We sell steel-framed buildings, so treat this as an interested opinion. But the reasoning below is checkable, and where wood is the better answer we will say so.
Florida is a harder environment for a shed than most of the country. The combination is what does the damage: sustained heat, high humidity nearly year round, driving rain, termites, and a storm season that tests anchoring every year. A building that would last thirty years in Colorado does not get thirty years here.
The four Florida problems
Humidity. Wood absorbs moisture, swells, and then shrinks when it dries. Repeat that cycle a few thousand times and joints loosen, fasteners work free, and doors stop closing square. Steel is dimensionally stable and does not expand or contract with moisture.
Termites. This is the one that ends wood sheds in Northeast Florida. Steel is not vulnerable to termites or other organisms. There is nothing in a steel frame for them to eat.
Rot and mold. Same root cause as the humidity problem. A steel frame does not rot or grow mold. Anything stored inside still can, which is a ventilation question rather than a framing question.
Wind. Steel framing uses screwed connections rather than nailed ones, which gives a lower probability of damage in high winds. Our Lark Accu-Steel buildings are rated for wind loads up to 160 mph when properly installed and anchored.
Where steel wins clearly
- No structural deterioration from moisture or pests. Lark Accu-Steel buildings use a fully integrated steel framing system with no structural wood in the frame at all. Steel roof frame, steel framed walls, reinforced cross bracing, steel floor joists.
- No painting or ongoing maintenance. A wood shed in Florida is a repainting schedule. A steel one is not.
- Strength to weight. Steel has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any common building material, which is why the frame can be light and still carry the load.
- Fire. Steel does not burn or add fuel to the spread of fire.
- Waste and recyclability. Steel produces roughly 2 percent scrap in manufacturing versus roughly 20 percent for wood, and it is 100 percent recyclable.
Where wood still has a case
Being straight about this: wood is easier to modify. If you want to cut in a new window next spring, hang heavy shelving anywhere on a whim, or frame in a partition yourself on a Saturday, wood is more forgiving of amateur changes.
Some people also simply prefer the look, and some HOAs have finish requirements that push in a particular direction.
If either of those is the deciding factor for you, that is a legitimate reason. Just go in knowing what the Florida maintenance schedule looks like, and budget for it.
What the cost comparison actually looks like
Purchase price is the wrong comparison. The right one is purchase price plus what you spend keeping it standing.
On the wood side over a decade in this climate, plan on repainting or resealing on a cycle, treating for pests, replacing trim and any framing that has taken on water, and dealing with doors that no longer sit square.
On the steel side, the maintenance line is much closer to zero. What you do instead is check the anchoring annually and keep the doors and hardware in good shape.
Our current inventory runs about $1,998 to $9,198 depending on size and style, and pricing moves as stock turns. See the inventory page for today’s list.
What to actually inspect on any shed
Whether you buy from us or not, look at these:
- Is there structural wood in the frame? Some buildings marketed as metal sheds are metal-clad over a wood frame. That is a different product with wood’s problems and metal’s appearance.
- How is it fastened? Screwed connections beat nailed ones for wind.
- What does the floor sit on? Floor joists are where moisture damage starts on a lot of buildings.
- What is the wind rating, and under what installation conditions? A rating that does not specify installation and anchoring conditions is not telling you much.
- Who installs and anchors it? Ours is included free within 50 miles: delivered, leveled, anchored, and tied down.
- What does the manufacturer warranty cover? Ours are published in full on the warranties page from Lark Accusteel and Metal Structures Company. Read the terms and exclusions.
Ventilation matters either way
A sealed building in Florida sweats. Whatever framing you choose, think about airflow if you are storing anything that cares about humidity: tools, paper, fabric, electronics, or anything with a motor.
This is a storage practice question as much as a building question. A steel frame will not rot but the mower inside it can still corrode in stagnant humid air.
What we deliver, and where
Free delivery and installation within 50 miles, including leveling, anchoring, and tie-down. In-stock buildings typically arrive within 5 to 7 days and custom builds within 3 to 4 weeks.
We serve Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Green Cove Springs, Fruit Cove, and the rest of Northeast Florida.
Frequently asked questions
Does a metal shed get hotter inside than a wood shed?
Any closed structure in Florida sun gets hot. Ventilation and what you store matter more than framing material. If you plan to work in the building, plan for airflow regardless of what it is framed with.
Do metal sheds rust in Florida?
The relevant question is what the panels and frame are treated with and how the building is maintained. Coastal salt air is harder on any structure, so if you are near the water, ask specifically about it for your site.
Are metal sheds louder in the rain?
Yes, noticeably. Some people like it. If the building is going to be a home office or a hobby space you spend real time in, it is worth factoring in.
Can I hang shelves in a steel-framed shed?
Yes, but you are attaching to steel framing rather than wood studs, so you use the right fasteners and you plan the locations rather than improvising. This is the main tradeoff versus wood.
What is the wind rating on your buildings?
Lark Accu-Steel buildings are rated for wind loads up to 160 mph when properly installed and anchored.
Are your buildings made in the USA?
Yes. All Lark Accu-Steel sheds are manufactured in the United States using U.S. steel from Lark Buildings.
See both in person
The comparison makes a lot more sense standing inside one. When you step inside a Lark Accu-Steel shed you can see the steel framing throughout the interior structure, which is the difference the spec sheet is describing.
Come by the Philips Hwy Sales Lot at 9092 Philips Hwy in Jacksonville, or browse durable buildings first.