Steel Tanks Or Plastic Tanks. Which Is better?
Many people ring us and automatically ask for plastic oil tanks. However, some customers seem quite surprised when we suggest steel oil tanks! Of course, there are advantages to both types, but your circumstances and requirements may mean that one type is a better fit than the other.
Plastic Tanks
When plastic oil tanks first came onto the market in the UK, many people thought they would last forever. However, that was never the case, as the plastic oil tanks were only designed for 10-15 years.
The reduced life span, coupled with a large batch of faulty polymer early in the 2000s, alongside several manufacturing problems which caused premature failure of plastic tanks, meant many people chose to go back or stick with steel tanks. In addition, steel oil tanks can be much more secure than plastic oil tanks, as plastic can be damaged easily.
Steel Tanks
A good quality steel tank, installed correctly, will last just as long, if not longer, than most plastic oil tanks on the market, but they require some maintenance and must be installed correctly.
Steel oil tanks can be made in ANY size or shape. Therefore, they can be single skin, bunded and also our unique triple skinned fire protected oil tank design which reduces the normal separation distances from buildings and boundaries etc.
Steel oil tanks are usually designed with an anticipated lifespan of around 20 years. However, they require basic maintenance, such as touching any chips in the paintwork and dipping for water. Any water in the tank must be removed as soon as possible, but the same is said for plastic oil tanks.
Plastic oil tanks should also be checked for water annually, usually done as part of your boiler service. However, you can purchase water-finding paste to check your oil tank for water, which you paint onto the bottom of a stick which is long enough to go to the bottom of your oil tank, and if there is any water present in the bottom of your oil tank, the paste will change colour.
Steel Tank Manufacturers
We have been manufacturing steel oil tanks for over 50 years out of our factory in Preston, and we are Oftec-registered steel tank manufacturers.
The regulations are the same for steel and plastic oil tanks.
Steel oil tanks are heavier and take more thought to handle, but our helpful staff are very experienced in tanks and will be more than happy to discuss it with you further, and we can quote for hiab offloading if needed.
Please call us on 01772 338892 to discuss your options, or use the contact form to message us.
All our steel oil tanks can be painted in various colours, including green, dark green, saddle brown, black, blue, light grey or dark grey as standard or any BS or RAL colour for a small extra cost. Some of our standard oil tanks are available online, but we can also make steel oil tanks of any size and shape.
