Photo: Jilly Noble

How long does a lifetime shed last?

Vinyl Sheds: 25 to 30+ Year Lifespan One of the most popular shed types we build, vinyl sheds are our best option for the lowest maintenance and the maximum lifespan. The vinyl shed siding used to build these structures is the same kind used on most houses and offers the same top-tier protection against the elements.

glicksheds.com - How Long Do Sheds Last? | Shed Life Expectancy for Vinyl, Wood & Plastic

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How Long Do Sheds Last?

Chances are, you’re buying a shed because you need to store something right now. Of course, it’s also an investment in your yard that you hope will last a long time. That’s why one of the most common questions we hear from potential customers is, “How long do sheds last?”. While the answers differ dramatically depending on the quality, our Amish sheds last 20 to 30 years, if not longer! However, unfortunately, ultra-cheap sheds only last a few years at the most. At Glick Woodworks, we craft and install a wide range of outdoor structures, all of which are designed to last at least 20 years. That’s not always the norm, though. In today’s blog, we’re answering the question, “How long do sheds last?” and highlighting a wide variety of different options — some great, and others not. Keep reading for a complete breakdown and to learn more about the real Amish quality difference!

Shed Life Expectancy: Vinyl, Wood, Plastic, & More

The right shed will be a fixture in your yard for decades to come, providing watertight storage whenever you need it. On the other hand, a subpar shed will fall apart way before you expect it to. Shed life expectancy comes down to the materials used in its construction and the quality with which it was built. Here’s what you’re looking at with the most common types of sheds:

Vinyl Sheds: 25 to 30+ Year Lifespan

One of the most popular shed types we build, vinyl sheds are our best option for the lowest maintenance and the maximum lifespan. The vinyl shed siding used to build these structures is the same kind used on most houses and offers the same top-tier protection against the elements. In addition, vinyl siding will never need to be re-painted, re-stained, or re-sealed no matter how long you own it. Bottom line: if you want the maximum shed life expectancy, you want a vinyl shed! However, these do tend to be our most expensive pieces — even if they don’t cost much more than a wooden option.

Wooden Smart Panel Sheds: 20 to 25 Years

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Our preferred style of wooden structures, Smart Panel sheds offer an attractive rustic look, a fantastic array of colors, a great price, and a solid lifespan. You can easily expect a Glick Woodworks wooden shed to last between 20 and 25 years, and with careful maintenance, they may even last longer. As a wooden building, these sheds will be susceptible to rot and mold. In order to delay those issues, make sure you keep a good coat of paint on the entire building. However, this only needs to be done every few years. While the shed life expectancy may be slightly less, the look is preferable to some homeowners, and you can expect to save a few hundred dollars compared to a comparable vinyl option.

Plastic or Resin Sheds: 5 to 7 Years

While this isn’t a shed style we build, we’ve seen enough of them to share our perspective. Not to be confused with vinyl sheds, plastic sheds are typically made with a single slab of hard molded plastic. These sheds are the primary option you see stacked up in the parking lots of big box hardware stores. While the plastic won’t rust or rot, there is another problem: the plastic structure of these sheds expands and contracts under the beating sun, which eventually causes cracking. Those cracks let water in, harming your belongings inside the shed, and essentially make the shed worthless. While these sheds are a bit cheaper than either of our lines of premium sheds, they still generally cost more than $1,000 — which is more than most people want to pay for a temporary fix.

Compare and contrast Amish vs. hardware store sheds.

Metal Sheds: Less Than 5 Years

Once again, this is a shed that we don’t build simply because we can’t endorse the lifespan. Similar to plastic or resin sheds, you’re likely to find this option at big box stores. The main job of a shed is to handle the elements and provide reliable, watertight storage. However, the cheap metal (usually steel or iron) of one of these sheds proves to be very susceptible to rust. After just a few seasons in the pouring rain, rust will start to appear. From there, you can expect the rain to infiltrate and damage what you’re storing. While the price point on one of these sheds is fairly low, most people think the abbreviated shed life expectancy make this more of a liability than a solution.

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The Amish Craftsmanship Difference

Now you have an answer to the common question, “How long do sheds last?”. We just have one more important detail to point out: from everything we’ve seen with our decades of experience in the shed building industry, the shed material plays a huge role in how long it will last and how much use you’ll get out of it. However, nothing is more important than who builds your shed. All of our sheds, garages, horse barns, and other structures are handcrafted by experienced Amish craftsmen. Every piece from the architectural shingle roof to the wooden or vinyl siding is built by one of our team members. This skilled work is responsible for the attractive style, the watertight exterior, and the long lifespan. Compare that to how a standard hardware store shed is built — on an assembly line, hundreds at a time in a huge factory overseas. That often results in manufacturing defects that undermine the lifespan. If you want to bring one of our Amish sheds to your backyard, you’re in the right place. Reach out today to get prices on both wooden and vinyl sheds that will deliver decades of performance!