steel frame building can be used for a variety of purposes. They are used to build prefab warehouses, animal husbandry, commercial or industrial facilities, for example. They use structural steel frames and galvanized steel as the external metal cladding. The steel structure system can also be easily adapted to new load conditions, vertical growth, and changes in the owner’s needs. Prefab metal componentsare designed to be easy to install. An important consideration when considering the purchase of a metal building is its lifespan. If properly maintained, a steel structure building can last 50 to 100 years or more.
The lifespan and durability of a metal building depend on the materials used. In addition, weather, regular maintenance, and preventive maintenance can also affect its lifespan. If you maintain your steel structure properly, it will remain strong and stable for a long time. In this way, homeowners will not have to spend a lot of money on repairs due to damage caused by rust, fire, strong winds, or earthquakes.
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How Long Do Prefab Steel Buildings Last?
Steel is one of the strongest and most durable building materials. Steel buildings can last a long time, provided the owner takes care of them. Steel buildings are easy to maintain and don’t develop many problems over time, as concrete and wood buildings do.
Prefab steel buildings have a steel frame structure, which makes it easy to change and customize the structure. As your business grows, you can change the structure of the steel building to meet new needs. In addition, you can also expand it in all directions to increase the available space.
When you consider the lifespan of a steel building, you need to consider how to keep it in good condition. As long as you own a steel building, you don’t have to worry about damage caused by mold, flooding, pests, fire, or bad weather. This means you’ll spend less time and money on repairs. Steel buildings are also good for the environment because they can be recycled over and over again. And they usually use less energy than other types of buildings.
By buying a prefab steel building, you will get a durable building that can be adapted to your needs. You will reduce your environmental impact, save resources, and spend less time and money maintaining your building.
Why Are Steel Buildings So Durable?
Robust and unyielding, steel buildings are built to last. They don’t rust, leak, or attract pests. Steel buildings have excellent overall strength and tensile strength. This makes them resistant to earthquakes, strong winds, heavy snow, or heavy rain. What’s more, steel buildings don’t burn and can resist and prevent the spread of fire.
Steel buildings also have a longer lifespan than other materials. Here’s why:
Corrosion Resistance
Water and oxygen are necessary conditions for steel to corrode. Manufacturers therefore usually paint or galvanize steel components. This prevents water and oxygen from coming into contact with the steel and makes steel buildings more corrosion-resistant. The 2021 IBC (2203.1) stipulates that steel buildings must be designed with corrosion protection. This is especially the case where corrosion could impair the proper functioning of the steel.
On the other hand, corrosion caused by moisture can be a serious problem for wooden buildings. If the wood becomes damp, especially if the moisture content exceeds 18%, the metal nails or screws that hold the wood in place can rust. Rust can therefore damage the wood in the vicinity and reduce its tensile strength. This will reduce the building’s ability to withstand strong winds and earthquakes.
In the case of concrete buildings, the steel reinforcement and other metals used for reinforcement can also corrode. This reduces the strength of the concrete and can lead to it breaking. What is worrying is that the rusting steel reinforcement can expand to a size larger than the steel itself. This can lead to tensile stress (expansion) in the concrete, which in turn can cause cracks and delamination.
Therefore, in terms of corrosion resistance, steel buildings are superior to both wooden and concrete buildings.
Moisture Resistance
Dimensionally stable steel does not change in size when it comes into contact with water. It therefore does not warp, crack, split, or creep over time. Steel components remain strong and straight for the duration of their service life.
The isotropic properties of steel also mean that it has dimensional properties in all directions. This means that steel is strong in all load directions. In addition to being strong, stainless steel is not subject to problems associated with moisture such as rot and mold. These problems can weaken a building.
Wood, on the other hand, shrinks when it dries, which causes long-term problems with the building envelope. This includes repairing cracks in the framework and finishings, as well as painting, caulking, sealing, and termite protection. This will result in higher energy and maintenance costs for you.
Improper construction often leads to structural cracks in concrete walls. Water can then penetrate, weakening the structure. If concrete buildings do not have a good drainage system, water can also penetrate through condensation. What is worrying is that excess moisture in masonry can cause stress on the surface, causing it to crack, spill, or flake. Spalling can eventually lead to large areas of brick falling off and crumbling, causing serious damage to the structure.
In other words, excessive moisture in concrete and wooden walls can also lead to rot. This can have a detrimental effect on the structure.
Insect Resistance
In the USA, wood-eating termites cause more than $5 billion worth of damage to buildings every year. They weaken the structure and reduce the service life of the building. It is important to prevent termites from entering wooden buildings, as this requires regular and expensive maintenance. Moreover, inspections must be carried out by specialists using specialist tools.
On the other hand, a termite-resistant steel structure does not need to worry about termite damage. Therefore, it does not need to spend a lot of money on repair and maintenance like a wooden structure. The International Residential Code states that cold-formed steel (CFS) meets the standards for termite-resistant construction.
