Published on June 14, 2024

Plastic, wooden or resin shed: Comparative guide

The famous garden shed: we want it to be practical, aesthetic, neither too small nor too large, compact and spacious, but above all solid, easy to assemble and maintain!

Finally, the relevant question to ask yourself is: what material to choose for your shed? Resin, wood, plastic: how about a comparison guide to help you make an informed decision?

Basic rules for choosing your garden shed

Before looking at the materials for your shed, it is good to remember a few criteria to ensure a safe construction adapted to your requirements:

Its surface area. What will you need to store inside? Snowblower, bikes, vehicles, children’s toys, all at the same time? Will you need shelves, hooks?
Its location. Yes, a shed must be able to blend into the decor, without disturbing other activities which happening in your garden. Slope, trees, water, electricity, gas connections, orientation for natural light: the ideal location depends on many criteria!
Its foundations. Once the location and size are chosen, look at its foundations. If your shed is small, concrete blocks will do the trick. On the other hand, for a larger one, you will have to favor the concrete slab.
Permits. The safest way to avoid an unfortunate fine, or having to move your shed, is to inquire with your municipality. Each has its own zoning rules.

Now that you have the basics in mind for your project, it’s time to look at its materials!

Resin, wooden, plastic shed: advantages and disadvantages of each

Comparing the materials of sheds available on the market means taking into account the factors that will affect their aesthetics, their maintenance and your budget!

Here is a comparative guide to the advantages and disadvantages of each, to help you make the best choice for you.

	ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
Resin	Easy to assemble and move Minimal maintenance Resistant to bad weather (as long as it is not too extreme) and insects Lightweight and waterproof	Less accessible price range for a larger shed Possible discoloration over time Must be fixed on a base Questionable resistance Weak ventilation, which can lead to mold problems Can support limited weight on walls Often unattractive appearance
Wood	Structure designed to withstand Quebec winters and all bad weather Larger storage space for the same surface area (due to the height and the possibility of putting storage on the wall and in the ceiling) For models of the authentic series from Cabanon Fortin, 79” door, so no danger of hitting your head in the doorway Choice of door and window style layout (27 doors and 30 windows are available at Cabanon Fortin), in addition to 2 different glasses (clear and frosted). Almost unlimited choice of colors, to match harmoniously with your layout Designed according to your needs (size, color, addition of pergola or covered terrace to the shed…)	Higher price especially compared to plastic sheds, but affordable for prefabricated ones If the floor is wood, it may be fragile to ground movements caused by freezing and thawing and sag if the floor is poorly drained
Plastic	Easy to assemble and move Easy to no maintenance Insect resistant Lightweight and waterproof Economical	May fade and warp over the years Often unattractive Limited choices in size, style and appearance Questionable strength

At a glance – even a quick one – we can see that the shed with a wooden structure is a reasonable compromise. An undeniable charm that fits into any decor, customization – sizes, styles, materials and finishing – within your reach, durability that no longer needs to be proven… There remains the price. And it is on this point that prefabricated sheds in wood come into play! In addition to the advantages already mentioned, you have here an all-in-one solution, much more affordable than a custom shed! Imagine: a garden shed at an affordable price, 100% customizable, and above all, which can be installed by the manufacturer.

This manufacturer could be Cabanon Fortin! Because in addition to making your life easier with a turnkey layout, the company specializes in a variety of options to really customize your shed to your liking. Doors, windows, siding, shingles: it’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted for your shed, and even more!

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