A garden shed is the quiet revolution of your summer: no more trips to the basement every time you need a tool, you free up 2 m³ inside the house, and within a year you've forgotten how you ever lived without it. But the choice of material determines whether you'll have 5 years of peace of mind or 5 years of headaches.
The three options in two lines
Wood
Top aesthetics, decent insulation, 15–25 year lifespan with maintenance. Mid-to-high cost, mandatory maintenance every 2 years.
Resin (HDPE)
Zero maintenance, 15–20 year lifespan, lightweight, won't warp. Functional aesthetics, mid-range cost.
Metal (galvanised steel)
Maximum security, 20+ year lifespan, low price, poor insulation. Industrial aesthetic.
Wood: beautiful and demanding
Pros
Unique visual warmth, natural integration with green gardens, good thermal insulation (useful if you store items sensitive to cold), customisable (you can drill for windows, shelves, hooks).
Cons
Maintenance: protective oil or wood stain every 2 years (€40–80 + a day's work), anti-mould treatments, replacement of rotting panels at critical points (base area, roof). Under sustained heavy rain, bitumen roof tiles need replacing every 7–10 years.
Wall thickness
Look for a minimum of 19 mm spruce or Nordic pine. Below this threshold, the wood warps in the first winter and the doors no longer close properly.
Wood type
Spruce (affordable, 80% of the market), pressure-treated pine (more resistant, 30% more expensive), red cedar (premium, naturally antifungal, 25+ year lifespan).
Resin: the pragmatic choice
Pros
Zero maintenance. Rinse with a garden hose — that's it. Won't rot, won't flake, won't attract wood-boring insects. Lighter than wood: two people can move it if you change its location. Modular (interlocking panels you assemble in 2–3 hours).
Cons
Plastic-looking aesthetic in budget versions. In strong winds (>80 km/h sustained) it may vibrate due to its light weight. Custom drilling is not possible without voiding the warranty. No thermal insulation (items inside experience outdoor temperatures).
What to look for
Double-wall HDPE with UV stabiliser. Single-wall versions fade within 2 years. Reinforced roof with internal joists if you live in a heavy-snowfall area.
Metal: the budget strongbox
Pros
Top security: 0.3–0.5 mm galvanised panels that require specific tools to cut. Very low prices (50–60% less than equivalent wood). Excellent hail resistance. Structural lifespan of 20–30 years.
Cons
Greenhouse effect in summer: inside temperatures can reach 50–60°C in July. If you store paints, fertilisers, or seeds → they will degrade. Interior condensation in winter: any metal items stored inside will rust by March. Industrial aesthetic even in premium versions.
When it makes sense
Only for metal garden tools that can handle heat (rakes, spades, lawnmowers). Never for outdoor furniture, cushions, umbrellas, or bicycles.
Permits: read this before you buy
Under 6 m² and height < 2.5 m
Almost always considered an 'accessory outbuilding' — no permit required. Check your local council regulations.
Over 6 m² or anchored to the ground with foundations
Building notification (SCIA) required. Average processing time: 4–6 weeks. Professional fee: €300–600.
In protected areas (historic centres, landscape zones)
Almost always requires a landscape permit. Timelines: 90–180 days. Often denied for 'industrial' types (metal).
Distance from boundaries
Civil code: 3 metres from the boundary if the shed exceeds the height of the dividing wall. Many local council regulations require 5 metres.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 6 m² wooden shed weigh?
Typically 300–500 kg disassembled. You'll need 2–3 people to transport it and a full day to assemble it (foundation + assembly). Equivalent resin shed: 80–120 kg, 2–3 hours assembly.
Can I place a shed directly on the ground?
Not recommended for wood (the base rots within 2–3 years). Build a concrete base or rest it on bearers + geotextile membrane + gravel. For resin and metal, a level base of concrete or 10 cm compacted gravel.
How much does wood stain for an annual treatment cost?
For a 6 m² shed you'll need 5–6 litres of oil-based wood stain (€40–70), plus 4–5 hours of work. Every 2 years, during a dry spring season.
Do metal sheds rust?
Exterior surfaces with powder-coat finish last 15–20 years without visible signs. Galvanised screws and bolts start to show signs at 8–10 years — replaceable for €30–50.
Which holds up best against hail?
Metal dents but doesn't break. HDPE resin holds up well to hailstones up to 3 cm. Wood (bitumen tile roof) can be punctured by large hailstones. For alpine areas, choose metal or high-end resin.