In a plastic garden shed, you can store your gardening tools in a compact and optimally protected manner. A garden shed made of plastic has many advantages: It is almost maintenance-free, easy to care for and durable. Also, depending on the design, it can look absolutely premium. Find out what to look out for when buying a plastic garden shed!
A garden shed made of plastic is cheap and easy to set up
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Ondis24 garden shed Deco 2.42 x 2.02 m, tool shed plastic/metal grey, bicycle shed with pitched roof, tool shed outdoor, PVC panels, double door
1,599.00 EUR To the product| Dimensions inside (LxWxH) | 233x193x188 cm |
|---|---|
| volume inside | approx. 9.8 m³ |
| Door dimensions (WxH) | 144x180cm |
| Wall thickness | approx. 26mm |
| Assembly | moderate |
| material | PVC |
| design | dark grey-white wood look |
| window | Yes |
| air vents | Yes |
The garden house (€24.90) Deco lives up to its name - it is designed in a decorative dark grey-white wood look and is therefore an eye-catcher in the green oasis. Functional advantages are the high wall thickness of 26 millimeters, the generous interior dimensions with a volume of 9.8 cubic meters and the 144 centimeter wide double wing door. In addition, the robust model has a gabled roof, two windows and some ventilation slots. The construction of a foundation is recommended for assembly. The previous ratings from Amazon reviewers (as of April 2022) are very positive.
our recommendation
Lifetime Garden Shed Tan 81" x 81" x 90" 60190
1,099.00 EUR To the product| Dimensions inside (LxWxH) | 198x198x224 cm |
|---|---|
| volume inside | approx. 8.8 m³ |
| Door dimensions (WxH) | 137x193 cm |
| Wall thickness | approx. 26mm |
| Assembly | moderate |
| material | HDPE |
| design | beige-grey wood look |
| window | Yes |
| air vents | Yes |
In terms of basic features, the Lifetime Tan garden shed is similar to the winner in our comparative test. The biggest difference concerns the material: The Lifetime version is made of HDPE, which is by no means to be seen as a disadvantage, on the contrary - especially since the wall thickness is very high at 26 millimeters. The Amazon reviewers are mostly enthusiastic about this garden shed. On the one hand it should be of "super quality" and on the other hand it should be easy to set up - also thanks to a "best illustrated description", as one customer puts it.
our recommendation
Keter Garden Shed Manor 6x8 DD, Gray, 7.6 m³
803.00 EUR To the product| Dimensions inside (LxWxH) | 168x222x219 cm |
|---|---|
| volume inside | approx. 7.6 m³ |
| Door dimensions (WxH) | 126x180 cm |
| Wall thickness | approx. 16mm |
| Assembly | simple |
| material | pp |
| design | gray wood look |
| window | Yes |
| air vents | Yes |
The garden shed Manor by Keter is our price-performance winner. It does have a little less volume and wall thickness than the other two recommendations in our comparison; but it also costs significantly less. It is also practical that no foundation is required for assembly. Most reviewers on Amazon define the garden shed as functionally solid and visually charming.
Purchase Criteria
size/volume
If you only want to store a few tools in the plastic tool shed, a volume of five to ten cubic meters is usually sufficient. If, on the other hand, you want to store several large garden tools, you need a tool shed with a volume of 15 to 20 cubic meters. Important: Plan exactly in advance which equipment you want to store in the tool shed in order to determine what specific internal dimensions (LxWxH) the shed must have - so that, for example, extremely wide or high equipment can be accommodated without any problems.
door
In connection with the devices that are intended for the plastic shed, you should always take a close look at the door when comparing different models. After all, lawn mowers and the like have to fit through easily. For very bulky equipment, the only option is a tool shed with a double door at least one meter wide. If you only want to store narrow garden utensils in the tool shed, a single-door version is usually fine. But pay attention to the door width and height.
Wall thickness
Depending on how strong the wall is, it withstands loads better or worse. Choose a plastic shed with a high wall thickness. Otherwise, even accidentally touching the wall with a tool or other device can lead to damage. A thicker wall also has the advantage that any shelves and brackets can carry higher loads. We advise you to buy a tool shed with at least 15 millimeters wall thickness. By the way: The higher weight associated with a strong wall makes the garden shed more storm-proof.
assembly effort
Some plastic sheds require a foundation. To avoid this additional effort, simply choose a model that does not require a substructure and is already supplied with matching base plates. In principle, it is of course advantageous if the assembly is as easy as possible and a comprehensive assembly kit is included in the scope of delivery. Note: If there are frequent heavy storms and rainfall in your region, or if you want to store a particularly large number of heavy devices, we recommend a plastic device shed with a foundation.
type of plastic
PP (polypropylene): PP is considered a comparatively environmentally friendly plastic with medium compressive strength. Disadvantages are the low abrasion resistance and sensitivity to cold (can become brittle at temperatures below freezing).
PVC (polyvinyl chloride): PVC is heavy and therefore also very pressure-resistant. Unfortunately, this plastic is often made with plasticizers that are harmful to the environment and health. The material is also sensitive to acids.
HDPE (high density polyethylene): HDPE, you can describe it as high-density polyethylene, is characterized by its enormous hardness and abrasion resistance. However, the compressive strength is lower than that of other plastics, which is why you absolutely have to pay attention to a high wall thickness.
design
In terms of design, you can enjoy a relatively large selection. In addition to simple, functional plastic tool sheds, there are also models with an attractive wood look. In fact, these can be so well made that you can hardly tell them apart from real wooden sheds. In this way, the functional advantages of plastic can be combined with the appealing visual properties of (imitation) wood with a high-quality processed plastic garden shed with a wood look. Most plastic tool sheds have a classic gabled roof.
windows and vents
The tool shed should integrate at least one window, preferably several - especially if there is no power connection nearby that you could use to install a ceiling light in the shed. Windows also allow the house to be ventilated in a sensible way. Speaking of ventilation: Ventilation slots are also advantageous - they serve to regulate the temperature in the shed and also prevent the stored equipment and tools from starting to mold or rust.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What is a plastic shed?
As the name suggests, a plastic tool shed is a tool shed made of plastic. Due to the material, the garden shed is low-maintenance and easy to care for and usually durable. It is available in various designs, for example in a wood look, which fits perfectly into the garden.
What is a plastic shed for?
A plastic tool shed is primarily used to protect various garden tools from external influences, but still have quick access to the tools at any time. Depending on the size of the tool shed, you can only store small tools or garden equipment such as the lawnmower in it.
Which brands offer good plastic sheds?
Some of the best known and most popular brands of plastic sheds include Keter, Ondis24 and Lifetime. Additional recommendation: If, after thorough research, you come to the conclusion that you want to buy a garden shed made of metal, it is best to take a look at the Tepro models.
Where is the best place to buy a plastic garden shed?
Plastic tool sheds are available in hardware stores and also in garden centers. However, the selection in local specialist shops is often limited. There are a variety of models available online from a variety of brands. Above all, Amazon offers you a large assortment and also a pleasant shopping experience.
How much does a plastic garden shed cost?
Buying a plastic shed is definitely not the cheapest purchase. Therefore, you should select the tool shed to the best of your knowledge and belief. You often pay around 300 euros for a high-quality small garden shed with a volume of around four cubic meters. Large models sometimes cost over 1000 euros.