Which Brand of 10 x 8 Plastic Shed is Best for You?
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THERE ARE SO many things to think about when you start shopping for a 10 x 8 plastic shed.
It can be hard to know which one of the many on the market is right for your needs, backyard, and budget.
Although there are many different sizes of shed on the market, a 10 x 8 shed is ideal for anyone with a smaller backyard that needs a place to store a fair amount of garden tools, toys, bikes, and miscellaneous junk.
If you are in a hurry, here is our 10 x 8 plastic shed winner. You can compare it for yourself here
Points to Ponder as Your Search Gets Underway
As you begin your search for a garden shed, one of your first thoughts probably turned to the dimensions of your new shed.
There are a couple of things you need to consider when trying to decide the final size, starting with how much room you have to spare in your backyard.
If you live out in the country, this is probably not an issue, but for the rest of us, size truly does matter.
Why a 10 x 8 Plastic Shed?
When you stop to think about an area that measures 10 feet deep and 8 feet wide, it might not seem like much space. But when you also factor in the sidewalls of most sheds this size are in the neighborhood of 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet tall with an even higher peak, the amount of space opens up significantly.
Still not sure this is big enough? Take a roll of masking tape and mark out 10 feet by 8 feet on your floor.
Now you can see how much space your 10 x 8 plastic shed is going to occupy in your backyard and approximately how much space it will have on the inside. The next thing to do is ask yourself exactly what you are planning to store in your shed.
Do you need storage shelves? What about a floor that can handle a certain amount of weight?
During your search, each listing should cover the inner and outer dimensions, what type of floor, if any, the shed has, and what type of material was used to construct the shed.
The Many Benefits of Plastic Sheds
Over the years, plastic sheds have been given a pretty bad rap. In the beginning, the plastics used to create garden sheds was not ideally suited to the use.
They did not hold up well to the heat of the summer sun or the cold bite of winter. Many faded, ended up with warped roofs and sides, cracked and leaked, or simply fell apart.
Thankfully, this is no longer the case as most manufacturers use their own unique blends of polyethylene and resin to create new plastics that can withstand the hottest scorching sun and the coldest bite of Old Man Winter.
Along with this, these new plastics also offer the following benefits among many:
- Plastic sheds tend to be more affordable than either wooden or metal sheds and can be ordered online or purchased locally for direct delivery to your home.
- Plastic sheds require virtually nothing in the way of maintenance other than the occasional wash down with a hose. Both wood and metal sheds require a significant amount of annual maintenance to keep them looking good and protected from the environment, rot, and pests.
- Plastic sheds tend to range from relatively to extremely easy to assemble.
- Plastic sheds are lightweight and easy to move if it should become necessary.
- Many plastic sheds do not require any particular form of pad or foundation.
What to Look for in a 10 x 8 Plastic Shed
Ok, so to start with, once you have decided that a 10 x 8 plastic shed is just right for your needs, it is important that you understand not all plastic sheds listed as being 10 x 8 in size are actually this size. Some are slightly larger, some smaller, and only a few are actually this size on the inside.
However, an in the overall scheme of things an inch or two may not make that much of a difference, instead you may need to consider whether a shed that is 10 feet long or one that is 10 feet wide is a better fit for your yard.
Next up, how many doors do you need, will a single door be wide enough to fit everything you plan to store in your shed or would double doors be a better choice? If all you are storing is your garden tools, then a single door is probably enough, but if you are planning to store a lawn mower or your family's bikes, double doors make a better choice.
Does the shed you have been considering come with a built-in floor? Having a built-in floor gives you far more options with regard to what kind of foundation or pad will be needed. Many of them now feature heavy duty floors designed to be placed directly onto a flat section of ground, others may require pavers or a concrete slab.
Single wall or double wall construction? Single wall sheds are less expensive and may prove to be flimsy unless they have a steel frame. Double wall sheds offer far more structural integrity and may come with built-in shelf brackets so that you can add extra storage. While most double wall sheds have steel reinforced roofs, few have steel reinforced walls, but they are typically strong enough to withstand significant snow weight.
