean that they are the only options to choose from. In fact, there are actually many other options that you can pick from.
For example, you could use brick or stone instead of wood. This would give your shed a unique look, and it would also help keep it cooler inside.
Another option is to use cedar instead of pine. Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and insects, making it an excellent choice for outdoor structures.
Another popular alternative is concrete blocks. These blocks come in many shapes and sizes, and they can be painted to match any color scheme.
The last option we’d like to mention is stucco. Stucco is essentially plaster mixed with sand, cement, and water. You can apply it to walls, fences, and even roofs.
These alternatives all have their benefits and drawbacks, and perhaps more of the latter as they were not included in our list of five favorites.
However, if you’d prefer to go for one of these sidings, there’s nothing stopping you!
Why Is Shed Siding Important?
Sheds are great places to store things, and they offer protection against the elements.
They provide shelter for animals and plants, and they make homes for birds and bees.
However, sheds are not always built to last. The materials used to construct them are typically made out of flimsy material such as plywood and particle board.
As a result, sheds tend to get damaged over time due to exposure to the elements.
That is one of the reasons why shed siding is so important. Let’s look at a few other reasons why choosing the right material for your shed siding is so important
Quality
Some shed sliding is made to be cheaper than others, and these options are often lower in quality.
This means that they will probably incur issues such as rotting quicker than more expensive sliding, which will damage your shed.
Shed sliding is meant to protect your shed, so choosing a low quality shed sliding is not in your best interest.
Value
If you’re on a budget, you don’t necessarily want to spend too much money on your shed. That’s why you should consider buying cheap (but good quality!) shed siding.
It won’t cost you a lot of money, and it will still serve its purpose for protecting your shed.
A good shed with quality sliding can add value to your property, so if you’re planning on selling anytime soon, you might want to choose a more expensive sliding to get a better return on your investment.
Maintenance
You’ll need to maintain your shed, but this shouldn’t be too hard since it’s just a matter of cleaning off the dirt and mud every now and then.
If you do find yourself needing to clean up after a storm though, good quality sliding will help you to do so.
Better quality sliding will need less maintenance so that you can spend more time admiring your shed and less time maintaining it.
Durability
Finally, durability is another reason why you should invest in high-quality shed sliding.
Good quality shed sliding will last longer than poor quality shed sliding, meaning that you won’t have to replace it as frequently.
This is especially true if you live in an area where storms are common. A good shed with quality shed sliding will likely last longer than a poorly constructed shed.
Aesthetics
The final reason why you should invest into good quality shed sliding is aesthetics. Choosing a good quality shed sliding will mean that you’ll have a beautiful looking shed.
There are many different types of shed sliding available, so you can choose whichever suits your needs and preferences. You can even combine various styles together to create a unique design.
As long as you choose something that looks nice, you’ll be happy with the end result.
Summary
In conclusion, we’ve covered some of the most important reasons why you should invest into high quality shed sliding, and the five best materials to use for your shed siding.
Each has their own pros and cons, so it’s up to you and your personal needs to determine which siding will be the best for you. Good luck!
