How Metal Garages Perform in Snow, Rain, Wind, and Extreme Weather?

Are you dreaming of a new garage, but worried if it can hold firm during snow, rain, and strong winds? Mother Nature can be tough, but choosing the right garage can make all the difference! The two most popular options are wood and metal. Metal garages are super strong and last longer than traditional wooden ones. They are certified, built for tough weather conditions, and don’t rot or decay like wood.

In this blog, we will explore how metal-certified garages survive crazy weather, be it heavy snow, rain, strong winds, or storms. If you are planning to buy a new steel prefab garage, this will help you understand why metal is a smart choice.

A. Metal Garages In Snow Prone States

The snowy states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, Maine, and New York need a parking space that can handle lots of snow, especially during winter.

But, Why Is Snowy Weather A Challenge?

• Winters can be moist and tough.
• Heavy snowfall can pile up on the roof.
• Ice buildup can make the surface slippery.
• Freezing temperatures can make the garage cold inside and clog gutters.

Now, you may be thinking, how much snow can a metal parking building hold? Let’s check:

Snow can be heavy, and too much accumulation over the roof can lead to collapse. That’s why every state has a snow load rating that tells you how much snow a garage’s roof must be able to handle. To avoid structural strain or collapse due to snow, it is best to learn about different types of structural loads on metal buildings, such as dead load, snow load, and imposed load. We offer certified steel buildings that can withstand up to 80 pounds per sq. ft. on snow load.

Winter Maintenance Tips For A Metal Parking Building

• Clear off snow often from the roof to avoid piling up and an unexpected roof avalanche.
• Check for ice buildup in gutters and downspouts, as it might choke the drainage, leading to rust.
• Inspect insulation annually to see if there are any areas that need repairs or replacement.
• Make sure to choose a strong snow rating, a certified metal parking structure that can handle heavy snow.

Summary:

• Best Roofing for Snow: Vertical corrugated metal panels.
• Ideal Roof Pitch for Heavy Snow: 5/12 or 6/12.
• Best Steel Gauge to Handle Heavy Load: 12-gauge steel building.
• Ideal Foundation for Snowy Areas: Concrete Slab, Pier (deep frost lines), Perimeter Wall, Floating Slab (less snow regions), and helical pier (unstable/ frozen ground).

B. Steel Garages In Heavy Rain States

Rainy states like Washington, Oregon, Louisiana, Florida, and Hawaii have a lot of rain, which can damage the garage structure and compromise its structural integrity over time.

Problems With Rainy Weather

• Heavy rain can lead to the following issues:
• Too much moisture accumulation can trigger rusting.
• Risk of flooding or water pooling around the garage, which can weaken the foundation.
• Leaks over the roof can destroy or damage stored items or rot perishable goods.

The steel parking buildings are made using dense, durable, and non-porous materials, which are naturally water-resistant. You can further add these custom features to prolong its life and save big on steel building costs over time.

• Galvanized Steel Coating: It comes with a coating of molten zinc that creates a protective barrier over the steel that helps prevent rusting, especially in humid areas like Florida and Louisiana.
• Add Good Drainage: A well-designed gutter system around the edge of the roof will drive water away from doors, windows, and foundation, preventing any damage.
• Waterproofing and Sealants: Sealants, flashing, etc., will block leaks to keep the inside dry, just like a raincoat.

Tip: We suggest using sloped roofs that act like a giant slide for rainwater and proper waterproof weatherproofing to ensure the steel structure lasts for decades.

Summary:

• Best Roofing for Rain: Vertical corrugated metal panels.
• Ideal Roof Pitch for Heavy Rain: Steeper Roof for easy flow off.
• Best Steel Gauge to Handle Downpour: 14-gauge steel building (for moderate rain).
• Ideal Foundation for Rainy Areas: Slab-on-grade, pier and beam, perimeter wall foundation, pile foundation (for unstable/ waterlogged soil), floating slab (moderate rain).

C. Metal Parking Garages In Wind Prone States

Windy areas, such as Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Carolina, face strong winds and storms that can be scary, but a metal 2 car garage, with the correct design, can stay firm in windy situations.

Big Challenges In Windy Weather

Some areas in the US have to deal with yearly tornadoes, hurricanes, and strong wind gusts. These can create troubles like:

• Generate powerful winds that can shake a building.
• Make lightweight objects airborne that can hit and puncture garage walls and the roof.
• Pull or move anchors from the foundation, making the garage unstable.

