Steel vs Plastic Oil Tanks – What Fuel Storage Tank Is For You?

If you’re looking for a fuel storage tank for your home or for business use, you have two main options when it comes to choosing what material it should be made from steel or plastic. Both materials are highly popular and which one you prefer will depend on a variety of factors individual to each customer. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of the key advantages and disadvantages of choosing either plastic or steel for your fuel storage tank:

The Advantages of Steel Tanks

• Highly durable and long-lasting; less likely to be damaged by extreme weather conditions such as the UV rays in sunlight that can damage plastic tanks
• Good for security – can’t (more difficult to) drill into them and siphon off the fuel; important consideration as this is a growing problem in the UK
• Can be configured the way you want it – at RPM Fuels we offer bespoke diesel, bunded and single skin oil tanks; also, with split compartments for different fuels e.g. red and white diesel and can make them to a variety of (non-standard) sizes

The Disadvantages of Steel Tanks

• Older tanks can corrode over a period of time if not purchased from a reputable supplier
• Will need painting regularly to avoid this problem
• Also, much heavier, so less easy to manoeuvre if you ever want to change its location

The Advantages of Plastic Tanks

• Will never corrode, so you won’t have any problem with leaks/expensive clean-ups
• Don’t have seams, which means they have no structural weaknesses
• Easier to transport should you ever need to move it on your premises
• Plastic is an insulator, so there is less likely to be an issue with heat being transferred from the environment to the fuel stored in the tank (fewer condensation issues inside plastic tanks in the winter)

The Disadvantages of Plastic Tanks

• More vulnerable to damage, whether it is caused accidentally or deliberately (by thieves or vandals)
• Not self-supporting like steel tanks. The base of a plastic tank needs supporting along its entire base when put on brick piers, unlike a steel tank
• Can also be weakened by exposure to direct sunlight, so may be less suitable for outdoor storage
• Plastic may be hard to recycle once the tank has reached the end of its working life – can absorb some of the chemicals in the fuel over time
• May be limited to off-the-shelf, standard sizes rather than bespoke solutions

Steel and Plastic Fuel Storage Tanks from RPM Fuels

At RPM Fuels we have many years of experience in supplying both steel and plastic tanks, so we will be able to find one which will meet all your needs – and comply with any relevant safety legislation.

As well as diesel, bunded and single-skin steel tanks we can also supply specialist products e.g. Fuel bowsers, fuel pumps and bunded generator tanks. Our range of plastic tanks includes bunded and single skin storage tanks (latter used primarily for domestic properties if a bunded tank is not deemed to be required) as well as specialist products such as waste oil storage tanks, spill containment and water storage (both drinking and non-drinking water).

If you are unsure about which type of fuel storage tank is best for you, contact us by following this link or call us on 01473 787787 and we will be pleased to help you.