If you are looking for a tank to store heating fuel, water, diesel or something else, one of the big considerations is whether to choose a plastic or steel tank. It’s important to make the right decision to suit your needs, whether the tank is for domestic use or for agriculture, construction, the events industry or another commercial situation.
When considering whether plastic or steel is the better option for your business or home, there are a number of factors to take into account…
Plastic tanks
Plastic tanks are considerably cheaper than steel tanks, due to both the cost of the material and the manufacturing process. If you’re looking for a good value storage solution, a plastic tank would usually be your best option. Plastic tanks are often the right choice if you are looking for a heating oil tank for your home.
While not as strong as steel, plastic tanks are still very durable. Plastic bunded oil tanks stocked here at Tanks for Everything have a 10-year warranty, but many will last for 15 or even 20 years if sheltered from the elements.
Plastic tanks won’t corrode like steel and don’t require any maintenance.
Plastic tanks are also lighter than steel tanks, so they are a better choice if you are looking for a short-term tank or something which can easily be moved from site to site, for example in the construction industry.
Some liquids, for example AdBlue, aren’t compatible with steel and can cause corrosion. In those situations, it is essential to use a plastic storage tank.
Disadvantages
While plastic tanks are made from very hardwearing material, prolonged exposure to extreme cold, heat or UV rays can cause them to crack or warp. If you choose a plastic storage tank, it is important to protect it from the elements as much as possible to help extend its life.
Plastic tanks are much more vulnerable to fuel theft than steel tanks – with the material being both easier and quieter to break into. Theft of both heating oil and diesel is on the rise, especially in remote locations like farms and transport depots.
Plastic tanks are also more likely to sustain damage from things like vehicles crashing into them or branches of trees falling onto them. For this reason, it is essential to choose the location of your plastic tank carefully.
Plastic tanks usually end up in landfill when they reach the end of their useful life, as they aren’t easy to recycle.
Steel tanks
Advantages
Steel tanks can be manufactured in much bigger capacities than plastic tanks. At Tanks for Everything, the biggest bunded steel heating oil tank we stock is 20,000 litres, but it is possible to purchase steel tanks, including custom-built tanks, with much bigger capacities. So, if you are looking for a big storage capacity for a commercial or industrial site, a steel tank would be the best option.
Steel tanks are strong, hardwearing and weather resistant. With the right maintenance, they can last for 20 or even 30 years.
Steel tanks offer better protection against both fuel theft and impact damage eg from vehicles or falling branches.
Steel tanks can be painted to match their surroundings – or even your corporate colours – meaning they can blend in or stand out as you choose, while the paint serves as protection against corrosion.
Steel is a sustainable material and steel tanks are fully recyclable when they reach the end of their useful life.
Disdavantages
Due to the cost of the raw material and the more labour-intensive manufacturing process, steel tanks are significantly more expensive than plastic
tanks. This is a big consideration if you are on a tight budget. Expect to pay close to twice as much for a steel tank of the same capacity as a plastic one.
Steel tanks are a lot heavier than plastic tanks, making installation more difficult. They may require specialist machinery to move them, pushing up the cost. This makes steel less practical in situations where it might be necessary to move them from site to site eg in construction or the events industry.
Steel tanks can rust or corrode over time. This can lead to leaks and could compromise the quality of the liquid being stored, as well as cause damage to the tank. This means steel tanks require more maintenance than plastic tanks eg checking for rust and touching up paintwork. This will help preserve the life of the tank, but is also a time and cost consideration to take into account.
There is no real right answer to the question of whether a plastic or steel tank is ‘better’. The better tank is the one which best suits your requirements, taking into account factors like how much liquid you need to store, how frequently you will use the liquid (is it an emergency back-up or for everyday use?), whether you will need to move the tank and your budget.
If you are looking for a big storage capacity and a durable, long-lasting tank which can withstand extreme weather, a steel tank would probably be the better choice. But if you are on tighter budget and are looking for a tank which needs less maintenance, a plastic tank might be the best option.
At Tanks for Everything, we offer a wide selection of high quality plastic and steel fuel tanks - get in touch with us today or explore our range on our website.
