Stop us if this sounds familiar.
You’re scrolling through shed options online, swapping opinions with mates over the fence, maybe even chatting to a local builder or two. And yet the more you ask, the more confusing it gets. Steel vs timber, kitset vs custom, council consent or not — everyone’s got a story, and none of them line up.
Sound about right?
You’re not alone. We hear it every day from people like you: savvy, practical Kiwis who want to do it once and do it right. So, let’s cut through the noise. In this article, we explore the five most common shed myths we hear - myths that cost time, money and more than a few headaches if you’re not careful.
Table of Contents
- Myth 01: Steel Sheds Last Longer
- Myth 02: Steel Sheds Are Faster to Build Than Timber Sheds
- Myth 03: You Can Easily Convert a Shed Into a Cheap House
- Myth 04: It’s Cheaper to Get an Engineer to Design a Shed Than Buy a Kitset Shed
- Myth 05: “A Shed Is Just a Shed”
Myth 01: Steel Sheds Last Longer
It’s a common assumption that steel equals strength. However, there are two types of steel sheds available in New Zealand - structural steel and rolled steel.
Structural steel is extremely durable as it is often 4 - 12.5mm thick and will last a very long time. Rolled steel is typically only around 2- 3mm thick and relies on the shape of the profile for strength rather than the thickness of the steel itself. Rolled steel is commonly used for smaller sheds as it is cheap and lightweight; however, it is prone to rusting and will wear out much faster than structural steel.
Most rolled steel sheds are constructed using thin, cold-formed steel, which is quick to manufacture but has limited durability. These steel frames usually only qualify for a 25-year building consent, because that’s the realistic lifespan when exposed to NZ conditions. In contrast, Alpine’s timber and structural steel-framed sheds come with a 50-year building consent, the longest consented lifespan you can get.
Why the gap? It comes down to what happens over time. Rolled steel is typically electroplated, not hot-dip galvanised—so the protective zinc layer is thinner and more vulnerable to damage. These sheds are often held together by thousands of Tek screws, and every Tek screw that goes in strips the protection away, leaving raw steel exposed to rust. The weakened steel around the tek screw means the screws often wriggle loose over time, leading to noisy rattles and structural failures.
In comparison, treated timber, like the H3.2 and H5 framing Alpine uses, can't rust, and the structural steel rafters are hot-dip galvanised, widely recognised as the best rust protection you can use.
Read more about steel vs timber kitset sheds here.
Myth 02: Steel Sheds Are Faster to Build Than Timber Sheds
Steel sheds often look faster to build on paper due to lightweight materials, and in some cases, pre-punched holes. But on-site, timber-framed kitset sheds like Alpine’s are often much quicker to build. Here’s why.
Most rolled steel sheds rely on thousands of tek screws, plus many small brackets and braces to create structural strength. This means that more parts are required for installation, and more time is needed for aligning everything. Rolled steel sheds typically need complex reinforced concrete footings which involves detailed boxing, significant amounts of reinforcing steel, and multiple pour stages, especially for portal connections.
Alpine sheds are much simpler at the ground level. Each pole sits in an augered hole around 1.5 metres deep, with concrete poured around the post. It’s a fast, strong, and proven method, especially on rural sites where speed and practicality matter.
On top of that, all Alpine connections are bolted, not screwed. The purlin cleats are pre-welded onto the steel rafters, saving build time. And unlike many steel systems, no props are needed during erection—our sheds are self-supporting as they go up.
Myth 03: You Can Easily Convert a Shed Into a Cheap House
Converting a shed into a home might sound like a smart way to save money, but it rarely works out that way.
Sheds aren’t built to meet NZ’s habitable building code, which has strict requirements for insulation, ventilation, fire safety, and weathertightness. Adding these features to a standard shed design can quickly become expensive and complex, requiring extra engineering, cavity battens, moisture barriers, and other major upgrades.
In many cases, it’s more efficient to place a transportable dwelling onsite for living purposes, while keeping your shed as a shed. That way, you avoid paying for unnecessary engineering and compliance costs where they’re not needed.
Myth 04: It’s Cheaper to Get an Engineer to Design a Shed Than Buy a Kitset
On paper, getting an engineer or architect to design your shed might seem like a way to save money, but in reality, it often leads to higher costs and slower builds.
Custom-designed sheds are frequently over-engineered, using more steel and structural detailing than needed, which adds cost to both materials and construction. It’s also common for architects to charge $10,000 or more for plans, and those plans can still turn out impractical or unfit for how sheds are actually built.
At Alpine, we handle the design, engineering, consenting, and supply of the full kitset, using over 30 years of shed-specific experience. Our designs are optimised to be strong, efficient, and practical, without wasting time or money on unnecessary complexity.
So, while it might look cheaper upfront to go custom, a proven Alpine kitset shed will usually save you time, money, and hassle in the long run.
Myth 05: “A Shed Is Just a Shed”
It’s a phrase we hear a lot: “A shed is just a shed.” But that’s like saying a SsangYong and a Toyota Hilux are exactly the same — because they’re both utes.
While most sheds look similar from a distance, the difference lies in the details. Some designs have features and characteristics that make a big impact over time.
Steel sheds, for example, are often noisier in bad weather, more prone to condensation, and typically last 15–25 years. Most steel designs aren't birdproof, meaning birds nest in the roofspace, with their corrosive droppings resulting in costly, unwanted damage to your expensive assets.
Alpine’s kitset sheds are designed differently. The timber framing means they’re quieter, produce less condensation, and will last twice as long. They're also fully birdproof, meaning there is nowhere for birds to nest inside the shed, providing a safer, more secure storage option.
So no, not all sheds are created equal. And when you’re building on your forever property or a generational farm, it pays to invest in a shed that’s built to last and will be a pleasant, clean, and hygienic space to work in.
Why the Right Shed Choice Matters More Than You Think
Shed myths are easy to believe — until you’re stuck with one that rusts early, rattles in a storm, or doesn’t meet your long-term needs.
Choosing the right shed isn’t just about the next few years. It’s about making a decision that supports your property, your lifestyle, and your legacy. Whether you’re storing machinery, protecting assets, or creating space for future growth, it pays to get it right from the start.
At Alpine, we’ve spent over 30 years refining sheds that last. We design them to be bird-proof, efficient to build, and engineered to last for generations. Because for us - and for our customers, a shed is not just a shed. It’s your forever shed.
