Comparison
Resin vs metal sheds
For most yards, resin wins on low maintenance and the Suncast Tremont 8x10 at $1,599 ships with a floor included. If price per square foot matters more than looks, the Arrow Classic 8x10 at $599.99 costs less than half as much, though you will need to add a floor kit separately.
| Resin | Metal (steel) | |
|---|---|---|
| Measured price per sq ft (site median) | about $18 | about $5.25 (thin generic kits pull this down; named brands like Arrow run well above it) |
| Rust risk | None, panels are HDPE or PVC resin | Yes at cut edges and scratches unless galvanized and touched up |
| Denting from hail or a dropped rake | Resists dents, can crack in hard impacts when cold | Dents easily, especially thin-gauge budget kits |
| Floor included | Common on mid and large resin sheds; confirm on the listing | Often sold separately as a floor frame kit, confirm before you order |
| Weight for anchoring | Heavier per panel, holds itself down better in wind | Lighter, needs full anchor kit at every corner even on calm sites |
| Shelf load capacity | Molded-in shelf brackets, moderate load | Steel walls plus separate shelving hold more weight |
| Assembly | Snap-fit or bolted panels, two people, no painting | Bolted steel panels, sharp edges, gloves recommended, two people |
| Look and paintability | Molded color only, cannot be repainted | Can be repainted if it fades or the finish chips |
| Best for | Coastal or humid climates, low upkeep | Dry climates, tight budgets, storing heavy equipment |
The options compared
Best premium metal pick (taller walls) Arrow Shed Elite 10' x 8' Tall Outdoor Steel Storage Shed $1,089.96 Check price on Amazon
Prices change often; the button shows today's price on Amazon.
What actually breaks down over time?
Resin panels do not rust because there is no bare steel to expose. The failure points on a resin shed are the door hinges, the roof seams if the caulk dries out, and UV fade on the color over many years outdoors. Metal sheds fail differently: rust starts at any scratch, cut screw hole, or spot where two panels overlap and trap moisture. A galvanized steel shed like the Arrow Classic 8x10 resists this longer than an unbranded budget kit, but it is not immune, especially at the base where snow or wet mulch sits against the wall for weeks.
Hail and impact work in the opposite direction. A resin wall flexes and usually pops back; in a hard cold-weather impact it can crack instead. A metal wall dents and stays dented, which is cosmetic but real if you care about resale or curb appeal.
Which one is actually cheaper?
Sticker price and cost per square foot tell different stories. Small resin cabinets like the compact Rubbermaid and Suncast vertical sheds price out high per square foot because you are paying for a lockable, weatherproof box more than raw storage volume. Full-size resin sheds like the Suncast Tremont 8x10 land closer to $1,599 for 80 square feet, or about $20 a square foot.
Metal is the budget option at scale. Named brands cost more than the site median: the Arrow Classic 8x10 runs about $7.50 a square foot at $599.99, and the taller Arrow Shed Elite 8x10 with its high gable roof runs about $13.60 a square foot at $1,089.96. Unbranded generic steel kits in the 4x6 range can price out under $6 a square foot, which is what drags the category median down. The catch: several Arrow models, including both picks above, do not include a floor and need a separate frame kit, such as the Arrow FDN109 floor base kit sized for 8x8, 10x8, and 10x9 Arrow sheds. Add that cost before you compare against a resin shed that already has a floor.
How much does the floor situation matter?
Read the listing before you assume. Plenty of budget resin sheds skip the floor too, and some metal sheds spell out "No Floor" right in the title, like the GVDV 8x6 utility shed. Some budget resin listings do not confirm a floor either, so do not assume "resin" automatically means "floor included." Setting a shed straight on dirt or grass without a floor invites moisture, pests, and a shed that racks out of square within a season. A gravel pad under a floorless shed helps, but a proper floor kit or a resin shed with one built in is the safer default for anything you plan to keep for years.
Which handles wind and snow better?
Weight helps in wind. A resin shed's mass and low center of gravity mean it needs anchoring but tends to stay put once anchored, with at least one anchor per corner and one every 6 to 8 feet along long walls, same as any shed. Metal sheds are lighter per square foot and more likely to lift or rack in a gust if anchoring is skipped, which is a common corner cut on cheap kits.
Snow load is a roof shape question more than a material one. A shed's unheated, low-risk roof load runs about 0.67 times your local ground snow load before any slope reduction, per the ASCE 7 method, and that math applies whether the panels are resin or steel. Steeper gable roofs, like the one on the Arrow Elite line, shed snow faster than a shallow-pitch resin roof of the same footprint.
How we chose these picks
Nothing here was assembled or tested in person. These picks come from published manufacturer specifications, the exact wording in each Amazon listing, and recurring patterns in verified owner reviews across both categories. Where a listing does not confirm a detail, such as floor inclusion, we say so instead of guessing.
Buying tips before you decide
- Run the numbers on the shed size calculator first; material choice matters less than getting the footprint right.
- If you pick metal, price a floor kit into your total before you compare it against a resin shed's sticker price.
- Check your local code before you build on any material; many towns amend the IRC's 200 square foot storage shed exemption down to 120 or 100 square feet, and electrical work always needs a permit regardless of shed material.
- Call 811 before you dig anchor holes or set posts, on any lot.
Frequently asked questions
Does a resin shed really never rust?
Correct, there is no exposed steel in the wall panels, so the panels themselves cannot rust. Metal fasteners, door tracks, or an add-on shelving unit made of steel can still rust if they get wet, so check what hardware ships with the shed rather than assuming the whole unit is rust-proof.
Is metal actually cheaper than resin?
Per square foot, yes, especially for unbranded generic kits, which is why the steel median price on this site runs around $5.25 a square foot against roughly $18 for resin. Named brands like Arrow cost more than that median, and a floor kit adds to the total if the shed does not include one, so compare full delivered cost, not just the shed price.
Which one lasts longer outdoors?
Resin generally shows its age more gracefully since there is no rust risk, just gradual UV fade on the color. A galvanized metal shed from a name brand can last just as long structurally if the base stays dry and any scratches get touched up, but a neglected budget steel kit near sprinklers or wet mulch will show rust well before a resin shed shows equivalent wear.
Can I paint a metal shed if it fades?
Yes, bare or painted steel can be primed and repainted with an exterior metal paint if the finish chips or fades, which is a real advantage over resin. Resin panels are colored all the way through during molding and cannot be repainted or refinished, so the color you buy is the color you keep.
Does either material need a permit?
Neither material changes your permit exposure. The IRC exempts one-story detached storage sheds up to 200 square feet, but many towns amend that down to 120 or 100 square feet, and setbacks or HOA rules can apply at any size. Electrical work always needs a permit regardless of material. Check your local code before you order either type.
This page is researched guidance, not professional engineering, legal or building-code advice. Sizes, loads and permit rules vary by product and by town: check your local code and the kit manufacturer's instructions before you build.