December 28, 2023
With the holidays right around the corner, it’s time to prepare your property for winter weather. You winterize your major appliance systems and put the finishing touches on your yard – but have you performed proper maintenance on your steel building?
Believe it or not, you can treat your metal structure to preventative care and save yourself a headache in the long run. Your metal building was a significant investment, and taking a few, simple steps will ensure you continue enjoying it for years!
Many owners procrastinate until winter is upon them. Don’t wait! While the weather is still fine, do a thorough inspection of your metal building. Check your roof for corrosion and your vents for cracks or leaks. Go over your windows and doors and see to any repairs before winter arrives.
Is your overeager azalea climbing the shed walls? It’s time to grab the pruning shears! Trees and plants may appear harmless, but they can cause moisture buildup and corrosion concerns over time. Storms can also cause tree debris to damage your building. It’s important to keep vegetation trimmed away from your metal structure.
As a property owner, you are familiar with the importance of clean gutters. Plants, leaves, and other buildups should be removed from gutters before winter. Snow, ice, debris, and water must be directed away from the building’s roof and toward the ground to prevent buildup and corrosion.
If water is kept sitting on your roof, instead of flowing freely to the ground, then it may encourage rust to form on your screws and panels. It’s essential that debris is cleared from your metal building before stormy weather sets in – so clear your roof today!
One of the best aspects of owning a metal building is the easy cleaning process. A simple soap and water solution and a gentle brush will remove almost any kind of dirt from galvanized steel panels. If you want to go the high-tech route, a low-pressure washer will have your metal building sparkling clean in minutes! Cleaning your building reduces the chance that fungal colonies will show up in the spring.
Don’t wait until winter to check for maintenance issues! If you have small cracks, electricity issues, or a rusted screw, you want to address those concerns before they become costly. ‘A penny of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ – and you don’t want to be dealing with leaks when the weather is freezing. Keep a log of your maintenance concerns and have a professional fix them as soon as possible.
Did you know that the design of your metal building significantly impacts its energy efficiency during the winter months? For example, buildings in cold climates enjoy lower heating costs if their roofs are not vaulted steeply. A lower ceiling decreases the interior volume and saves energy. Another design element to consider is an open floorplan; it is easier to heat a single large area than many enclosed spaces with a single building. Obviously, the dimensions of your building will have an enormous impact on your climate control costs – but the larger your metal building, the less you will pay in cost per square foot. If you have more design questions, our metal building specialists are happy to discuss them with you!
Are you still looking for ways to increase energy efficiency during the long winter months? Start by assessing your windows! Cold air seeps through cracked, old windows and will significantly raise your heating bill. Stand next to your windows and see if you feel a temperature difference. If you do, it may be time to invest in spray foam insulation. If your windows are outdated, you may want to consider replacing them altogether. While these changes are expensive initially, you’ll find that they save a lot of money over time!
Windows are not the only trouble spots. Be sure to assess your eaves, base, panel ends, and corners for any air leaks. If you’re working with a tight budget, you can install cheaper fiberglass insulation into these areas as a temporary measure to increase your energy efficiency.
You are looking forward to a warm and happy holiday season, and Garage Buildings is excited to share it with you! Our metal buildings are designed to be energy-efficient and warm throughout the winter, and we offer a range of custom options to make our buildings even more cozy and bright. Call our team today at +1 (888) 234-0475 and see what Garage Buildings can do for you!
It is fast and easy. Get your instant quote today!
