Resin or "Rubbermaid" Sheds

[deerminator]

Who has them and what's your opinion on them. We have a few smaller ones that you can fit a few garbage cans inside and they've held up well. But thinking about getting a 6x8 one, Keter brand in particular, to turn into a poultry coup. The prices is right and they're supposed to be weather and water proof and fine in wind if you bolt them down to a solid base. But not completely sold yet. Plus for me is the time involved in putting together. Working 60 plus hours a week, I don't have a lot of time to building something and I don't want to spend $3,000 on a small pre-built wood shed.

[gunner55]

We put one up in Mom's backyard about 10-15 yrs ago 7 it's about that size.I'm not sure of the brand but it's held up very well.I'm not sure where we got it probably the save big money store or FF.No problem with wind or rain without bolting it down but this one is pretty heavy plus I'm sure it's full(mostly lawn & garden stuff).Biggest problem we had was putting it together,the last couple of pcs wouldn't fit.It wasn't square so we put patio block under it to level up the ground,it went better after that.

[aanderud]

But thinking about getting a 6x8 one, Keter brand in particular, to turn into a poultry coup. The prices is right and they're supposed to be weather and water proof and fine in wind if you bolt them down to a solid base. But not completely sold yet.

Not an expert, but I've been looking at online reviews for these things off an on, thinking of getting one myself. The "Lifetime" brand seems to have MUCH better reviews, it seems, and roughly the same cost. Might want to keep them in mind.

I'm looking to get something to put under my 3-season porch, which is elevated due to the walk-out basement (it hangs off the back of my main floor house). So, I don't need extreme hail protection or anything like that, just something to keep my stuff dry, and I think something like this will work out just fine. I have a cement slab under there, I think it'll actually be quite easy to assemble, etc.

[Tom7227]

No opinion on the units you are asking about but just want to suggest that you spend a bit of time preparing the site and making sure you have a level spot for it. I don't know what the floors are like but putting it on some treated material like a 4x4 or 5x6 would likely make it a bit more sturdy than if it just sits on the ground. They also could be part of the setup for tying them down. Use some rebar and put a couple holes in the treated wood and pound in a couple feet of rebar, maybe even bend it at the top to secure it a bit better. Then lag bolt the shed to the treated and you should be good to go short of some serious weather.

[deerminator]

Thanks guys. Great input and I did check out some of those lifetime sheds at FF today on way home from work. I do think those are the sturdiest. They seem pretty rock solid. They are more expensive though imho. I think the cheapest one was $999 (8x10). The Keter one I was looking at was just over $400 for 6x8. The only thing I didn't like about the lifetime was that they had skylights. Or what I like to call, pre-made leaks. Norm from This Old House always says he never met a skylight he liked.

I also called tough shed in Savage today. Though they want more than a shed costs for a coop! And I saw one on the list of craig last night. An 8x10 wood one for $450 but SOLD before I could call. Was out there and gone like a flash. When it comes down to it, I think I am going to suck it up and building something "rustic" myself over the Spring/Summer months as sort of therapy. It actually is kind of fun to start and complete something. And the ducks can live in a deck box we have if their shelter isn't done in time. As long as I get it wrapped up before October or so!

[gunner55]

I guess ours came from Sam's,still not sure of the brand.It's been quite a while but think it was in that price range($400),maybe a little more.No skylights in ours either.Good luck with whatever you decide & yes it's time(finally) to start some outside projects.

[amateurfishing]

also check out c o stco.....I am currently looking at an 8 x 12 for $1,000 delivered to my house. I personally think wood & nails will be better than resin/Rubbermaid. after summer storm fronts go through I have seen way too many of those "snap together" versions either on the road or other peoples yards.

[deerminator]

Thanks. Will check that out. Also looked at some pine tongue in groove siding at FF that I could stain with good oil. It's half the price of if I used good plywood for the sides and I wouldn't put anything underneath. It is a duck coop after all. So long as its water and windproof. The plus with a good wood shed is you could put a wall in the middle and make half or more for storage.

[BoxMN]

FWIW, I have two Rubbermaid brand 6x8 plastic sheds at the cabin, and they have been up and working since about 2003. One had a tree fall partially on it, and the door "hinge" broke. I just used some long deck screws and slapped it back together, and it has been working in this condition for a few years - surprised me it still is!

I did build essentially dock sections (one actually is old dock sections) under them to keep them level and up out of the dirt. Screwed the base down to them, and it works great. Good luck!

[deerminator]

Thanks Box. Stopped by Menards at lunch to see the sheds. They had a 7x7x Rubbermaid that looks solid for $499. They had a smaller version of the keter I was looking at it and it seems kind of flimsy. Anywhoo, that was the only one down on the floor. The rest were on the top shelves near the ceiling. &%&^#%^. How are you supposed to check them out? Climb up there? Anywhoo, it gets great reviews online so I may go that route if I choose that style shed.