Metal Buildings: The Ultimate Choice for Coastal, Corrosive Environments
Built strong to last long
When you start with a durable material like steel, you benefit from a variety of strength and resilience advantages. For example, no wood framing or siding means no wood rot or constant wood repairs. In terms of durability, you just can’t beat a metal roof. With a more than 50-year lifespan, a metal roof is not only stronger than traditional roofing but also can be counted on to reliably protect the rest of your building. And in addition to lower structural maintenance costs, greater building efficiency means less wear and tear on HVAC systems.
Faced with tough coastal climates, metal buildings are strong enough to meet stringent building codes and high wind load requirements. Many buildings in Florida have been designed to meet wind load requirements up to 170 mph—which is why many hurricane shelters are built using metal building systems. Vulcan Steel offers many products that have Florida Product Approval and Miami-Dade Approval, both of which require rigorous testing to demonstrate a product’s resilience in high wind load environments. In addition, metal buildings can be designed to meet high-velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) requirements, offering added strength and resilience in high wind-borne debris areas.
Start with the right materials
When building near the coast, always choose the sturdiness of steel over wood, which has a tendency to absorb moisture and warp. Even long before a building can be occupied, one coastal storm can scrap an entire lumber site, setting back construction for months. Metal beams are durable, whether in place or in cue, waiting for installation at the jobsite.
While there are still some who have a misconception about the aesthetic range of modern metal buildings, others know that metal building designs can range from traditional forms to innovative designs that employ unique architectural elements to give buildings a high-end look/finish/presentation.
Resilience over rust
So how do we keep steel from rusting in coastal environments? Special coatings make metal buildings resistant to coastal conditions that could cause rust and corrosion. When it comes to Vulcan Steel buildings, in particular, pre-galvanized secondary and hot-dipped galvanized primary framing members, available in G-30 to G-90, offer extreme protection against corrosion-causing elements such as salty sea air. Our finishes are both decorative and resilient. These coatings and finishes are crucial for improving durability and cooling efficiency.
Shelter in the storm
By strictly adhering to our design practices, the Vulcan Steel team is able to engineer metal buildings that meet the requirements for volatile coastal climates and special shelters. With expert planning and manufacturing, we can create shelters for hurricanes, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
When it comes down to the details, metal buildings beat traditional construction in every meaningful category for building in coastal environments. The preferred storm shelter, strong, resilient metal buildings are a reliable investment for any business where efficiency and continuity are priorities. Get in touch with the Vulcan Steel team to begin discussing your coastal project!