Speaking of walls and doors, have you given much thought to security? Can the doors be locked securely to protect your stuff? Is there a window and if there is, can it be secured? A window can provide you with extra light on the inside, but at the same time, it offers yet another port of entry for a dedicated thief.
How much construction experience do you have? When it comes to 10 x 8 plastic sheds or for that matter any other size, there are two basic construction style choices.
The first and easiest method of assembly is the snap together shed. These sheds go together using almost no tools beyond a mallet to help snap the pieces together and can be built in a couple of hours or so. The only real problem with this type of plastic shed is that they tend to come apart in strong winds as the final assembly on many is not very secure.
The other style of plastic shed is the type that bolts together. Here again, we see a split in that some use steel nuts and bolts, while others use plastic hardware. While the plastic hardware will never suffer from any type of corrosion, it lacks the strength of steel.
Steel hardware, on the other hand, is much stronger, but you do run the risk of it corroding unless you paint it. Both offer a much stronger completed construction with steel hardware coming out the clear winner.
Five of the Best 10 x 8 Plastic Sheds Available
By now you have probably already noticed that there are dozens of 10 x 8 plastic sheds for you to consider. This is not surprising as this is one of the most popular sizes out there, in fact, I have one at the back of my garden just for my garden tools.
So to save you a bunch of time and help you narrow down your search, I have created a list containing four of the best plastic sheds in this size just for you.
1. Lifetime 6405 Outdoor Storage Shed
Double Doors, A Window, Skylights, and Shelving
So you are looking for a good structurally sound 10 x 8 plastic shed, one that can handle just about anything you can throw at it. This shed from Lifetime seems to fit that bill almost perfectly.
It offers an apex style roof with no less than 4 skylights for plenty of natural light, steel reinforced double doors with an internal latch that are lockable, a single shatterproof window, and a pair of screened vents.
On top of this, there are 6 feet 8 inches of headroom. The walls are made from steel reinforced double walled polyethylene for added strength, weather resistance, and load bearing. It is one of the top plastic sheds on the market.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Steel reinforced construction throughout for added strength, great for high snow load areas | Some buyers experienced water leakage at the roof seams |
Comes with two shelves and pegboard for added storage convenience | The doors tend to warp under long-term exposure to the sun's UV rays |
Weather resistant seams help keep everything inside nice and dry | Comes in two boxes weighing over 200 lbs. each |
2. Suncast BMS8000 Alpine Shed
True Alpine Shed Style
One of the first things most people notice about this Suncast plastic shed is that it features double wall construction with walls that are a full 1-1/2-inches thick. At 7 1/2 x 10, there is enough room inside for a small garden tractor or a riding lawn mower.
Even better than this, is that the floor has been reinforced in all the right places to hold the weight of your tractor. It features reinforced double doors and no less than 14, yes that's right 14 windows.
There are also a pair of vents in the gables to keep fresh air circulating and help keep your shed from getting too hot in the summer months.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Plenty of windows for natural light | Windows and seals can be challenging to put together |
One of the strongest reinforced plastic floors | Comes in boxes weighing over 200 lbs. each |
Outstanding customer service | Assembly manual not very easy to follow in places |
3. KETER Stronghold Resin Storage Shed
Plenty of Storage Space and Room for your Lawn Mower
There are times when a 10 x 8 plastic shed just isn't going to have enough room for everything you need to store. At 10 x 8 this heavy duty shed offers plenty of space.
This shed features a high-pitched roof that not only helps keep the snow at bay but also adds plenty of extra headroom. Open the wide double doors and inside you will find a heavy-duty plastic resin floor that can support your lawn tractor and much more.
There is also a built-in full-length skylight that gives you plenty of natural light. The two-tone brown color resin is super strong and will fit in practically anywhere.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
High-pitched roof for added interior height | The roof can be challenging to slide in place |
Heavy duty plastic floor | Doors and locking mechanism somewhat flimsy |
Extra wide double doors | Some pieces may need to be trimmed to get them to fit |
4. Suncast Tremont Storage Shed
Steel Reinforced Double Wall with Multiple Shelf Locations
By now you probably know just how hard it can be to find just the right amount of storage space. The Tremont from Suncast offers a full 574 cubic feet of space complete with a pair of corner storage shelves with no less than eight different positions for them.
