When you invest in a new build, you likely want your building to stand the test of time. Having to spend more money a few years down the road to reconstruct that same building seems less than appealing.

Steel buildings are a popular choice when it comes to construction because of their association with durability. But just how long do they actually last?

We explore the longevity of a steel building below.

The Lifespan of a Steel Building

The Benefits of a Steel Building

While there are several material options to choose from when building, steel has established a reputation for celebrating three main aspects:

Durability

As you can imagine, steel buildings are strong. They are designed to withstand Alberta snowstorms and rainfalls. It is difficult to compromise the makeup of steel, and they are more resistant to the wear and tear that affect other building materials.

Low-Maintenance

Steel buildings typically require less maintenance during their early years. This is an attractive feature for builders who simply want to finish construction and not have to worry about repairs immediately after.

Long-lasting

Steel buildings are generally made to be permanent.

It must be noted, however, that aspects like permit status and maintenance will impact this permanence.

How Long a Steel Building Lasts

The general consensus is that steel buildings can last approximately 50 years, provided you ensure regular upkeep. This can include actions as simple as washing your building and treating small scuffs as they appear.

This isn’t to say that they will be structurally compromised once they surpass that 50-year mark and that they will need to be torn down and rebuilt. Rather, professionals will be needed to be brought in to inspect the building and work on restoring it.

The life expectancy of steel is greater than most other materials used in construction, so choosing to build with it is never a poor decision. Never hesitate to reach out to professionals who specialize in steel buildings to gather more information and gain expert opinions.

With over 20 years of industry experience, Coverco Buildings is the team you can trust when it comes to fabric and steel structures. We offer versatile solutions by providing economical and customized pre-designed buildings for the oil & gas, agricultural, mining, and recreational industries. Our superior engineering is what separates us from the rest, as we emphasize structural integrity, guaranteeing that our buildings can stand against all sorts of terrain and weather changes. With 50-year warranties, we offer you the best service in Ontario, Calgary, and Regina. Call us on 855-931-8600 today.

The stages for steel building development change based on the size and purpose of the structure. For instance, if the building will be exceptionally wide, it may be split in two so that effective transport can be made. This will, of course, involve extra fixtures and shoring for when both halves are joined together.

In other instances, the length of the building may be long enough that several extra supports and braces are required in order to prevent it from having a positive or negative camber. This is essentially a bend in the middle of the structure that will prevent proper placement and alignment of the pieces that must be joined to the steel building.

However, these are just possible considerations that must be taken into account, and the stages after construction may go unchanged.

3 Pre-Stages of Steel Building Development

During the initial bidding phase of the steel building construction, there will be approximately 3 stages.

The first stage is the design process. Here, engineering firms will pour through the specifications and requirements of the client, and design the building they wish to build. From these myriad designs, a decision will be made on who will complete the work.

Therefore, the second stage is the bidding process of construction companies. They will prepare bids based on the material and labor costs associated with the engineering firm’s design, as well as scheduling the progress of the work and clarifying their scope of work.

Finally, once the construction company has been selected, many engineering companies will conduct an audit of the construction facilities to ensure the proper safety, quality, and production standards can be adequately met by the construction company.

3 Stages of Steel Building Construction

Once the construction begins, the material will be ordered and assembled through welding and various other construction processes until the building frame is complete. This typically includes the base of the building and the skeleton structure of the walls and roof. However, pre-engineered steel buildings will have all of the key pieces made, and shipped piecemeal over a period of time.

Next, industrial painters will be employed to prepare the surface and apply a protective coating to ensure the effects of corrosion are limited.

Finally, the building crews will get their hands on the steel building frame and secure the walls and roof to it. After this, the other trades, like electricians and HVAC, will become involved in getting the final pieces installed and ready for deployment to the final destination.