Key Strengths of Steel Buildings: Resilience Against Nature

One of the most important considerations when planning a construction project is its resilience against natural disasters. You want to ensure that your structure can withstand not just harsh weather but seismic activity, flooding, and wildfires. In many cases, metal steel buildings are the best choice, especially when they’re made by reputable manufacturers like Armstrong Steel.

This blog is a rundown of the key strengths and benefits of steel building systems and how they stand up against nature.

Understanding the durability and strength of steel

One of the most remarkable qualities of steel is its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. This makes metal steel buildings incredibly resistant to high wind loads during hurricanes. You can trust that your structure will maintain its integrity even when repeatedly exposed to severe weather conditions.

Better structural integrity

Steel has a long lifespan, often outperforming traditional construction materials by many decades. This longevity brings structural integrity to your building, especially during hurricanes and earthquakes. It won’t compromise safety, making it a good choice for structures in hurricane-prone and earthquake-prone zones. At Armstrong Steel, we stand behind the structural integrity of our metal buildings by providing a 50-year warranty.

Engineered to your site conditions

Steel’s enhanced structural integrity is not just a technical advantage — it’s also a crucial safety measure against nature’s destructive forces. At Armstrong Steel, we consider your area’s environmental factors and local codes when engineering metal steel buildings. Moreover, we consider load requirements. All this ensures stable and resilient structures that can brave nature’s wrath.

Corrosion resistance

Most structural elements will succumb to corrosion, making them susceptible to damage by harsh weather, including high winds. Corrosion doesn’t just weaken their structural integrity but speeds up their deterioration within a few years.

Build long-lasting structures with steel.

Steel is naturally corrosion-resistant, especially when properly galvanized or coated. This ensures the integrity and longevity of your buildings against harsh weather and moisture, mitigating the risk of weakened and degrading structures over time. You can also coat the metal panels with Galvalume, an aluminum compound that further increases corrosion resistance.

Corrosion resistance is an important factor that ensures the strength of steel metal buildings during winter and hurricane season. This improved resilience minimizes the risk of structural failure and other safety issues.

Lightweight structures

Lightweight buildings are better for areas prone to typhoons, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Steel structures are significantly lighter than traditional construction, allowing them to absorb and distribute seismic forces and energy effectively. This means they do better during earthquakes and are unlikely to collapse.

Additionally, low-weight steel buildings can reduce the effect of wind forces to minimize roof failure and any resulting structural collapse during hurricanes or typhoons.

Long-lasting buildings that laugh at nature’s wrath

Traditional construction with concrete or wood doesn’t do well against weather exposure. Within a few years, these structures will show signs of deterioration and natural wear, making frequent upkeep necessary to keep them in good shape. That’s not the case with steel metal buildings, which remain structurally sound for decades.

Minimal maintenance needed

Steel buildings are not as high maintenance as wood and concrete structures. They won’t need frequent repairs every few years, making them cost-effective in the long run. Rotting, splitting, warping, and creeping won’t be issues with metal structures. Plus, the framing won’t contract or expand with temperature changes or moisture content.

Ductility and flexibility

Steel is flexible and ductile, and these features increase your building’s resilience against nature. Unlike traditional building materials, steel flexes and bends without breaking, so your structure will sway and move with strong winds and earthquakes without collapsing.

With a good foundation, structural framework, and strong connections, steel metal buildings can keep up with strong forces to keep you safe. This provides enough time for building occupants to evacuate in the event of an earthquake. Plus, these features prevent the structure from collapsing easily.

Build aesthetically pleasing buildings

Steel’s ductility and flexibility also make it possible to design metal buildings with intricate and cutting-edge features. Our in-house engineers and designers can create unique angles and shapes that not only enhance the building’s aesthetics but also contribute to its ability to withstand natural disasters. This high level of adaptability allows us to design metal buildings for a wide range of applications, including churches, aircraft hangars, homes, and shopping centers.

Fire resistance

You don’t have to be in a wildfire-prone area to appreciate the fire resistance of steel metal buildings. Steel won’t ignite even when exposed to high temperatures. Plus, its low heat conductivity allows it to withstand extreme heat before deforming or buckling.

A non-combustible material

Steel metal buildings are unlikely to burn down and completely be destroyed by fire because the material is non-combustible. Thus, building with steel allows you to protect your assets more effectively against fires while potentially reducing insurance premiums.

Improve your steel building’s fire resistance

Steel’s flexibility allows you to integrate additional safety features in your building, such as fire-rated walls, steel doors, and other structural components. These help contain flames while providing essential escape routes and keeping the fire from spreading too fast.

Build your building with Armstrong Steel

Our pre-engineered steel metal buildings won’t fail you in times of natural disasters. You can learn more about our resilient structures or get a quote by calling us at 1-80–345-4610. You may also use our pricing tool by clicking ‘Price My Building’ here.

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