What is the Best Material to Use For A Bike Shed?

When you are choosing a bike shed, there are many materials available to you. From wooden sheds to plastic and metal sheds, each type of bike shed offers advantages and disadvantages.

This blog will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of the common shed building materials, as well as discussing what material we use for our bike sheds, and why we do so.

The Most Common Materials Used in Bike Sheds

The three most common materials used for building bike sheds are wood, metal, and plastic. As stated, each has its advantages and disadvantages, and they all have different suitabilities and security levels.

Wooden Bike Sheds

Wooden bike sheds are the most common type of bike shed, and they have a classic look, fitting the design of your garden perfectly. They are also strong and durable if constructed with the right wood, and are easy to add additional security measures to for secure bike storage. They are easily customised to fit your requirements, and can be self-assembled and installed.

However, there are some disadvantages to wooden bike sheds. They require regular maintenance to prevent damage, including varnishing and rot treatment, and making sure they are protected against water. This is because certain wood types can be vulnerable to weather, insects and rodents, and rot. You can combat this by choosing a strong and durable wood.

These bike sheds naturally don’t have the best security measures, however, this can be easily fixed by ensuring you choose a bike shed that has additional security features included.

Metal Bike Sheds

Probably the most robust material for constructing bike sheds, metal is secure and strong, making it another popular choice for many sheds. Metal sheds are designed to protect your bike from theft, so they usually have the best security features. They are also durable, and can last for a long time due to their weather resistance.

However, metal bike sheds can be difficult to assemble, meaning you will have to use a professional installing service, which, in some cases, can be costly. They are also not as attractive as other types of bike sheds, and they can also overheat in warm weather. Metal bike sheds can also be difficult to customise, so you may need to purchase more if you get bigger or additional bikes.

Plastic Bike Sheds

The other most popular bike shed material is plastic. Plastic bike sheds are lightweight and easy to assemble, meaning they can be moved and adapted to where you’d like to place them in your garden. They are also very low maintenance and resistant to rot and insects.

The biggest disadvantage of plastic bike sheds is that they aren’t very sustainable or environmentally friendly. They also have a limited lifespan of around 5-7 years, and they are less aesthetically pleasing than wooden sheds. Plastic bike sheds can also be vulnerable to harsh weather conditions, becoming brittle in the sunlight.

The Best Material for Bike Sheds (According to Us)

At Brighton Bike Sheds, we use a selection of sustainable timbers for our bike sheds, as well as galvanised and stainless steel fixings. One of our main cladding materials is Canadian cedar. Cedar is highly regarded for its dimensional stability, resisting warping and maintaining its shape even under varying weather conditions.

Beyond its physical prowess, cedar exudes a rustic beauty with its rich, warm tones and inviting texture, which gracefully ages into a distinguished silvery grey if left to age naturally.

The Canadian cedar within our collection of bike sheds boasts an array of natural advantages, making it a premier choice for outdoor structures. Renowned for its durability and resilience, cedar stands firm against the elements, resisting rot and deterring insects naturally without chemical treatments. Its fibrous structure also offers excellent insulation, stabilising temperature extremes.

We select our timbers for their characteristics and sustainability. We believe they offer the best combination of performance and value, as well as being sustainable and long-lasting with correct care and maintenance.

Shop Bike Sheds from Brighton Bike Sheds

Brighton Bike sheds stock a range of durable, hard-wearing sheds in a variety of materials which are perfect for any requirements. From classic sheds to slot-in sheds and even cargo sheds, we have the perfect storage for your bike that won’t compromise on the design of your garden.

Shop our complete range of bike sheds to find your perfect shed.