Strong Factors Affecting The Lifespan Of Your Metal Garage

Want to build a perfect metal garage for your home, farm, or business? After all, it offers a reliable space for vehicles, tools, and storage, and is made to stand the test of time. But, to make it long-lasting, you must choose the right material and correct foundation type and schedule regular upkeep.

What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Steel Garage?

A sturdy steel garage can last for 50 to 100 years, depending on various factors like the material used, external environmental conditions (including extreme weather events), maintenance practice, and foundation strength. Metal garages are known for their higher durability, cost-effectiveness, and structural strength, which makes them a popular choice among home and farm owners.

But, without proper planning and minimal maintenance, even the sturdiest steel buildings can face wear and tear. So, what to do? Let’s check out some aging factors for a metal parking garage that you must consider to prolong its life.

What Affects The Strength And Longevity Of Your Metal Garage?

6 strong factors that affect the lifespan of a metal garage that you must consider to see a difference:

1. Quality Of Material Used Matters For Garage’s Longevity

Steel Gauge – The ‘gauge’ is a measure of the thickness of a metal. Generally, you get steel frames in 12-gauge or 14-gauge thickness. But how to pick the right metal gauge for metal garages? First, find out the purpose of the structure. If it requires higher load bearing or you want a larger & wider building, opt for a 12-gauge frame.

The same goes for the metal panels for the roof, side, and end walls. You can opt for 22-gauge panels for areas with hailstorms for extra durability.

Protective Coating – We provide 100% galvanized steel that is dipped in molten zinc to create an even coating over the surface. This reduces the chances of rusting and corrosion, prolonging the lifespan of a steel structure. Once installed, it won’t need annual recoating either, saving money.

You can choose paint finishes, baked enamels, UV-resistant coating, and wainscoting, which further create a barrier between the metal and the external environment, protecting the structure from deterioration.

Component Quality – Apart from materials, fasteners, seals, bolts, and trims’ quality matters as well. It is important to get high-quality fasteners like galvanized bolts and screws to prevent rust and ensure the structure is safe during rain and snow.

Choose weatherproof seals and edge trims to protect vulnerable corners from wear and to keep the moisture out. One of the best qualities of structural steel is that once produced, it can be reused endlessly without losing strength or durability. This makes steel the world’s most recycled metal.

2. Proper Garage Installation And Construction Techniques

Expert Installation Vs. DIY Risks – Another factor that plays an important role in deciding the lifespan of a steel modular garage is its installation (professional vs. DIY). The DIY may sound money-saving, but most metal building dealers and manufacturers won’t provide a warranty since there is no guarantee of precision assembling of the parts and regularity compliance.

So, follow the metal buildings installation guide from pre-installation, during assembling, and post-installation for durable and higher structural stability. This includes designing, securing permits, laying the base, anchoring, frame assembling, electric and plumbing fixes, to exterior finishing and touch-ups.

And, if you don’t have any prior experience, it is best to hire a professional construction team. At Viking Steel Structures, we understand that it can be a pain to find a reliable crew or a sturdy sheet metal shop for sale. That’s why we offer shipping and installation services included with your final quote on garages, carports, barns, and all other metal buildings.

Structural Integrity – A well-built metal structure can withstand environmental challenges like heavy rain, snow, and seismic activity. Here, the strength of the structure depends on proper load calculation, certified engineering design, and adherence to local building codes for long-term durability.

You can get a certified steel building that can withstand strong winds of up to 180 mph and heavy snow loads of up to 80 PSF to prevent roof collapse or frame failure. Another thing is to opt for rigid frame construction, especially for large metal commercial buildings, which offer high load bearing and are strong enough to resist bending from wind and snow, while a tube frame is ideal for a small outdoor shed or a one car garage.

Proper Foundation – A foundation is where the entire skeleton of a building sits. So, it must be robust, quality-built, and durable enough to bear everyday loads. You can choose leveled ground for a concrete slab with a reinforced base to distribute the weight evenly and reduce stress on parts of the metal frame.

