Suncast Horizontal Storage Sheds Put Under the Magnifying Glass - Zacs Garden

Suncast Horizontal Storage Sheds Put Under the Magnifying Glass

suncast_glidetop_-slide_lid_shed

RESIN SHEDS HAVE COME a long way over the last 10 years.

Who can say no to a shed that is virtually maintenance free, looks quite nice and easy to put together?

Because of this, they are now one of the most popular choices for homeowners wanting a little extra storage space. But do the pros outweigh the cons? And what makes Suncast Horizontal Storage Sheds different from the rest?

In this article, we take a deep look into one of the most popular brands for outdoor horizontal storage. We go through the 5 main reasons that make their sheds different from others.

1. The Resin

Modern Resins Are Made to Last

One of the most common reasons given for not buying a resin shed has long been that the resin materials. In the past they simply could not hold up to being left out in all types of weather for long periods of time. This idea was not something that was dreamed up by a few disgruntled buyers. It was in fact based on a lot of truth.

This being said, the earliest forms of resin and plastics used in the construction of sheds did not hold up as well as they were advertised to do. That was then, this is now.

Resin Materials

The newer resins are impervious to summer's highest temperatures and winter's coldest freezes, along with the sun's UV rays that can cause fading, cracking, and warping. For years these were the bane of resin sheds as the materials many other companies used.

What I have found after having a Suncast horizontal storage shed out on my back deck for several years, is that the colors have faded just a little. But, the resin materials have held up exceptionally well. It hits the high 90s all summer long and plunges below freezing for a large part of the winter season where I live, so the resin gets a real workout.

2. The Shed Walls

A Double thickness barrier between your equipment and the outside

The problem with many resin sheds is that they are made with using a single-wall construction method. This means that all there is between what you are storing inside and the outside world is a single thin layer of plastic. This same thin layer of plastic also has to support the roof and any snow weight that might accumulate.

Every Suncast horizontal storage shed is built using double wall construction. The walls are 1 1/2-inches thick. Double wall construction stronger and more capable of supporting the weight of the roof and any snow accumulation without letting you down. As a side note, the air gap between the two layers of plastic also adds a little insulation to help protect your possessions.

With two layers of plastic, if your mower slings a rock, there is less of a chance it might puncture both layers and damage something inside.

3. The Hardware

No Plastic Locks or Latches

The only real hardware on most horizontal sheds are the hinges used to hang the doors and any latches or locking mechanisms. Some low-budget brands use plastic hardware because not only does it cost less, but it can also be molded into a wide variety of beautiful shapes. Plastic or resin hinges simply can not hold up to continuous load bearing and movement such as would be seen when being used to hold up shed doors.

This same basic principle holds for plastic latches and locking mechanisms. But, even if they do hold up, any thief can cut through them in a few seconds with a good sharp knife. Suncast horizontal storage sheds use all metal hardware for the hinges and locking/latching mechanisms to ensure you never have to worry about them breaking or being cut.

4. Strong Assembly

Snap Together vs Bolt Together Assembly

There are two methods of assembly commonly used in resin storage sheds, the first is snapping the pieces together until they form a relatively sturdy complete assembly. The other involves bolting all the pieces together one piece at a time to create a strong and supportive structure.

While snap together might seem like a good idea as assembly take very little time, the entire project can take as little as a couple of hours. However, this type of assembly is not particularly strong in many cases and may come apart in high winds.

By choosing to use a bolt-together construction method, Suncast is able to offer a complete line of storage sheds that use this type of construction. Providing you have taken the time to secure your shed to the ground, bolting it together ensures it will far more able to hold up to high winds, heavy rains, and larger snow loads. By virtue of the Suncast engineering department, assemble is still relatively easy and requires a minimum of skill and a few hand tools.

5. The Shed Floor

At the Bottom of it All

At the bottom of your shed should be a reinforced plastic floor that can handle your heavier loads. All Suncast horizontal storage sheds come with a reinforced resin floor designed to take on the weight of your heavier loads. This may not seem very important when you are first looking at horizontal storage sheds, especially if you are putting yours out on a deck or patio.

But once you start loading your shed with everything you plan to keep in it and that cheap thin floor starts to bow or crack, you will only end up regretting that decision. With a Suncast horizontal storage shed, the floor is fully reinforced so that you can store things like your smoker, a lawnmower, several bicycles, potting soil in bags, or just about anything else you can think of.

