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Just realized my cheap resin shed was a fire hazard | Backyard Storage - Vivisector

Just realized my cheap resin shed was a fire hazard

I bought this plastic shed from a big box store like 3 years ago and thought I got a steal at $250. After a hot summer here in Phoenix, I went out back and noticed the wall panels were warped and the metal roof was actually touching the side. My neighbor who does HVAC pointed out how the sun was basically melting the thing and said if I had a short in an extension cord out there, it could catch quick. Has anyone else had this issue with those budget plastic sheds?

3 comments

3 Comments

violag802mo ago

Oh come on, you're really gonna blame the shed for the sun doing what it does? You live in Phoenix, it's literally a desert. What did you expect, that a $250 piece of molded plastic would hold up like a concrete bunker? I've had one of these things for 5 years here in Texas and it's fine because I actually put it in the shade and didn't run any sketchy extension cords inside it. The real fire hazard is probably that cheap cord you plugged in, not the shed itself.

the_eric2mo ago

Hold up, is that really the main point though? I live in Arizona too and I see these sheds cracking and warping in under two years even when they're parked under a patio. You got lucky with your setup in Texas, but not everyone has a shady spot or the cash to build a permanent structure. And the extension cord thing is a separate issue - the shed itself is marketed as a durable outdoor solution, not a garage accessory. If the plastic can't handle direct sun in a place where people actually buy these things for their yards, that's a legit design problem, not just user error.

williamhenderson2mo ago

Yeah I gotta admit, I was in the "just user error" camp until my neighbor's identical shed cracked to hell in two years while mine under a tree was fine. @the_eric makes a solid point that if they're selling these for open backyards in Arizona, the plastic should hold up better than it does. How long did yours last before you saw any damage?