The double doors have windows for added interior light and open to 60 inches wide and 72 inches tall. The Tremont also features six skylights and steel reinforced double wall resin construction. The Tremont also comes with a resin floor.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Shed assembly goes very quickly | Must be placed on a level base |
Very sturdy once assembled | The roof can be hard to assemble |
Lots of interior space | Several units shipped missing parts or hardware |
5. Lifetime 60001 Outdoor Storage Shed
Steel Reinforced Plastic Construction
Lifetime seems to have mastered the concept of using steel framing and trusses to ensure their plastic sheds can hold up to just about anything Mother Nature can throw at them. This shed offers a pair of 6-foot-high by 4-foot-wide double doors on one end, one large window, and a pair of large skylights.
Inside you will find 4 corner shelves and a pair of peg strips complete with a selection of hanging hardware. The frame and trusses are powder-coated steel and the entire shed is assembled using heavy-duty steel hardware for added strength.
The left door features upper and lower stops, while the right door has an internal latch that keeps both doors closed. The doors have a built-in hasp for a padlock.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Powder-coated steel frame and trusses for extra strength and durability | Comes in 2 boxes with a total weight of over 500 lbs. |
Easy to follow instructions with detailed images | Takes quite a while to assemble |
Bolt together construction holds up better than snap together sheds | Shed flexes with changes in temperature making doors hard to open or close |
Two Other Storage Option for You to Consider
While a 10 x 8 plastic shed or one close to it will work well for most, not everyone wants an all plastic or resin shed for a variety of reasons. This next shed is made from vinyl coated galvanized steel that gives you the best of both worlds.
1. Duramax 00284 Woodbridge Shed with Foundation
Strong Metal Structure Tested for 20Lbs/Sq.Ft. Snow Load
No rust, no rot, and nothing to worry about with this great shed from Duramax. Under the plastic roof, you will find steel-reinforced plastic walls designed to hold up under just about any conditions.
When you anchor this shed to the ground or a foundation, it can easily withstand winds of up to 115 miles per hour. Features a single pair of wide doors that are tall enough for the average person to easily walk through.
One of the things many people like about this shed is the way the outside looks like standard house siding. The roof ridge features a skylight for plenty of natural light on the inside.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Steel rods in walls for added durability | Assembly instructions hard to follow |
An available option lets you add another 2.5 feet to the length of the shed | You should caulk the roof panels to prevent leaking |
Once assembled the structure is very stable | The steel frames have sharp edges that can cut your hands |
2. Arrow Shed Vinyl Coated Sheridan Steel Storage
Vinyl Protected Galvanized Steel for Ultimate and Protection
If you are like me and live in an area with tons of snow each winter, you need a garden shed that is going to hold up to the weather. This storage shed from Arrow Shed is built from vinyl coated galvanized steel.
The steel adds plenty of structural strength, while the heavy-duty vinyl coating keeps the steel protected from snow and rain. At 7 feet, the interior peak of the roof gives you plenty of headroom. All parts are predrilled for ease of assembly.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Vinyl clad steel is very strong | Due to design, construction is labor intensive |
Parts pre-drilled for easy assembly | Metal used in construction is very thin |
Strong assembly once completed | You must buy or build a base for this shed |
The Roundup
Each of the above sheds has a lot to offer, most are relatively easy to assemble and seem to be made to last. As you might expect, there are pros and cons to each of them.
For my money, the Suncast BMS8000 Alpine is the winner as it offers a super heavy duty floor designed to handle the weight of your lawn tractor and no less than 14 windows.
When it comes to choosing, the right shed for your needs, consider size, cost, suitability, and of course the materials used in its construction. In all areas, the Alpine Shed comes out the clear winner.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this and it has helped you find the perfect 10 x 8 or bigger plastic shed for your garden or back yard.
If you liked what I have put together for you here, please let me know.
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