Comprehensive Strength and Tensile Strength
The strength of alloyed metals such as steel depends on the materials used to make them. These include manganese, silicon, phosphorus, oxygen, and the very strong iron and carbon. The strength of steel is further increased during the melting process by the associated melting process.
As a result, steel has excellent ductility and comprehensive strength. This, combined with the good design and engineering of steel buildings. Therefore, prefab metal buildings have a longer lifespan and can protect buildings from strong winds and earthquakes.
On the other hand, if a wooden building is to be wind-resistant, it must have a continuous load-bearing line from roof to ground. It must also be able to stop moving objects during strong winds. Building disaster-resistant wooden buildings costs 25-30% more than ordinary wooden buildings.
Concrete can be made very strong by mixing sand, cement, gravel, and water. However, it lacks tensile strength, which means it cannot withstand the effects of an earthquake. Building contractors therefore have to add steel reinforcement to the concrete to increase its strength and flexibility.
Fire Resistance
Fire can quickly destroy everything in a building and endanger the people living or working there. Wood is a natural fuel, so wooden buildings are more likely to catch fire. When a fire breaks out, it can spread quickly through a wooden building.
steel offers excellent fire protection and will not ignite. Steel buildings therefore prevent the spread of fire, giving people more time to escape and wait for emergency services. Steel buildings are generally safer because they effectively prevent the spread of fire.
Start your project today with a tailored price estimate for your steel building.
How to Maintain a Steel Structure Building
Regular maintenance and inspection of steel structure buildings can reduce repair costs. This ensures that they function perfectly and extends the life of the building. However, the methods of regular maintenance vary greatly depending on the type of building and the degree to which the steel is exposed to the weather.
Here are some tips on how to keep a steel structure building in good condition:
Trim Trees and Shrubs Around the Steel Structure Building
When greenery touches the steel structure, it blocks the air circulation. This prevents moisture from evaporating from the building. As a result, this can lead to the growth of harmful and unhealthy mould.
In addition, hedges around the steel structure can also put pressure on the sides of the building. This can affect the stability of the foundation and wall structure. If the hedges are less than a foot away from the steel structure, they can put pressure on the sides of the building. This can affect the stability of the foundation and wall structure.
Check the Building Site
To make your steel building durable, you need to remove everything that comes into contact with the outside. Examples include tools, roofing boards and metal shavings. These things increase the load weight of the building. In addition, they obscure the building surface, causing water to accumulate and rust to form.
Check Holes in the Walls
If holes appear in the walls of a steel construction, this could allow insects to get in from the outside and air to get in. Worryingly, this air can contain a lot of moisture. If moisture builds up in the insulation, it can lead to mould and rust, which can damage the structure. In severe cases, you may even have to replace the entire wall.
Regular Cleaning
Over time, the surface of a steel construction can become dull and dirty, which encourages the growth of mould and rust. To keep your building in good condition, check it regularly for stains, dirt or dust. You will then need to clean the entire steel construction inside and out twice a year.
Check Garage Doors, Doors and Windows
Check the seals around windows, doors and garage doors for leaks and mould. If you find any problems, seal or repair them and remove the mould.
You should also check the garage door tracks, automatic reversing safety device, cables, rollers and general cleanliness. If any of these parts are not working properly, then water could seep into the steel building.
Repair Scratches and Light Wear
If the coating of a metal material is damaged, it can lead to it being exposed to the air. Then it can become damp, which can lead to rust and mould. Regularly check the steel building for scratches and paint or prime where necessary.
Check and Clean Gutters and Drains
If gutters and drains become blocked with leaves, branches, and other things, water can overflow, leading to mold and rust. If you own a steel commercial building, you should check the gutters and drains at least twice a year.
Clear Snow from the Roof Quickly
Steel buildings can bend under the weight of too much snow. This is especially the case when the snow load on the roof exceeds the weight that the building can bear. You should hire a professional to clear the snow from the roof. It is dangerous to clear the snow yourself.
Learn more: Steel Buildings Snow Load
Why Choose the Long-lasting Xinguangzheng Steel Structure Building?
Xinguangzheng steel structure buildings are durable, disaster-resistant, and recyclable. They are therefore an environmentally friendly choice for building long-lasting commercial buildings. This saves owners time and money on maintenance and reconstruction. Xinguangzheng steel structure buildings also help the commercial building industry reduce its impact on natural resources, which benefits the health of our entire community.
When properly maintained, the flexible design of Xinguangzheng steel buildings ensures that metal buildings have a long lifespan. This reduces the need to demolish buildings, waste resources and release greenhouse gases. Contact our professional service staff to learn more about the lifespan of steel buildings and the importance of building to last.
Summary
Maintaining and servicing metal buildings takes time. Small problems can become big problems if they are not looked after and fixed immediately. Metal building owners can keep their metal buildings in good condition by
- Employing trusted engineers and contractors
- Following maintenance schedules
- Performing seasonal preparation checks
- Inspecting after severe weather
Documenting everything you do and ensuring that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. With regular and sensible preventative maintenance, steel buildings can easily last 50 years or more. Modern prefabricated steel buildings are therefore a very long-lasting building method. They retain their value over time.
