Over recent years, the use of metal sheds has become popular and common.
Metal sheds can either be made of aluminum, iron, or steel.
Here’s How long Metal Sheds Last:
On average, metal sheds can last up to 25 years and even longer depending on the maintenance, surrounding environment, and atmospheric exposures. Iron sheds will usually last for up to 25 years, while aluminum sheds will last for more than 15 years.
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How Many Years Does Each Brand Last?
Metal sheds can serve long-term storage needs because they are not affected by worms and rodents.
They are also resistant to fires, unlike plastic or wood sheds.
Iron sheds will usually last for up to 25 years, while aluminum sheds will last for more than 15 years.
However, how long they will last depends on the environment and climatic conditions, they are exposed to.
Do Sheds Made From Metal Last Longer Than Last Longer Than Other Materials?
Metal sheds last longer than other forms of sheds.
Even though metal sheds are not as appealing as the fully furnished wooden sheds, the issue here is quality and the ability to resist destruction from rodents and rot.
Do Metal Sheds Require Maintenance?
Metal sheds are globally known for their durability.
These sheds are water-resistant and impervious. They are also cheap to maintain.
High-quality metal sheds such as those made from steel require less maintenance.
Some of the common maintenance measures include:
1. Fixing loose ends of the gutters
Ensuring that the gutters are attached strongly and firmly to the metallic structure or building is important.
2. Improving ventilation
Being metallic, it’s normal that they absorb a lot of heat because they are good conductors.
So it would be best if you considered shading your metal shed.
Metal sheds should be well ventilated to promote good airflow within them.
3. Waterproofing the roof
It’s important to avoid water seeping into the shed.
Coating the metal roof alone to avoid rusting is not enough. Most roofs will come from manufacturers already waterproofed.
However, it is still important that after some months, you do waterproofing.
4. General cleanliness
Always make sure that the exterior of your shed is clean.
Interior cleanliness is also important to ensure that stored items do not rot or rust, contaminating the shed from the inside and reducing its efficiency.
5. Floor elevation and constant drainage check
Checking the base of the shed is necessary to ensure surface water doesn’t seep into the structure.
Direct contact between flowing surface water and the metal shed must be avoided because it results in rusting.
How Long Is the Warranty Period?
Depending on the suppliers of different brands and the quality of the sheds, the average warranty grace period lasts between 10-15 years.
The long warranty period is due to the enduring nature of metal sheds.
For example, BlueScope, a renowned distributor of steel sheds, offers a 15 years warranty counting from the installation date. Viking Steel Structures Limited offers a 20-year limited warranty on rust through the frame with proof of good care by their buyer before the rust cut through their sheds or steel buildings.
At easysteelsheds.com, their warranty goes up to a maximum of 15 years.
It is fair to mention that different companies and manufacturers have different warranties covering specific aspects of the delivered sheds.
How Quickly Do Metal Sheds Rust?
Due to constant exposure to oxygen and moisture, rusting resulting in corrosion is common in metal sheds.
How fast rusting occurs on metal sheds depends on the metal used for construction and the local environment.
The properties of materials that make up the metal are also a factor. For most manufacturers, a mixture of materials in the manufacturing of the metal sheds has helped improve the standard and boost the resistance of the metals to rust.
For example, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer has been introduced to manufacture steel sheds as an alternative to rusting.
Here are users’ best solutions to avoid rusting in metal sheds:
- Fixing and repairing leaks – Water leaks majorly originate from the rooftops of the sheds. There is a need to conduct frequent checks and immediately fix them if any.
- Using a dehumidifier – If moisture builds up in the shed, a dehumidifier is necessary to maintain good airflow in the interior, thus preventing rusting.
- Replacement – For rusting and worn-out parts, replacement with galvanized steel works efficiently. Galvanized steel lasts longer, provided there are no scratched surfaces on the painted shed.
- Scrubbing already formed rust using steel brushes dipped in vinegar.
- By brushing off formed rust using still brush dipped in bleach and application of protective coats.
Other traditional methods of dealing with rust include masking parts with painters’ tape to prevent rusting and applying acrylic house paints.
Do Metal Sheds Fade in the Sun?
Over time, rays from the sun break down chemicals forming the paint on the sheds resulting in fading.
UV rays from the sun are powerful, and if the whole roofing is not equally exposed to the sun, patches of fades on the roofing may be visible. There are other contributing factors to fading, such as moisture and rusting in some salty environments.
Here are a few pointers as to the colors you should pick to reduce signs of fade:
- Choose lighter colors than dark colors – Lighter colors do not reveal fades like darker colors.
- Choose matte colors over glossy color – Matte colors have recently become common and preferred options to serve our domestic needs due to their ability to hide fades.
Here are some of the advisable practices in the maintenance of your metal shed to avoid fading:
- Most effective is normal washing detergent (simply washing and rinsing liquid) with a soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching the surfaces.
- Using low-pressure hose pipes after applying soap is also encouraged.
- It is also important to note that paint can soak in water if exposed for long.
- Use just enough water when washing off dirt and debris such as leaves and twigs.
- Where you locate, your shed is of greater interest.
- Locating the shed beside salty ocean beaches and salty lakes means too much exposure and increased chances of rusting and fading.
Before buying a metal shed, you should always remember that maintenance depends on the color you choose, and as such, your metal shed may require frequent repainting.
Choose easily available colors and those that are easy to repaint.
Sources:
Wooden, Plastic, VS. Metal Sheds