How long does a steel-framed building last?

Steel-framed buildings can last decades. At Kit Buildings UK, we have a 50-year design life for our steel buildings. As a material, steel is strong, durable, and adaptable, meaning your investment will stay standing for decades to come. They are constructed to withstand corrosion, mould, vermin, and weather events that would typically wreak havoc on other materials. But how does it do this?

Corrosion

Moisture, salt, sulphur, higher temperatures, and strong winds are some of the external elements that can react and corrode a building. The impact of these elements will depend on your location and environment, however once in action, these elements can reduce the structural integrity of your building and the security of your products and machinery.

To tackle this, we follow strict building codes and industry standards to protect against the impact of corrosion. This includes coating cold-formed steel in zinc (a process known as galvanisation) to protect it from rusting. This provides long-term security and durability, particularly around joints and seams.

Mould

Steel is an excellent, mould-resistant material as there’s no food source for mould to grow. It protects your merchandise from mould by using precise framing and screws instead of nails, which creates a secure structural envelope to prevent moisture damage. This means that steel buildings do not contract or expand with the seasons, and remain a secure storage solution for all types of goods, no matter the weather.

Vermin and Local Wildlife

As discussed, our steel buildings create a secure, tight protective envelope around your goods or machinery. Because of this, local wildlife and vermin, like termites and rats are not an issue. Termites, while a disaster for wooden structures are unable to cause structural or aesthetic damage to the steel. And, with a solid concrete foundation that is properly maintained and inspected, rats and other tunnelling rodents won’t be invited in either.

Stability

Steel is isotropic, meaning it has the same dimensional properties in every direction – evenly distributing its strength. With this, our tight designs and construction create the perfect frame to withstand everything from wild winds to local explosions.

Because of this, a steel building can last for decades. That’s why we offer a 15-20 year warranty on our steel cladding and a 50-year design life on all of our buildings. Cold-formed steel buildings can be reconstructed or cleared at an affordable price.

Whether you need a new storage building, warehouse, or steel garage, consult our team of experts. From design to construction, we have you covered. Request a quote today and receive your estimate back within 24 hours. You’ll also receive free two-dimensional drawings saving you time and money.