So, how does a steel prefab garage stay strong in high-speed winds? Here are some structural designs that will help survive strong gusts:

Anchoring Methods: It holds the garage down to the foundation, just like a strong grip that keeps the kite from flying away. You can choose between the following anchoring:

• Ground anchors – These are metal rods that go deep into the ground and hold the garage’s frame steady.
• Concrete anchors – These are metal bolts that secure the garage building to a thick concrete base, making it stronger against uplift due to wind.

Roof Bracing And Reinforcement: Consider the steel frame to be the skeleton of your metal building. The reinforcements (such as adding extra braces, purlins, and brackets) can prevent it from getting airborne. Roof bracing will also prevent bending or breaking due to strong winds.

Aerodynamic Design: Your garage design must be aerodynamical to let the wind current slide over instead of becoming vortexes that can make a metal carport airborne and reduce wind drag.

Choose rounded corners, tapered roof, and wind deflectors, vertical corrugated metal panels, etc., a type of architect to break vortex formation and improve safety. Ensure to choose the right metal building foundation options with correct anchoring so the structure stays grounded even during high-speed winds due to tornadoes.

In states like Texas and North Carolina, which are prone to hurricanes, and Oklahoma and Kansas, which are prone to tornadoes, vertical steel garages must be smooth in shape and able to handle strong wind load ratings. Our certified steel structures can withstand up to 180 mph of high-speed winds.

Ways To Make Your Steel Parking Garage Stronger In Wind

• Use steel connections instead of nails to hold the frame.
• Opt for a tough wind rating from the manufacturer that can stand firm in your area.
• Keep the roof and doors secure and reinforced.

Summary:

• Best Roofing for Strong Wind: metal roofing with 160+ mph wind speed resistance.
• Ideal Roof Pitch for High-Speed Wind: 4/12 to 6/12 to reduce wind uplift.
• Best Steel Gauge to Handle Strong Gust of Wind: 12-gauge steel framing (Ensure compliance with ASCE 7-16 standards for wind resistance).
• Ideal Foundation for Windy Areas: concrete slab, pier and beam, deep pile (for unstable soil), and perimeter/ stem wall foundation.

D. Certified Steel Buildings In Extreme Weather States

There are several states with wild weather events, like California, Arizona, and the Gulf Coast. Some places have to deal with wildfires, heatwaves, while others have to deal with hurricanes.

Big Problems For Buildings In Extreme Weather

• Hot temperatures can weaken the structure with time.
• Fire risks that can damage or destroy the structure and stored items.
• Flash flooding and storm surges can damage foundations and walls.

Here’s How Metal Parking Structures Can Help In Harsh Conditions

• Fire Resistant Properties: Metal structures are built to handle wildfires as their materials are made using non-combustible and won’t ignite readily, making them a safer choice in places like California and Arizona.
• UV Coating Finishes: Over time sun can fade off metal paint or can make it brittle and chip away, exposing the steel beneath. With reflective coating, clear coat, or light paint roof, panels can easily bounce sunlight, keeping the indoor cooler and the exterior safe.
• Elevated Construction: To prevent water from entering the garage building, elevate the base, especially in flood-prone areas like the Gulf Coast, which can damage the structure and wash things away. You can opt for reinforcement with strong steel supports to keep the building safe when water rises.
• Hail Resistant: Metal doesn’t crack or dent easily like other traditional materials. They can take a hit as steel is tougher than resin and wood.

Opt for a certified steel structure that can bear all required loads and pressure as per your local climate to win the metal building vs. extreme weather face-off. Choose a strong garage design that lasts by choosing a trusted manufacturer who offers excellent workmanship.

How To Choose The Right Garage Based On Your Needs

1. Consider Essential Factors: Here are some factors that you must consider before choosing a custom garage design:

• Where you live (rainy, snowy, windy area)
• Weather risks (fire-resistant, drought-proof, windproof)
• Roofing styles (flat, angled, sloped, reinforced)
• Insulation (protection from heat or cold)
• Door types (large frame-outs, roll-ups, walk-ins)

2. Choose Customization To Increase Functionality: You can customize a steel structure to match with your home (parking and storage), farm and ranches (equipment and animals), and even business (warehousing, office space, or goods carrier) needs.

Find Your Metal ‘Dream’ Garage For Your Climate Needs With Us!

A metal prefab garage holds up against strong winds, heavy snow, and rain, lasts longer and needs less maintenance than traditional options, and is safe and reliable no matter where you live in the U.S. Want to learn more or get a custom garage? Call Carports Advisor at (336)-914-1654 to explore metal garages and other buildings.