Steel Garages Are Tough Buildings
If you’re looking for a sturdy, reliable outbuilding, you shouldn’t settle for a stick build or pole barn. Metal garages are simply better solutions. What makes steel garage buildings better? Pretty much everything. For starters, galvanized steel tubing is a perfect framing material. It delivers unparalleled strength, durability, and flexibility of building design, while also being essentially impervious to both moisture and pests. Steel is naturally more fire-resistant too, and it never rots, shrinks, or warps.
When it comes to metal garage buildings, the steel tube framing usually gets most of the fanfare, and rightfully so. But the corrugated metal paneling used for roofing and exterior siding is worth talking about, too. So, let’s learn more about the options you have for covering your new metal structure with Metal Garage Central.
What Are Corrugated Metal Panels?
You’re no doubt seen corrugated metal in action, as it’s been commonly used for roofing and paneling on outbuildings and other types of buildings for generations. For the sake of defining terms, corrugated refers to a design that includes alternating ridges and grooves. Corrugated cardboard is a common default for packaging because it’s so strong and sturdy, and the same principle also applies to corrugated metal paneling. Thanks to its geometric ridges and valleys, corrugated metal provides impressive structural strength through an impressive, relatively lightweight conservation of essential materials.
How Are Corrugated Steel Panels Fabricated?
It all starts with thin sheets of galvanized steel. The molten carbon steel is poured into thinner strips to cool, and then the steel rolls go through the galvanization process, which involves adding a protective coating of zinc to prevent corrosion. The finished galvanized coils are then cold-pressed into needed building components of various thicknesses or “gauges,” ranging from steel tubing for framing and trusses, to corrugated panels for metal roofing and side paneling.
Steel Gauge Thickness Explained
You probably know the term gauge as it relates to firearms. The bore of the gun diameter relates to its gauge. The lower the gauge number, the wider the bore. For example, a 12-gauge shotgun has a larger bore than a 20-gauge shotgun.
But as it concerns metal structures, gauge refers to the thickness of each steel building component. Steel frame tubing is most often fabricated from either 14-gauge steel or 12-gauge steel, with the more robust 12-gauge being preferred for commercial and industrial applications. In the same way, corrugated steel paneling for roofs and side walls is usually fabricated with either 29-gauge steel or a thicker 26-gauge steel.
The lower the gauge, the thicker, heavier, and stronger the steel. Metal sheeting or paneling doesn’t require the same thickness as structural frame tubing, but it’s still pretty stout in its own right. Let’s look closer at common corrugated metal gauges for roofing and side paneling:
29-Gauge Steel is commonly used for roofing and siding panels on general storage buildings and agricultural buildings. Within the metal buildings industry, 29-gauge corrugated panels are often referred to as “ag panels,” in fact. 29-gauge corrugated paneling works well for smaller building applications, but it isn’t the most-recommended option for residential buildings, commercial buildings, or industrial buildings.
26-Gauge Steel paneling is a step up from 29-gauge. Its added thickness and strength make it more resilient to both weather and other dent threats. 26-gauge steel paneling generally carries a higher wind and snow load rating, too. And Metal Garage Central offers some 26-gauge purlin-bearing rib panels (or PBR panels) that present some other design advantages, as well. The taller rib height adds both strength and visual texture, and the complete metal-to-metal overlap provided by these panels equates to better weatherproofing capabilities as well.
What Are Some of the Benefits of Corrugated Metal Paneling?
There are many, but we’ve summarized some of the key points below:
The Strength and Durability of Steel
Light-gauge is the strongest building material by weight, and that extends to steel applications for corrugated metal paneling as well.
Ideal for Roofing
Metal roofs are known to shed precipitation and debris better than other roofing materials, particularly when installed in a vertical paneling orientation.
Resistant to the Elements
The combined galvanization and color coating processes make corrugated steel paneling incredibly effective at resisting weather, moisture, and rust threats.
Low-Maintenance Solution
Cleaning your panels can typically be handled with nothing more than a garden hose attachment or pressure washer, and you won’t have to worry about repainting or restraining.
Faster Building Assembly
Corrugated metal panels are relatively simple to install, and can be attached with metal fasteners much more quickly than components fabricated with other building materials.
Visually Distinctive
Corrugated metal paneling looks good on a building, and it also delivers a pleasant pitter-patter sound when installed on the roof. And Metal Garage Central offers a full palette of color options for your roof paneling, side paneling, and trim.
Long-Lasting
Did you know that steel roofing and side paneling are rated to last for a minimum of between 40 and 80 years? Good luck getting that kind of longevity out of asphalt shingles or vinyl siding!
Eco-Friendly Materials
Because metal isn’t a petroleum-based material, and doesn’t rely upon carbon-based materials like wood, it serves to help minimize your carbon footprint. Steel building components also include a minimum percentage of recycled steel, and the products themselves are nearly 100% recyclable. Based on these facts, it can be asserted that corrugated metal is one of the most eco-friendly building materials available today!
Metal Garage Central Provides Perfect Metal Building Solutions
Got questions about corrugated metal paneling, or about metal building applications in general? Ready to make plans for your own new perfect metal structure? We’d be glad to help make it happen for you at Metal Garage Central! You can connect with us online, or for an even faster response, just give us a call at (980) 223-3072 today!