The Suncast VDB19500J Backyard Oasis Deck Box [Amazon Link] is perhaps the most elegant looking deck box available on the market today. With lines and finish resembling indoor wicker furniture, as opposed to the classic squat, cooler-like design common in resin deck boxes made by many manufacturers, the aesthetics of this storage system are outstanding.
This unit is known as the Backyard Oasis storage and entertaining station, and it is appropriately named. Of course, no one can sit on the Suncast Vertical Deck Box (except maybe a bird!), but this deck box isn’t designed to be used for seating.
Rather, it is a backdrop to a pleasant garden area, with 195 gallons of storage capacity and well thought out functionality.
The VDB19500J is an outstanding deck box with many great use cases, and in this article, we will review the product, and examine how it might best be used in an outdoor area.
Note: Suncast sells another Deck Box that looks extremely similar to the VDB19500J, but does not have an operable lid. It is known as the VDB19521J. Some buyers have reported receiving the wrong box, and not figuring that out until it was all assembled!
When your deck box arrives, be sure to confirm that it is the VDB19500J before you start to assemble it. Our understanding is that the seller on Amazon who had this happen is no longer listed, but please check your box to make sure you have the right item.
Who Needs the Suncast Vertical Deck Box?
The Suncast Vertical Deck Box is ideal for those who need a significant amount of outdoor storage, and intend to keep the storage in a place easily visible from inside the house or from the patio or garden area. The resin wicker finish on the Suncast Vertical Deck Box is about as good as can be found on any piece of outdoor storage furniture, and due to its height and configuration, may be a nice piece of buffer furniture if you want to block the view from one area of the patio to another, say while sitting in a chair.
The Suncast VDB19500J deck box has a large storage capacity, with 195 gallons of storage space. It is excellent for those looking to store outdoor cushions, cutlery, toys, pool equipment, lawn tools, etc. With an operable top, and two doors that open easily, the Suncast VDB19500J allows users easy access to all of the available storage in an extremely attractive, robust shell.
You can store in this deck box (not at the same time!):
- Six full-sized chair cushions
- pool noodles, toys, and treatment supplies
- Several plant pots, several bags of soil, and gardening tools
- 14 Accent pillows, inflatable pool toys, and pots
- Large furniture covers and furniture weights
Dimensions and Capacity
- Exterior Length: 48″
- Exterior Depth: 30 1/4″
- Exterior Height: 41 1/4″
- Interior Length: 45″
- Interior Depth: 29″
- Interior Height: 38″
- Weight: 75lbs
- Storage Capacity: 195 gallons
Specs and Features
- Made of maintenance-free resin plastic
- UV-resistant material that does not need to be painted
- Water resistant design
- Has a double front door
- Operable top lid with two gas shock pistons for easy opening and closing
- Standard bar-height storage
- Same footprint as many traditional deck boxes
- Optional shelf included
- Doors and lid latch with hasp that includes option for padlock (not included)
- Easy assembly
- Made in the USA
- 5 Year limited warranty
For a quick overview of the features of the Suncast Backyard Oasis storage and entertainment system, check out this short video.
Assembly
Two people are really required to get this deck box assembled, as a significant amount of force is needed to put the panels together. Typically it takes an hour for two people to get the Suncast deck box assembled. It should not be very difficult to get assembled, and if you’re having real problems getting the sides assembled, be sure you have them right-side-up.
Also, you should try to assemble and store the deck box in a level area, as assembling it and using it in an off-level area may warp the deck box over time. It’s best to get the ground as level as possible before you start.
It can be extremely helpful to view the assembly instructions of a deck box before purchasing, so you’ll know what you’re getting into before you buy. If you’d like to peruse the assembly instructions, you can view them here [pdf]
Tools Required
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Rubber Mallet
- Philips head screwdriver
- Level
- Two wrenches
The Details
The finish on the Suncast Vertical Deck Box consists of a resin wicker like paneling for the front section and the two sides. The back is finishing in a wood panel-look, with what looks like 3″ boards. And finally, the top is finished with a fine pebbled texture that is great for keeping things steady on a slightly windy day.
The Door and Lid Mechanisms
The doors work in such a way that they cannot be opened without the top lid being opened, so if you plan on storing several items on the top, but also need access to the interior of the deck box, this unit may not be the best choice for you. However, these events are infrequent, and as long as you have a little foresight, the Suncast vertical deck box can be extremely useful.
The lid has two gas-powered pistons that assist in opening and closing the deck box. They function similar to a car trunk, and slow the rate of opening while giving gentle resistance to closing. They also keep the lid suspended so that items can be easily removed from the deck box. The lid is reinforced by two metal rods and can hold a significant amount of weight, perhaps 50-100 lbs. We do not recommend trying to use the top as a seat.
There is a locking latch that will secure both doors and the lid in one mechanism. This will prevent wind or critters from getting into the deck box. On the mechanism, there is a hole to insert a padlock if you wish to secure it against entry by critters of the human species!
Water and Insect Resistance
Suncast does not advertise their vertical deck box as water-proof, but rather as water resistant. It does seem to keep contents pretty well sheltered from water, but if you plan to store a TV set or other electronics items in the deck box, you may want to wrap them in plastic prior to storage for additional protection. You’ll have to decide whether a water-resistant deck box is suitable for your needs, though the seals are quite good, and it does appear to keep water out very well.
Insects can get in through cracks and tiny holes in the deck box, so you may find an occasional critter inside, but nothing substantial should be able to invade.
Shelving
Depending on the seller, some buyers receive a wire metal shelf that spans the width of the deck box. If yours did not include a shelf, and you would like to purchase one, you can find the Suncast VDB19500J deck box shelf here. The shelf can be useful for storage, but many find that they don’t need it.
The Bottom Line
The Suncast Vertical Deck Box Backyard Oasis really is one of the nicest outdoor storage furniture pieces on the market. Yes, it is more expensive than most other deck boxes. But it is also significantly larger than most deck boxes, and can store a lot! This deck box is very elegantly designed, offers a great deal of functionality and aesthetics, is covered by a 5-year warranty, and is Made in the USA. If you’re not looking for a deck box storage bench, the VDB19500J is the best outdoor storage box on the market today.
- 195 GALLON DECK STORAGE BOX: Resin outdoor box has a 195-gallon capacity...
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Water-resistant polyresin construction resists fading...
- VERSATILE USE: Can be used indoors or outdoors to store pool toys, grill...
- FUNCTIONAL DESIGN: Lid flips open on gas shock-assisted hinges for easy...
- IDEAL SIZE: Measures 30" x 45"x 41" for versatile storage without taking up...
Last update on 2024-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leave a Reply