Here are Five Different Suncast Horizontal Sheds for You to Consider

Now that you know what makes Suncast the leader in horizontal storage sheds, let's take a quick look at five of their best sellers.

Suncast BMS4900D Glidetop Slide Lid Shed

As with all Suncast horizontal storage sheds, this one is made using heavy duty resin double wall construction. Along with the double doors on one end, it also features a sliding roof that permits walk-in access. The floor has been reinforced so that it can support the weight of your lawn tractor along with anything else you need to put in it. At 52x58x60 inches, you can store several bicycles in this shed with room to spare.

ProsCons
Heavy-duty resin double wall constructionThe plastic bolts tend to break
Heavy-duty reinforced floorMust be placed on a foundation
Fast-easy constructionSome issues with missing pieces in the box

Suncast BMS2500 Horizontal Storage Shed

This shed features a 3-door locking system for extra security. The easy-lift lid uses a prop-rod to hold it open and make accessing the double doors easier. The walls and roof are built from heavy-duty resin double wall construction that can handle anything Mother Nature and your kids can throw at it. Easy bolt-together assembly creates a strong structure in less than a couple of hours.

ProsCons
Easy bolt-together assemblyMust be placed on a foundation for best support
Reinforced floorMay not hold up to high winds
Panels line up easilyTop may warp and not lie flat

Suncast BMS3200 Horizontal Storage Shed

Made from durable 1 1/2-inch thick double wall resin construction, this horizontal shed offers double doors that measure 46 3/4-inches wide, plenty of room for you to get your mower or bikes in and out. The sturdy doors use all metal hardware to ensure they continue to work for many years. The sturdy floor is fully reinforced to handle heavier loads and assembly is simple with a few hand tools.

ProsCons
Extra-wide doorsPlastic screws may break
1 1/2-inch thick resin double wall constructionMissing hardware
Fast Easy AssemblySome issues with gaps in finished product

Suncast BMS3400 34 cu. ft. Horizontal Shed

This Suncast horizontal shed offers a full 34 cubic feet of storage space and measures 53×32-1/2×45-1/2″, which is plenty of room for a mower, a couple of bikes, your potting soil, pots, and miscellaneous tools. The double doors have a built-in hasp to help keep thieves at bay. The floor is reinforced to help support heavier items and the resin material used in the construction will resist the sun's UV rays and both extremes of temperature.

ProsCons
Hasp for padlock built-inQuality control issues
Reinforced floorRoof uses plastic hinges
46 1/4″ wide doorsDoor may not stay closed

Suncast BMS4700 The Stow-Away Horizontal Storage Shed

This is a massive horizontal storage shed measuring a massive 70 cubic feet. The easy-open lid is equipped with a pair of gas shocks to help lift and keep it up. You can fit two huge 96-gallon trash cans inside. Built right here in the U.S., this shed measures 5 ft. 5-1/2 in. W x 3 ft. 2-1/2 in. D x 4 ft. 1-1/2 in. on the inside. The reinforced floor features a built-in ramp that lets you easily roll heavier items in and out.

ProsCons
Massive 70-cu.ft. storage capacityChallenging assembly
Plenty of rooms for your bikes or mowerMust be placed on a flat surface or foundation
Heavy-duty resin double wall constructionInstructions hard to follow

Other Options

What if a resin Suncast horizontal storage shed doesn't seem like it will meet with your needs? There is another more expensive option you might want to consider. There are several different types of wood horizontal storage sheds worth considering such as this one:

Leisure Season Large Horizontal Refuse Storage Shed

This horizontal storage shed features tongue and groove all-wood construction with three doors for easy access. All hardware used in the construction is rated for outdoor use. It measures 61 x 36 inches on the inside, 47 inches at the front, and 51 inches at the back. The lid is designed to stay in place without assistance and the doors are lockable to help keep out stray critters.

ProsCons
Weather resistant all-wood constructionLong construction time
Acrylic-coated hardwareNo floor
Strong tongue and groove constructionFlimsier than it looks

Conclusion

When it comes to resin horizontal storage sheds, Suncast is one of the leaders in the field. The heavy-duty 1 1/2-inch double resin wall construction is resistant. Resistant to the sun's UV rays, extremes in temperature, and your kids. I have had mine for several years and highly recommend any of those listed above. Also remember is that any resin shed you buy must be installed on a foundation or other sturdy flat surface.

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