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Curb Appeal7 min

Pitfalls of a Vinyl Shed

You’ve likely seen sheds lined up in the parking lot of your nearest big box store, or advertised for sale by online retailers. While these structures may look attractive from a distance, it’s important to remember that all sheds are not created equal. If you are shopping for a shed, be aware of the downsides of sheds built with lesser-quality materials.

4 Reasons Not to Use/Buy Vinyl Siding for a Shed

With so many excellent products available for use in shed construction, there’s no reason to settle for vinyl siding on your shed, or to buy a vinyl shed. Here’s why you should avoid this material.

  • It cracks. Vinyl may not be rugged enough to survive the inevitable beating out-buildings take – think lawnmower projectiles and baseballs. Heavy impacts cause the material to crack and split, and vinyl becomes increasingly brittle over time.
  • It fades. Sunlight may cause vinyl siding to fade, which can lead to discoloration in some places and normal color in others, depending on where on your property your shed is placed.
  • It has an unrealistic wood appearance. You can’t get a real wood look from vinyl as with some other products. If you are concerned about the curb appeal of your shed or you want to coordinate your shed with your home, vinyl may not be the right choice.
  • It’s bad for the environment. The vinyl manufacturing process produces harmful greenhouse gases and carcinogens. Once it has been removed from a structure, vinyl is generally thrown into a landfill where it slowly biodegrades, leaching chlorine and other toxic materials.

LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding products offer the warmth and beauty of traditional wood with impressive impact resistance. It is manufactured with the SmartGuard® process to resist rot, fungal decay and termites. LP® SmartSide® Panels with SilverTech®, the latest generation of wall panel for sheds, keep your shed cooler while also reflecting light for better interior visibility.

shed with lap sidingPhoto credit: Arlan Riehl

Like the Look of Lap Siding?

LP has you covered with an extensive line of Cedar Lap siding profiles. Beautiful LP® SmartSide® Lap Siding is available in smooth and cedar texture finishes, and comes in multiple widths like traditional wood siding. It is manufactured free of knots and other common defects, resulting in less waste and culling. The blue shed pictured above features LP Cedar Lap siding and was constructed by Liberty Storage Solutions of SC, LLC, in Due West, SC.

Get the Best Storage Shed for Your Needs

LP offers an attractive line of high-quality LP® Outdoor Building Solutions® engineered wood products for outdoor structures. For guidance in selecting the best options for your shed, along with expert installation services, we invite you to find an LP shed dealer near you.

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