Depending on the use of the steel parking garage, you can choose the foundation to be a concrete slab, pier/ post anchors, a dirt and gravel base, or an asphalt base.

3. Customization And Upgrades For Metal Garage Longevity

Ventilation – A vent will prevent humidity and promote air circulation inside a fully enclosed garage. You can choose between natural and mechanical ventilation, depending on your needs, to avoid rusting, molding, and deterioration of the metal panels.

Opt for designing multiple windows at regular intervals for natural lighting and to bring in fresh airflow. You can also choose ridge, wall, or louver vents for a home or farm garage.

Condensation Control – To reduce condensation and moisture buildup inside a metal structure, an insulator is essential. It increases the building’s resistance to rust, pests, fire, and molding, thereby prolonging its lifespan. We offer affordable commercial metal garage insulation like single and double bubbles, and if you need higher thermal efficiency, we provide woven R17 insulators as an option, too.

One cost-saving tip would be to choose a light-color metal panel for areas with long summers to reflect most sunlight. Both insulation and ventilation systems work together to reduce moisture and humidity, which prolongs metal structures.

4. Climate And Environmental Exposure On Garage’s Exterior

Climate – Ensure to choose a metal garage building design that complies with your local weather all year round. For example, select a vertical roof garage for areas with heavy snowfall and rain to quickly drain water away, prevent water logging, and increase the lifespan of metal components.

We provide roof pitches from 3/12 to 6/12 to choose from. Make sure to check wind ratings before selecting one.

Natural Disaster – Our steel garage buildings are engineered with precision and can outperform traditional buildings in extreme conditions. For instance, during earthquakes, metal flexes instead of cracking, while during wildfires, steel doesn’t start to burn rapidly, reducing fire risks.

You can opt for elevated concrete slab bases for areas with constant flooding to prevent water damage and add life to steel frame garages.

5. Regular Maintenance And Care Of Steel Parking Garage

Regular Inspection – It is important to schedule a regular monitoring of your metal 2 car garage to check sealants, cracks, gaps, and loose screws. Also, notice any faded or chipped paint, which can expose metal to the outdoors and cause rust development. Notice the edges of the foundation for any cracks and fill them if needed.

Cleaning – Since steel is a non-porous and dense material, termites and mold can’t seep into its frames, posts, and panels. Thus, cleaning is easy with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush to remove stains like bird dropping.

Prompt Repairs – If you find any minor issues over the roof or panels, fix them promptly to avoid expensive repairs in the future. Some tips for metal building maintenance include lubricating moving parts, sealing any gaps, holes, and joints, and addressing dents with proper touch-ups.

Repainting & Recoating – Although you don’t need to repaint a metal building if you notice any area over the panel with fading paint or developing minor rust, clean and sand it, apply metal primer over it, and finally, apply one or two coats of metal paint to seal it. This will increase the life of the panel.

6. Proper Use And Load Management

Drainage Solution – For areas with frequent rain and snow, you can install a gutter with a downspout. It helps in carrying water away from the building’s foundation to a deposition tank, reducing the chances of rust or leaks. That’s why gutters are crucial for steel buildings. You can get decorative downspouts from online places to increase aesthetics.

Weight On Roof And Foundation – Ensure distribution of all loads equally to avoid collapse, such as 12-gauge steel frames to bear live loads (from rain, wind pressure, or snow) and extra braces and purlins to bear dead loads (from the static weight of roof panels, trusses, and accessories).

If you want to store heavy machinery or RV-size vehicles, opt for reinforced concrete with 6 to 8 inches of thickness. For loose soil, consider compaction or a deeper foundation for long-term stability.

Looking For A Custom Garage Solution? Get Expert Advice Today!

The lifespan of a metal one car garage depends on more than just its initial build. To prolong its life, you must choose a high-quality material, the best design and style that suits everyday needs and local climatic conditions, and an excellent installation team for proper assembly.

At Viking Steel Structures, we provide all these, along with tons of customizable features that you can add to your residential-style garage or any metal building to enhance its functionality and look. Call us now at 877-801-3263 for a free quote.