The Hidden Dangers of Buying an Inferior Shed, Part 1: The Product

There are countless dangers when buying a portable building. Many shed companies take shortcuts to offer a lower cost for inferior products and sub-standard warranties.

If you choose the wrong company, your building could end up not lasting the test of time. Cheaper isn’t always better in the long run. You need a shed that is going to last, keep your stuff safe and secure and one that is ensured with the right guarantees.

Choosing the right portable building can even save your life. It did for one of our customers, Dorothy Baldwin of Florida. Learn more about her story by watching this video! For more on how our warehouses differ and exceed others, read this post.

Read more below for a comparison of the building features and construction standards that Cook adheres to compared with many of our competitors. And read part 2 of our series about the dangers of purchasing a shed without the right warranties.

Real vs. Inferior Floor Features

Moisture is one of the biggest problems for your shed’s floor system. If your floor isn’t soundly constructed with the right materials it will rot and your stuff will be damaged.

There are 2 keys when determining if a shed company is actually providing a quality floor- is it elevated from the ground and is it made of weather resistant materials?

At Cook, our floor systems are made entirely of ground contact rated lumber. This ensures it won’t decay or mold over time. If a shed’s floor isn’t constructed with pressure treated lumber, it will eventually rot.

Our notched floor skids (also made of ground contact rated lumber) provide strength, durability and allow buildings to move without damage. Compare the picture above- on top our 4 x 6 notched floor skids, on the bottom, a competitor’s sub-par materials.

Dryer vs. Ridge Vents

During the spring and summer months, rain and condensation cause water droplets to collect and items inside your shed to sweat. This means your shed has improper ventilation.

Many portable building companies design their units with dryer vents. This method is not effective and allows water to get inside the building. Your items will quickly become wet after the rainy season.

But every Cook building has a ridge vent to promote airflow inside the building and eliminate any existing condensation. For our metal buildings, we also add an extra layer of protect in the form of our 7/16” OSB under the metal proof to protect it from moisture damage.

Right vs. Wrong Fasteners and Nails

Double stud construction in the sidewalls provides a larger nailing surface and prevent against separations and gaps in the siding. Other companies looking to cut costs will use single stud construction opening up buildings to damage from weather.

Many of our competitors also use basic nails and even staples to put their buildings together. Regular nails can come out of the sidewall or leave ugly rust stains on the building’s exterior. Cook only uses ring shank coated nails that resist against swelling of the sidewall material.

For more on the differences between Cook and our competitors and how a quality building pays for itself over time, download our Dare to Compare Checklist below.